If you want to replace your kitchen countertop and thinking of going for some other man-made material that has a similar look and feel to marble, then you’re at the right place. Here is everything you need to know about quartz kitchen tops and their popular finishes.
Basics Of Quartz Countertops
Quartz is a man-made material for countertops. In terms of the composition of the countertops, quartz ones are made out of crushed quartz and pigments, which imparts the distinct color of your desire and then everything is bound together with the help of resin.
The result is a hard, sturdy countertop that is scratch-resistant and durable, but not very resistant to heat. Quartz is one of the most famous and sought-after countertop materials and it is also decently priced, which is a plus.
Most Popular Quartz Countertop Finishes
So, now that you know what quartz countertops are, how they’re made, and how they can be different from other materials, now is the time to dive into the different finishes of quartz countertops. There are primarily three different finishes of quartz countertops and you can get them customized to your liking. There is a finish for everyone. Those who like really shiny countertops, those who like the look of matte countertops and those who love textured and slightly rustic countertops – there is something in store for all.
Here is a detailed rundown of each finish of quartz countertops.
Honed Quartz
The first finish of quartz countertops is honed or matte quartz. Quartz isn’t exactly available in matte and polished varieties on its own. It is slightly matte and slightly polished, so it is somewhere in the middle. However, if you want a fully matte countertop with zero shine and just want the material to shine in its glory, then you can go for honed countertops.
These countertops are made by buffing the topmost shiny layer of quartz and it is bugged until you see the rough and matte texture emerge. It is slightly smooth, slightly rugged, and it has zero shine. Honed countertops are amazing for a variety of reasons.
Benefits
First of all, scratches and chips will be non-existent in these countertops, because this finish doesn’t reflect any light. If anything, it absorbs it, and it leads the quartz to look very rustic and underdone, which is what a lot of people enjoy.
Quartz and matte go hand in hand for a lot of people, because they don’t like the blaring shiny look polished quartz has and they want to go for something more understated and neutral. Something that won’t have a harsh glare of light.
Drawbacks
Honed quartz does have a couple of drawbacks too. First of all, it needs to be sealed or protected from water, because the topmost non-porous layer has been buffed off and there is nothing to protect the material from moisture and water damage.
Also, stains will be a norm in this countertop finish. You can’t expect honed countertops that won’t get stained. That is just impossible.
So, in order to protect the material, you have to slather on a layer of sealant and that can take away the matte and honed look, which kind of destroys the whole purpose, unless you get a matte sealant for it too. If you don’t like this, get in touch with a quartz countertop contractor Rockville to take a look at various other quartz finishes.
Polished Quartz
Next up is one of the most popular finishes of quartz countertops and that is polished quartz. Polished quartz is very shiny, highly reflective, and just so beautiful. Polished quartz is amazing for kitchens that are really small because they tend to reflect any light hitting the surface and then the space is illuminated.
So, if that is what you want and you love the shiny and very sleek look polished quartz gives the kitchen, then you can definitely go for it.
Benefits
Polished quartz is made by buffing the surface of the countertop with a polishing tool and a solution that makes the surface super clean and shiny. It is just one of a kind when it comes to quartz countertop finishes and you can’t go wrong with this choice of finish.
If you want, you can even get it done on darker quartz countertops and the results will be amazing. Again, this is not the natural finish of quartz. The natural finish is somewhere in the middle, so you have to get it customized according to your liking.
When it comes to polished quartz, you can either get it highly polished or you can get it polished just enough for that little glimpse of shine. Either way, polished quartz is going to really make your kitchen shine. Moreover, it’s also considered a slightly cheaper finish, so you can save money on countertop installation with this finish.
Care Required
Now, if there’s one thing that you want to take care of when it comes to polished quartz is the fact that you have to maintain the shine. The shine can get dull over time and if you want the material to remain shiny, then you have to work for it in order to improve it. Also, scratches on polished surfaces show up really easily, so that is something that you have to deal with too.
Leathered Quartz
This finish of quartz countertops is for people who want the look of matte countertops but they also want a bit of texture too. In comes leathered quartz, which is probably the most unique finish that you have ever heard of. When it comes to leathered finish, there is a certain texture that you get when you feel the material. It is matte, but it is not as smooth as soap. There is a grip and a very interesting texture that is unlike anything you’ve ever felt before.
Leathered finish is achieved by making textures with different kinds of equipment. This leads to the formation of grooves and ripples that kind of resemble the look of leather if you look closely. Just like leather, it is matte, but there is some texture to it as well and a very unique feel that you just don’t see anywhere. So, if that is more your style, then you can go for leathered countertops. They are amazing in a lot of ways.
Benefits
Firstly, stains, smudges, and scratches will be history, since there is already texture on the surface of these countertops, so you won’t be able to see scratches and smudges in normal lighting, which is amazing.
Secondly, the grip is amazing. It won’t be slippery and you can easily set anything on top of these countertops, cut things up, and put your fingers on the surface as well, and everything will be just fine.
Drawbacks
While leathered countertops are amazing and all, you still need to understand that they will be hard surfaces to clean. Because of the texture, dirt and grime may get stuck in the spaces and will be difficult to clean as compared to smoother and bump-free surfaces. So, this is a tradeoff that you have to be willing to take.
Conclusion
Quartz is an amazing kitchen countertop material to go for. It is seriously one of the best ones out there and now you know the popular finishes you can have. Contact a quartz countertop installer Potomac to see the samples.