When you’re shopping around for a quality countertop material, there are a few things to keep in mind: the appearance of the countertop, its maintenance level, and its durability.

High durability matters to a lot of people because it typically means that your countertop will last for a long time. A countertop that’s durable will remain the centerpiece of a home for many years, unlike one that’s flimsy and vulnerable that will need to be replaced in a short amount of time.

A countertop is an investment, and you want to make sure that it will give back as much as you’re putting into it. That’s why so many of our customers gravitate toward quartz countertops—they know that they will last for a lifetime and look beautiful while doing so.

In recent years, quartz has even been taking the spotlight off of granite, which has been the longtime leading contender when it comes to natural stone countertops. The reason that so many people love granite and have loved it for so long is because of its proven durability—it’s stronger than marble and limestone. But it’s not stronger than quartz.

Many people don’t know that quartz is actually stronger, heavier, and harder than granite, and as long as you use the correct cleaner and polish to take care of it, it’s extremely easy to maintain. If your quartz countertop is installed by a quality contractor, then you can expect it to last in your home for years—even decades.

There are so many details about quartz and its durability that make it an attractive choice for remodelers. This article will cover the three main points related to why it should be your choice for durability: its engineered strength, its low porosity, and its heat resistance.

Read on to learn more about the durability of quartz and why it’s a great choice for kitchen and bathroom remodels.

1. Quartz’s Engineered Strength

The fabrication process of quartz was defined by Italian engineers in the 1960s, and right from the beginning, plenty of attention was placed on the strength of the material. Their goal was to create a stone that would score higher on the Mohs scale (the scale that measures the hardness of minerals) than most natural stones.

The scale places stones at a hardness level of 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardest. For reference, diamond scores a 10 on the Mohs scale. Granite usually scores around a 6, but quartz comes out victorious when it comes to countertop materials with a score of 7.

This score of 7 means that your quartz countertop is highly resistant to cracking, scratching, and burning if it’s taken care of correctly.

2. Quartz’s Low Porosity

Quartz is made of a combination of a few ingredients. These ingredients include crushed natural quartz, compound polymer resins, and synthetic pigments for coloration. All of these elements mixed together create a solid surface that, unlike natural stones, is not porous.

The low porosity of engineered quartz is a big reason why people choose it over marble and granite countertops. With a countertop that is nonporous, homeowners don’t have to worry about damage caused by water or other liquid seeping through the surface and creating stains. Even without resealing!

3. Quartz’s Heat Resistance

Much like it is resistant to liquid, quartz is resistant to heat as well. Unlike marble, which can experience thermal shock, quartz can handle high temperatures. It can handle them even better than granite and soapstone, which are known for being more heat resistant than marble. When placing hot pots and pans on granite and soapstone, you can never be sure what’s hot enough to make them crack. With quartz, cracking is not something that you have to worry about.

We do recommend placing something under a hot sheet or pan because if quartz is commonly in contact with very hot items, it can result in discoloration of the stone.

Bonus: Quartz Is Low Maintenance

Quartz being low maintenance might seem unrelated to its durability, but it’s not. Because quartz only needs to be sealed once (during the fabrication process), it is very easy to care for and maintain, which adds to its durability.

Natural stones like marble and granite call for frequent resealing, even as often as once a year—and this can result in a patina if this step is skipped, even if stains are cleaned quickly. Quartz countertops, on the other hand, only require reasonable cleaning and a few precautions (like using the correct materials to clean with).

Choosing Quartz for Your Remodel

Quartz is a great choice for any kitchen or bathroom because it’s a durable stone that stands the test of time and is worth the investment. Contact Sanford Granite today at (407) 490-4896 to discuss installing quartz countertops in your home.