Quartz is often grouped with the natural stone countertops, but it is different from marble, granite or soapstone. Quartz is actually a mineral, and it is found all over the earth. It has a crystalline structure and comes in different colors from clear through to black, red, green, purple, pink and even bright yellow.
For use in quartz countertops, the quartz is ground and mixed to create the desired colors. A resin, which is a man-made plastic, is then added to the ground mineral to allow the quartz to hold together. The mixture is approximately 95% ground quartz to 5% resin. The quartz may have larger and smaller aggregates, and the resin can also contain pigments to enhance the colors.
Once the quartz and resin are mixed, it is poured and cooled and further finished to create a vibrant, colorful option in quartz countertops for any Minneapolis kitchen or bathroom.
Strong and Durable
The addition of the resin to the quartz mixture creates a non-porous surface. This is very different from granite or marble which is porous and will require occasional sealing to help reduce staining.
As quartz countertops are non-porous, they do not absorb spills and do not stain the same way. Additionally, with the non-porous surface, there is no place for bacteria to form, creating a more sanitary counter in food preparation areas.
For any Minneapolis kitchen, quartz countertops provide a highly durable option. It is very uncommon for quartz to chip or crack, and it is resistant to surface scratching. It is not resistant to high heat, so it is important to avoid placing pots or pans from the stove directly on the countertop.
Easy to clean and maintain, most Minneapolis homeowners will find quartz a great option to consider in a new home build or a renovation project.