What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Custom Quartz Bathroom Countertops
What are the Cons of Quartz Countertops for Bathroom?
Engineered stone is taking the countertop industry by storm, but what about quartz bathroom countertops? Are they worth the price tag? Heres everything you need to know about the bathroom quartz countertop. What are the cons? Do they merit the hype? (Spoiler alert: They dont.)
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What Is Quartz?
Before we get into the pros and cons of quartz, its essential to understand what it is and how its made. Quartz is whats known as an engineered stone. Because of that, many people assume that its man-made. But thats only partially true.
Quartz is a naturally occurring mineral mined in the form of rocks. Other countertop materials like granite, marble, and soapstone are also extracted from quarries, but they come in large sections cut into slabs. Some people are surprised to learn that many granite slabs contain portions of natural quartz.
Quartz on its own isnt naturally found in large slabs. Rather, the quartz pebbles are ground down into fine dust and then mixed with resin, pigments, and polymers to form a hard and durable countertop. Natural quartz makes up about 90% of most quartz countertops, and the remaining 10% is other materials.
So while the bulk of the materials in quartz countertops are naturally occurring minerals, the actual process of making them into a slab is done by humans, hence the title engineered stone.
Cons of Quartz Bathroom Countertops
There are quite a few reasons why quartz countertops are great for bathrooms. Theyre incredibly durable and completely nonporous, so they resist water, staining, germs, and bacteria. Theyre easy to clean and maintain, and they are visually appealing.
For all of these pros, though, there are some concerning downsides. Heres a look at some of the biggest cons of quartz countertops and why you might want to avoid them in your bathroom.
Price
Easily, the biggest downside to ordering quartz for your bathroom remodel is the price. Quartz does come with benefits its nonporous, extremely durable, scratch-resistant, customizable, and doesnt need to be sealed.
But all of these benefits come with a cost. So, if youre on a tight budget, you might want to consider other countertop options. The price of quartz countertops can vary significantly. It all depends on the manufacturer, installation costs, style, and design. Marble and granite are cheaper.
Appearance
Although the appearance of quartz can be a huge selling point for some buyers, it can be a serious drawback for others. The coloring and style are entirely customizable, but they will always have a uniform appearance.
If youre hoping to perfectly mimic the varying appearance of granite or other natural stone, its just not going to happen. The natural veins of granite simply cant be replicated by engineering quartz countertops.
Another drawback is that the seams in quartz are more visible than those in natural stone. So if youre looking for a large bathroom countertop that will take more than one slab, theres a good chance youll have a noticeable seam where the two slabs meet.
Prone to Heat Damage
Bathroom countertops need to be able to handle whatever your daily routine throws at them. Hot curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers are part of many morning routines, and quartz countertops dont handle them well.
While natural quartz is heat resistant, the resin and polymers that help bind the countertop together are not. Exposing quartz counters to high-temperature objects can easily cause damage in the form of white spots, clouding, and permanent discoloration.
How much heat can quartz countertops take? Some manufacturers claim they are heat resistant up to 300 degrees or more, while others state they can only handle 150 degrees. The actual temperature threshold of a certain quartz slab will depend on the quality of the countertop and the manufacturer. Either way, its essential to be cautious when using hot items on quartz countertops.
Difficult to Install
Quartz is extremely heavy, making it very difficult to install. Its not something you can knock out yourself in an afternoon of DIY. It requires professional installation by someone who knows what they are doing and has worked with quartz before.
Lining up the seams to reduce visibility is also much more difficult with quartz than with granite, so be prepared to pay higher installation costs if you choose to go with quartz countertops.
Cant Handle Sunlight
Engineered quartz countertops are made for indoor use only. Use it in your bathroom? No problem, as long as there are no windows. Is there a big, beautiful window letting in plenty of sunshine?
If there is, the UV light will fade the pigment in quartz countertops and leave you with a yellowish hue in place of the beautifully colored slab you once loved. So, unless your bathroom is in a dark dungeon with no natural light, you might want to steer clear of using quartz for the countertop.
Upgrade Your Bathroom With Mountain States Kitchen and Bath
Quartz bathroom countertops might not be the right choice for your bathroom remodel. But where quartz is lacking, granite can really deliver. Granite countertops are a surefire way to upgrade the look and feel of not only your bathroom, but your entire home as well.
So, when youre ready to make a change, Mountain States Kitchen and Bath is here to help every step of the way. We have everything youll need to create the bathroom of your dreams, from custom cabinetry to granite countertops and everything in between.
We specialize in remodeling kitchens and bathrooms across the Wasatch Front, from Spanish Fork to Salt Lake City, Utah, and everywhere in between. Contact us today to learn more about what we have to offer, or swing by our showroom in Lehi, Utah, and see some of our beautiful options and designs for yourself. Well be happy to answer any questions you may have or to schedule an in-home consultation with you. Let us help you design the home of your dreams. We cant wait to work with you!
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Additional reading:Discover the Beauty of 18mm Calacatta Koi
Learn The Major Pros And Cons To Quartz Countertops
Quartz is one of the most desirable high-end countertop materials available. Thats saying a lot considering the quality of many other countertop material competitors. Also called engineered stone countertops, their popularity is due, in no small part, to their stylish beauty and ease of ownership. But are they right for you? Lets take a look at the pros and cons of quartz countertops and then review some details on points that will matter to you.
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Explore OptionsWhat Are Quartz Countertops?
Quartz countertops are a man-made product. They are created by combining natural quartz and minerals with chemical resins and pigments. The manufacturing process allows unparalleled creative options. Made of 93% natural stone, theyre an excellent example of human ingenuity and nature combined. Quartz countertops pros and cons lists lean heavily toward the pros side.
Pros
- Color and design options: Quartz countertops have nearly unlimited colors available. The design options can be anything from simple patterns, to complex imitations of granite or marble.
- Contemporary: Crisp, clean looks whether a rich color or subtle design, can fit the style needs of any modern kitchen.
- Maintenance-free: The non-porous surface requires no sealing or special care. Simple cleaning keeps them looking great.
- Durable: Quartz tops should last a lifetime with minimal scratching or chipping.
- Resale value: As their popularity has increased, so has their value in regards to buyer appeal when selling your home.
Cons
- Price: Having one of the highest price tags of all countertop types, the luxury of having quartz countertops comes at a significant price.
- Vulnerable to heat damage: The resins and fillers that provide quartzs durability also make irreparable damage from hot pans a possibility.
- Manufactured product: Although most of the materials in quartz tops are naturally occurring. The process of making them is not natural. They can be made to mimic natural stone, but in essence, they are not.
- Professionally installed only: DIY installation is not recommended. Professional tools and training are required for best results.
Cost
Purchasing quartz countertops will have a significant impact on your kitchen remodel budget. Starting at $80 per square foot installed, they can reach as high as $150 per foot for custom-built options with elaborate designs. More expensive countertop materials exist, but quartz definitely ranks among the highest.
Maintenance and Care
Moisture, dirt and contaminants simply will not penetrate the non-porous surface of quartz, keeping them free of deeply embedded stains. For this reason, they are considered maintenance-free. Simply wiping them off with soap and water is plenty to keep them looking their best.
Being a hard, but not too brittle material, they are difficult to scratch or chip. The resins that provide their tough exterior though, can be damaged by high heat. Protecting them from contact with hot pans is necessary.
Design Options
Design options for quartz countertops are seemingly endless. Some are made to resemble granite or marble, while others are created to look like nothing else can. Light and simple patterns are common, but deep colors and intricate designs are where quartz tops can truly show off their flamboyant tendencies.
Add to that their excellent (but not always perfect) seam-hiding attributes, along with the ability to be fully customized, and you have a countertop material that can be perfect for any kitchen.
Installation
Difficult precision cuts, product weight and seaming methods, command the need for professional installation. Other than very small prefabricated tops, DIY installation is not recommended. To create the nearly invisible seams requires extensive training, and the tools needed to cut the material are expensive.
Lifespan
Warranties on quartz countertops last from 10 years to the life of your home. In reality, they have the potential to last much longer than your house. The man-made products used in their construction dont break down over time, and the natural materials are all but indestructible. When considering the price of quartz tops, keep in mind that its likely a one-time-only cost.
Top Brands
There are differences in quartz countertop manufacturers. Different combinations of materials can produce higher or lower quality tops. However, even lesser quality quartz tops are still better than most countertop materials. A few of the most recognized and trusted makers include Silestone, Cambria and Caesarstone.
Bottom Line
If your budget allows the inclusion of high-end countertops, quartz may be the right material to meet your demands. Having minimal downsides, low maintenance, durable beauty and boasting a myriad of design options, its not surprising that they are one of the most sought-after kitchen design features.
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