When you are deciding between countertop materials for your kitchen or bathroom renovation, your main priority might be aesthetics. Maybe you prefer the sophistication of marble, the unique coloring of granite, or the customization and veining of quartz. All are fantastic options in terms of both appearance and value, but there are several ways that quartz countertops outperform natural stone countertops like marble and granite.
- Non-Porous – Natural stone is porous and must be sealed periodically to keep out moisture, microorganisms, and stains. Quartz, on the other hand, is non-porous, so there is no need to worry about these issues.
- Durable – Quartz countertops are more durable than natural stone ones because they are harder. Quartz ranks at about a 7 on the Mohs scale, and it is better at resisting scratches, chips, and cracks as a result.
- Low-Maintenance – Quartz countertops are easier to clean than natural stone countertops partly because the former are non-porous. They don’t need to be sealed at all. They can also be cleaned easily with water and mild soap, whereas natural stone countertops need special cleaning products, which must not be too acidic.
- Customizable – Because quartz countertops are engineered using a mixture of crushed natural quartz, resin, polymers, binders, and pigments, they are customizable in a way natural stone cannot be. A variety of colors, patterns, and textures can be added to them.
While quartz countertops have many advantages over natural stone countertops, this is not to say that quartz doesn’t have weaknesses of its own. For instance, quartz countertops are vulnerable to heat, so it’s important to put hot pots or pans on top of trivets or hot pads.