If you’ve been looking at the housing market recently, you probably know that many homes have been updated with a more modern style. It’s a no-brainer that upgrades can increase the value of any home you’re looking to sell.
For many builders and homeowners, updating a kitchen or bathroom is the top priority. One major feature is the countertops, which may help increase the selling price of any home. Because of this, many builders are choosing to incorporate quartz countertops for their value, appearance, and functionality.
Rock Doctor knows a lot about quartz countertops, and many of our customers have expressed interest in the material, causing quartz to increase in popularity. Here are some reasons why builders choose quartz and what you need to know about these types of countertops.
How Are Quartz Countertops Made?
Quartz countertops are made by grinding quartz stone into tiny particles and combining them with polyester resins, polymers, and color pigments. Depending on how crushed the quartz is, the pattern of the countertop can change drastically. Unlike other natural stones like marble and granite, quartz is a lot more affordable and versatile. Instead of large slabs being mined from the earth and polished as is, quartz countertops are man-made.
Because quartz is manufactured in a factory, it is extremely durable and can be adjusted to fit any home. Quartz countertops are known for coming in bright colors and tones because the manufacturer can personalize the pigments and resins that are mixed with the quartz stone. This feature of quartz, along with the ease of care associated with the stone, has made it a very popular option for many homeowners and others looking to build a custom home.
Why Are Builders and Homeowners Choosing Quartz?
It has become increasingly popular for builders of new homes to incorporate quartz countertops into their kitchen or bathroom space rather than using other natural stones like granite. Besides the many benefits that quartz countertops can offer, quartz can bring value to your home if you ever decide to sell.
The initial cost of quartz typically ranges anywhere from $60 to $100 per square foot or more. While it’s challenging to predict the exact value that quartz would add to your home, it will aid your resale value if it’s well-maintained. Compared to granite or marble, the high durability of quartz allows it to last a lot longer.
The value of quartz is also predicted to increase by 6.4 percent by 2026. As the stone’s value goes up, so does the value of any home with quartz countertops. Even if quartz prices increase over the next few years, many homeowners building a custom home will likely choose quartz countertops due to their growing popularity and many benefits.
Keep in mind that any value quartz brings to your home must be complemented with good general upkeep and home condition. If you have quartz countertops but the rest of your home is in bad condition, any value the quartz would bring to your home would be a wash.
What Are the Pros of Quartz?
One of the reasons many builders are choosing quartz countertops for their kitchen and bathroom areas is because they offer many benefits compared to other natural stone options. These benefits include:
- Versatility: Quartz can be engineered to allow for a wide range of patterns and colors. These colors are typically richer than those found in natural stones like marble and granite, giving the quartz a more luxurious feel and design.
- Consistency: Since quartz countertops are manufactured, their patterns appear more consistent than other countertop materials. This is more desirable for builders and homeowners than other natural stone countertops with inconsistent designs and patterns.
- Durability: Quartz is an extremely durable material, making it very desirable for countertops that experience a lot of activity. If you’re looking for something to withstand wear and tear over time, quartz is a great option because it’s non-porous and resistant to scratching, chipping, and staining.
- Low Maintenance: Because of the durable quality of quartz countertops, they offer lower maintenance over time than other natural stones. Quartz is non-porous, so it doesn’t require any sealant like granite normally does. It’s also easy to clean quartz with a specialized quartz countertop cleaner.
What Are the Cons of Quartz?
Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages to quartz countertops that builders may want to consider, such as:
- Seams: Some quartz countertops are designed with a clean and consistent look because the quartz stone is ground down to very tiny pieces. While this creates a pleasing appearance for your kitchen or bathroom, it can make it harder to hide seams where two slabs meet up with each other.
- Heat Damage: Although quartz countertops are resistant to heat, they can still potentially be damaged if exposed to hot cookware. The resins and polymers mixed with the quartz can become permanently discolored and damaged if you fail to use a hot pad or trivet.
- Installation: Quartz countertops may be more difficult to install in your home because quartz is an extremely heavy material. You must hire professional installers to do the job correctly and carefully to avoid any damage or misplacement of the stone.
- Indoor Only: You should not install quartz countertops in an outdoor kitchen or dining space. Quartz is not resistant to UV light and will fade and experience discoloration over time from being exposed to the sun.
Although there are cons to having quartz countertops in your home, many homeowners find that the benefits of quartz outweigh any cons that may come with it. If builders are looking to add more value to their homes in the long run, quartz countertops are a perfect option.
If you want to increase your new home’s value, you’ll need to maintain the high quality of your quartz countertops. Rock Doctor offers a full line of cleaning and polishing products for your natural stone countertops. Visit our website or contact us at 913-894-0288 for more information.
