If you have a home in Minneapolis and have been shopping for new counters, you have probably heard more than one sales rep talk about quartz. While it may be found with the natural stone countertop options, it is also often referred to an engineered stone, which can be confusing.
To help clarify this issue and to learn why quartz countertops offer a great option for any kitchen or bathroom, let’s take a closer look at the basics.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is made of a natural stone, which is called quartz. This is a common stone that you have probably seen when you were out walking or hiking. It is actually a mineral and it comes in a wide variety of different colors.
To make quartz countertops, the natural quartz is ground in huge industrial processors. Depending on the look of the quartz countertop required, the resulting pebbles to more of a sand-like material will be mixed with resin and polymers. There are also additional pigments used to bring out specific colors that would not be available with just the natural stone.
The mixture is approximately 90% quartz to about 10% resin. This is allowed to dry and harden and it is then smoothed and polished. These counters will retain that brilliant shine for life.
This is a very durable, resistant and versatile type of countertop material. It does not stain and the resin and polymers form a hard surface that is impermeable. It is easy to clean and disinfect and just needs a wipe down with a soft cloth after use.
It is important to realize that these countertops are not heat tolerant. This is similar to other types of countertops and using a trivet or a hot pad resolves this issue. They also don’t require sealing like other natural stone, which is a plus for many people.
Colors and Designs
As this is engineered, the range of colors and patterns found in quartz countertops is far more extensive than with natural stone. With other types of natural stone Mother Nature is the limit on the colors and patterns, but with quartz it is the designer that has the control.
Designs go from classic colors that look very much like marble or granite to modern designs that are bold and high contrast. Unique colors such as apple green, bright red, slightly lilac to purple and even blue or metallic are all possible and available for your consideration.
