Remodeling any part of your home is a large undertaking! After spending so much money, you want results.
The kitchen is no exception, as a minor kitchen remodel costs around $20,000, while a major remodel can cost up to $63,000. When you’re doing such an extensive overhaul, you want to make sure that you choose the best materials for what you want.
One of the most important decisions you have to make during a kitchen remodel is about your countertops. Countertops are the main work surface in your kitchen and their cost means that you’ll have to live with them for a long time.
The material you choose for your counters plays a huge role in food prep, as well as the interior design of your kitchen.
Knowing a few of the key benefits of quartz countertops can help you understand why they are such a great option for your kitchen.
5 Benefits of Quartz Countertops
Quartz is a type of natural stone countertop that is not installed as a single large slab as other stones are. Instead, it is made up of crushed rock mixed together with a cement or resin-based epoxy.
Appearance
The way quartz countertops are constructed means that you have more control over the way it looks. You can choose brighter colors that simply aren’t possible with wood or other natural stones (or, of course, stick with neutrals).
You can also mimic stone slabs or have a solid color if you like that better.
The controlled construction process also means that there is much less risk of imperfections in your countertop. Quartz will create a smooth and uniform appearance that looks sleek and modern.
Another thing to keep in mind is that since quartz is dyed before the resin is added, it is colored all the way through. This means that if you chip your countertop (which is unlikely, but we’ll get to that in a second!), your counters’ coloring will still stay consistent.
Sizing
One of the key benefits of quartz is that it is manufactured.
This means that you can easily get it custom-sized for unusually shaped kitchens. This is a huge benefit over slab natural stone countertops because there are no seams to break up the appearance of your counters (which also makes cleaning easier in addition to the aesthetic benefits!)
Of course, always keep in mind that getting an oversized or custom-shaped quartz countertop will cost more. Choosing a prefabricated countertop is the way to go if you want to keep your remodel within a tight budget (though of course, this will depend on the overall shape of your kitchen).
Low Maintenance Requirements
Another key thing to note about quartz is how little work is required to keep it in good condition. Since it is already made with resin, there is no need to have your countertop sealed every few years as you have to do with other natural stones.
The resin also makes quartz completely non-absorbent, which eliminates staining and bacteria growth. This can help speed up the cooking process, as you won’t have to worry about spills immediately and can leave them until you have a free moment.
In reality, the only real maintenance that you’ll have to perform on your countertops is wiping it down with a wet cloth or sponge.
The low maintenance requirements and water resistance of quartz mean that you can even consider installing it in an outdoor kitchen!
Durability
In line with the above point, quartz is highly durable. The combination of resin and crushed rock makes an extremely hard surface – which means cracks and damage simply won’t occur.
In fact, you’re much more likely to crack a plate or dull a knife on your quartz countertops than damage its surface.
This also helps cut down on long-run costs, since you won’t have to worry about replacing or repairing them in the future. It makes working in the kitchen much easier, as you’ll be able to swing things around without fear of damaging your counters (though you should take care to not break your other kitchen items!).
Increased Home Value
One of the most often overlooked benefits of choosing to install a quartz countertop in your kitchen is the boost in home value that it provides. While it will depend on what you’re upgrading from, going to a natural stone countertop is a selling point for your home.
This can increase the asking price in the future, so you should keep it in mind if you are thinking of selling or renting soon.
Consumer Reports estimates that installing a quartz countertop can boost the value of your home anywhere from three to seven percent! This would give you a huge advantage if you ever decide to move, so it is worth it to consider the long-term benefits.
It’s Always a Good Idea to Use Quartz
Investing in quartz countertops is a good decision, as evidenced by the above points.
Its long lifespan and other practical benefits mean that you’ll be able to enjoy your kitchen much more for a very long time. Further, the boost in home value means that your countertops can eventually pay dividends – or at least pay for themselves – if you sell your home.
Our team of experienced contractors will work with you to finish your dream remodel, and show you our past work to help you come up with ideas.
For more information or a free quote about quartz, or any other type of natural stone countertop, feel free to contact us!