The Pros & Cons Of Quartz Countertops | A Complete Care Guide

While numerous natural stone countertop materials dominate the kitchen and bath industry, one man-made stone ranks just as high in popularity – quartz. How does quartz compare to natural stone? How does it rank in durability, maintenance, heat tolerance, and stain resistance? Today I’ll address all of these questions as well as the pros, cons, care, and maintenance requirements of quartz countertops.

Quartz Countertop FAQ & Care Guide

ENGINEERED STONE: Quartz is a man-made stone comprised of approximately 90% natural quartz aggregates that are adhered with polymer resin and pigments. It is designed to look like natural stone and offers a wide variety of styles, colors, and patterns to pick from. Due to its man-made fabrication, quartz also offers a consistent and uniform appearance. Meaning that multiple slabs will look exactly the same. (Keep in mind, there is quartz and then there is quartzite. These are two different countertop materials. Quartz is man-made, quartzite is natural. I’ll cover quartzite in an upcoming article.)

HEAT RESISTANCE: Due to the resin, quartz has a low heat tolerance. Sudden and localized heat from hot pans or crock pots placed directly on quartz can cause thermal shock, resulting in permanent burn marks and even cracks. Trivets and hot pads are required.

UV LIGHT: According to Use Natural Stone, “Engineered quartz surfacing is sensitive to UV light. If you have a lot of natural sunlight in your space, be wary of the darker color options as they are likely to fade.”

STAINS: Quartz is nonporous and considered stain resistant. Its stain resistance is a common reason why homeowners choose Quartz over natural stone. However, if quartz is not properly cared for and if spills are left for a long period of time, liquids such as wine, coffee, and tea can leave stains. As Caesarstone put it, quartz is stain resistant, not stain proof. Read this article for an in-depth look at what does and does not stain quartz.

SEALING: Quartz does not need to be sealed. In fact, because quartz is impenetrable, sealers will not absorb into the surface. Perhaps the biggest advantage of quartz is that it does not have annual maintenance like natural stones do.

SCRATCHES & CHIPS: Quartz is a very dense and durable engineered stone that rivals granite in hardness. It does not scratch or chip easily, however, it’s not indestructible. Strong force with heavy objects can cause chips and heavy force with sharp objects can cause scratches. Because quartz is man-made, chips and scratches can often be professionally repaired with epoxy and matching pigments. Keep in mind that with time, the resin in quartz can discolor, making it more difficult to match the new resin to the existing countertop.

BACTERIA RESISTANCE: Because quartz is nonporous, it does not harbor bacteria. Quartz is “nontoxic, and resistant to mold, mildew, and moisture.” -Caesarstone.

CLEANING: Mild soap and water is recommended. However, some gentle household cleaners can be used. Avoid vigorous scrubbing as this can dull the surface. Abrasive cleaners such as Comet, Ajax, detergents, bleach, acids, low PH cleaners, caustic soda, and paint thinners. Read more about cleaning quartz here.

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