Maintaining Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are popular but pricey. While there are more expensive countertop materials available, quartz is towards the top of the list in cost. Reason being, the unique stone is both attractive and durable. Consumers have flocked to purchase quartz countertops because they desire a long-lasting countertop that can be easily designed to fit their home. Quartz is worth the investment; however, the homeowner does have some responsibility in ensuring quartz maintains its worth overtime. Here are a few maintenance tips to ensure your quartz countertops stay in prime condition:

Clean up spills right away

You should do this regardless of the type of countertop, but make sure you clean up any spill as soon as possible. Lingering stains will cause the design to fade. Plus, the longer the stain remains, the tougher it will be to clean it. This is the simplest of quartz maintenance techniques. Don’t risk the health of your quartz countertop due to the simple negligence or laziness of not cleaning up a spill.

Do not place hot items on the quartz countertop

One fallback to quartz is that it is not heat-resistant. For this reason, anytime quartz comes in contact with a hot object, it will be damaged. Keep your pots and pans on the stove top where they belong. A heat shock will cause the countertop to crack.

Avoid cleaning products with strong chemicals

When cleaning quartz countertops, be sure to avoid cleaning products with strong chemicals. Avoid bleach, oven cleaners, furniture polish and all other cleaners with a significant chemical influence. Vinegar is a good alternative to clean quartz if you need to use anything besides warm water. Chemicals will cause quartz countertops to wear. Quartz’s standout shine will become dull and your countertops will become less attractive due to a user error. This does not mean to avoid cleaning altogether; you should clean your quartz countertops routinely. Just wet a sponge with warm water once or twice a week and you’ll keep them in good shape.

Ensure no sharp objects come in contact with the countertop

Quartz is not scratch-resistant either. Knives or other sharp objects coming in contact with quartz will result in scratches. If you are accustomed to cutting foods on your countertops, then a simple fix would be to buy a cutting board. Cutting boards are inexpensive and will be worth the purchase to sustain the beauty of your quartz counters.  Additionally, abrasive cleaners can cause damage. Instead of using a scrubber, use either a soft cloth or a sponge. Quartz is very durable; however, it is not invincible. Executing these simple tactics will keep your quartz countertops in top condition.

If you are interested in upgrading your home with quartz countertops then Granite Artists is the company to reach out to! We offer other countertop options, but quartz is, of course, a popular selection. Our experts will give you all the specifics you need before making the purchase. Once your quartz countertops are bought and installed, remember the above tidbits to ensure it stays looking as good as new.

Quartz vs. Granite

One of the longest running, most epic and greatly debated rivalries in home modernization history is quartz countertops vs. granite countertops. The two countertop types have been at the forefront of consumer selections for many years. It’s tough to pinpoint which is more popular or more satisfying among buyers. Each has more strengths than weaknesses, and each has the power to upgrade a home from average to great. It’s like comparing the Empire State Building to the Sears Tower–they’re both awesome. Despite the lack of separation between the two countertops, we’ll try to break it down well enough to convince you of one selection over the other.

Durability

Quartz: Quartz is not 100% natural, but, close to it. Quartz is found to be 95-97% natural, making it naturally durable. It is non-porous, meaning difficult to stain. You’ll still want to clean up any spills right away—Quartz is difficult to stain, but not stain-free. The fact that quartz is not heat resistant is one vulnerability, though, that’s about it. Quartz should last for the lifetime of the home without having to be routinely maintained.

Granite: As opposed to quartz, granite is 100% natural. However, quartz is slightly stronger than granite. Both are practically invincible. Unless you opt to take a bulldozer to them, both can withstand just about any impact. Granite is porous–you’ll want to scrub and clean granite somewhat regularly. Granite is also best kept if re-sealed every year or two. To make you waver even more, granite is heat resistant, unlike quartz.

Durability Winner: Quartz, by a nose.

Design

Quartz: The greatest selling point for quartz is its ability to be customized. Homeowners can choose from an array design options. They can also recommend a design to have manufactured specifically for their home. If you want to add a personal touch, quartz is your best bet.

Granite: The greatest selling point for granite is its uniqueness. No two granite slabs are the same. Furthermore, you will never run into a granite design that matches that of your own home. Design options are basically unlimited for granite. Granite offers a cozy, dynamic feel to a kitchen.

Design Winner: Plead the 5^th! This one comes down to personal preference.

Price

Quartz: Price is always the kicker, right? Not so fast. You’ll find quartz and granite to be relatively similar in this category as well. Taking into account an average sized kitchen, the total job to have quartz installed will cost anywhere between $1,500 and $5,500 (per homeadvisor.com). Per square foot, quartz will cost between $60 and $90.

Granite: A total job to have granite installed will range from $2,000-$4,000 (per homeadvisor.com). Granite generally costs between $50 and $70 per square foot. Each slab of granite is going to be similar in quality, thus, pricing is often steadier. Quartz, on the other hand, can range in quality. A manufacturer will adjust pricing based on the quality of each quartz slab.

Price Winner: Granite is the better bargain. As long as it is maintained, you’re paying less for just about the same.

So, there you have it. Even after an extensive comparison, there is no definitive victor. The best suggestion is to check out some samples and go from there. You have knowledge of each countertop’s background, now you just need to decide which is best for your home.

If you’re looking for a quartz or granite source, contact Granite Artists. We’ll help you find exactly what you are looking for and we’ll provide it to you cheaper than anywhere else.