Choose Your Quartz Countertops

When it comes to equipping your kitchen, you have to think in a functional way. Among the main elements are the kitchen countertop and sink. For a good daily use, it is essential to take into account their level of maintenance and resistance. International Stone Design USA helps you to make your choice!

The quartz countertop appeared in the 1980s and has since convinced by its many qualities. It is available in many colours, design and trends, and is extremely durable. But there are also certain limitations. We tell you everything you need to know in this post.

Note: Other quartz varieties commonly used for a countertop include wood, stainless steel, slate, concrete, granite or ceramic.
However, quartz remains in the highest range and complies with modern standards.

Choose the Countertop for Your Kitchen

As the countertop is the main element of your kitchen, you should let yourself be guided by one more criterion of choice: maintenance.

Also, consider choosing a material that is resistant to impact and heat. Quartz remains the most widely used because of its cleanability, but there is a multitude of possible varieties as we will see further in this post.

Your Quartz Will Determine Your Kitchen Sink

The location of your sink is constrained by the water inlet column. There are models to be embedded, integrated or installed. This choice depends mainly on the material of the worktop on which the sink is placed. Don’t forget the faucet: mixer tap, with or without hand shower.

Characteristics of a Quartz Countertop

Quartz is a reconstituted stone. It consists of quartz (up to 95%) mixed with acrylic resin and possibly pigments.

The quartz countertop is available in a satin or high-gloss finish, to be chosen according to your taste.

International Stone Design USA offers you quartz in 5 special varieties including Quartz Countertops, Solid Color Quartz, Metropolis Quartz, South Beach Quartz and Star Quartz.

Advantages of a Quartz Countertop

Thanks to pigments, quartz countertops are available in a wide range of colours, from the most natural to the most vivid, for a resolutely modern kitchen. It can easily be combined with wooden or stainless steel elements.

The quartz countertop is hard like a stone which makes it shock and scratch-resistant. It is also very slightly porous, which makes it resistant to stains and acids.

Some Disadvantages of a Quartz Worktop

The main disadvantage of the quartz countertop is its relatively high price, but this should be compared with its long service life. Some also criticize it for a certain uniformity of appearance.

Finally, if the quartz worktop is heat-resistant, a temperature above 150 °C/180 °C (depending on the marks) may leave traces of discolouration. Be careful not to put dishes directly out of the oven on it.

Caution: some manufacturers advise not to place the quartz worktop in areas with high UV exposure, as its colours may deteriorate over time.

Loss of Gloss

However, the loss of gloss of the worktop surface may be due to the use of products (waxes, sprays, sealers, etc.) with the intention of enhancing the gloss, even if the effect of these products disappears with time. This is, therefore, a loss that has nothing to do with the original natural gloss of the product when it leaves the factory.

Maintenance of the Quartz Worktop

On the maintenance side, the quartz worktop is very easy to clean with a little soapy water.
It resists frequent cleaning without changing its appearance.

For stubborn stains, use a sponge that does not scratch, without insisting much on the area. Also, avoid excessively hard friction on the surface that could damage it.

Spills of coffee, wine, lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, make-up, and many other common household products are harmless, simply avoid aggressive chemicals. 

Daily Cleaning: Grease Stain

For grease stains apply a small amount of conventional mild household cleaner to the stain and rub with a scouring sponge (e. g. Scotch-Brite) until it disappears.

Daily Cleaning: Limescale Stains, Marks Left by Glasses, Etc…

Sprinkle hydrochloric acid on the surface to be cleaned and let it work for one minute. Rinse the water thoroughly. Follow the recommendations for use indicated by the manufacturer of the hydrochloric acid.

Caution: do not use on products (taps, stainless steel, etc.) other than the worktop itself as it could affect their brilliance.

Hope the above helps you to choose your worktop. Quartz is the material of choice when it comes to choosing a material that is solid, durable, and beautiful for your countertops.

You don’t want to bargain on the quality of your worktop as this is a long-life investment. If you are looking for a company to buy your quartz, International Stone and Design USA can provide you with even more information. With 20 years of experience, they offer the finest and most solid quartz on the market in Aventura.

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