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Did you know….replacing a scratched, scorched, stained, or just plain unattractive countertop can totally transform a kitchen or a bathroom? It’s true! In your kitchen, the surface area of your countertop makes up such a large ‘footprint’, it influences the overall look and feel of the space. And in your bathroom, the vanity area is usually front and center making a statement in the space.
Picking out countertop material is no easy task. When you are trying to create a new look for your kitchen or bathroom, selecting the perfect countertop can be difficult and time-consuming. There are so many choices not only in the type of material to choose from, but also the finish and the color selection... so many choices! Here is a list of some of the types of materials available:
Soapstone
Granite
Quartz
Zinc
Laminate
Marble
Concrete
Tile
Stainless Steel
Wood
Corian
Slate
What material is best for your home?
It's important to select a material that looks good to you and that offers a finish and color that fits into your overall design of the space. You don't want something that over powers the space but instead you want a look that is subtle but makes a statement. And something that isn't too trendy.
As important is to select a material that will hold up under the activity of your household. Countertops are exposed to water, heat, spills, sharp knives, the occasional kid project (!!) and more! Who hasn't walked into your kitchen to find a Kool-aid making project gone bad!
Also, the product you select needs to have a price tag that suits your budget.
I certainly have my ‘go to’ products to use when designing a kitchen or bathroom space. For countertops, my first choice is to go with Quartz.
Why Quartz?
First of all, I love the look! The colors and designs to select from offer a clean, luxurious and subtle look. Quartz looks like stone but it offers a more 'controlled' color selection in a wide range of styles, colors and textures. There are so many choices of 'looks' in quartz that it fits easily into most design styles. You can go with a solid color, flecked color, marbled, minimal to more veining, a concrete look and more.
Quartz is one of the more durable options for kitchens and bathrooms. It has the same durability as concrete and granite, but is quite a bit more forgiving, so it won’t crack as easily.
Quartz is non-porous so it resists staining much better than granite, marble and concrete. For cleanliness, a non-porous surface means that it will not harbor bacteria or viruses. You can always be confident that you are getting your quartz countertop absolutely clean, and that’s a huge benefit in both the kitchen and the bathroom!
Quartz isn't the cheapest option for countertops. However, prices are competitive with other high-end countertop materials such as granite, marble, concrete and slate.
What is Quartz?
Quartz countertops are fabricated from natural quartz, one of the hardest minerals found in the Earth. Like natural stone, quartz possesses a deep, rich appearance and a solid, rock-like feeling. Like solid surface, quartz has man-made additives that stabilize the material and eliminate natural stone's unpredictability. Beyond that, quartz, also called engineered stone, is its own unique material.
Who makes it?
Don't be confused if you hear quartz referred to as Cambria, Silestone or Caesarstone. These are the names of the larger manufacturers of Quartz, although there are other manufacturers in the market place as well. Each offer their own range of designs, colors, edges and slab sizes. So be sure to check them all out.
Where to buy?
Quartz countertops can be found at most home improvement stores,tile stores and kitchen stores. Be sure to visit stores that offer show kitchens or bathrooms to help visualize what a large slab will look like. It's hard to get an idea from a small sample of what a large slab will look like in your space, especially if it has veining or movement in it. But be sure to take a sample home and look at it in your space.
Think outside of the box!
Quartz is not only for countertops. When designing your space think outside of the box! You can use quartz for a wall accent, back splash, shower surrounds and benches, tub surrounds, table tops and more. And since it comes in large slabs, there is no need for grout when used as a shower surround or wall. So few to no seams makes for a good clean look plus makes cleaning a breeze. Hmmm... the possibilities of using it in a space are endless!
You can't go wrong with Quartz!
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