
Quartz countertops have only grown in popularity since their initial rise in the 1990s. Some of the main reasons it’s such a popular choice among those doing renovations or remodels is its durability, nonporous nature, and wide range of available colors and patterns.
But is quartz a man-made stone, or is it natural, like granite and marble? Although that’s the most common question customers ask us, it isn’t the only one. Sometimes these questions are about the design choices or the difference between quartz and quartzite. Read on to learn what you need to know about quartz countertops.
MAN-MADE OR NATURAL STONE?
Quartz is a naturally occurring stone, but when it comes to countertops, it’s not the only element present. When countertop manufacturers make quartz countertops, they have to add resin, pigments, and sometimes recycled glass, along with the main constituent, quartz sand or aggregate, to achieve the quartz look we all know and love.
The process for making quartz countertops is relatively simple on paper, but it requires a lot of work to achieve such refined finished products. First, manufacturers measure the amount of quartz sand or aggregate they need to add to the countertop, usually around 90 percent of the total weight of the countertop.
Manufacturers reserve the remaining 6–10 percent of the mass for resin and pigments. They vary the amount of resin and pigment in quartz due to how much sand or aggregate they use. If the countertop needs a higher percentage of sand, then it needs more resin to hold the countertop together. The whole mixture is then set in a mold to achieve the countertop of your choosing.
You may be asking yourself, why do they add resin and pigments? Since quartz sand or aggregate make up quartz countertops, they need a substance that helps bind all the particulates together. Manufacturers add pigments to help you achieve the look you want, whether that’s a classic marble or deep granite.
So, is quartz a man-made stone? Yes, because it uses sand or aggregate along with resin and pigments to achieve the abundance of patterns and designs found in quartz countertops. Since manufacturers perform this process, quartz is a man-made stone.
Man-made stone is built to look good and last. It’s tough, it won’t crack like granite, and it’s made to be durable enough to withstand everyday use!
QUARTZITE VS. QUARTZ: WAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Quartzite and quartz share many of the same qualities, but one major difference—quartzite is naturally occurring, while quartz is a manufactured stone.
Quartz countertops use the same material as quartzite as their main constituent (quartz sand or aggregate), but in the case of quartzite, the earth binds these materials together with naturally occurring forces in the ground. All that countertop sellers need to do is cut the stone to the right shapes and proportions to make quartzite into a beautiful countertop.
Quartz, in contrast, needs to have resin as a binding agent to hold all the sand or aggregate material together. That process also requires a mold, which quartzite doesn’t need since it’s a naturally occurring stone.
QUARTZ DESIGNS AND STYLES
One of the best parts of quartz being a man-made stone is the abundance of design choices you get to choose from. Due to the pigments they use in manufacturing, quartz makers can choose from almost pure white countertops to dark, speckled versions.
Most of the time, people use quartz to mimic more expensive natural stones. Quartz is among the best choices for achieving the unique designs of a marble or granite countertop. Some of the best quartz countertops look like
-
marble
-
granite
-
soapstone
-
quartzite
-
polished concrete
If you have a look you want to see in your kitchen, you can’t go wrong with quartz! Since manufacturers can make quartz look like any other stone, you can use it without breaking the bank.
LOOKING TO REMODEL YOUR KITCHEN? MAKE SURE WE’RE THE FIRST YOU CALL!
So you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Or maybe your wooden butcher-block countertops finally rotted, and you’re just looking for a replacement? At Bella Casa Countertops and Stone, we have a wide variety of quartz countertops to choose from.
With our advice, you’ll see that choosing a countertop is a breeze. Our professional team will guide you through the process and help you choose the quartz countertop of your dreams. You can get a free quote here, and we’ll be happy to assist you with any other countertop needs you may have.