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 is very scratch resistant, but they can be damaged when forcefully hit with sharp objects. A cutting board is recommended. 3. Avoid cleaning with highly acidic or alkaline cleaners, such as nail polish remover, turpentine, oven cleaner, bleach, drain cleaners, dishwasher rinsing agents, etc.
But do quartz countertops increase home value? Yes! Here's why. With costs ranging from $60 to $100 per square foot and beyond, quartz offers tremendous value compared with other materials like marble ($75 to $250 per square foot), and marble – in particular – doesn't maintain its beauty for nearly as long.
Quartz, like natural stone, is not perfectly smooth, you may see and feel imperfections in the surface. Like natural stone, these imperfections do not imply that the quartz is damaged or inferior but are natural occurrences.
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 surface should be streaked with white and show naturally occurring irregularities. Glass made to look like quartz will be smoother and show few, if any, striations or streaks in its surface, with even color distribution that may be pleasing aesthetically but are not characteristic of genuine quartz.
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.
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.
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.
Leaving spills on your quartz countertops for long periods of time can result in damages. So look out for acidic liquids like vinegar, wine, and lemon juice! If you accidentally spill any liquid on your counters, immediately wipe them off.
Yes, you can use a Magic Eraser to clean quartz. They won't scratch the surface and can even remove some imperfections you thought you had to live with. Scotch-Brite also makes some non-scratch scouring pads that work well on engineered stone.
No, it is not recommended that you place appliances like a toaster oven on your quartz countertop. The dramatic fluctuations in heat could cause your countertop to crack. Put a trivet or cutting board under your toaster oven while in use to prevent any damage to your beautiful counters.
– 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.
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.
Although quartz countertops will have less to zero radon, it does not preclude granite as a "less safe" choice in kitchen countertops. Given the radiation naturally encountered through flying, walking around a city, and living your everyday life, it is not significant enough to discourage granite in the household.
Clorox, whether it is Clorox wipes or the Multi-Purpose cleaning fluid, is not safe to use for cleaning and disinfecting your granite. The multi-purpose cleaner contains bleach, which is extremely harmful for granite and many other natural stones.
Granite and other natural stone countertop sales are projected to grow into 2025, according to economists. Consumers and homeowners have fallen in love with granite over the last twenty years, and that's not ending anytime soon!
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.
Because Pine Sol does not contain harsh ingredients such as bleach and uses a minimal amount of natural ingredients, it can be used to clean quartz countertops. It's an effective, natural cleaner and disinfectant that can be used on your quartz countertops regularly.
Homeowners who choose quartz slabs that resemble the creamy white look of Carrara marble are more likely to see occasional stains, which is why they should wipe down spills immediately.
Bar Keepers Friend Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish is specially formulated for use on smooth, polished stone – including granite, marble, and quartz. Its pH-balanced formula won't scratch or mar stone finishes, and it's gentle enough to use every day.
The best part is that it's incredibly simple! On a daily basis, we simply wipe down the counters using a rag with warm water and a mild soap, like Dawn dish soap. Then we are sure to rinse the surface thoroughly– don't skip the rinsing step or your counter surface may look streaky– and dry it completely.
Unfortunately, as demand outpaces supply for quartz, counterfeits are also flooding the market. If you're not attentive enough, you may end up buying faux quartz countertops. While faux and real quartz can appear similar on the surface, faux quartz can cause plenty of problems to homeowners.
When it comes to different grades of quartz, there is the first choice, commercial-grade, and second choice. These grades of quartz determine overall cost, durability, aesthetics and impact your home's overall value.