Wednesday 18 June 2008

Ten Quartz Countertop Benefits

The list of benefits from using a natural stone like quartz over manufactured countertops like formica and corian is outstanding. Quartz counters will even service your kitchen needs better than granite counters.


Quartz surfaces combine the best qualities of laminate counters and natural stone surfaces into one cutting edge product. Quartz surfaces began appearing on home remodeling jobs in just the last few years but its popularity is boiling over. The market share of natural and engineered quartz has risen so quickly that granite quarries are petrified. Granite has been the interior designers and architects countertop of choice for decades.


A small minority of quartz countertops are made of natural quartz cut from monolithic blocks of stone harvested from quarries. The majority of quartz countertop sold today are manufactured from about 95% crushed quartz and 5% polymers. The infused materials result in countertops that are nearly scratch proof, almost maintenance free, and the process allows the counters to be available in designer colors that range from translucent whites to sandy browns or monolithic blacks.


The color choices are what excite most homeowners. With the open floor plans of many kitchens spreading out into dining and living areas it is important for designers to coordinate countertop color choices with the rest of the house. Renovating kitchens with natural flow into the rest of the home becomes a piece of cake.


Easy list of quartz countertops designer benefits:

  • Quartz is the most durable countertop stone or manufactured countertop you can buy
  • You can install quartz tiles or monolithic slabs on shower walls
  • Designer color choices are available
  • Custom edges can be created
  • Quartz countertops dont need to be sealed like granite surfaces
  • Ability to install an undermount sink
  • Faucets can be installed directly on the counter
  • Hot pots and pans can be placed on the working surface of the counter
  • Quartz countertops pay for themselves by adding value to your home
  • Bacteria have a harder time taking hold in quartz counters than any other countertop


The best features of quartz countertops are not visible from the surface. The inside of the counter is where the most benefits crystallize.Quartz countertops are the nearly indestructible counters you can install. Most manufacturers offer a warranty if your counter is installed by a licensed home improvement contractor. Try getting that with a granite countertop.


Final Tip: Don't pelt quartz counters with large diamonds as the countertop might chip. Diamonds are one of the few natural minerals that are harder than quartz.


Watch for quartz countertops to take a large percentage of market share from the granite industry. Visit the authors website for a comparison of the major manufacturers like Silestone, Cambria, and Zodiaq. Also get a side by side comparison to hep you decide between quartz or granite countertops.


This article was written by Scott Jenkins and more quartz tips and maintenance information is available at his website Quartz Counterops.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Jenkins