What Makes Quartz Counters So Popular?
| Despite engineered stone having been around since the late 1960s, the trend of installing slabs made of this material as countertops has really taken off in recent years. On the most popular home improvement online forums, you can find many discussion threads related to quartz countertops, and you can see the conversation often focuses on whether this is just a passing fad. When it comes to discussing the merits of quartz countertops, there is more than just style to consider. Homeowners want to know whether the countertops in their kitchens and bathrooms will affect the value of their properties. Quartz countertop installations are more than just part of a remodeling trend. Here are some of the reasons engineered stone is bound to become the countertop material of choice over the next few decades. Quartz-Rich Stone Has Always Been in Demand Since ancient times, builders always looked for natural stone that contained a high content of silicon dioxide, the natural primary compound that makes up quartz. The popularity of marble and granite has to do with this ancient preference, which is why Italian and Turkish marble, as well as Brazilian granite, are highly sought after. In the case of quartz slabs, they are fabricated with natural quartz content that can be as high as 93 percent. Quartz is a crystalline mineral that features a white, translucent, and ethereal look that has always been in style, and you can get the highest quartz content possible with engineered stone. Engineered Stone Fabrication Continues to Advance The early manufacturing of quartz slabs was very elaborate and complex when compared to natural stone extracted from rock quarries. It took a few decades for quartz fabrication to become similar to the process of manufacturing laminate materials and ceramics. Advances in technology have made quartz fabrication more efficient, which has succeeded in bringing down the cost per square foot. Quartz Can Look as Good as Natural Stone There was a time when quartz looked like Corian, a construction material that was mostly made from advanced resins and polymers and looked very artificial. Eventually, those resins were introduced to the quartz fabrication process to improve its durability and appearance. Modern quartz can be made to resemble fine Carrara marble. Quartz Is Easy to Care For Simple maintenance is a major advantage for homeowners who are also busy professionals. Unlike granite and other natural-stone countertops, quartz does not need to be periodically sealed. All homeowners need to do to keep their counter surfaces clean is use a quartz cleaner and polish solution such as Granite Gold Quartz Brite®. When quartz slabs are finished, the surface seal is permanent and does not need to be reapplied. Quartz also has stain-resistant properties that make it even more convenient. Aside from not needing to be sealed, quartz care is fairly similar to granite care. At Granite Gold®, we offer a wide array of cleaning, sealing, and polishing products that are safe to use on granite, marble, limestone, and all other types of natural stone. Call 1-800-475-STONE (7866) today to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives. |
|
Posted on August 17 2018