The Long and Short of Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops have been a kitchen design trend for a while, and they may remain so for a time to come. For a homeowner with a kitchen remodel in Livonia, quartz is one material to consider for functional and aesthetically fascinating countertops. The material has grown into a preferable alternative to granite and for good reasons. It offers durability and versatility in style and color. For an individual who is thinking about trying out quartz countertops for kitchen remodeling in Livonia, it helps to understand what else they offer. What is this material? Is it sustainable? What type of working area does it guarantee? Here are a few basics.

What It Is

Quartz has the look of natural stone except that it is not obtained from the earth. The material is made by combining ground quartz with a binding agent, usually polyester resins. Besides acting as a bonding agent, the resins are responsible for the scratch and stain resistant properties of quartz. The quartz crystals used in this process are mined from the earth then ground to dust. Next, the dust particles undergo extreme heat and pressure treatments to bind them. Pigments are added to the mixture to achieve different hues. Some manufacturers add metal flecks or recycled glass to create unique styles.

What It Offers

The polyester resins used for binding eliminate the need for sealing quartz countertops because the material is nonporous. This characteristic also makes quartz antimicrobial because spillages cannot penetrate. When sourcing ideas for kitchen remodeling in Livonia, the maintenance requirements of a countertop are very critical. A countertop that does not demand a new coat of sealant every year saves money. Quartz countertops lagged behind in design trends because they did not have many color options. Technology has, however, allowed manufacturers to come up with quartz countertops with veined and multihued surfaces that rival the versatility of natural stone. Color choices range from white marble to crisp green. With the right choice of material, it is hard to tell apart a quartz countertop from one made of stone. The flexibility of the material as a result of the resins makes it easy to bend for different countertop profiles.

What About the Cons?

Every material has its downsides, and quartz’s shortcoming is that it cannot withstand extreme heat. The degree of heat and scorch resistance of this material is limited, and a homeowner has to be sure to what point. Leaving a hot pan on a quartz surface for too long will cause it to crack. It is for the same reason quartz countertops are not suitable for outdoor kitchens where they will be exposed to too much heat. Compared to other countertop materials, quartz is pricier.Quartz countertops are timeless trends that a homeowner can pick for kitchen remodeling in Livonia. The low maintenance, style variety, and stain/scratch resistance of the material makes it a worthy choice for busy kitchens.

Reviews

From start to finish Kurtis was a great company to work with. From the initial contact and design concept with Gregory Holster to the cabinet drop off team, the install team led by project manager Jeff Tuomi and the countertop company, the project was on time and all work was performed beyond expectations. This was greatly appreciated seeing as it was completed on December 23. All the people involved were professional and did an excellent job.

Ken M.

Shanna was our project consultant. Picking out cabinets along with counters can be somewhat overwhelming but her knowledge & experience helped us make the right decisions. Dylan & Juwan unloaded truck & Dylan check off ship ticket to make sure all boxes were accounted for. Courteous & pleasant to talk to…nice job of stacking everything neatly in our garage. We couldn't be more pleased with the service & so happy with our kitchen

Deborah D.

We recently worked with Lauren on cabinetry for a master bathroom renovation. She was great to work on the design and selections. Lauren was efficient and responsive from cabinet selection through ordering. Our overall installation was smooth. We had some unforeseen circumstances impacting our ability to accept delivery of our cabinets on the initial agreed upon date. Kurtis was very accommodating in rescheduling delivery given our project challenges. We couldn't be happier with our cabinets for this project.

Shannon O.

We had complete renovations to our kitchen and main bathroom. From start to finish, the design with Shanna was exactly what we asked for and Jeff stayed on top of the renovations, communicating each step of the way. Every worker was professional and the final product is elegant and functional. We were very happy with Kurtis and would choose Shanna and Jeff again.

Eileen M.

We love our new kitchen! Kurtis Kitchen & Bath did an outstanding job, and Adrian at the Clarkston location was exceptional to work with—creative, patient, and really listened to what we wanted. The project was well-organized, and we went from demo to a fully functioning kitchen in just 30 days. Highly recommend!

Carter C.