The Advantages of Using Quartz Countertop

The process of creating quartz was an invention of Marcelo Toncelli in the ’70s. His idea was patented and trademarked by his firm Breton. Nowadays, over 50 companies worldwide are licensed to manufacture and sell quartz slabs of different designs. However, all of these products share the same traits of Breton’s patent.

Composition
Quartz slabs are manufactured by joining roughly 90-95% quartz crystals with polymers and pigments. The best quartz countertops are usually at least 93% pure ground quartz.

Hardness
Due to this composition, the end result is an extremely hard engineered stone. It is scratch-resistant, and able to endure the action of a busy kitchen or bathroom.

Low porosity
The high percentage of quartz crystals can make quartz countertops similar to natural stones in many aspects. But the addition of polymers ensures it offers an almost nonporous surface. This makes the material extremely stain-resistant.

Durability
The physical traits of the best quartz countertops won’t usually differ. So, it’s hard to claim one brand will be able to offer a product more durable than the other. Generally, all quartz slabs are very resistant, standing up to chipping and cracking even better than granite.

Bad Traits
The limitations of quartz should also be expected even when shopping for the best brands of quartz countertops. Quartz won’t resist heat (hot pans shouldn’t be put directly on it) or long-lasting sunlight (colors can fade).
So if all that’s similar, why even bother with brands?