QUARTZ SURFACE

Quartz Countertop Material Description Quartz is a relative newcomer to the countertop material industry. Commonly known products include Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone, Zodiaq, Hanstone and Viatera. These materials are comprised of a blend of 93% quartz and 7% polyester resin that is pressed into slabs using a “vibrocompression vacuum process”. After the blocks cure, they are cut into sheets with thcknesses of 2cm or 3cm. Quartz countertops offer several benefits. They are non-porous, so the material will not harbor bacteria and is stain resistant. It is a very dense material, which makes it impact and scratch resistant. Quartz materials come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, some of which look like natural granite, marble, limestone and concrete. Most manufacturers carry a ten-year warranty on the material. Quartz has some drawbacks as a countertop material. If your countertops are larger than manufactured slabs, they will require one or more seams. Quartz is a very difficult material to repair if damaged, particularly if the finish is affected. Quartz materials are heat resistant but can be burned by high-heat appliances. Some honed or leather quartz finishes are higher maintenance in that they tend to show fingerprints, hard-water spotting, and some staining. Quartz countertops are an excellent choice for both residential and commercial applications. They offer a wide range of colors and patterns and are non-porous, making them safe for use in the food service and health care industries. They are also resistant to a wide variety of chemicals, which make them ideal for laboratory areas. Generally speaking, quartz is very difficult if not impossible to repair. In particular, if the shine on the surface of the material is dulled from heat or chemical burns, the original shine cannot be restored. If cracks occur from abuse or high heat exposure, it can be very difficult to repair the damage so as not to be noticeable.