For many of us, the kitchen is the hub of activity. It is where meals are made, and sometimes eaten, and functions as a gathering spot for family and friends. So as the epicenter of so much action, your kitchen deserves to be functional and stylish, and that all starts with your countertops. Lately, the countertop surface that’s on the lips and wish lists of designers and home buyers alike is quartz.
Quartz can be sourced from a number of places: kitchen design showrooms, stores such as Ikea or the Home Depot, and local stone yards that handle their own fabrication and installation. Contemplating quartz for your kitchen? Here are some reasons to consider this dazzling countertop surface.
It’s extremely durable
Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on Earth, even harder than granite or marble. It’ll last as long as your kitchen, and many quartz countertop manufacturers provide warranties ranging from 10 to 15 years to a lifetime. It is also scratch-resistant and won’t crack or chip.
It’s nonporous and antibacterial
Quartz isn’t porous like other stone surfaces, which means it never needs to be sealed. It’s resistant to mold, stain, and mildew, and a quick daily wipe-down keeps it 99.9% bacteria-free. Generally, warm, soapy water will clean kitchen work surfaces.
It’s environmentally friendly
Good news for those of us looking to live greener: Quartz materials typically leave less of a carbon footprint than other countertops. It’s an abundant material in the Earth’s crust, and the finished product is nontoxic and nonallergenic.
There are unlimited color and pattern options
Quartz can be manufactured in more color options than natural stones like marble or granite. It comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, including white, cream, brown, and black, with sparkles, swirls, flecks, and veining for the look of granite or marble. You can get it honed, sandblasted, or embossed. Even something as outlandish as, say, a strawberry-red countertop can probably be done.