What is Quartz Countertop Manufacturer and Why Do We Use Them?

What Is It Made Of

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Quartz kitchen countertops have certain qualities that make them special, even among other stone countertops like granite. You can find quartz kitchen countertops in many colors&#;from bright whites to cool grays, warm creams, and rich browns and blacks. Some quartz has veining that makes it look like marble. And some options contain mirror chips that reflect light and appear to make the countertops sparkle.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Quartz is a great choice for its durability, ease of cleaning, and color selection. Here are some facts to know about this material and what makes it a top pick.

What Is a Quartz Countertop?

Quartz countertops are a form of engineered stone made from ground-up particles of quartz bound together with resins. The industry is increasingly using the term engineered stone to refer to this type of countertop in order to differentiate it from natural stone.

What are Quartz Countertops Made Of?

Quartz countertops are not made of solid quartz, but a mix of 90% crushed granite, marble, natural stone, or recycled industrial waste, such as ceramic, silica, glass, and mirrors. The other 10% is a polymeric or cement-based binder that binds all the material. The mix of these materials gives quartz countertops the look and feel of stone.

Quartz countertops can include some amount of actual quartz, but they contain no solid quartz extracted from quarries. The 90% of stone-like materials that form the base of quartz countertops are all waste byproducts of other quarrying or manufacturing processes, which makes quartz an eco-friendly countertop option.

All Quartz Countertops Are Made Using Bretonstone Technology

Bretonstone Technology is a patented process created by the Breton company in northeast Italy. The process consists of blending pulverized natural stone aggregate with a mix of polymers, removing the air, and then heating and shaping the material into slabs that have the hardness and appearance of natural stone. 

Bretonstone Technology has been licensed to more than 50 companies around the world, including such famous quartz brands as Silestone, Cambria, and Caesarstone. While these manufacturers add their own flair and nuances to their engineered stone countertops, they're still working off the original patent, from Breton.

Quartz Has Excellent Durability

Quartz kitchen countertops are nonporous, so they don't need sealing like granite or marble do. This also means quartz does not get water stains easily.

In addition, quartz does not scratch easily; in fact, granite tends to scratch easier than quartz. However, extreme pressure can cause a scratch, chip, or crack.

The good news is it&#;s possible to buff out light scratches with polish and get your countertops looking like new again. It&#;s also possible to fix deep scratches using an epoxy filler. However, the key is scratch prevention by doing things like always using cutting boards.

Tip

Though quartz countertops are very durable, placing a hot pan or baking dish directly on the surface will cause discoloration or even warping. To exercise caution, always use a trivet or coaster.

Is Quartz Better Than Granite

Quartz is more durable and less porous than slab granite, which is a natural stone. For years, quartz tried to play the natural stone game, and it was all about deciding between quartz kitchen countertops vs. granite. These days, the popularity of quartz has driven down the price of granite.

Here are a few of the key differences between quartz and granite countertops:

Quartz

• Easier to maintain

• Doesn't require sealing

• Resistant to staining

• More durable

Granite

• More involved maintenance

• Must be sealed

• Stains easily

• Less durable

While granite-look quartz materials still ply the market in huge numbers, quartz that looks like nothing else is an increasingly popular segment. One example is Caesarstone. As if "modern" weren't a current-enough style category for consumers, Caesarstone now has an "ultra-modern" category with offerings such as Apple Martini, Blizzard, and Crocodile.

How Much Does Quartz Cost

Quartz countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot on average and are generally cheaper than granite and marble, yet more expensive than options like laminate or butcher block. Grade-specific quartz prices vary as follows:

• Low-quality quartz: $50 to $65 per square foot

• Mid-quality quartz: $65 to $75 per square foot

• High-quality quartz: $75 to $150 per square foot

The main difference between low-quality and high-quality quartz is the makeup of the mixture. For example, low-quality quartz has about 12% resin and high-quality quart has about 7% resin. Other factors that may drive up the cost of quartz include features and customizations like the following:

• Edge treatments
• Corner treatments
• Sink installation
• Plumbing add-ons
  

Are Quartz Countertops Easy to Clean?

You can easily keep quartz countertops spotless with the occasional wipe with a soft cloth and warm water. Tougher messes will benefit from a small amount of dish soap or a cleaning spray that is safe for quartz countertops. Fortunately, quartz countertops are resistant to staining and don't require sealing like granite, so you don't have to worry about everyday messes.

FAQ

• Are there any cons to a quartz countertop?

  Quartz is a highly durable countertop material, but it's not without a few drawbacks. Quartz countertops can be difficult to install and often have visible seams after installation. They're not very heat-resistant due to the resins used to make them. Lastly, quartz countertops can also be expensive.

• Is there a difference between quartz and quartzite countertops?

  Quartz is a manufactured material mixed with other stones and resin, while quartzite is a pure, natural stone. Quartzite resembles marble or granite, with delicate veining, and is usually $90 to $175 per square foot.

• What are the best brands for quartz countertops?

  Three of the best quartz countertop brands are Cambria, Caesarstone, and Silestone. They all feature plenty of quartz countertop color options to choose from, as well as multiple textures and thicknesses. Some smaller but still well-rated brands include Viatera, allen + roth, Daltile ONE Quartz, and Pental. 

• How much can it cost to install quartz countertops?

  Installing quartz countertops can range from $1,500 to $12,000. Factors affecting the price include the size of the project, any customizations (such as a sink cutout or beveled edges), and the quality of the quartz. Labor costs also can vary by location.

Quartz Slabs became quite popular lately due to their durability, and stain resistance. You can find a variety of different colors and designs which are mostly not available in natural stone countertops. There are some disadvantages too. Before diving into the details, we have to understand what quartz is.

What is quartz?

Quartz is a relatively new manmade artificial surface covering material. Harder stones like granite consist of quartz. Quartz raw material is found in nature. While quartz is very abundant in nature, there are some famous quartz crystals such as Indian quartz, Brazilian quartz, and American quartz.

Aquarella Macauba Polished Quartzite Slab

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Story of Quartz Countertops

Due to the popularity of quartz countertops, some American and European producers came up with taking this abundant raw material, mixing it with resin, and pouring slabs out of it. Breton machinery company in Italy was one of the pioneers of this technology and eventually, it evolved into one of the most popular kitchen countertop materials in the world.

Belvedere Textured Quartzite Slab

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How Quartz Kitchen Countertops are Made?

Quartz is a cheaper alternative to natural stone such as marble countertops and granite countertops.  There are good and bad manufacturers of quartz slabs and it is difficult to distinguish which is a good quartz and which is not. In addition to quartz chips, quartz countertops consist of resin, an artificial form of plastic. Some manufacturers put as much as  15% resin in quartz countertops. Contrary to popular belief bad quality quartz eventually scratches and can burn.

Main Quartz Manufacturers

Oki quartz from Italy, Stone Italiana quartz, and Silestone are some of the earlier players with a variety of colors and textures. Eventually, Ceaserstone and Cambria became some of the mass manufacturers.

Available Varieties

Quartz slabs come polished or honed.  In addition chip size and color can also vary as well as veins. Basic colors such as white quartz are very popular in apartment building kitchen countertops.

Some of the veined quartz countertops are made to look like popular Italian marbles such as White Carrara and Calacatta marble.  These veins are mostly handmade in China and can look artificial. Technology is still limited and veins are repetitive.

When creating your home, you want a stone that accents your color scheme and lifestyle. Quartz is one of the only countertop materials that has the flexibility to be personalized to your style. Marble Systems Quartz Slabs has a wide variety of quartz colors while remaining low maintenance, making the creation of the space of your choosing unique and timeless.

As quartz is an engineered material, there are many different quartz variations of color, pattern, and shade, while remaining less costly and more long-lasting than other surface-covering materials. Most quartz manufacturers have a large assortment of different colors of quartz from black and bronze to white and cream leaving plenty of room for the buyer&#;s preferences.

Popular applications

The most common areas of use for quartz countertops are budget apartment buildings, budget hotels, and senior housing. Most developers want an inexpensive alternative to relative material stones, such as marble or granite for countertops. Primarily, the quartz product is used on countertops but has other uses as well.

Quartz can be featured on walls, and custom tabletops, and used for backsplashes, leaving the applications of quartz within the realm of interior design to be endless. When looking for an accent wall or unique addition to a home, apartment, or hotel, quartz remains a solid choice if the focus is on affordability, upkeep, and customization. These various applications have the ability to be altered to complement the color scheme and chosen look for the space.

Advantages and Disadvantages

There have been reports of health concerns in quartz countertop manufacturing. A recent NPR report referred to the health hazards of making quartz tops. Now let&#;s check the advantages and disadvantages of quartz countertops. Quartz countertops are relatively stain-free and easier to maintain those are the principal advantages.

However, they can become quite boring and also scratch and stain after a long period of time. Veins in quartz countertops can look quite artificial and repetitive after several slabs. Also if you&#;re doing a kitchen island, it is quite difficult to have the veins match in a natural-looking way. One of the biggest problems of quartz countertops is it is difficult to make edges look natural and veins go all the way through.

Advantages of Quartz Countertops

As a result of quartz being man-made, this covering material offers many more stylistic options than other natural stones. The varieties of quartz options span from colors to designs differing from compared to countertop materials. High-quality quartz not only provides an array of options for each and every style but can also look just like the more expensive stones.

When shopping for a key feature in a new home, seeing what you get is imperative for us all. Since quartz is an engineered material, there is an everlasting consistency. Just like snowflakes, natural stones are never exactly alike. Therefore, when ordering multiple slabs of natural stone, the purchaser could be surprised by the differences when focusing on the details, but this is not the case with quartz. What you see, will always be what you get.

Quartz countertops are non-porous and easy to maintain. Cleaning quartz surfaces is as easy as can be as the material can stand everyday staining sources without leaving a mark. Quartz countertops are also much more sanitary with their non-porous composition, making them a healthy, yet trendy, addition to everyday kitchens and bathrooms.

For everyday buyers, maintaining a budget is necessary. Quartz can maintain just as high quality and looks of natural stone options while staying more cost-effective. Unlike granite or marble, quartz does not need to be resealed annually, overall saving money in the future as well.

Disadvantages of Quartz

Finding the perfect quartz countertop match can become very timely. As a result of quartz availability, it takes a lot of shopping in order to find the right cost, style, and quality to fit the buyer&#;s needs.

Although quartz countertops are primarily stain-resistant, they are susceptible to damage from sunlight leading to dulling and staining. When using quartz, the buyer&#;s everyday life is managed with caution as to the placement of hot pans or heated hair stylers. Over time, this so-called &#;indestructible&#; surface can scratch and slowly change to a color and texture it was not originally bought as.

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As an engineered product, quartz also has cons to this factor. Man-made veins can become overwhelming in a large area, especially the chance that multiple slabs could make the countertops look artificial. The size limitations of quartz, compared to the lack of size limitations in granite and natural stones, can restrict the amount that the veins go along the surface, making it look all the more engineered, rather than natural.

Difference Between Quartz vs Quartzite

In this article, we mostly focused on Quartz which is a man-made stone. You may have heard of Quartzite as well and may be wondering about the differences between the two. At Marble Systems, we have also Quartzite slabs that are suitable for kitchen countertops. The main difference is as we said before; quartz is a man-made, engineered stone that was reinforced with chips, resin, and pigments. Read our Quartz vs. Quartzite Countertops: Which is Best for Your Home? blog post to see all differences.

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On the other hand, Quartzite is originally a sandstone, a metamorphic rock, it is completely natural. It is extracted from quarries and then cut into slabs to be used as mostly kitchen countertops. It is somewhat similar to natural stones like marble and granite. Because it is porous and must be sealed periodically, while quartz is non-porous and it doesn&#;t require any sealing.

Finally, we can say that both quartz and quartzite countertops are very beautiful. Their price points are very close to each other. They are good alternatives to marble or granite countertops in terms of pricing.

Want more information on Wholesale Quartzite Slabs? Feel free to contact us.