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Quartz countertops have overtaken granite as the most popular kitchen countertop. According to House Logic, an online consumer publication from the National Association of Realtors®, quartz overtook granite in 2014 after setting in 2013. Quartz countertops, offering many advantages as a work surface, are among the greenest materials in use.
The production of quartz countertops is a greener process
Stone products such as granite are often shelled because the extraction, cutting and transportation of stone require enormous resources. While some of the granite comes from the country, much comes from Italy, China, India, Africa, and Brazil, and large amounts of fossil fuels are needed to get it to America. The mining process produces a significant amount of waste, especially since many of the plates break and become unusable. Additional waste from production and installation processes is usually not recycled.
Quartz is an engineered stone composed of 93% quartz (silicon dioxide (SiO2) and 7% resin and pigments. Much of the material comes from the US, which saves on mining and shipping costs.
The production of quartz countertops is an environmentally friendly process. Caesarstone, a major manufacturer of quartz products, says it recycles 97% of the water used in cutting and seeks to use minimal resources for shipping, handling, processing and manufacturing. The company also uses 42% of post-consumer recycled materials in its production. Other manufacturers, such as Cambria, boast similar statistics.
Why you will love quartz in your kitchen
While you may appreciate the eco-friendly aspects of quartz, you may be more concerned about how it looks and performs in your home. The best thing to do is work with your local dealer and visit their showroom for a hands-on introduction to the material and its many benefits including:
– Quartz comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, including solids. You can get the look of granite and other natural stones if you like, but the palette also includes neutral and intense shades. Unlike granite, which has different variations from slab to slab, quartz has a consistent color and pattern.
– The product is naturally strong, which makes the countertops durable and more resistant to chipping, burning or cracking. While each stone should be handled with care, quartz will last for years.
– As quartz countertops are non-porous, they do not need to be sealed like granite countertops. As a result, they are resistant to bacteria and mold, which is a great advantage for allergy sufferers. The product is also more resistant to stains.
– Quartz countertops do not degass or release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air like some other man-made materials such as laminate.
Choose an experienced installer
You can’t go wrong with the look, durability or eco-friendly quality of quartz, which rivals granite in terms of price and now surpasses it in popularity. The appearance largely depends on the quality of the installation, so if you want to know the advantages of quartz countertops, work with a supplier offering the highest quality materials and experienced installers.