18

Jun

Wood Vs. Quartz Countertops: Is Quartz Better?

Kitchen countertops may seem like they’re no-fuss and you can just choose any material, but selecting the something that doesn’t meet your needs and requirements can surely trigger buyer’s remorse. If you’re leaning towards wood and quartz countertops, here is a comparison between these two countertop materials.

Comparing Wood And Quartz Countertops

The Material

You know the drill – you can’t decide which material is better for you if you don’t know what makes it. So, it is crucial to know the material, its composition, and everything in between.

Wood Countertops

Wood is, well, wood. It is also known as butcher block and it is a material that is sourced from the good ole trees. Trees have been the greatest source of wood since the beginning of time and over time, wood has gone through a lot of processes to make it perfect for use in the kitchen.

It is an environmentally friendly material that is a great insulator of heat and it looks really rustic, but in a good way. So, you know that it is always a winner when it comes to aesthetics.

Quartz Countertops

As for quartz, it is more like a rock, as compared to wood, but the great thing is that it is a man-made material. It is quite literally the best stone out there if you are looking for something that won’t demand a lot and will stay in pristine condition for longer.

Quartz is a light material that is made out of pulverized rocks and minerals, and everything is bonded with resin to give it that solid finish with a bit of sheen. It is a material that will win hearts with its qualities.

Durability

The next factor to consider is the durability of each material. Let’s be honest – if you are going to pick a kitchen countertop material, you want it to be strong. You don’t want to spend money on fragile material. It is literally of no use.

Wood Countertops

Wood is a decently durable material. It is not indestructible by any means, but if you are a die-hard fan of wood and want to get it in your kitchen, then you can, because it is amazing.

Wood is treated to ensure that it lasts in the kitchen for some time, but it does fall victim to cracks, especially if you put a lot of force on it, sit on it, and even manhandle it too much, which can lead to cracks.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is an all-rounded amazing material when it comes to durability. It is strong, it is rock hard and it doesn’t budge even if you put a lot of weight on it. It is a great choice to go for, if you want something that is not fragile like marble, because it is going to last you a good while, even decades if you maintain it well.

Variety

People, no matter how minimal they are, want some sort of variety when it comes to countertop materials. Well, you need to see the same for wood and quartz, so that you can choose something that will entice the senses.

Wood Countertops

Wood doesn’t have a lot of color or finish options. You can only really get warmer colors in wood and it is available in a honed and polished finish. You can stain the wood to make it look a bit different, but again, the color will fall in the warm yellow or red category, so there is only so much you can do with wood.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is available in almost any and every color your heart desires. The main reason for this abundant variety is because it is man-made and when things can be made by someone, you can dye the material any color you want.

All you need to do is choose a color and the fabricator will put in liquid dye or mica in the quartz mixture and you will have the color that you want in no time. Amazing, isn’t it?

Maintenance

Maintaining kitchen countertops can be a mean feat. It is something that you have to do, but you also want it to be manageable, because you don’t want to spend all of your time maintaining and looking after the material.

Wood Countertops

Wood is a high maintenance material. It needs to be sealed because it is not naturally water-resistant. It also needs to be polished from time to time, especially if you’re going for a glossy finish. Also, wood can catch fire and it can lead to heat stains, so you want to ensure that you are protecting wood countertops from these hideous black stains.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is not as high maintenance as wood or any natural stone. Quartz, since it is man-made, is non-porous by nature, so you really don’t need to seal it. It can bead the water up on the surface and there is nothing that you have to do, besides wiping the water away on the surface.

Also, it has a naturally polished finish, but it can wear off over time, so you’ll need to freshen it up. One big drawback of quartz is that it can gradually fade, especially in sunlight, so you want to coat the countertops with a UV protectant to ensure that it doesn’t go from beautiful to bleh.

Price

The price is also something you’ll need to consider, because as good as a material is, it also needs to be affordable.

Wood is considered to be the winner in this department since it is way less expensive than quartz. Yes, some specialty woods can run expensive, but that is not always the case. Since quartz is made in a meticulous way and needs special equipment to cut and fabricate into slabs for countertops, the cost adds up.

Heat Resistance

Heat resistance is probably the most crucial thing you need to go through. You’re working in a kitchen. It is going to get hot in there and you have to get a material that won’t get burned by the woes in the kitchen.

Wood Countertops

Wood doesn’t do well when it comes to high temperatures. It doesn’t mean that you can’t ever put a piece of hot steak near it.

However, you have to understand that will cause blisters on the surface of the wood and that will just ruin the entire look of the butcher block countertops, which is the last thing you want after you’ve spent so much time getting them installed and making them look the way you want them to look.

Quartz Countertops

Heat is not an issue a huge issue for quartz slabs. First of all, the components used to make quartz are all quite heat resistant, and then comes the treating process in which the resin hardens, so you know that quartz can withstand a lot more than it looks like it can handle. So, if you want a material that is decently heat-resistant, then quartz is the best.

Conclusion

Wood and quartz are two different completely different materials. The former is an engineered stone while the latter is a natural material. If you want a rustic kitchen, then choose wood countertops. However, if you want a material that is durable, low maintenance and available in a variety of colors and patterns, then quartz countertops will be right for you. Get in touch with a quartz countertop contractor Rockville for taking a look at various quartz samples.

08

Jul

10 Frequently Asked Questions About Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a wonderful material to use as your kitchen countertop or island. It’s durable, it’s robust and it has a striking resemblance to natural stone slabs. Here are some commonly asked questions about quartz kitchen countertops.

Common Questions About Quartz Countertops People Ask

Is Quartz Available In Tile Form?

Quartz countertops are usually found in slabs. You can choose the thickness of the slab and they are installed easily on your existing countertop framework. If you’re looking for quartz tiles, there might be some retailers that can custom-design the slabs into thin tiles. However, tiles in general are pretty fragile when it comes to use in the kitchen.

You can’t put a lot of force on them and they tend to chip and crack from the sides too, so that isn’t a pleasant thing to see. Tiles can also be quite difficult to clean since the spaces between them, called grout lines, can get dirty quickly and are not easily cleaned so this is also another thing that you should keep in mind.

Are There Seams In Quartz?

Even though quartz is installed in the form of slabs, that still doesn’t mean that there won’t be any seams. The gist with seams is that the smaller the slabs are, the higher the possibility of seams will be. You can’t expect to install a Tetris of quartz countertops and not have any seams in sight. With shiny quartz finishes, seams will be more visible.

However, the seams aren’t as bad as most people assume and they don’t ruin the look and finesse of the countertops if installed properly by a professional. So, if you’re worried about that, then you can put your mind at ease.

Where Can I Get Quartz Countertops From?

There are a lot of countertop retailers and fabricators that you can visit to get your hands on good countertops and quartz is no exception either.

Quartz isn’t a rare material per se, you can get it from your local countertop retailers pretty easily, but if you’re looking for more variety, then it’s best that you check out wholesale fabricators so that you can get a look at the different types of countertop materials and get one for the best price. This is your best bet and you’ll be able to find something that ticks all of the boxes for you.

Is Quartz Expensive Or Affordable?

This is another question that a lot of people ask and are concerned about, because no matter how good a countertop material is, if it’s out of budget, then you’re not buying it. Simple as that. Quartz can be a middle-range or expensive countertop material as the price changes with its quality.

So, you can get your hands on quartz for anywhere between $50  to $200 per square foot depending on the quality, where you get it from, and what size you’re opting for.

How To Clean Quartz Countertops?

This is probably the most commonly asked question because maintenance of countertops, no matter what the material is, can be quite the challenge. Well, you’ll be happy to know that cleaning quartz countertops is easy and you don’t need to buy those specialty products that are meant to clean super fragile countertops. You can make do with your household detergent, dilute it in some water, and use a soft microfiber cloth to clean the surfaces daily.

As for dried-up food crumbs and day-old stains, you can use a wet toothbrush saturated with some detergent and scrub the surface until the crumbs get loose and then you can use the same damp washcloth to wipe away the debris. Your countertops will look good as new and the best part? You didn’t spend a lot of money on those special cleaners.

Do Quartz Countertops Resist Heat?

Quartz has a reasonable heat resistance and it’s amazing in the kitchen, however, if you compare it to natural stones like granite, marble, and soapstone, then it will disappoint you. Natural stones have unmatched heat resistance and there are not a lot of materials that you can compare these stones to, not even quartz.

So, even though quartz can take a bit of heat, if the temperature is beyond the limit of the stone (more than 150 degrees Fahrenheit), then it will get blistered and your countertop surfaces will be dotted with heat stains throughout and it’s not a fun thing to look at. For comparison, granite countertops can withstand heat up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit without heat stains.

Are Quartz Countertops Durable?

Quartz is very durable, especially considering that it’s a man-made material. It’s made out of silica, pulverized rocks and it’s all packed together with pressure and strength to bring forth a countertop that is amazing in its strength and durability. On Mohs hardness scale, quartz is rated 6-7. Granite is at 7 while marble is rated at 3-4. So, we can argue that quartz is as durable as granite.

Quartz can withstand a lot of pressure, forces, and impacts, so you know that this bad boy won’t budge. It also doesn’t chip or crack as easily and it doesn’t stain either, so all in all, this material is truly an amazing investment for the kitchen.

Do I Need To Seal Quartz Countertops?

A lot of the time, people will be thrown off by the requirements of sealing in many countertop materials. Materials that are porous need to be sealed and it’s not a fun time, since it’s adding to the maintenance work and cost.

Luckily, quartz is a non-porous material through and through and you don’t need to seal it to make it waterproof or stain-resistant. It does a wonderful job on its own and since it’s also naturally shiny, there’s no need for applying a coat of sealant to bring out the lustrous sheen.

How To Maintain Quartz Countertops?

Maintaining quartz countertops is relatively easy and it doesn’t take a lot of work to keep these countertops in pristine condition for long. You don’t need to bother a lot with special cleaning and looking after, because these countertops can become brand new after regularly cleaning the countertops with a wet washcloth and a soapy detergent.

What’s also amazing is that you don’t need to wax or polish it because quartz has a natural shine to it, which is just a manufacturing quality. So, you’ll be in for a treat with quartz countertops because you can set them up and forget about them.

Should I Go For A Single Or Double Basin?

Quartz is versatile when it comes to opting for designs in the kitchen. You can either go for a single sink basin or a double sink basin depending solely on what you originally have in the kitchen.

Quartz can be fabricated into any style and size you want, but the only issue is that custom fabrication will cost you a bit more as compared to getting pre-fabricated countertop designs. If your budget allows it or your kitchen measurements or requirements are unique, then you should go for a custom countertop design.

Conclusion

Now that you know the answers to all quartz-related questions, you can get a better idea as to what kind of material quartz is and should you choose it or not. If you have more queries and want to take a look at the variety and colors, contact a quartz countertops dealer Rockville.

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.