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.
The main downsides of quartz countertops are their price, appearance (if you desire the look of natural stone), and lack of resistance against heat damage.
Quartz countertops are not so hard to care for, in fact, they are quite low maintenance. Proper care and maintenance are quite essential if you are wanting to keep your kitchen countertops looking their very best!
– Again, quartz is extremely durable. High-quality quartz is virtually crack-resistant, but lesser quality quartz can crack or shatter if exposed to extreme cold, such as an ice bag left on the counter. The same goes for extreme heat. Sudden, drastic changes in temperature may crack a quartz surface.
As factory-made composites, the quartz countertops are homogeneous and nonporous. That rids them of the types of defects that can weaken natural stone slabs and it eliminates the need to seal the surface. Quartz countertops are more sanitary, making them an ideal choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
No, you can't use disinfecting wipes on quartz countertops. Disinfecting wipes contain citric acid as their primary ingredient and are not diluted in any way. When you use these wipes to clean your countertop, they will weaken the seal on your countertop's surface leaving them vulnerable to discoloration.
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.
To fix a chip in your quartz countertop, you'll need adhesive filler or super glue. Use a brush or spatula to apply thin coats of filler or glue to the affected area until it's level with the surface. If your surface is a dark color, look for pigmented epoxy adhesive, which will blend in with your countertop better.
A number of factors can cause chips to appear on quartz countertops. These include bumping, setting heavy objects, dropping of kitchen materials and equipment, and someone sitting or standing on your kitchen countertop.
Some quartz makers sell exclusively through big-box stores; other slabs are available only through independent kitchen and bath showrooms.
Quartz is scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof. Remember that although your quartz countertops are incredibly durable, they are not cutting boards. Never cut directly on your countertops to avoid scratching the finish and making the stone more vulnerable to staining.
But like other countertop materials, stain resistant quartz countertops are not completely indestructible. A white countertop can be spectacular. But even a white quartz countertop is vulnerable to staining from products such as red wine, tea, coffee, tomato sauce, and more if it's not cleaned up right away.
Can White Quartz Turn Yellow? Your white quartz, and other lighter colored quartz, can turn yellow over time. This is usually due to the resins in the manufacturing process. They will react to salts and surfactants over time.
Quartz Countertop Cleaners to Avoid
Most household cleaners you would usually use to do a quick clean with such as Windex, vinegar and Lysol wipes (some of which contain bleach) are not a good idea for quartz countertops.
Corian is cheaper than quartz upfront. You can expect to pay between $40 and $65 per square foot for Corian while quartz starts at $40 and can extend well beyond $200 per square foot.
Installation ranges from $150 to $280 per square foot. That's for installing a quartz slab—If you want special finishes or need extra cutouts, the cost goes up. If you choose quartz, your heart rate might increase because you're in love but you should also see an increase of 3-7% home value.
Quartz takes first place in terms of durability. Made of crushed quartz stone mixed with polymers and resin, this artificially engineered stone countertop is an extremely durable surface that resembles natural stone.
Clean Your Countertops Frequently The polished finish of quartz countertops is permanent. Unless the surface is damaged, the only other reason quartz surfaces may look dull is if they haven't been cleaned for a while. Keeping your quartz slabs clean is the easiest way to ensure they retain the look of their finish.
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.
Some quartz stone companies offer a 15-year warranty, while others offer it for a lifetime. A lifetime warranty actually means something different from what you might think when it comes to consumer products.
To achieve the best results, choose sandpaper with higher grit ranging from 360 to 600. This will even out and smooth over the dried glue on the surface of your quartz countertop. Also, for surfaces, you may use a razor blade for filling the chip. You just need to gently glide on the area with sideways movements.
Clean the quartz countertops with a damp rag followed by a dry rag to remove all excess particles created by sanding. Buff the countertops with a polishing pad and stone polish. Be sure to choose a stone polish for use with quartz and follow the instructions on the product's label.
Quartz is generally less expensive.
But with the exception of the cheapest granite, quartz is generally less expensive—$70 to $100 per square foot installed compared with granite's price range of $60 to $270 per square foot installed.
Don't cut on quartz: Quartz is scratch resistant, one of the toughest countertop materials out there. The natural quartz stone in it is fortified with man-made polymers, making a tough material even tougher. That said, do not use your quartz as a cutting board. Sharp knives can scratch the surface.
In general, granite has a higher resale value than quartz. Granite can increase the value of your home by as much as 25 percent of the countertop's retail value, according to Robert Measer, of Hunt Real Estate.