Durability: Quartz is one the hardest materials on the planet. This means it has a higher scratch resistance than granite and won't chip or crack easily. Great for applying to different surfaces including floors and stairs.
Quartz can be more expensive than other countertops but is generally cheaper than natural stone and other luxury options. It does require professional installation and can discolor when exposed to high temperatures and extensive heat for long periods.
Avoid Using Abrasive Pads or Cleaners
Yes, you want to clean your quartz and leave it in good condition. However, doing this with abrasive pads will only cause more harm than good. Like you can guess, the pads come with rough edges. In turn, scrubbing or applying it to your countertop surface can cause scratches.
While quartz is scratch-resistant, materials harder than quartz can scratch it. For example, the bottom of some ceramic dishes may be abrasive enough to inflict minor damage to the surface.
Taking the time to care for your granite will help maintain the natural beauty of your countertops. Quartz, on the other hand, is much easier to clean and maintain. Because quartz is a manufactured product, it is non-porous and more resistant to staining. Quartz is also well known for being GERM-FREE.
Quartz is Easier to Maintain than Granite
This countertop achieves a high level of durability without any sealant. As opposed to Granite, which requires re-sealing each year to maintain a less superior guard against the common hot pan, spilled wine, and dirty hands. An easy to clean countertop is the new kitchen dream.
Quartz countertops resemble natural stone, but the pattern and hues are much more uniform. This offers cohesion for those who don't enjoy granite's natural flaws. Seams are less noticeable. Quartz is also available in solid colors with little to no pattern.
Quartz is made up of mostly quartz mixed with resin. The resin in the quartz is highly affected by heat, and this is why placing a hot pan on quartz is so strongly discouraged. If you were to put such high heat on quartz, the resin is very likely to burn and the countertop's coloration would be significantly impacted.
Quartz is ranked 7th on Mohs scale
This means that quartz is highly resistant to scratching, but it is not entirely scratch proof. In everyday use, knives and sharp objects will not scratch your countertops easily. Granite, on the other hand, offers hardness between 6 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale.
While cutting food on quartz countertops may not cause a lot of damage, we don't recommend it.
We mentioned that it is important that you use only gentle chemicals on your quartz countertops. Some of these include dish soap, Simple Green, Magic Eraser, denatured alcohol, Rug Doctor Cleaner, or Hope's Surface Cleaner.
Con: Heat Resistance
Quartz countertops are somewhat heat resistant, but at very high temperatures the resins that bind the quartz crystals may discolor. If heat resistance is a top priority for you, a natural stone countertop may be a better choice, although stone surfaces can also be damaged by excessive heat.
Quartz is scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof. Remember that although your quartz countertops are incredibly durable, they are not cutting boards.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.
Sunlight. Because quartz is made using polyester resin, over time you may start to notice some discolouration - particularly in lighter coloured countertops. On average, it takes less than a year of daily sunlight for a quartz worktop to fade.
Lifespan. Warranties on quartz countertops last from 10 years to the life of your home. In reality, they have the potential to last much longer than your house. The man-made products used in their construction don't break down over time, and the natural materials are all but indestructible.
While it is unlikely that tea and coffee mugs will burn through your quartz countertop, you do not want to risk it. Using coasters will protect your countertops from any burn and will help maintain them over time.
#1 Quartz Countertop Is Not Porous
This means that it won't absorb spills or stains like other types of countertops, making it very easy to keep clean. For anyone who loves to bake, quartz is ideal. It is smooth and cool, so it's the perfect dough rolling surface for your bakery kitchen setup.
Unfortunately, the polyester resin in quartz can be easily damaged by heat from the toaster oven, electric frying pan, oven, crock pot, or any other appliance that produces a lot of heat.
The bottom line is, yes you can cut food directly on your quartz counter. That's because this material is tough, hard and durable. It's actually one of the hardest materials you will come across. This means it's great at resisting cuts and scratches.
Quartz. Quartz is the most durable countertop material. A perfect choice for any kitchen or bathroom, quartz countertops contain a mixture of crushed quartz and resin. These materials create diverse appearance options that range from vibrant, customizable colors to the tried-and-true natural finish.
Everything from white granite and black granite countertops to granite slabs has fallen out of style. The second reason granite countertops have lost their appeal is that the preference for light, simple kitchens has replaced the trend of dark, warm kitchens. Designers quit wanting “movement” and instead wanted peace.
If granite becomes damaged or the sealant wears off, spills may seep into the surface, resulting in stains since the stone is naturally porous. This makes quartz a prime option for busy kitchens or homes with children thanks to its resistance to staining, cracks, and discoloration.
Heat Resistant: Granite countertops will not melt, blister, nor change color when exposed to heat. Unlike Quartz, Granite is one of the most heat-resistant countertops on the market. If you take a hot pan out of the oven, you can place it directly on your countertop surface without any harm!