Hello Friends!
It seems like just yesterday
we were bemoaning the ubiquity of granite, hoping and praying it would go the
way of the dodo bird and we’d never have to see its speckled self in a kitchen
again. Now, after several years of declining use, the day has come: another
surface has officially surpassed granite in terms of popularity. Any guesses as
to what the new countertop du jour might be?
Its quartz, otherwise known as
engineered stone. The National Kitchen &
Bath Association (NKBA)
reports that while granite is less desirable these days, the use of quartz is
on the rise (by kitchen designers anyway. No word on what's most used by DIYers
or people who plan their own kitchens). What happened to change homeowners'
minds?
If you
need a refresher on quartz
countertops, here you go: Engineered stone comprises at least 90% of
ground up quartz, which is mixed with a binder like resin, then molded into
slabs. Add pigment during the manufacturing process and the sky's the limit
when it comes to color. Because it's made from little leftover bits of mineral,
versus mined in whole slabs and shipped around the world, it's also considered
a good environmental choice. It emits negligible radon, although recent reports suggest that
building workers can have significant exposure to silica while inhaling dust
during cutting and installation, which can lead to silicosis.
Appearance & Style
If you
want the look, but not the maintenance, of natural materials like soapstone or
marble, quartz is an attractive alternative. It used to only be available as a
solid color, or flecked, depending on how coarsely the quartz was ground during
the fabrication process. If you liked a very minimalist, manufactured look this
was fine, but the overall effect was rather cold and impersonal and didn't
resonate with customers. Today, technology can produce quartz with
organic-looking variations that resemble real substances found in nature. This
makes a huge difference in the look and feel of a room.
Finish & Feel
Engineered
stone manufacturers have also expanded their lines to include different
finishes. There's still the standard smooth and shiny quartz you've seen for
years, but it's also now available honed or sueded — with a softer, brushed
feel — or more pitted like "volcano" rock or concrete. These latest
offerings are decidedly less sleek and lustrous, with a warmer and more
inviting texture.
Maintenance
Quartz's main selling
point is durability: it remains one of the most low maintenance materials
around, and is fairly impervious to etching, stains, cracks or chips. (Note
that certain finishes might require more daily maintenance. Caesarstone, for example,
says that metal marks, fingerprints and other signs of daily living will show
more on their honed or concrete finishes.) You don't need to seal the surface
upon installation, or reseal down the road. These surfaces are intolerant to
high heat however, so it's a good idea to use a trivet under any scalding pots
and pans.
Since
engineered stone is non-porous, it's also pretty resistant to mold, mildew or
bacteria. Cleaning is easy with only soap and water, or a mild detergent.
Silestone does advertise the use of Microban — an additive with antimicrobial
properties — in its products, which is something to consider if you don't like
the idea of added chemical substances.
Cost &
Availability
Engineered stone remains one of
the more expensive countertop options. Quartz generally runs about $70-100 per
square foot installed, depending on location, quality, and what options you
choose. IKEA also sells Caesarstone, which is priced between $43 and $89 per
square foot, depending on the thickness and quality level. Don't forget: if you
time your purchase with their annual kitchen sale, you'll also get the 20%
discount.
Quartz countertops are easy to
source and purchase. Major manufacturers include Cosentino (Silestone), DuPont (Zodiaq), Cambria, Caesarstone, Santa Margheritaand Technistone.
Do you have quartz countertops?
What's your experience with this material? https://goo.gl/yAtGuW
Thanks so much!
ERA Skyline Real Estate
3376 Harrison Blvd
Ogden, UT 84403
801-627-6500
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