Today, on Redhead Mom, I’m sharing a partnered guest post about 8 Key Advantages of Quartz in Homes.
When you are trying to select the right material for your countertops, floors or other surfaces in your home that need a fresh renovation, learning about the benefits of the materials will help you make the best decision. This is more than just an aesthetic choice, you should pick a material that meets the needs of your household.
Quartz is one of the most popular options on the market due to its various benefits. It is not only very durable and functional, quartz is also available in a wide range of colors that can fit in with a diverse range of designs. Keep reading to learn more about the amazing advantages of quartz.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is a half-engineered and half-natural stone. The natural part of the stone is mostly composed of crushed quartzite, which gives the resulting quartz slab its natural elegance and durability. The engineered part of the stone is made up of resins and pigments that add unique benefits to the slab such as being non-porous and endless color variations.
The mixture of these engineered and natural materials is a strong stone, highly durable, and ideal for high-traffic areas of the home such as the kitchen or the bathroom. Moreover, it is highly resistant to moisture, stains, or bacteria, thus is a great option for homeowners looking for a material that is as low maintenance as it is durable. Quartz maintains its gorgeous appearance without requiring a lot of time or care.
Durability and Strength
One of the most important advantages of quartz is its durability. It is not only incredibly tough, which makes the quartz surfaces in your home highly resistant to chipping, cracking, or scratching, but it can also meet the demands of daily use without any issues.
The added resins to the natural quartzite make the quartz slabs much more resistant to possible impact-related damages. The engineering process gives an already durable stone an additional layer of protection, making it a preferred option for homeowners and interior decorators alike.
As opposed to softer natural stones such as marble, quartz maintains its structural integrity even after daily use. This durability ensures that your investment will stand the test of time and serve your home for many years.
Low-Maintenance
In today’s fast-paced world, spending too much time on countertop maintenance is something all homeowners would prefer to avoid. Quartz is a premium material that doesn’t need too much time or effort to keep its pristine condition.
As it is mixed with resins, the stone is non-porous, meaning it doesn’t have pores on its surface that would allow dirt and bacteria to seep into the stone. Therefore, quartz is a very low-maintenance option that is highly stain and bacteria resistant.
While spilling on porous materials such as granite can be stressful, especially in the case of highly staining liquids such as coffee or wine, it is not an issue with quartz. The drinks won’t get past the protective layers on the stone to cause damage.
Aesthetic Appeal
Quartz is an incredibly practical and functional option for various uses around the house. With that being said, its aesthetic appeal is also one of the primary reasons for its popularity. Quartz is available in a wide range of colors thanks to the pigments that are added to it during its manufacturing process.
This incredible diversity is one of the most influential advantages of quartz and allows the stone to fit in with any interior design style. Ranging from modern to traditional, you can take your pick among countless color and pattern styles that will complement your space.
Moreover, unlike natural stones which can have blemishes or imperfections on their surface, quartz offers a uniform appearance that pairs perfectly with sleek and modern styles.
Non-Porous
As mentioned before, quartz is non-porous, making it less susceptible to stains, discoloration, or bacteria. Non-porousness also makes quartz much easier to clean compared to alternatives such as marble or granite. Spills will slide right off and they can be easily cleaned.
As the stone won’t absorb liquids, you won’t have to resort to stain-removing methods that might harm the stone in the long run. As stain removers can be harsh, continued use might result in structural or cosmetic damage.
Another advantage of its non-porous quality is that quartz doesn’t require special cleaners or tools. While materials with a more delicate nature might need special, extra-sensitive cleaning supplies, you can use household cleaners for quartz. For example, mild dish soap is a great option and can be used for daily cleaning alongside a soft cloth.
Scratch Resistance
Quartz is highly resistant to scratches, which is one of the primary reasons why it is such a preferred stone for kitchen countertops. As sharp objects such as knives and cooking utensils often come into contact with the kitchen countertops, opting for a scratch-resistant material will make your life much easier.
Similarly, island tops also benefit from scratch-resistant stones. Additionally, opting for the same material in both the kitchen countertops and the island top will result in a harmonious appearance that will elevate the beauty of the design. You can finish off the room with quartz backsplashes and a quartz bar top for a luxurious appearance that doesn’t compromise on practicality and functionality.
Eco Friendly
Eco-friendliness is a factor that gains more and more importance each day. Eco-conscious homeowners value a stone selection that transforms their house while limiting their impact. Quartz is a great option for homeowners looking to combine practicality with sustainability as many manufacturers include recycled materials in the production of quartz slabs.
As quartz is such a durable material, it negates the need for frequent replacement, which results in diminished need for using more resources to not only quarry more stones but also to transport, fabricate, and install the slabs.
Cost Effective
While quartz offers a variety of benefits such as its versatility, durability, and aesthetic appeal, there is one area where it gets outshined by alternatives, its price. Quartz is not the most affordable option on the market, however, when it comes to cost effectiveness, it is number one.
Quartz offers outstanding long term value to any space it is installed in, whether it is residential or commercial. As it is non-porous, it doesn’t need to be resealed which will save you money in the long run. Moreover, as it is resistant to scratches and chipping, you won’t have to spend money on repairs. The price of quartz justifies itself every day as you will spend much less money on upkeep over time.
Resale Value
In addition to the long-term cost-effectiveness of quartz, it also saves you money in other ways. Quartz additions raise the resale value of the property significantly. If you ever decide to resell your home, you will witness the pull of quartz firsthand.
Quartz home improvements not only raise the resale value but also will bring further attention to your home and make it a favorite among potential buyers. Quartz countertops, island tops and floors signify a durable surface that will last the next owners for a long time, giving them more reason to invest in your home.
Quartz vs Other Materials
If you are trying to decide if quartz is the right option for you, comparing it to some alternatives can give you further insight about the disadvantages and advantages of quartz.
Unlike granite or marble, quartz doesn’t require resealing. Porous stones need to be sealed to ensure they are protected against spills and bacteria. While sealing the stones isn’t an overly complicated or hard process, having to do it regularly will cost time and money.
Options like laminate are more affordable than premium stones like quartz, however, they lack the necessary strength or durability to make them a long-lasting solution. Moreover, it doesn’t offer the same high-quality appearance that quartz does.
Marble is a very elegant option that is a favorite among designers due to its unique appearance and properties. On the other hand, it is a softer stone compared to quartz that doesn’t possess the same durability against chips or scratches.
An area where quartz comes short and marble excels is heat resistance. The added resins to quartz slabs make the stone more susceptible to heat damage. Therefore professionals recommend using trivets to protect the stone.
In short, quartz is an amazing stone that will elevate the appearance and the practicality of your home as soon as it is installed. Its wide color palette ensures it will harmonize seamlessly with your design choices and bring your vision to life. Whether you are remodeling your kitchen or upgrading your bathroom, quartz is a worthy investment.