13

Jan

Dos And Don’ts Of Choosing Quartz Countertops

Choosing a kitchen countertop material can difficult because it will stay in your kitchen for years so you want to choose the right one. A good kitchen countertop needs to be durable, beautiful, practical, and low maintenance. And many of these qualities do match with quartz kitchen countertops. If you’re considering quartz countertops, then keep these dos and don’ts in mind.

Dos And Don’ts Of Buying Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Do Consider The Variety

When it comes to quartz countertops, there are a lot of things that you need to consider. There is huge variety of quartz out there. So, you need to find the right quartz grade, color, and pattern for yourself. It is done by scouring through every single store you can find and then selecting the slabs you love the most. Looking at the slabs is crucial too because you need to see what you’re getting.

So, checking all kinds of quartz is important. Even though you may like a slab initially, you never know if you fall in love with another kind of quartz.

Don’t Go For Super Light Colors

Even though quartz is available in most color shades, you still want to go for something that is not as light. It is important that you go for muted but slightly deeper colors because that will make all of the difference.

Quartz can be stained by heat if it’s low-quality or if the heat is above 150 degrees Fahrenheit. To make the heat stains look less obvious, you want to choose a color that will camouflage the heat stains better.

So, this is only better for you because it will make the stains look less obvious and you will save yourself from huge repairs in the long run. So, you see, color selection matters.

Do Remember Cleaning

This doesn’t just go for quartz. It needs to be taken care of, regardless of what countertops you have, but if you have quartz, then you need to remember to clean it every so often. This will ensure that you have clean countertops to work on.

Cleaning doesn’t only keep the countertops spotless, it will also ensure sanitary working conditions because think about it – working on dirty countertops doesn’t sound appealing at all. So, if you’re considering quartz countertops, then you need to know about the cleaning requirements of the very material.

Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals

Even though quartz is a  durable material, nothing can stand up against harsh chemicals, not even natural or man-made stones. So, you want to keep it in mind to not use harsh or abrasive cleaners on quartz countertops.

This is something that a lot of people don’t keep in mind and then their countertops can get littered with scratches, which is not a pretty sight for anyone. So, you want to avoid using anything too harsh and chemical-based on quartz countertops because it might just do more bad than good and your countertops will be ruined.

Do Your Research

When it comes to choosing quartz countertops, you don’t want to jump in blindly. You want to do your research as much as you can. This will ensure that you know all of the ins and outs of the material and that you know what are the downsides and upsides of quartz.

So, if you want to get a countertop material that will last for a long time, then research is very important. You will know exactly what there is to know about it and you will make the best decision that will pay you off for a decent amount of time.

Don’t Put Hot Things On It

Quartz can withstand heat without staining up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit and it warps or cracks above 302 degrees Fahrenheit. This is something you need to keep in mind  and you will have to protect the countertops from getting heat stains.

Heat stains are black and very much permanent that are difficult to remove. These stains are really ugly and they can leave the countertops looking just unpleasant, so you need to keep this tidbit of information in mind when you’re choosing quartz countertops. You will need coasters or trivets to put your hot foods and utensils on the countertops. This will only save them from ugly heat stains.

Do Check Samples

Samples are one of the most important things to look at when you’re considering quartz countertops. If there are samples, then you don’t want to skip the chance of taking a look at them.

Yes, samples can be a bit different from the actual slab, but it still gives you a general idea about how the slabs are, how they’re made, and how they feel when you run your hand over them. You want to check the samples before you commit to buying quartz because it will give you a very good idea about the material you’re going for.

Good quality quartz is consistent in color throughout the slab. Also, the polish has consistent shine. If you can test a quartz sample, then perform a scratch test. Use a knife to scratch the sample quartz surface. Good quality quartz will show a black line while a poor quality quartz will have a white line.

Don’t Forget That It’s A Man-Made Stone

A lot of the time, people mistake quartz for quartzite. Even though they sound very similar, they are completely different stones. Quartz is a man-made stone while quartzite is a natural stone.

Quartz is made out of crushed rocks and mixed with resin to give it that rock-hard appearance. Whereas, quartzite is a material that is made naturally deep inside the Earth’s surface just like other natural stones such as granite and marble. So, you need to know what you’re going for because it will make all of the difference in the long run. Don’t let the similar names fool you.

Do Keep Maintenance In Mind

When it comes to quartz, especially if someone has had it for a long time, it can lead to a lot of chips and cracks on the surface. Well, that is common and you need to get it fixed. Even though quartz is a durable material, you will want to make sure that it is well-maintained and spotless whenever you look at it.

This is not something majorly difficult, but it is part of maintaining the stone to ensure that it looks amazing for years to come. So always keep in mind that you will need to maintain the stone from time to time. Durability doesn’t mean no maintenance.

Don’t Seal It

Lastly, quartz is not a natural stone, so you will be happy to know that you don’t need to seal it. Sealing can be a very troubling process, and it is something that needs to be done for natural stones because they’re porous and they need to be sealed otherwise water would ruin them.

But because quartz is made out of resin, which is non-porous, it doesn’t let water in and beads the drops on the surface. So, quartz is an amazing material for countertops.

Conclusion

Now you know exactly what to do and not do when it comes to choosing quartz countertops. This will lead to you picking something that not only you’ll love but it’ll last for a long time too. For high quality quartz slabs and proper installation, consult quartz countertop installers Rockville.

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.