If you’re considering adding quartz countertops to an apartment building, hotel, or other commercial building, you probably have a lot of questions. Quartz is relatively new to the countertop game, after all. Do they scratch easily? Are they durable? How much do they cost?
Asking these questions is a great place to understand if quartz is the right choice for your project. Here’s a look at the answers to many of the most frequently asked questions about quartz counters.
How Are Quartz Countertops Made?
One of the most common questions about quartz countertops is how they are made. Many people want to group quartz into either a natural stone or a manufactured product, but it’s actually a little bit of both. It is what’s known as an engineered stone.
Quartz is a naturally occurring mineral mined from the ground in the form of rocks. Other countertop materials like marble, granite, and soapstone are also mined from quarries, but they come in large pieces that are then cut into slabs. Some people are surprised to learn that many granite slabs include portions of natural quartz.
Quartz isn’t mined in large slabs. Instead, quartz pebbles are ground down into fine dust. This dust is then mixed with resin, pigments, and polymers to form a hard and durable slab that can be used for countertops. Natural quartz makes up about 90% of most quartz slabs, and the remaining 10% is made up of the resin, polymers, and pigments used to form it.
So the bulk of the materials in these countertops are natural minerals, but humans do the actual process of making them into a slab. This is what the title “engineered stone” means.
Do Quartz Countertops Scratch Easily?
The engineering process that quartz goes through makes it highly durable. That means it’s scratch-resistant but not scratch-proof. As with any countertop material, it’s essential always to use a cutting board and avoid cutting directly on the countertop surface.
A sharp knife can cause scratches in the finish and make it more susceptible to staining. That being said, something like a butter knife is unlikely to cause significant damage. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
How Durable Are Quartz Countertops?
Durable countertops are essential for every kitchen, but they’re at the top of the priority list for commercial spaces. Quartz trumps any other countertop material because it is stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, and even antimicrobial. Bacteria’s inability to penetrate the surface makes quartz extremely sanitary.
Quartz is ideal for apartments, hotels, senior living facilities, and other hospitality projects because it’s virtually indestructible. It exceeds every other countertop material in terms of durability.
How Much Does Quartz Cost?
When choosing a countertop, remember that you get what you pay for. Quartz comes with so many benefits. It’s nonporous, scratch-resistant, customizable, and highly durable. But that all comes with a cost. The actual price for quartz can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer, style, design, and installation costs. You can expect to pay around $125 per square foot, though it might be much more or much less.
Does Quartz Need to Be Sealed?
Anyone who’s had natural stone countertops, like granite, knows what a pain it is to have to reseal them every year. That’s one of the best parts of quartz – it never needs to be resealed. The purpose of sealing is to protect the porous stone from anything penetrating the surface. But since quartz is completely non-porous, there’s no need for a sealant.
Are Quartz Countertops Heat Resistant?
There are several heat-resistance levels, and quartz falls somewhere in the middle. It withstands heat better than laminate countertops, but it’s not as heat-resistant as granite and marble. This is because the resin used to engineer the countertops makes them vulnerable to high temperatures. To avoid placing hot pots and pans and hot hair tools directly on quartz counters, care should be taken.
How Do You Clean Quartz Countertops?
Quartz can be easily cleaned using a soft microfiber cloth with warm water and dish soap. Wipe the countertops down with the soapy rag and remove any residue with a clean, damp cloth.
It’s best to avoid harsh cleaners and scrub your countertops with anything that could scratch them. A mixture of baking soda and water can help for stain removal, but be careful not to clean with the baking soda. Simply apply it on top of the stain and let it sit for five to ten minutes, then gently wipe it off with a warm damp cloth.
What Colors Does Quartz Come In?
While granite countertops are available in limited colors and patterns, the options with quartz are endless. The engineering process makes it possible to customize quartz counters to nearly any color or pattern. The most popular options are black, white, grey, beige, and brown. Different colored flecks and veins can be engineered into the various slabs to make a custom appearance.
You can also get several different finishes for your quartz counters, like polished, sandblasted, leathered, embossed, and honed. These finishes change the way quartz looks under light. For example, polished quartz is very reflective, while a honed finish diffuses light and reflects very little. The finish will also impact how visible fingerprints and other smudges are on the countertop.
Superior Commercial Solutions Is Your Leader in Quartz Countertops
If you are ready to upgrade your space with quartz countertops, Superior Commercial Solutions is here to help. We offer the best in commercial kitchen and bathroom countertops, from design to installation.
We specialize in quartz counters to provide the durability and flexibility that commercial buildings like restaurants, hotels, apartment complexes, and senior living facilities require. We are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and offer commercial countertops, cabinets, sink fixtures, and decor across the United States. Schedule your consultation today!