Get the lowdowns on all the different types of quartz and the essential factors you need to consider for each type, including instructional videos and useful tips on installation and the upkeep of quartz.
Quartz is a popular building material worldwide due to its availability and durability. At first glance, quartz in the form of rock may look like any other rock, but it’s a versatile mineral that plays an integral role in the home building and decorating world.
The options for incorporating quartz into your home may seem endless, but there are a few things worth considering before you head to your local home improvement store and browse their quartz products.
How you plan to use the quartz, where you install it, and pricing are all important deciding factors. We’ll start out by discussing common uses of quartz in the home, as well as some benefits and drawbacks to each type of quartz.
Table of Contents
1. Countertops
A kitchen without a countertop is hardly a usable space. Not only do countertops provide valuable working space for preparing food, but for many homeowners, a countertop on top of a kitchen island is a gathering space and an excellent option for people who don’t have a dining room.
Like other home materials, countertops are available in a variety of materials that have different levels of quality. If you’ve ever lived in an apartment or an older home, maybe your kitchen countertops were made of laminate with a design to look like quartz or other top-grade materials. These types of countertops are easy to manufacture and are often more cost-effective but don’t last as long as other materials like quartz.
How quartz countertops are made
The process that goes into making a quartz countertop is different than you may expect. Rather than cutting slabs of rock, small and larger pieces of quartz are mixed with a binder. Color is added to the mix since quartz is naturally white, the mixture is baked, all air is sucked out to make it non-porous, and then slabs are polished and cut.
Main benefit of quartz
One of the primary reasons why people choose quartz for kitchen countertops is because they aren’t porous like other countertop materials. Having a non-porous surface is not only easier to clean and care for, but you also don’t have to worry about germs and bacteria seeping into your countertops.
Whether you have a small countertop or long ones that wrap around your kitchen, quartz is relatively easy to work with and customizable to fit a kitchen or bathroom. Keep in mind that quartz does have some size limitations.
Quartz is durable and scratch-resistant, but one drawback is that it’s not entirely resistant to heat. While this isn’t much of a dealbreaker for people who love the look of quartz, it requires a little extra care when placing hot pots or items on the countertop.
Some people complain that the modern and minimalist look of quartz countertops clash with older design styles, but it ultimately comes down to the homeowner’s preferences. Another drawback to consider is the installation process, but we will discuss installation and costs a little later in this guide.
2. Flooring
Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling a floor in your kitchen or bathroom, quartz is a popular flooring material. Even though coloring is added to quartz, most quartz flooring is light-colored. Lighter colored quartz flooring looks great in bathrooms and other areas where there’s not likely to be high-traffic, dirt, or mud.
Quartz is durable and can withstand wear and tear, but it’s important to note that light-colored flooring may require more maintenance or show signs of wear and tear more quickly. Quartz flooring is typically available in tiles with the option of color and texture.
3. Backsplashes and Tiles
Regardless of your design style, a backsplash is a great way to add a little “flair” or color to your kitchen or bathroom, and protecting your wall is just a bonus. Like flooring and countertops, quartz backsplashes are available in different sizes, and with mixed materials like glass, mirrors, or other natural stone.
Quartz is an ideal material for a backsplash since it’s non-porous and easy to clean, but if you’re inspired by the look of a large slab backsplash, keep in mind that it might not have a seamless look. Since quartz is also susceptible to scorch marks from hot pots and pans, be mindful of how close you put a backsplash near your stovetop.
Quartz tiles are a great way to accent walls, flooring, and other areas of your home. You can even get creative and make a refurbish a table with quartz tiles.
4. Sinks
The sink is easily one of your most used items in your kitchen every day, and you might think more about functionality than aesthetics. Quartz sinks are attractive and functional, giving you the best of both worlds.
Most quartz sinks are composite (typically a blend of quartz and acrylic) but are an excellent option for bathrooms and kitchens for various reasons.
Not only are quartz sinks non-porous, which means you don’t need to worry about bacteria and germs as much, but they are also available in a variety of sizes and styles, such as Farmhouse. Another plus is that quartz sinks are less noisy than stainless steel sinks.
