06

Nov

Quartz Vs. Solid Surface Countertops: Which One Is Better?

Are you remodeling your kitchen or looking to replace your countertop? Do you need some ideas for new kitchen countertop materials? Well, you came to the perfect place. Here is a comparison between solid surface and quartz countertops. The two most popular engineered stone countertop materials.

Differences Between Quartz And Solid Surface Countertops

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops have unique properties listed below:

Unmatched Durability

Quartz is a man-made material made out of pulverized stones and minerals. They are densely compacted together in the form of slabs under high temperature and pressure. This is why quartz has the upper hand when it comes to durability.

It doesn’t break, chip, or shatter under immense forces or impacts and it doesn’t break along the edges either which is a huge weak point for a lot of natural stones countertop martials no matter how strong the material is.

Quartz is also non-porous, so it doesn’t need to be sealed and it also doesn’t stain because of this characteristic. Quartz is a great option to consider if you’re looking for something that’s going to last you a long time and if you want great value for the money you’re spending.

A great thing about quartz is that it will last you as long as granite, but it will also cost you quite similar to granite.

Maintenance & Variety

When choosing a countertop, the two primary things that people seem to care about are the maintenance and the overall options available. Well, quartz has you covered in both departments and the results are quite promising to say the least.

Quartz is a pretty low-maintenance material and it doesn’t need a lot of cleaning either. All you need to do, to keep quartz countertops spotless, is regular cleaning with a wet rag and a soapy water solution. That’s going to be more than enough for quartz and it’s going to remain spotless for longer.

As far as options are concerned, there are a lot to choose from, especially if you’re looking for something neutral and not too bold. There are a lot of colors available in white, off-white, beige, gray, and countertops with veining that resemble marble and granite.

There is a myth that there not many color options of quartz that are bolder and richer, but it’s not true. Quartz is an engineered stone to almost any color and pattern can be made.

Heat Resistant

Quartz is made to withstand high temperatures making it a perfect material to use in the kitchen. However, it’s not heat proof. It can withstand heat up to 300 Fahrenheit. But if anything hotter than this temperature is placed on the quartz slab, the owner will regret it. That’s because the hot item will leave a stain on the quartz surface which is hard to remove.

The heat endurance of most countertop materials is low and quartz is not any different. Homeowners should use heat pads and trivets to protect their countertops.

Scratch Resistant

Another huge worry for people who are looking at different countertop materials is softness. A soft material will scratch easily and those scratches can be the end for the countertops, especially if they go unnoticed. Deep scratches can lead to fluid penetration and that is the key thing that can lead to immense damage.

Scratches can also lead to stains because the non-porous surface will be exposed to moisture and that can be pretty detrimental for the countertops. It can lead to them getting prematurely ruined.

Solid Surface Countertops

Strong & Durable

Solid surface countertops are also quite durable They don’t break easily and the main reason is the composition of the material itself.

Solid surface kitchen countertops aren’t made of pulverized stones. Rather, this material is made from resin and pigments that are mixed in a paste and then formed into slabs by treating them with pressure and temperature. This is what gives solid surface countertops a characteristic sheen on the surface.

They are mostly used in modern and minimal kitchen designs. Solid surface is a great option for people who want something similar to quartz, but a bit different. Being almost equal in price, a lot of people prefer solid surface countertops because the look is just more contemporary than other stone-based countertops and that’s a quality that speaks volumes and is the main reason for the popularity of this material.

Say Goodbye To Seams

Seams are an issue with most countertops that are installed in the form of slabs and tiles and while most of them can be covered, it may still be a problem in the back of the mind. With solid surface countertops, there is no issue of seams because they’re installed in a single unit and the only seam that will be present is on the L-shaped ledge of the countertop, which can be easily hidden.

Because of the way this countertop material is made, seams are virtually invisible and there’s no issue in proper installation either. If you’re someone who is a perfectionist when it comes to countertop installation, then you’ll be happy to know that solid surface countertops will not disappoint you.

Furthermore, even if there are seams because of a complicated countertop layout, they can be hidden with some epoxy resin of the same color.

No Sealing Required

This is a quality similar to quartz, and if you’re basing your priority solely on this factor, then both materials are a good choice. Solid surface countertops, like quartz countertops, don’t need to be sealed. Sealing is not just an extra step to ensure waterproofing of the material, but it can also add up as an extra cost, and not a lot of people are a huge fan of this.

So, it’s a good thing that you don’t need to seal solid surface countertops because the surface is virtually non-porous and no fluid or moisture can penetrate the material and cause damage.

Sealing is done on materials and stones that are porous by nature, like granite and marble, because these materials can easily get damaged by water and you’ll be wasting a lot more money on getting them fixed, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. But luckily, there’s no need to seal solid surface countertops.

Maintenance & Variety

If you are curious about the general maintenance and the overall variety of solid surface countertops, then you’ll be delighted to know that it’s just as easy to maintain and take care of, as quartz and other non-porous materials. There’s no need to wax and polish the surface of these countertops because the natural shine is enough to give the countertops a lustrous look.

As far as variety is concerned, solid surface countertops have an upper hand. There are a lot of colors and designs that can be made, according to the customer’s preferences because all it takes in the making of solid surface countertops, is resin and a pigment. So, any color of countertops imaginable can be created and installed in your kitchen. It’s a wonderful choice to go for if you’re looking for something low-maintenance.

Conclusion

This guide is going to give you a thorough comparison between the two materials and you can decide for yourself, as to which countertop material is better for you. However, as both are engineered stone countertop materials, they are have less differences. Discuss more with a quartz countertops dealer Potomac to choose the right material.

27

Jul

Quartz Vs Quartzite Countertops: How Are They Different?

There are a number of countertop materials you can choose from and deciding which one to go for can be nothing less than a hassle. You’re in luck because this comparison between quartzite and quartz kitchen countertops will make the selection a piece of cake for you.

Differences Between Quartz And Quartzite Countertops

Composition

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is actually a man-made material. It is made up of pulverized quartz crystals with sand and it’s mixed up with resin to create a hard slab that is a perfect choice for your kitchen if you’re looking for something beautiful and durable.

This countertop material is available in tile form as well as slab form, but slabs are preferred more by people. Because it’s more durable, have a nicer and elegant appearance, and can give your kitchen that flair of character. Quartz is one of the most versatile man-made materials and it is definitely a winner in the kitchen.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is a natural stone so it does have a majestic appearance as granite and marble does. It is made up of quartz, mostly, but some variants might also have mica and some percentage of sand as well.

Quartzite has a beautiful and subtle appearance as well because it has an array of veins going all over its surface in different directions. It has a light base, and the top is decorated with light and dark veining that looks absolutely breathtaking in different lighting.

If you’re looking for a natural countertop material that’s going to be a statement in your kitchen, but don’t want to spend a lot on options like granite and marble, then quartzite is the way to go.

Durability

As far as durability is concerned, both quartz and quartzite are up there.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz, since it is a man-made material, is going to be extra durable and strong, as compared to its natural counterparts. It is compacted under high pressure and there is reinforced strength that makes this material a much better option.

The material doesn’t shatter or crack under high pressure or under forceful impacts and it’s going to last a lot longer, especially if you take care of them properly. It is also quite heat resistant.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite might seem like a less durable option out of the two, but it doesn’t mean that it’s a fragile material. It is considered to be even harder than granite, even though both are natural and porous rocks.

Quartzite is quite comparable in strength with quartz, but if you really want to get down to the nitty-gritty, then a better and more durable option would be quartz because it’s low on the maintenance side of things on top of being strong. It is also one of the very few natural stones that have built-in UV protection so the color doesn’t fade over time and it also keeps the surface free from germs.

Cost

Price is another important factor to consider when buying a countertop material for your kitchen. A lot of people tend to opt for materials that are reasonably priced because they don’t want to spend so much on countertops.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is available in a huge variety, but the price solely depends on the retailer, the thickness of the slab you’re choosing, and the overall quality of quartz.

A one-square-foot slab of quartz will cost you anywhere between $60 to $70, which is quite reasonable for a durable and strong countertop material.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is a natural stone and although the stone itself doesn’t cost a lot, there are overhead costs that might make it an expensive choice. This material isn’t as expensive as other natural stones like granite and marble, so it’s still a reasonably priced material as far as natural stones are concerned.

Quartzite will cost you around $70 to $80 including additional things like sealing and polishing, for a slab. It  is pretty heavy and the installation cost of this material is also insanely high, from $200 to $300 so a lot of people tend to go for DIY countertop installation.

Maintenance

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a very low-maintenance material. There is no need to seal it. You can clean it very easily and it is heat resistant as well. Even though quartz is quite durable, that still doesn’t mean that it can’t get damaged by heat. It’s better to take care of the countertops as much as you can because heat can ruin the look of quartz countertops and it can lead to heat stains if you constantly put the countertops in contact with heat.

Even though you can get away with a few times, it’s better to take good care of these countertops, so that their maintenance doesn’t become a hassle for you in the future.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite, since it is a natural stone, needs to be sealed because it is porous and any contact with water, moisture, and even certain foods can lead to permanent stains on the countertop. Because quartzite is also quite light in color, the appearance of stains can be very obvious and the surface can look very dirty.

Sealing the countertops will ensure that your countertops stay in good condition for long. But it is still an extra step and you’ll need to reseal the countertops every year to freshen up the look of the countertops.

Stain Resistance

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a non-porous material, so it is naturally stain-resistant, especially when it comes to things like food and water stains. Being virtually non-porous and highly dense, quartz will last a lot longer than most materials and it also won’t get damaged as easily from moisture or mold formation.

The only real culprit that can damage and ruin the look of quartz is sunlight. Quartz isn’t resistant to UV rays, so the color can fade over time.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite, on the other hand, isn’t stain resistant without the extra help of a sealant. Sealing quartzite countertops is considered to be an extra step towards protecting the stone from severe damage and bacterial infestations.

Some people can be wary of sealing these countertops because it’s extra work and expense, but it’s going to go a long way.

Variety In Colors

Lastly, the variety in colors and designs is something that can be a deal maker or breaker for a lot of people. Nothing is more off-putting than having a seemingly perfect countertop material, but not having enough color options according to your liking.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is very forgiving when it comes to color selection. There are light, dark, and bright colors available in this material and you can get just about any color in quartz countertops.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite lacks the variety of colors that quartz has. The former material is only available in a range of neutral and light colors, which isn’t usually an issue for people who prefer lighter-colored countertops. However, light colors can be a pain in the neck to maintain since they can get dirty and murky pretty quickly. This is why a lot of people choose darker countertop colors.

Conclusion

This comparison covers everything from durability to price and whatnot. Now, keeping these things in mind about both countertop materials, you can make the choice for your kitchen. Whichever material you choose, hire a quartz countertop installer Rockville to flawlessly install the countertop in your kitchen.