Benefits of Using Engineered Quartz or Man-Made Quartz
Benefits of Using Engineered Quartz or Man-Made Quartz
Benefits of Using Engineered Quartz or Man-Made Quartz
Man-made quartz has become an extremely popular interior stone option among designers, contractors, and more in recent years. Specifically, quartz refers to a man-made stone option that is typically composed of about 90-97% natural quartz that is mixed with a resin and pigment to create a unique look. There are many different brands of man-made quartz on the market, each offering different colors and styles to help you achieve your ideal look. Some of the major brands include Silestone, Caesarstone, Pental Quartz, Alleanza, Polarstone, Cambria, and Aurea.
Benefits of Engineered Quartz or Man-Made Quartz for Commercial Applications and More
Engineered quartz or man-made quartz are very popular options for both kitchen and bathroom countertops. However, they have also become THE countertop choice for university or office cafeterias, commercial applications, medical buildings, office buildings, and more and for a number of good reasons. For starters, man-made quartz is extremely durable and can hold up to a lot of different activities. Unlike some natural stones, it will not easily etch when exposed to common household items such as lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar, wine, or other acids.
Man-made quartz is very stain-resistant so spilling a bit of red wine on a white quartz countertop should not result in staining. Overall, man-made quartz is an essentially maintenance-free option that is appealing to a lot of contractors, builders, developers, and homeowners that dont want to deal with the maintenance headaches that come along with other stone options. It can also easily be cleaned up with a swipe of a cloth if dirt and grime are brought in.
In addition, engineered quartz is very resistant to scratching, staining, and other surface damage due to its hardness. So, it can hold up in high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens, will work well on walls, and can even be used as flooring without etching or damaging. While engineered quartz countertops are resistant to staining, some clients find that using a special sealer formulated for engineered quartz helps with the daily clean and care of the countertop. In particular, engineered stones with a concrete look, honed finish, or those that are lighter in color, benefit from this sealer.
Because engineered quartz and quartz are both man-made, another huge benefit of opting for either is the fact that there are plenty of options for customization. You can find man-made or engineered quartz in just about any color or style imaginable, so its easy to coordinate with any design and any project.
What Else Do You Need to Know?
If youre considering man-made quartz or engineered quartz for a project that requires kitchen or bathroom countertops, one thing to keep in mind is the potential size limitation. Like any stone, slabs can only be made so bigso if youre looking to have an especially large countertop or island surface made, it may be necessary to piece more than one slab together and use a seam. This seam can be more noticeable on plain or solid-colored quartz surfaces.
Generally, engineered slabs vary by brand. The majority of standard size slabs are approximately 55-56x120. Due to the demand for larger slab counters or an island, for example, manufacturers do produce jumbo slabs in select colors. Jumbo slabs typically run approximately 63x128. The industry recognizes the need for larger slabs but there are issues with manufacturing, shipping, fabricating, and installing larger materials. The good news is that if a seam is necessary, it can be set tight with color matched epoxy for the best look.
Manufacturers have also seen a high-demand for thinner slabs. Brands like Silestone now offer slabs that come 1.2 cm thick, making them suitable for wall applications, backsplashes, showers, and any wet areas. By opting for a thinner slab, it will help to keep the cost down and allow for an easier installation process.
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Its important to note that engineered quartz is not recommended for exterior applications in New England. Because of the elements (rain, snow, sun, etc.), when exposed, the resin in the product will break down over time. If you have a project that requires natural stone for an exterior application, sintered stones like Dekton or Lapitec are highly recommended. In addition, engineered stone around fireplace facings is not recommended. High heat from a gas or wood burning fireplace can compromise the integrity of the material and lead to failure.
What are artificial quartz countertops?
Artificial quartz countertops are made up of binding resins even though they contain the natural quartz stone. Artificial countertops are quickly gaining popularity in residential kitchens due to their durability, beauty, and effectiveness. Since artificial quartz countertops are manufactured in a controlled factory environment, the slabs have even texture and coloring, unlike natural stones like marble and granite, which have unique natural veining.
Advantages of artificial quartz countertops
There are several benefits associated with the use of artificial countertops in your bathroom and kitchen. They include:
Variety of styling options
Artificial countertops come in many patterns, styles, and colors of quartz because different quartz countertop manufacturers will produce different colored and styled slabs. Additionally, the artificial countertops are now being designed with the latest trends and modern technology to achieve unique rare colors, such as Tyrian purple, imperial yellow, Scheeles green, and Perkins mauve among other colors.
Easy to maintain
Artificial countertops are incredibly easy to clean and maintain due to their non-porous nature. As kitchen countertops, they will make your work easier since the surface does not require any special treatment, and routine wiping with a wet cloth will do the job. However, artificial countertops with a concrete finish require special sealers to provide added protection.
Stain-resistant
As mentioned above, artificial quartz countertops are stain-resistant. This means that the countertops are not prone to damage caused by staining from acidic liquids, such as vinegar or lemon juice. As a result, the artificial quartz countertops will serve your kitchen while maintaining their beauty and luster for a long time.
Water-resistant
Artificial countertops are resistant to water because of their non-porous nature. This makes them perfect for use in bathrooms and kitchens where surfaces come in contact with water regularly.
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