30

Jun

Is It Normal For Quartz Countertops To Chip?

Chips and cracks are the worst. They are not only hard to repair, but they can ruin the look of your beautiful countertops too. Here is everything you need to know about chips in quartz kitchen countertop and how to combat them if they ever occur.

Can Quartz Countertops Chip?

Everyone wants a kitchen countertop material that won’t crack or chip, but we all know that it’s almost impossible. Quartz is generally considered to be a very good and durable material and it’s stronger than most natural and man-made materials, but does it mean that it won’t ever chip or crack? Of course not! Quartz, no matter how hard and strong it is, is not invincible. It can get damaged or chipped during use and if you’re not careful with maintaining it, then it can crack more often.

Chipping is exactly what it sounds like. It is the removal of material from the surface in the form of peels. Countertop materials can chip very easily, especially around the areas where damage is clearly visible, like a crack or a hole. Chips can further transform into deeper cracks and the material can ultimately get ruined. It doesn’t look pleasing to the eye either. This is why you need to make sure that you’re taking care of the chips before they get worse.

Reasons Of Chipping In Quartz Countertops

Yes, quartz countertops can chip, but you want to be able to know the reasons behind it too. There are a lot of ways by which countertops can get chipped and you need to look out for these signs, which aggravate chipping so that it can be avoided in the future.

Not Protecting The Countertops

This one is quite obvious, but if you don’t protect your countertops, then chipping and cracks can become the norm. Although quartz doesn’t need to be sealed, it won’t hurt if you go the extra mile and have it protected in every way. Sealing doesn’t only prevent water damage, but it can also prevent scratches from forming on the surface of quartz.

Also, you don’t want to use sharp knives directly on the surface of countertops, because scratches are the first signs of chipping and over time, knife scratches can lead to a lot of damage, along with chipping.

Putting Too Much Weight On The Countertops

A kitchen countertop is not the place where you should test strength. You shouldn’t set heavy things like produce and groceries on top of the kitchen counters. You also shouldn’t stand on the countertops, while trying to reach for something at a height. You might not realize this, but you are damaging your countertops immensely by putting too much weight on them.

Over time, this weight can lead to chips and cracks forming on the surface and it can ultimately ruin the countertops.

Dropping Things On The Countertops

Putting too much weight on countertops is one thing, but dropping things with too much force is an entirely different thing. Sometimes, it’s a force of habit that you set things down with a lot of strength. You might not notice that you’re doing something, but clattering heavy things or even sharp things on the countertops with force can impart damage to the countertops.

There can be weak spots on the surface of quartz countertops, which can chip and crack if you keep clattering things on them. This is a very common culprit of the formation of chips on the countertop, no matter how strong and durable the material is.

Countertops Aren’t Properly Installed

This might sound weird, but this can be another reason why your countertops might be chipping prematurely. Your countertops need to be leveled and installed properly, in order to make sure that they are easy to work on.

If the countertops are skewed or they are installed in a crooked way, then it can lead to cracks on the surface, because one part of the countertop is exposed to more forces, and more weight, and is ultimately more fragile than other parts. This can lead to your countertops getting damaged very quickly. Make sure your the installation of quartz countertops is done well.

Using Harsh Cleaning Products

Cleaning quartz countertops is pretty easy, but sometimes people can take it upon themselves and damage the perfectly fine countertops by using harsh and abrasive cleaning products. You don’t need to use chemical and acidic cleaners to clean quartz countertops.

Quartz doesn’t usually stain and it can be cleaned pretty nicely with normal soap or detergent. Using abrasive pads and hard cleaning equipment, like metal scrapers or sharp needles is going to lead to scratches forming on the surface, which can ultimately lead to chips.

Direct Heat Contact

Quartz is very heat resistant, but it doesn’t mean that you need to test its limit. Try to avoid excessive contact with heat, because it can form very ugly black heat stains on the countertops. These stains are a nightmare to get rid of. However, more than this, you’re damaging the countertops and letting cracks form.

Quartz can get shocked from too much heat and this can cause very deep and large cracks on the surface, which not only look bad, but they can also lead to bigger problems.

How To Fix Chips On Quartz Countertops?

If you see a chip or crack starting to form on the countertop surface, then here’s what you can do to fix it:

Clean It

As soon as you see a chip forming on the surface or the edge of the countertop, you want to clean the area first. You should only use a cleaner that is made for cleaning quartz countertops to get rid of gunk and grease present on the surface of the chip.

Fill Up The Chip

Once your countertop is clean, you want to grab an adhesive and fill up the space the chip has created. This adhesive will act as a filler and it will cover up the hole. Fill up the chip space liberally with the adhesive, then use a scraper, spatula, or nail file to flatten and level the surface.

For lighter-colored quartz countertops, you can use superglue or a clear adhesive to fill in the small holes or cracks. To ensure that you stay within the lines of the crack, cover the surrounding areas of the cracks with masking tape. This will ensure professional and clean results at the end.

Let The Adhesive Dry

Let the adhesive dry and harden for a bit. You don’t want to proceed further until the filler is completely dry.

Sand Down The Dried Adhesive

Once the glue has dried, you will need sandpaper of a grit ranging from 300-600. You will need to sand down the dried adhesive until the surface is smooth.

Try to go slow during this process, because it’s very easy to over-sand the surface and you don’t want to sand off too much, otherwise, the surface may look uneven. Voila! Your countertops will look good as new.

Conclusion

There you have it! Chips are very normal in quartz countertops, even though the material is quite strong and durable. Well, now you know how to deal with them and prevent them in the future. If the countertop is severely damaged, get it replaced by a quartz countertop contractor Potomac.

14

Jun

What Are The Cheapest Kitchen Countertop Materials?

Replacing a countertop can get expensive. The driving factor of the cost of a countertop is the price of the material so if you choose the material carefully, you can have a countertop installed without breaking the bank. Can you get granite countertops at a lower cost? Well, here are the most cost-effective countertop materials.

Ceramic Tile Countertops

Although ceramic tiles are common for backsplashes, they can be installed as countertops too. Ceramic tiles are stain-resistant and waterproof and make cleaning easy for the most part. Moreover, you are not limited to a few options when it comes to the designs, patterns, and colors of ceramic tiles.

However, there are some downsides to using ceramic tiles for your countertop space. The tiles themselves are super easy to clean but the grout lines are a pain in the neck when it comes to cleaning. Also, due to these grout lines, the surface won’t be perfectly smooth and many home buyers don’t like kitchens where ceramic tile countertops are installed.

Another disadvantage of ceramic tiles is that they can crack on slight impacts as well. After a crack, you can repair it or replace the tile with a new one.

That being said, ceramic tiles are one of the cheapest materials you can find for kitchen countertops.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops are also known as Formica countertops because Formica was the company that introduced these counters. Modern laminate countertops have improved a lot from their old counterparts due to technological advancements.

Laminate countertops are made with kraft paper and resins to form a thin and durable layer. Another solid layer is bonded to that layer for the formation of a laminate surface.

Modern laminate countertops are also known as high-pressure laminate where plastic resins and cellulose layers are mixed in high heat and pressure to create a solid surface. These countertops are considered more durable than traditional laminate counters.

Laminate countertops are cheap yet stain-resistant due to the use of resins. You can clean a laminate countertop with soapy water. But be careful and avoid using abrasive cleaners because they will scratch the surface.

Furthermore, laminate counters can be made to look like any countertop material. There are laminate countertops that look like granite, marble, quartz, steel, wood, and other materials.

Moreover, these countertops are lightweight so they are easy to install. It can help you save on the installation costs as well.

On the flip side, laminate countertops don’t add value to your house because they are not as durable as granite or quartz. They are also prone to scratches and heat damage. Moreover, the counters will delaminate if moisture penetrates into the surface.

All in all, if you want the cheapest countertop but can’t stand ceramic tiles, select laminate countertops.

Granite Tile Countertops

Granite is the most popular countertop material and granite slabs are commonly used for a smooth and durable surface. However, if you don’t have the budget for granite slabs and want granite as your countertop, you can choose granite tiles.

Granite tiles are much cheaper than even the lowest-cost granite slab. This is because granite tiles can be made with smaller pieces of granite. However, you would need to deal with grout lines if you install granite tiles. So, cleaning can become difficult due to this reason.

Moreover, any granite countertop whether slab or tile requires sealing so you would need to seal the tiles as well. You would also need to refill the grout lines every few years if you use counters a lot.

An advantage of granite tiles is that you can install them yourself if you have some knowledge of countertop installation. But if you go for professional installation, it costs almost the same as granite slab installation.

If you don’t want granite, you can choose tiles of any other stone as well that is available in tiles.

Solid Surface Countertops

Engineered stone countertops have two basic types solid surface and quartz. As quartz is a premium countertop material and priced in the same range as granite, you should look into solid surface countertops that are cheaper and have some advantages.

Keep in mind that solid surfaces cost more than laminate or ceramic tile countertops but they have many benefits that laminate and ceramic tiles can’t provide. Moreover, it costs similar to granite tiles and has some benefits over them as well.

For instance, there are no seams in solid surface countertops whereas ceramic and granite tiles, infamously, have seams that make cleaning difficult.

Moreover, solid surface countertops have a non-porous surface. Even though ceramic tiles are non-porous, the grout lines create the same problem that non-porous surfaces do. On the other hand, granite tiles can be sealed but they also have grout lines. Lastly, laminate can resist moisture but if the surface becomes damaged, moisture will enter the surface and damage the countertop.

In addition to that, you can easily repair solid surface countertops by sanding them out whereas laminate countertops can’t be repaired. Plus, solid surface countertops are more impact resistant than ceramic tiles and laminate countertops.

But solid surfaces have some problems as well. They are susceptible to heat damage. Hot pans can discolor or even cracks the surface. Granite tiles are better in heat resistance than solid surface counters.

Also, solid surface countertops are soft and more susceptible to scratches than granite tiles. So, you must use a cutting board for chopping food. However, to be fair, the suggestion of using a cutting board is valid for every material mentioned in this blog.

Wood Countertops

The accessibility and variations of wood allow for cheaper butcher block countertops that look beautiful and cost much less than granite and quartz. You don’t need to rely on brands for having a wood countertop because a woodworker can create a durable countertop for you and if you have some woodworking experience you can create one for yourself. This will drastically reduce the cost of your countertop installation.

Butcher block countertops provide a rustic appeal better than no other material. Still, they match any kitchen style. However, they are high-maintenance countertops. Even if you seal your wood countertops, any spill must be cleaned immediately.

Low-Cost Granite Slabs

As granite is so popular, many homeowners only want granite as their countertop. If granite tiles don’t work for you yet you can’t splurge on a high-quality granite slab, look for cheaper and low-cost granite slabs.

They won’t be as durable and long-lasting as premium granite slabs, but they would still last for many years given that you care for them well. However, as with any granite slab, you should not try DIY installation because it can result in damage to the slab. Hiring an installer will increase the overall cost of your countertop installation, but it will be for the best.

To keep your granite slab in good condition, avoid putting hot pans on it, use a cutting board, and clean it with cleaners made for granite cleaning. Moreover, cheaper granite slabs are less durable so make sure to never sit or stand on the countertop.

Conclusion

You don’t have to spend a fortune for purchasing a countertop material. Look into the above-mentioned countertop materials that are budget-friendly and fairly durable. For installing a granite countertop, get in touch with a granite contractor Potomac for low-cost granite slabs or tiles.