Quartz countertops are highly sought after by homeowners looking for a unique, nonporous, stain-resistant countertop. Quartz is by far the most popular compared to other types of countertops.
Quartz countertops are man-made. The manufacturer combines quartz particles with polymer resins, glass or granite particles, and pigments to create quartz countertops.
Quartz colors are abundant from various different quartz brands, including light blue, white, violet, dark pink, and orange. A quartz countertop will have pattern uniformity throughout, which means multiple quartz slabs will be identical.
Quartz countertops have grown significantly in popularity, and have seen a lot of media attention. Quartz coming from other parts of the country outside of the US has been taxed with a tariff which makes it harder for quartz manufacturers. The price of quartz material has gone up as a result of this tariff.
Perimeter run of creamy quartz countertops with a cooktop.
Quartz is man-made and used for countertops, walls, and floors. Quartzite, on the other hand, is an extremely hard natural stone. Quartzite is comprised of 95 percent quartz that has bound to silica. Quartzite is formed from the high temperatures and pressure that occur deep within the earth.
Check out my in-depth Quartz Vs Quartzite article.
Quartzite is rarely seen in kitchens and bathrooms because it is expensive, and it is very porous. Annual sealing is required to help prevent stains.
Quartzite counters are typically white or gray. Iron oxide is often found throughout the natural stone, leading to pink or red veins. The veins found in natural quartzite resembles marble or granite.
The veins are typically inconsistent throughout the slab. Therefore, each slab is slightly different.
Quartz countertops with a white quartz island and cream-colored quartz perimeter.
Quartz countertops are manmade and offer several benefits that are not found in natural stone countertops. Unfortunately, quartz also has several weaknesses that must be considered.
Quartz countertops are often found in kitchens and bathrooms because they repel water. In addition to this, quartz countertops are beautiful. When light hits a quartz countertop, it is reflected into the room, creating warmth and drama.
Quartz counters are easy to maintain; however, they do not come without a premium price.
Quartz countertop prices range from $45 per square foot to more than $100 per square foot, not including installation costs. The price is affected by the grade of the quartz and the quality of the countertop.
For low-grade countertops, homeowners should expect to pay between $50 and $60 per square foot. Mid-grade countertops run between $60 and $80 per square foot. Finally, a high-grade quartz countertop will cost $80 or more per square foot.
Many homeowners wonder if they could install their quartz countertops themselves. These countertops are not DIY friendly. Quartz is heavy and difficult to install. The installation should be left to a skilled countertop installer.
The cost of installation is usually $50 to $200 per square foot. For an average-sized kitchen, installation costs will run between $2,000 and $4,000. The exact cost of the installation will depend on your kitchen layout.
To get an accurate quartz installation estimate, a countertop contractor will need to come to your home and measure your countertops. If a new sink is to be installed or the edges of the countertop need to be beveled, there will be an additional cost.
In addition to the cost of the quartz countertops and installation costs, you will be expected to pay a delivery fee. The delivery fee is typically around $200.
If the installer needs to remove your old countertops, it will cost $300 to $450. Finally, if any additional work needs to be done like cutting out for electrical outlets or making radius cuts, the installation costs could increase even further.
If you want a matching quartz backsplash, the installation costs will be considerably more, and the time needed to complete the project will be increased.
Countertop installation experts typically charge per square foot. An added backsplash will be an increase in square foot and resulting in a higher price.
Because quartz counters are heavy, two or more installers will be needed during the installation process.
If a countertop contractor quotes you a price before seeing the actual job site, the price could be misleading.
There may be issues that the installer is not aware of ahead of time, which is why the contractor needs to schedule an appointment to look at your kitchen and go over the installation process.
During this initial consultation, speak with your contractor about any additional work that you would like done, such as adding a sink, installing a matching quartz backsplash, etc.
Quartz countertops are quite easy to take care of and require minimal maintenance. The only thing necessary to keep your countertops looking fabulous is a quick wipe down each time you use your kitchen for meal preparation.
Wet a dishcloth with warm water and place a drop of mild soap on the cloth. Wipe the entire surface of the countertop using a circular motion. Rinse your dishcloth out and wipe the counter down again to remove the soap. Finally, wipe your counters with a clean, dry cloth to prevent streaking from occurring.
When choosing a soap for your quartz countertop, look for one that does not contain harsh chemicals. Harsh chemicals will wear down the finish of your quartz countertop with repeated use.
Your countertops should not be scrubbed using steel wool or other abrasive materials as these can scratch the surface of the countertop. For more in-depth information on cleaning quartz countertops check out this article.
If you spill something on your quartz counter, wipe it up immediately. All that is needed is a damp cloth to whisk away the spill.
Although quartz is nonporous, surface stains can occur if a spill is not wiped up. The texture and color pattern of your quartz countertop may mask a spill, which is why your countertops should be wiped down each day.
If a spill is left on your countertop and it hardens, use a plastic scraper. When using the plastic scraper, do not apply excess pressure as it can cause surface scratches.
Instead, wet a few paper towels with hot water and place the paper towels over the spill. Allow the wet paper towels to sit on the countertop for fifteen to thirty minutes. The heat and the moisture will help to loosen the spill so you can easily remove it with your plastic scraper.
Although quartz is stain resistant, it is not stain-proof. If fruit juice, wine, coffee, or tea is allowed to sit on your quartz countertop, a surface stain can occur.
You can remove surface stains by making a paste of water and baking soda. Apply the paste to the countertop and buff the countertop with a soft cloth.
Finish by rinsing the countertop with clear water and buffing dry using a clean, soft towel.
If you have hard water, the minerals found in tap water can cause a haze to develop on your quartz countertop. This film can be removed with a solution of white vinegar and distilled water.
Combine equal parts of vinegar and water and place it in a spray bottle. If the scent of vinegar is overpowering, add a few drops of lemon juice to the mixture.
Mist down your countertop with the solution and use a soft cloth to wipe the countertop surface. This natural cleaner will restore the shine to your quartz countertop.
* Tip – If you do not have white vinegar, you can use hydrogen peroxide, and water mixed at a 1 to 1 ratio, or you can use glass cleaner to remove the haze and restore the lustrous finish to your countertop.
If ink or chewing gum is left on your countertop, it can be removed with Goo Gone or another oil-based stain remover.
Apply the Goo Gone to the ink or chewing gum and allow it to soak in for a few minutes. Then, wipe your quartz counter with a clean, damp cloth.
* If you do not have an oil-based stain remover, rubbing alcohol may remove the ink or the chewing gum.
Because quartz countertops are made from polymer resins, routine sealing is not required. If a sealer is applied to your quartz countertop, the sealant will remain on the surface of the countertop, resulting in dullness and discoloration of the counter.
If you have unknowingly applied a sealer to your quartz countertop, try cleaning the surface with Bar Keeper’s Friend. If that does not remove the sealer, you can lightly buff the countertop surface with steel wool.
Do not apply excess pressure as you only want to remove the sealer. Using too much pressure will remove the sealer and scratch the surface of your quartz countertop.
Quartz particles are mixed with natural materials, including recycled mirror pieces, colored glass particles, or granite pieces. These minerals are then mixed with a polymer resin.
The mixture is then poured into a mold that is 2 to 3 centimeters thick. The mold is then vibrated to remove air bubbles in the resin mixture. Finally, the slabs are baked to harden the material.
Colored quartz countertops are produced using the same process; however, pigments are added to the resin before mixing it with the quartz mixture.
If the manufacturer wishes to create veining in the quartz, the resin and quartz are poured into the mold and vibrated to remove air bubbles.
Then, the colored resin is poured into the mold to create the veining before the slab is baked.
Quartz countertops can be finished using a variety of edge profiles, including a bullnose edge profile, a rough cut edge, a beveled edge, a waterfall edge, or a square edge. Each edge profile provides a different look that helps increase the interest and beauty in your kitchen or bathroom.
Improper cleaning can cause your quartz countertop to yellow. If the wrong countertop cleaner is used, it can cause staining. Cleaners that contain oily soaps, bleach, or other harsh chemicals can cause countertop discoloration. Using a mild cleanser like Weisman Quartz Cleaner rather than soap and water can prevent yellowing.
In addition to harsh chemicals, the minerals found in tap and spring water can react with the resin in your quartz countertops. When water is allowed to stand on a countertop, or a wet towel is left on a counter, the minerals in the water can discolor a quartz countertop. Many countertop experts recommend using distilled water when cleaning your quartz counters. Distilled water does not contain any minerals.
If your countertop begins to yellow, you can remove the discoloration by using hydrogen peroxide. Begin by putting on a pair of Nitrile or latex gloves to protect your hands. Pour a small amount of peroxide into a dish.
Using a clean, dry cloth, dip the corner of the cloth into the peroxide. Gently squeeze to remove most of the hydrogen peroxide. The cloth should only be damp.
Wipe the peroxide across the stain and allow it to air dry. You may need to repeat the hydrogen peroxide application several times to remove all discoloration.
After the discoloration is removed, your countertops will be restored. To discoloration in the future, clean your countertops daily using a pH balanced quartz cleaner.
Spray the quartz countertop cleaner onto your counter and wipe using a soft cloth. Countertop cleaners are designed to repel dirt and enhance the beauty of quartz countertops.
Quartz countertops are produced within a factory and provide you with a stain-resistant, nonporous surface. These countertops look beautiful and instantly transform your home.
If you are contemplating upgrading the countertops in your bathrooms or your kitchen, quartz may be the best type of countertop. Quartz countertops enhance the functionality and value of your home.
Quartz is available in an array of colors and styles, which means you can find one that will match your home’s color scheme. A quartz countertop looks great in both traditional homes and contemporary homes.
Additionally, quartz countertops can have several edge profiles, such as a bullnose edge, a square edge, a raw edge, or a beveled edge.
Quartz is easy to maintain. Simply clean up spills and wipe down your counters daily to keep your countertops looking fantastic. Quartz is nonporous and nearly indestructible; however, it can be damaged by heat.
To protect your countertop, always use a trivet for hot pots and pans and use a cutting board when chopping food items.
A quartz countertop is easy to maintain and will last a lifetime. Minimal maintenance is required. Simply wipe down your counters using a pH neutral cleaner every time you prepare meals to keep your kitchen looking great.
