Are you remodeling your kitchen? Well, if that’s the case, then you might also be thinking about which countertop option to choose. If you’re considering engineered countertops, there is a good variety in this category as well. Here is a comparison between two common man-made countertop materials: terrazzo and quartz countertops.

What Are The Differences Between Quartz And Terrazzo Countertops?

Composition

First, you need to know what each material comprises. You might think that composition is not as important, but you’re wrong. It is because of the composition of a material that you can determine the strength, the longevity, and the overall qualities and downsides of a material.

Quartz Countertops

When it comes to quartz countertops, they are made out of a man-made material. Quartz usually consists of pulverized stones and minerals and then it is compacted to make it look solid, strong, and almost indestructible.

Quartz is an amazing man-made material to go for and also one of the most popular ones among homeowners. As it’s an engineered stone, there is a huge variety of colors and patterns. Once you get your hands on quartz, you won’t want to go back.

Terrazzo Countertops

Terrazzo is a very unique material that is also man-made. It is sometimes referred to as a quartz look-alike, but there is still a difference in how the material is made. It is made of leftover shards and broken pieces of stones, like marble, sand, granite, glass, and even shells and then everything is bonded together with an epoxy.

This is what gives the countertop its hard and very stone-like appearance. This is an amazing material to go for if you want something that looks like quartz but isn’t that expensive.

Durability

The next thing to consider when you’re choosing from an array of countertop materials is durability. There is just something attractive about materials that can last long and there is always a flock of people around materials that are easy to handle and don’t get knocked off the line by the slightest of damages.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is one of the best man-made materials you can go for because it is just so strong and durable. You don’t need to worry about chips, cracks, the material getting eroded, or anything like that. Quartz also has a great resistance to chemicals and harsh substances which is always a plus too.

Terrazzo Countertops

Terrazzo is less durable than quartz. See, terrazzo, even though it is made out of pulverized rocks and glass pieces, is still very vulnerable to cracks, corrosion, and damage because of the epoxy. It can also discolor over time and that is just not what you want to witness.

So, as amazing as terrazzo is, there is nothing that can make it more durable than quartz or many other man-made material. This is frustrating because terrazzo is a beautiful material, but it lacks potential, no matter how similar it is to some of the strongest materials out there.

Heat Resistance

Speaking of beauty, this is also a very important thing to consider when people are buying countertops. Of course, they want to get materials that are durable, but they also want to get their hands on materials that are easy on the eyes.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a beautiful material. A lot of people find it strikingly similar to marble which is just amazing. To have a material that looks like marble, but is stronger and more efficient than it is just out of this world. So, if you want to score some points in this department, then quartz won’t disappoint. It will transform your kitchen for the better.

Terrazzo Countertops

Terrazzo countertops are also very beautiful. The light background of colors and the slight sheen of the material is really good. You will not regret getting terrazzo either, especially if you’re the one who goes for the looks alone.

However, not all people like the way terrazzo looks. So, before buying, take a look at various terrazzo slabs to know if this is something you like because they are a bit different from other stones and materials.

Maintenance

Maintenance is the one thing that people fret the most over. No matter how beautiful, popular, or amazing a material is, if it’s high maintenance, then you can forget about it.

Quartz Countertops

Well, when it comes to quartz, the material is just very low maintenance, if you don’t count heat blisters. This is probably the only thing that quartz lacks and that is heat resistance. Other than that, the material is amazing when it comes to taking care of it.

You can use homemade or store-bought cleaners to clean the countertops. You don’t need to seal it because it’s waterproof and there are just a lot of things that you don’t have to do when it comes to quartz. Amazing, isn’t it?

Terrazzo Countertops

Well, as for terrazzo, sadly the same can’t be said. Even though it is decently durable, it is still nowhere near quartz. It is not as strong, it can’t take on harsh cleaning products so the choice of cleaners is really important if you don’t want to ruin your countertops, and it’s just overall a material that demands a lot. So, this is something that you need to go over. However, like many other materials, you can repair terrazzo countertops if they get damaged.

Price

This is also a very important factor to go over because if you can’t afford a material then what is the point of all of the qualities?

Quartz Countertops

This is where quartz loses major points. It is very expensive compared to other man-made materials. So much so that people usually can’t even afford it, which is a huge bummer.

Terrazzo Countertops

Terrazzo is cheaper than quartz. You don’t need to too much money when getting your hands on these babies and that is what makes this countertop material just that much more better than quartz.

Water Resistance

Lastly, you also want to consider the water resistance, because believe it or not, countertops are more damaged by water than anything else.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is water resistant. It doesn’t need to be sealed because there are virtually no pores on the surface and it’s just amazing. However, it’s better if you can seal it, just to be safe. If there is even the smallest of scratches on the countertops, then it will be detrimental and you will have a huge problem on your hands. So, sealing quartz is always the better option.

Terrazzo Countertops

For terrazzo countertops, sealing is not an option but a requirement. Terrazzo is naturally quite porous and since the bonding material is epoxy, it can wear away quickly. This is why you want to seal the countertops to prevent them from either turning yellow or just getting ruined by water.

Sealing can be a pain in the neck, but the damage will be more painful and difficult to deal with if you don’t take care of terrazzo. So, it’s better to be safe than sorry and figure out the best way to safeguard your precious kitchen countertops.

Conclusion

Terrazzo and quartz are equally beautiful materials, and now you know exactly which one to go for. If you want something different from regular countertops and affordable, then terrazzo is a good choice. However, if you want low maintenance, durable, and beautiful countertops, pick quartz. For any queries, consult quartz countertop contractors Rockville.