Things to Look for in Quartz Countertops

According to a market research report published in 2018, the value of the global quartz market will increase to $9 billion by the year 2025. While this projection includes tiles, slabs, and panels, the bulk of the growth will be centered on bathroom and kitchen countertops. The current trend of choosing quartz for countertops is strong and could last for a few decades. If you’re thinking about installing quartz in your kitchen or bathroom, here are a few things you should look for. Quartz, Not Quartzite Getting these two materials mixed up happens more often than you might think, and it’s more likely to occur at a general home improvement store than at a flooring showroom. To be on the safe side, make sure to explain you’re looking for engineered stone, not natural stone. If a salesperson starts talking about the need to apply sealant, you know it’s quartzite and not quartz because the latter doesn’t need to be resealed or polished. A quartz polish and cleaner combo like Granite Gold Quartz Brite® is all you need to keep your engineered stone looking like new. Cost Per Square Foot and Installation Compared to granite and other types of natural stone, you’ll find more price variation in quartz. Until recently, quartz could be found at prices slightly higher than granite, but the market is adjusting to a new kind of demand that is making quartz slabs and installations cheaper than granite in many cases. The most affordable entry point for quartz is to purchase a manufactured counter with the quartz top already installed. However, you should be aware this option may result in a lower quality fabrication. Variances in Fabrication Quality Unlike natural stone, the quality of quartz slabs is largely determined by the manufacturing. In the United States, the quartz market has matured to the point of major brands becoming established and being recognized for their fabrication standards. In some cases, brands are being taken over. For example, Zodiaq is now part of DuPont and is known as Corian quartz, a name you can trust since it offers a 10-year warranty if installed by a certified contractor. Quite a few Chinese fabricators are targeting the American market, and some of them manufacture slabs with a high polymer content and not enough quartz crystals, which often results in a rubber-like appearance. Even and Uniform Surfaces Solid surface slabs such as Corian are available in many colors and patterns that are evenly distributed as long as they are of high-quality fabrication. There’s a challenge when manufacturing solid color slabs because imperfections will show when a polished finish is applied. If you choose a slab with a honed or brushed finish for a more natural look, you may not be able to spot imperfections. Reach out to Granite Gold® today if you have questions about caring for quartz countertops. We can also assist you with details on granite care and maintaining other types of natural stone such as marble, limestone, and travertine. Call one of our knowledgeable representatives today at 1-800-475-STONE (7866).