You may have heard various opinions about the benefits and drawbacks of Quartz countertops. Some people praise it as a superb choice, while others criticize it to the point of making people feel foolish for considering it.

Putting aside business propaganda and marketing biases, the truth is that the best countertop material for you depends on your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. Whether it’s quartz, granite, or solid surface, it’s important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of each option before making a decision. 

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Quartz Countertops: Where Luxury Meets Unmatched Durability

Although the name “Quartz” might make you think of natural stone, the type of quartz we’re referring to is actually an engineered composite. This material is created by combining a high percentage of crushed quartz (usually around 90 to 94%) with a binding polymer resin.

The resulting composite has the best qualities of natural stone and synthetic materials, such as solid surfaces and laminates. With that in mind, let’s look at the primary advantages and disadvantages of using quartz countertops.

1. Enjoy Peace of Mind: Non-Porous Countertops for a Germ-Free Kitchen

Quartz countertops are made of crushed quartz bits held together by resin. Unlike natural stones, they have a smooth surface without microscopic pores. The resin fills out all the gaps and makes the surface very resistant to stains. Unlike natural stone, liquids and pigments won’t seep in and cause a mess. Additionally, cleaning is easier since any mess or spills can be wiped off the smooth surface.

It’s worth noting that non-porous quartz countertops possess highly antimicrobial properties, which is a crucial characteristic when it comes to hygiene. Since there are no gaps or spaces (pores) for microorganisms to attach to, it significantly restricts their ability to thrive and form colonies.

Several common bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus (which can be found living on your skin!), produce dangerous toxins that are challenging to eradicate. Therefore, it’s undoubtedly in your best interest to prevent their growth in the first place.

In the worst-case scenario, pores can trap fluids in between a solid surface, creating an optimal habitat for many common types of bacteria to build biofilms. This is a real problem as biofilms protect bacteria, making it a million times more challenging to eliminate them than it should be.

Dangerous Bacteria That Get Trapped In The Cracks Of Natural Stone.

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2. Cook with Confidence: Heat-Resistant Countertops Up to 204°C

When compared to other synthetic-based options like solid surface and laminate, quartz countertops are not prone to bending or warping when exposed to hot objects. Furthermore, burn marks on quartz countertops can be fixed by sanding down the surface.

However, this isn’t the case with solid surface or laminated countertops. These materials would have popped and sizzled into an unsalvageable mess, and replacement would be the only option.

3. Long-Lasting Beauty: Quartz Countertops Resist Scratches for Everyday Use

Quartz countertops are made mostly of hard quartz mineral, which can dull knives and other sharp metal objects before it can scratch. However, the resin used in quartz countertops is soft and vulnerable.

But since very little of it is exposed on the surface, it is unlikely to scratch except under extreme conditions. Quartz countertops are much more durable than solid surface countertops, which easily get scratched and cut.

4. Peace of Mind in the Kitchen: Quartz Countertops Resist Everyday Impacts

Quartz countertops exhibit greater durability to cracking due to impact compared to granite, thanks to the polymer resin in between the crushed quartz. Flexible and elastic, the resin serve as shock absorbers that disperse the energy from an impact before it reaches the hard but brittle stone – the same properties that make Kevlar so resistant to high-speed projectiles.

In addition, the granules of crushed quartz in the flexible resin polymer matrix provides even more “give” that further helps disperse high energy impulses which would otherwise be destructive to the surface.

Quartz Countertops Are Very Durable – Perfect For Everyday Indoor Use, Particularly The Kitchen.

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Quartz Countertops: Potential Drawbacks and Dealbreakers

If there is one often recurring theme in everything is that there’s always some give and take. While the polymer resin filling in quartz countertops contributes to many of its advantages, it is also the cause of most of the failings. Below are the main disadvantages of quartz countertops:

1. Quartz Countertops: Beautiful But Budget-Breaking

Probably the first thing anyone will notice is the price tag. Costing just a little less than granite (18% less), and significantly more expensive than solid surfaces (54% more) or laminate (270% more), quartz countertops are quite expensive. Nevertheless, its durability, ease of maintenance and hygiene benefits makes up for its price.

2. Avoid Sun Damage: Quartz Countertops Thrive Indoors

Although great at holding up in a kitchen environment, quartz countertops aren’t the best choice for outdoor use. Prolonged exposure to the elements will quickly fade as the polymer resin and colour pigments react to sunlight and chemicals in the rain and air.

It is also more likely to get scratched as conditions are a little less controlled outside of an indoor environment. While that isn’t to say that quartz cannot be used outdoors, there are simply better options to choose from, such as granite, stainless steel or even concrete.

3. Understanding the Heat Limitations of Quartz Countertops

While quartz countertops won’t melt or warp like solid surfaces, putting hot objects directly on them can leave burn marks or discolouration.

Using a pad or trivet is a great way to avoid damaging your surfaces, but sometimes you may forget to use them. Additionally, what if an emergency arises, such as a child climbing out the window? In such cases, there may not be enough time to search for a trivet.

There are many pros and cons to all the countertop materials. We have an instant price checker that lets you know the industrial price of a countertop, click here. If you have any more inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Which natural stone is actually the best option for the kitchen countertop? Check out this to know 8 Pros and Cons of materials used in making the countertop.