Quartz countertops have been rising in popularity over the last several years, especially in heavy use kitchens like apartment complexes and hotels. Their increased demand is primarily due to their durability, stain resistance, and scratch resistance. Not to mention they can be customized to match any aesthetic.
These benefits make quartz the perfect countertop for multifamily and hospitality projects like senior living facilities, student housing, resorts, and more. But before you dive all in, here’s a look at everything you need to know about quartz and why it’s the best countertop option for your commercial building.
What’s the Difference Between Quartz and Granite?
Granite is a natural stone, like soapstone and marble. It is extracted from rock quarries and then cut into large, rough slabs polished down into smooth countertop slabs. Granite’s coloring is completely natural, so no two slabs are exactly the same. Granite is highly durable and resistant to heat, but it has its downsides. It is very porous, so it needs to be sealed regularly to resist water, germs, and bacteria.
Quartz has a similar look to granite, and it even has many of the same properties. But they’re far from being the same thing. Like granite, quartz is mined in quarries. However, it doesn’t come in large slabs. Instead, it’s a mineral found in the form of rocks. These quartz rocks are ground down to a fine powder and mixed with a strong resin to make quartz countertops.
This process makes quartz an engineered stone, meaning it’s comprised mainly of natural materials but is engineered into a slab. Engineered quartz slabs contain about 90% natural quartz, and the remaining 10% is materials like polymers, resin, and pigments.
Engineered quartz has a lot of benefits. Countertops made from quartz don’t require sealing, unlike granite and other natural stones. They’re very durable and resist stains and scratches. They look like natural stone but are easy to customize to your preferences, and each slab of quartz is uniform and has no imperfections. On the other hand, Granite has natural veins and varying colors throughout. Flaws in granite are common.
Maintaining Quartz Countertops
Quartz makes an ideal countertop for commercial spaces because it’s virtually maintenance-free. Cleaning quartz is similar to cleaning any other countertop. Simply use a soft microfiber cloth soaked in warm soapy water and wipe them down whenever needed. If you’re dealing with dried on gunk, you can gently scrape them off with a putty knife without worrying too much about damaging the surface.
Like with any countertop, be careful about the cleaning solutions you use and avoid anything that’s abrasive or contains bleach. Although quartz is scratch-resistant, it’s not scratch-proof, and abrasive cleaning agents can damage the surface. Bleach can also cause damage to your countertops, so try rubbing alcohol or baking soda on any stubborn stains. Be careful not to scrub with the baking soda. Instead, just apply a small amount over the surface of the stain and leave it for a few minutes before wiping it off with a wet rag.
Remember that quartz doesn’t have to be sealed to maintain its antibacterial properties. This makes maintenance a breeze!
Use Caution With Heat
If you’ve had granite countertops in the past, you might be used to placing hot pans and dishes straight from the oven directly onto your countertops. This is a big no-no with quartz since it is vulnerable to extreme heat. Always use a hot pad or trivet when placing hot dishes, pots and pans, and hot hair tools on countertops made of quartz.
Quartz Countertop Designs
Part of the engineering process involved mixing pigment into the quartz so that you can find quartz slabs in a wide array of colors and designs. And while granite is full of unique veins and variations in color, quartz is completely uniform in color and pattern. This makes it ultra-easy to line up slab seams during installation.
It’s also part of what makes quartz such an ideal countertop for commercial spaces. You can select one quartz slab and have enough engineered to fit your entire project, rather than running out of one slab and choosing a new one for the remaining countertops.
Quartz in Bathrooms
We’ve established that quartz is an ideal countertop for commercial kitchens, but what about bathrooms? Good news – it’s great there too. There are quite a few reasons why quartz counters are perfect for bathrooms.
They’re highly durable and completely nonporous, so they resist water, staining, germs, and bacteria, all of which are very common in bathrooms. They’re easy to clean and maintain, and they are visually appealing. Just remember to put down a trivet or hot pad if you’re using hot hair tools on the countertops.
Another bonus to quartz in bathrooms is that they can be engineered with a sink basin, making cleaning a breeze. This eliminates any lip or overhang from a sink being mounted under the countertop or on top of it. And no lip means no caulk that needs to be replaced every few years. It’s as low-maintenance as it gets when it comes to bathroom countertops.
Superior Commercial Solutions Is Here to Help
You want the best and most durable countertops for your commercial kitchens and bathrooms, and at Superior Commercial Solutions, that’s our goal. We offer the best in high-quality quartz countertops, so your commercial space will look good and function properly for years to come.
Our expert team will be with you every step of the way, from design to installation. We also offer custom cabinets, sinks, bifold glass doors, and more so we can help design the perfect kitchen and bathroom for your project.
We specialize in multifamily and hospitality projects, including apartment complexes, hotels, assisted living facilities, and more. We provide superior service across the United States, from New York City to Seattle and everywhere in between. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!