22

Sep

What Is The Weakness Of Quartz Countertops?

Quartz countertops are the strongest man-made countertops to exist. They are marketed to be flawless and there seems to be no weakness to them. However, if you look closely, then you can spot a few chinks in the armor. Here are some disadvantages of quartz you should be aware of before deciding on the kitchen countertop material and connecting with countertop replacement services.

It Is Expensive

The biggest issue with quartz countertops is that they are not affordable. People can’t seem to swell their budget for a countertop material when there are a lot of other options available that are good enough, if as not as good as quartz.

For context, one square foot slab of quartz can cost you anywhere between $80 to $160 depending on the quality and where you get it from. If you have a bigger kitchen to work with, then the installation is going to cost you a lot.

Even though a lot of people love quartz and are willing to pay the price for it, this can’t be said about the majority of people who just want a simple countertop material that will last for a decent amount of time.

Some people don’t want super durable countertops because they change the material regardless of how much time has passed. This is why it’s important to keep your preferences in mind, especially if you’re someone who can’t commit to one material and wants some variety.

Damage By Heat Is Normal

Another thing about quartz countertops is that they can get damaged by heat. This is a huge issue among a lot of people and this can create a distaste for quartz as well. The reason is that this weakness is quite misleading if you compare it with the qualities of how quartz is marketed. Quartz is known to be an indestructible man-made material, but something like heat can put a damper on the illusion of the seemingly perfect material.

As for heat damage, you can’t put hot pots and cooked food on top of the surface of the quartz, because the hot temperature will shock the material and it can lead to the formation of ugly black-colored stains. These stains not only look unpleasant to the eye, but they’re almost impossible to get rid of.

If you’re paying that much money for a countertop material, then you’d at least expect it to be heat-resistant. However, quartz is not able to resist a lot of heat and while physical looks are ruined, there can also be internal damage, in the form of hairline cracks under the surface that can make the countertops weak over time.

The reality is that most countertop materials are not heatproof. They are heat resistant to an extent. The same is true for quartz countertops. So, you will need to avoid heat damage to your countertop whichever material you choose.

You Can’t Install It Outdoors

A lot of people love the idea of an outdoor kitchen, and while there are a lot of perfect materials that can withstand the elements of the outdoors, the same can’t be said about quartz countertops.

These countertops are not made to be UV light resistant. These UV rays come with the sunlight and can penetrate different materials and cause damage. With other materials, they also damage quartz countertops.

You can visibly see a difference in how the quartz will look after it has been exposed to sunlight for a few hours or days. It will look faded. The shine will be gone and the whole countertop just won’t look appealing at all. This is because the UV rays can easily ruin the color of quartz which is why it looks faded and diffused.

Quartz, during manufacturing, is not treated to be UV resistant and those external clear sealants can’t do much either.

There are a lot of other materials like granite and concrete that are naturally resistant to the damage of UV rays. They’re considered to be a much better option for an outdoor kitchen as compared to quartz, which is why people go for those materials.

Limited Options For Sinks

When you’re getting new countertops installed, you also need to think about the cavities for the sink. This makes installation much easier and seams are a non-issue. But quartz countertops seem to be a hindrance in this aspect too. There aren’t a lot of options available in quartz countertops that can incorporate cavities for sinks.

They are usually installed in the form of short slabs and that makes the process a lot more time-consuming. It’s also a difficult thing to do at the end of the day. This is why quartz is not recommended if you’re trying to go for a seamless installation of countertops.

Can’t Be Installed By Yourself

You can install many different materials yourself if you have a bit of time and the right materials and tools on hand, but the same can’t be said about quartz. As mentioned previously, quartz is not a seamless installation and the slabs are usually installed in smaller increments, like a jigsaw puzzle, which is why seams can be a problem. You will need a professional to properly install the countertops without showing any seams, so you need to bite the bullet and hire the big guys because they will do a much better job of installation.

While professional installation is great and it doesn’t leave any room for errors, it’s also quite expensive. Not a lot of people want to spend that much money on it and they can get apprehensive about this fact.

This can lead to a huge dilemma about getting quartz for your kitchen countertops So, you need to think about your options.

Harmful To The Environment

Quartz is a man-made material, so it will impart some sort of damage to the atmosphere. This material is made in large factories with a lot of compounds mixed and all of these processes can produce vast quantities of industrial waste.

This can be a huge hazard for the environment and the people, which is why a lot of people don’t support many man-made materials, quartz included. They go for much more natural and sustainable options that are sourced without putting the health of the people and the environment in jeopardy. This fact can also shave some points off quartz countertops.

Seams Are An Issue

Seams are irritating for a lot of people, especially if the slabs are installed in smaller increments. This can make the seams visible, even if the installers were careful not to let anything show through. If you want a smooth and seamless installation and feel of quartz, then you’ll be disappointed to know that quartz will not live up to your expectations. There will always be some jagged corners or seams that will bother you and it will ruin the entire look of the countertops.

Why Choose Quartz Countertops?

As we’re done with the disadvantages of quartz, we will also state why quartz is a popular countertop material. The biggest benefit is that quartz countertops add value to your house. Granite is the only other material that adds a similar value as quartz.

Moreover, it’s easier maintain than all natural stones including granite because it doesn’t require sealing. Plus, quartz is slightly more durable than granite even though it’s suitable not for outdoors.

Conclusion

These are the disadvantages of quartz countertops and they can be a deal breaker for some people. So, if you’re considering buying quartz for your kitchen, then it’s good to know both sides of the picture and ask the quartz countertop dealer Rockville the right questions.

09

Sep

Shattering Common Misconceptions About Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are wonderful for the kitchen, but there are a couple of misconceptions and myths about them that could affect its reputation. We are here to shatter the misconceptions with facts so anyone who wants to choose granite countertops doesn’t have to fear the things that just aren’t true.

Misconception #1: Granite Is Unsafe

Unsanitary countertops are not appealing to anyone, but granite has had a misconception for a while now, that its surfaces are breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. That’s far from the truth. While granite may be porous, it doesn’t house bacteria on its surface. If you seal the countertops, then this issue is long forgotten as well.

Regardless, granite and other durable stones are not going to contaminate your food and cause health issues in the future as long as you keep resealing the natural stone after every few years. It may be a hassle for some, but most people think that it’s worth it. If sealing is an issue, you can opt for quartz countertops that don’t require sealing.

Misconception #2: Granite Can Never Break

Durability is one of the key selling points of granite and it’s a very smart marketing tactic a lot of retailers use to get people to buy granite countertops. While granite is a strong material, it certainly doesn’t mean that it’s going to last forever.

Yes, it can last a good chunk of time, about 5 to 15 years, but there will come a point when the slabs are just too old and cracked that you’ll have no choice but to replace them eventually. This is true for most countertop materials.

Misconception #3: It’s Expensive

Granite, at first glance, can seem pretty expensive, and while that’s still a valid debate, there are a lot of other materials that exceed the price of granite. Considering that granite is reasonably durable and popular, it’s not as expensive as you think. Rather, it’s one of the cheaper options as far as natural stones are concerned.

Granite countertops are an investment but add to that the amazing durability and the fact that it increases the value of your property, it makes up for the cost.

Misconception #4: Granite Is Difficult To Maintain

This is considered to be one of the biggest disadvantages of buying granite countertops for your kitchen. People assume that they’ll need to slave over these countertops in the name of maintenance, but that’s not the case.

Yes, these countertops do need to be sealed and that’s non-negotiable, but that doesn’t imply that granite is high-maintenance. You can clean the surfaces with a regular countertop cleaner or even a soap and water solution and as for annual maintenance, resealing and polish is more than enough to make your countertops look beautiful and pristine for years. There’s not a lot to the maintenance of granite as people assume.

Misconception #5: Darker Granite Is More Durable

This is another huge misconception about granite and it’s debunked with the help of some chemistry.

Granite is usually available in lighter and darker colors and while darker-colored slabs are more popular, they’re certainly not the most durable, as they’re marketed to be. Rather, light-colored granite slabs contains a hard mineral, pulverized quartz, which is also a durable and amazing stone that imparts more strength to them.

So, the next time you’re out buying granite countertops, try to go for the lighter colors because they’re stronger.

Misconception #6: Granite Isn’t Shiny Forever

This might be true for stones like soapstone and marble, but granite won’t disappoint you in the shine department. Granite is naturally shiny and it rarely ever loses its sheen. If the countertops are getting too old, then there might be some sign of dullness, but that’s also reversible.

All you need to revive the shine of granite countertops is some clear varnish or polish. You can apply it on the surface of the countertops and the granite will appear better than before (but may be not exactly like new if the slab is too old). So, if you’re worried about granite losing its shine within a couple of months, then don’t be.

Misconception #7: Granite & Marble Are The Same

Granite and marble are sometimes marketed to be the exact same stone. That’s not true at all. Marble and granite are two completely different stones.

Granite is essentially an igneous rock that is formed by the cooling of molten magma under high pressure. This is what gives granite its dark color and characteristic veining. Marble, on the other hand, is limestone or calcium carbonate that’s deposited either in the sea or in moist areas and then they are hardened to form huge rock slabs.

So, in composition, it is clear that marble and granite are nothing alike except the fact that both are natural stones.

Misconception #8: Granite Stains Permanently

Granite doesn’t stain a lot either. A lot of the time, people are scared that granite can stain like no other stone, and it causes permanent stains, but that’s not the case at all. Yes, certain things can stain the surface of granite, but nothing is permanent as long as you are vigilant about cleaning the surfaces daily and every time you cook.

Cooking oil and fruits can lead to some of the peskiest stains on granite, but they’re not permanent, by any means. If you clean the countertops daily and reseal it after very few years, then there’s no chance of stains.

Misconception #9: Granite Emits Harmful Gasses

There have been rumors floating around that granite emits one of the most harmful gasses and that’s radon. Radon is a carcinogenic gas that is highly dangerous for human beings to even be around, but does the rumor hold any truth? Of course not!

EPA has done a lot of research in this regard, especially when the rumor first came to the surface and it was found out that granite cannot emit radon because there are no reactions taking place within the stone to prove this theory. Granite is a highly inert stone that doesn’t emit any sort of gas or harmful toxin, let alone radon.

Misconception #10: Granite Is Getting Less Popular

The choice of countertop material is different for everyone but it’s wrong to assume that one countertop is getting more popular than the other. This seems to be the case with quartz and granite, where people may argue that quartz has the upper hand.

Each material has a unique appearance and design and each of them serves different purposes. Granite is still a classic and popular choice for a lot of people and it’s a cult-favorite. It’s not going “out of trend” anytime soon, so it’s better to get rid of this misconception for good.

Misconception #11: Heat Damages Granite Countertops

Heat is considered to be the biggest enemy of most countertop materials, but does granite fall in the same category as well? We all know that heat stains are ugly and extremely unpleasant, but granite is considered to be one of those few materials that can withstand heat to a decent point.

One of the main advantages of granite being an igneous rock is the fact that it can endure high-temperature levels without getting damaged. However, you should still not put hot pots, pans, and utensils directly on the surface of your granite countertops because it can still stain the surface if the pot is too hot or left on the surface for too long.

Conclusion

These bite-sized facts are good to keep in the back of your mind for knowledge because you don’t want to get side-tracked by hearing irrelevant things about granite countertops. Once you decide that granite would be right for your kitchen, consult granite countertop installers Potomac.