Quartz is Still King

When quartz countertops first came into the market, the concern was their lack of variety in colors and finishes. Over time, thanks to technology, manufacturers have provided a wide range of colors to choose from as well as very realistic stone patterns. You can even get quartz finished with elaborate swirls and large veining to imitate other materials like natural stone. These unique styles have become extremely popular.

The most popular finishes are still the softer and more neutral colors. The majority of homeowners opt for colors such as grey, taupe, creamy or white. This definitely follows the trend for cleaner styles seen in most home spaces.

With this clean trend, there has also been a rise in the popularity of composite sinks. These are sinks made from the same material as the countertop creating a very uniform look making cleaning and maintenance easier. However, stainless steel and farmhouse sinks are still running a close second.

Unlike natural stones, such as granite, quartz is an engineered stone, which means the stone is not being used in its natural state.  Quartz is made up of about 90 to 95 percent ground-up quartz, mixed with about 5 to 10 percent polyester resin and polymers as a binder with pigments for color. It is one of the hardest and most abundant minerals on earth. 

One of the advantages of using Quartz is the abundance of color options and the consistency in the slabs, unlike natural stones. Since pigments are added in the manufacturing, there are unlimited colors available, which is not so with natural stones. 

Another major advantage is that quartz is nonporous, which means it’s resistant to mold and bacteria. The stone will not harbor harmful bacteria from raw food. In a kitchen, this can be a major advantage, particularly for those who are physically challenged. Quartz does not require regular polishing and sealing so it is almost maintenance-free, other than washing it with warm water and mild soap.

Quartz is very durable and resists stains, scratches, and impact.  It can, however, be damaged by heat if a hot pot or pan is put directly on the countertop.  A trivet or hot pad is therefore required in these types of situations.

One of the few negative sides to quartz is that dark colors can fade with an abundance of light coming into the house. In those rooms generating a lot of light through the windows, light color quartz should be used or an alternative stone to avoid fading. 

If you are interested in learning more about our quartz countertops, contact the experts at Hard Rock Stone Works today. Call  (586) 229-2262 to speak with a member of our sales.

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