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Quartz Countertops
Quartz is among the latest materials available
for the manufacture of countertops. It is
actually a man made composite of 93% quartz
and 7% pigments, resins and binders. The
advantage of quartz is that it gives the
look of luxurious stone without all the maintenance
hassles. For this reason it is becoming an
increasingly popular choice. Quartz is a
durable material that is as hard as granite,
but it is more flexible, so its surface will
not crack. Quartz is nonporous; it will not
stain, and it does not need to be sealed.
It will not scorch from the heat of hot pots
and it is cool to the touch like stone. Because
it is a pigmented product, it can be manufactured
in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
Manufacturers of quartz use their own trade
names such as Silestone or Zodiaq (made by
DuPont.)
Consider the following if you
want to buy
quartz countertops:
- Quartz usually comes in three thicknesses:
7/16 inches, 13/16 inches and 1 1/8 inches.
The thicker sizes are more expensive.
- Quartz countertops are heavy. Make sure the
cabinets you are installing
can hold their
weight. The countertops are
usually installed
by gluing them to the tops
of the cabinets
with silicone or epoxy or by
securing them
to a plywood substrate.
- Quartz is frequently made to resemble natural
stone, although other choices are available.
The difference in appearance is due to the
type of quartz that is used. Because it is
a man made product, there is no problem matching
adjoining countertops in even the largest
kitchens as long as you stay with the same
manufacturer.
If an entire kitchen of quartz countertops
is beyond your budget, consider using quartz
for only part of the room and use a less
expensive material in the rest of it. |
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