05

Aug

Quartz Vs. Porcelain Countertops: Which One Would Win?

Choosing countertops can be a hassle, especially if you’re confused between two materials. Well, if you’re stumped between porcelain and quartz kitchen countertops, then you need to go through this guide.

The Differences Between Quartz And Porcelain Countertops

Durability

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a countertop material is durability and strength. If a countertop is strong and durable, then it will last for years to come preventing frequent repairs, which can cost a lot in the long run.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is one of the most durable man-made materials out there. It is a material that is scratch-resistant, doesn’t chip or break and it’s also an amazing alternative to granite if your budget doesn’t allow granite. There are just so many qualities of quartz when it comes to strength and it is truly one of the best materials you can invest your money in because they will last for a long time.

Porcelain Countertops

As far as porcelain is concerned, it is also a reasonable material with decent strength, but it’s no way near in strength to quartz. It can chip and crack easily, especially if you put too much force on it and the edges are the most fragile part of this material.

Nonetheless, it’s still an amazing pick if you want something that will look amazing in the kitchen because porcelain is one of the most beautiful materials out there.

Appearance

Speaking of beauty, the beauty and appearance of a material is also a key selling point when it comes to countertops. This is why appearance also plays a huge role in determining the popularity of a material.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a beautiful material, so much so, that it looks like the tougher cousin of marble. The light color with washes of dark and subtle veining on the surface is to die for.

It’s made out of silica, pulverized rocks, and compacted together under high temperature and pressure to bring forth a work of art. So, you can expect a wide range of colors and patterns. Many of them are truly a treat for the eyes.

Porcelain Countertops

Porcelain is even more beautiful than quartz. It has a shiny surface that glistens when the light hits just right and it’s a material that will leave people in awe. It is a material that is light in color, but the very ethereal balance of beauty and durability makes porcelain such a wonderful choice in kitchens and bathrooms. It’s a material that will make everyone ask about it, but it’s also not as fragile as marble and other softer materials.

Maintenance

Maintenance is a key factor to consider when you’re choosing from an array of countertop materials. The material needs to be easy to clean and maintain.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz will never disappoint you in the maintenance department. It’s a material that’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to slave over their countertops all day. It can be cleaned with a simple water and detergent solution. It doesn’t need to be sealed, and it can go on for years without getting polished. So, you’re in for a treat.

Now, quartz is easy to clean, but a drawback is that because of its light color, you will need to clean it every single day because light colors will show stains very prominently.

Porcelain Countertops

Porcelain is also an easy material to clean. It is naturally water resistant, so it’s perfect for use in the kitchens and bathrooms, just like quartz, and it can be cleaned with simple detergent solutions too.

If you get a glossy countertop finish, then you’ll need to have it polished every year or so, depending on the longevity of the sheen, but that’s pretty much it for maintaining this beautiful and robust material.

Price

Price is another crucial factor that most people keep in mind.

As for quartz, the prices are quite high. They can range anywhere from $45 to $200. On the other hand, porcelain countertops’ price range is between $55 to $120. So, people might think that porcelain is much cheaper than quartz, but the price will vary, based on the finish, the size of the slabs, and where you want to get them installed.

Sometimes, for smaller kitchens, quartz can run a bit cheaper than porcelain, so it all depends on preference at the end of the day.

Finishing Options

Finishing of the countertops is also important, because it the finish completes the look for the countertop or island.

Quartz Countertops

For quartz, the finishing options are quite a bit. You can get quartz in a honed finish, a glossy finish, and even in leathered finish. Now, what’s the difference between all of these finishes? Well, honed quartz is a matte quartz with a non-shiny finish. It is amazing for people who don’t fancy polished quartz.

Polished or glossy quartz has a mirror-like finish and it’s very shiny; perfect for places with no natural sunlight because it bounces off light from the fixtures and makes the kitchen look spacious.

As for a leathered finish, it’s in the middle. It has a slight sheen on the surface which kind of looks matte in certain lights and shiny in others, so it’s perfect if you can’t choose between shiny or matte and want a little bit of both.

Porcelain Countertops

There are only two finishes available for porcelain countertops. The first is a matte finish that doesn’t reflect light and the second one is a high gloss glaze. In porcelain, the finish is done after installation, as compared to other countertops, in which the finish is brought by the sealant.

Heat Resistance

Another important factor to consider when you’re going for a countertop material is heat resistance. Since you’ll be working in the kitchen, you need to know about the heat resistance of each material because heat can damage the countertops to no end and if you’re someone who works with a lot of hot pots and pans in the kitchen, then you need a material that is going to withstand everything.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are extremely durable, but they don’t resist heat well. Anything above 150 degrees Fahrenheit can stain the quartz surface. You can use the countertops as a surface where you can put hot foods, but over time, it’s going to lead to black stains and that’s not what you want at all. These stains are a nightmare to remove and they will be permanent. So, you should use trivets and coasters.

Porcelain Countertops

Porcelain countertops perform really well under high heat. These countertops may look fragile but they are a beast against heat as they can withstand heat more than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. They repel heat from hot foods and prevent the countertops from getting stained.

So, even though porcelain is a light-colored material, it won’t be dotted with those weird and very permanent black splotches all over the surface.

This is amazing considering that porcelain isn’t even a material that’s popular for kitchens. Since it’s mostly used in bathrooms and as flooring and wall cladding, this property of porcelain is overshadowed. But it’s good to know that this material can take hot temperatures like a pro.

Conclusion

Quartz and porcelain are both amazing and they also have a couple of drawbacks of their own. So, this guide will help you choose a material that’s right for your kitchen. If you want to see some colors and patterns, contact quartz countertop dealers Rockville.

22

Feb

10 Tips To Follow When Buying Quartz Countertops

Are you thinking of getting new countertops for your kitchen? Is the material coming to mind quartz? Well, you’re at the right place, because here is the guide you need to buy quartz kitchen countertops.

Look For Small-Scale Retailers

If you want to get your hands on authentic quartz countertops without making your wallet scream, then this tip is the one for you. Small-scale countertop retailers have a lot of options to choose from and they’re generally a lot more reasonable than those big countertop brands. Chances are that you will get the real deal from these independent retailers as well, and because they’re small-scale, they won’t charge you an arm and a leg for the countertops.

Since quartz is a man-made material, there are a lot of independent retailers because it’s made in every manufacturing factory and you can easily find something that you will fall in love with. All you need to do is bargain for the perfect price and with small-scale retailers, that’s also easy to do.

Do Your Research

Quartz is a very readily available material for kitchen countertops. There will be hundreds upon hundreds of options for you to choose from. Of course, you’re bound to get confused. So, to avoid this brain spiral, you’re going to have to be smart and do your research beforehand.

This means that you’ll need to prepare a list of all possible retailers that have quartz countertops available and then you will filter them out based on your preference.

Usually, you will need to check if the retailer’s options fit your budget, if they have your desired style and finish of quartz, if they are near you, if the quality is reasonable, and other similar factors. The retailer that will tick all of the boxes for you will be the one you need to go to first because chances are that you will find your perfect countertop there and also at a reasonable price.

Explore

Don’t expect to find your kitchen countertops at the first shop you go to. Countertops are similar to clothes, and you’ll never find the one that hits the jackpot until you explore a couple of different stores or browse a few stores online.

So, don’t be afraid to window-shop around and look at samples and finishes of all available options. You will find something that you’ll love. You can also look at reviews of the retailers beforehand so that you can get an idea as to which ones are worth giving a shot and which ones aren’t. This will also save you a lot of time.

Always Look At Samples

People normally don’t take this step seriously, but looking at countertop slab samples is so important. They’re kind of like a sneak peek of the actual thing that you’re going to get. So, whenever you visit a quartz countertop retailer, make sure to view a couple of samples, because things can look very different in online pictures. Pictures are taken in different lightings so colors and patterns may appear different when seen in person.

It’s also recommended that you take a look at the samples in natural sunlight so that you can get an idea about the finish of the countertop and the real color.

The Color Variety

Quartz is available in a long range of colors and it depends on which color is perfect for your kitchen as per your preference. If you have no idea what color quartz will look good in the kitchen, then you can assess the décor. If you’re stumped, then choose neutral or light-colored quartz because that’s going to be a winner in any case.

Regardless, you’re will need an idea for the color of the countertops before you hit the stores and buy said countertops.

The Thickness Matters

Another very important thing that you need to keep in mind when buying quartz countertops is the thickness of the slab. Whether you’re opting for a slab, the thickness is key. The thicker the slab is, the more durable it will be and the more aesthetic it will look.

However, keep in mind that you may have to pay more for thicker slabs and if you don’t have an allocated budget, then things can take a wrong turn. It’s recommended that you go for a slab that’s medium in thickness, not too thick or too thin so that the countertops are easier to install and they won’t crack or break either.

Prefabricated Countertops – Are They Good?

This is also another dilemma people go through when looking for quartz countertops. There are two types of countertops that you can get, especially where quartz is concerned. You can get slabs that have to be cut to fit your kitchen counters, and then there are prefabricated countertops that come already prepared with all of the cavities and openings pre-cut. So, all you need to do is match the dimensions and have the countertops installed.

Now, the only problem with fabricated countertops is the fact that they don’t fit every single time, so this means that there isn’t a lot of variety. But, if it does fit, then it’s a breeze.

Quality-Price Balance

The quality of quartz is really important to consider, but keeping it in check with the price is crucial as well because you don’t want to end up spending every last cent from your savings on high-quality countertops. High-quality doesn’t always mean better in every case.

The balance between the quality and the cost of quartz countertops is really hard to maintain because people can go to the ends of both extremes and not get what they need. They can either go for really cheap quartz that can break and crack under the slightest pressure, or they tend to go for really expensive quartz countertops that are downright hefty and they’re left with an empty wallet.

Look At The Finishes

Quartz has a lot of finishes as well. You can opt for a matte, shiny, polished, or smooth finish when choosing quartz countertops. The finish you go for ultimately depends on what seems to be your preference.

If you like the look of glossy countertops, then polished ones are the way to go. If you like the honed and matte look of surfaces, then matte finishes will be perfect for your kitchen.

Consider Everything Else Too

When selecting quartz countertops, you need to consider the entire kitchen as a unit. You can’t just localize the décor to countertops or the island alone. The lighting, the appliances, the orientation of the windows, the amount of natural light, etc. need to be taken into account when selecting the perfect quartz countertops because only then you will be able to tie the kitchen together and everything will look stunning.

You should also keep the functionality of the countertops in mind. They need to make you productive in the kitchen, So, where you put them is the name of the game.

Conclusion

Countertops can difficult to buy if you don’t know where to start. Luckily, these tips are going to help you in the process. Get in touch with a quartz countertops dealer Potomac to ask any questions and to take a look at the varieties they offer.