An ideal material
Strength and Beauty of Quartz Countertops. Quartz is one of the earth’s hardest surfaces, which makes it an ideal and durable option for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities. Quartz is a nonporous, eco-friendly surface that has a unique blend of beauty and functionality, so it is an attractive and practical choice for any lifestyle.  Today we look at quartz countertops, otherwise known as engineered stone countertops. Material: Quartz. How It's Made: Quartz countertops are man-made engineered stone countertops formed by combining 90% ground quartz (a natural hard mineral) with 8-10% resins, polymers, and pigments. This forms a very hard granite-like surface.  As the name implies it is a countertop product that is made of quartz and resins. Before granite slabs were resined Engineered Stone had one major advantage over its natural counterpart, it was difficult to stain. Now with the advent of resined slabs that advantage is gone. The primary difference is the appearance. La Pietra Custom Marble and Granite specializes in detailed fabrication of natural stone kitchen countertops, incredible marble baths, granite fireplaces, and one piece stone sinks that will transform and add life to your kitchen. A top-mounted sink can be used with any countertop material and is dropped in after the counter is installed. An under-mounted sink is placed under the countertop and works best with waterproof countertop materials such as concrete, solid surfacing, stainless steel, stone, or quartz. Some materials, such as solid surfacing and stainless, can be used for both the sink and counter, creating a seamless look. Soapstone. Soapstone is a natural stone that’s quarried like granite. It’s a softer surface composed mainly from mineral talc, but the varieties used for kitchen counter tops are generally sturdier as they contain more quartz. Quartz. Quartz is a plentiful, natural occurring mineral. It is one of the most scratch resistant minerals available, because of this it is extremely easy to care for and clean. Wiping stains from its surface is easier than even granite, making it a very desirable choice for your kitchen counter top. In terms of marketing, quartz counter companies are smart to capitalize on this word because of those implications. And it is true. But not completely. In simple terms, quartz counters are 90% made up of stone-like materials and 10% of binders that are either plastic-like (polymeric) or cement-based. Of those stone-like materials, quartz is only one of many substances. Granite. When choosing countertops for the kitchen or bathroom, many homeowners prefer the look of stone, which offers a nearly endless array of unique colors and patterns. Granite is a natural stone and is one of the most popular countertop materials on the market. Quartz is a manufactured composite that replicates the look of stone and is growing in popularity. Use this simple guide to discover which of these beautiful materials is right for you. Most Popular Granite Colors. Take a look at the most used and most popular colors for granite countertops. Kitchen Countertop Gallery. Browse through photos of different countertop materials to find the one for you. The two common stones used in producing these products are marbles and quartz, the application of this product depends on the original stone used, for engineered marbles the most common application is indoor flooring and walls, while the quartz based product is used primarily for kitchen countertops.  QUARTZ-THE ULTIMATE IN EASY CARE. One of the hardest surfaces on earth, quartz makes an ideal material for kitchen countertops. Its non-porous surface and unique blend of beauty and easy care makes quartz an exceptional match for any lifestyle. 1  Quartz is naturally non-porous and scratch resistant. 2  Built-in anti-microbial protection inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew.
http://www.granitetransformations.com/products/quartz-countertops/ http://www.thekitchn.com/all-about-quartz-countertops-countertop-spotlight-166190 http://www.lapietramarble.com/index.html http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/countertops/buying-guide.htm http://freshome.com/2012/09/25/the-hottest-kitchen-counter-tops-move-over-marble/ http://homerenovations.about.com/od/kitchencounters/a/quartzcountertops.htm http://www.bhg.com/kitchen/countertop/granite-and-quartz/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineered_stone http://www.homedepot.com/c/SF_KB_Quartz_Countertops
what is quartz used in kitchen countertops