Are quartz countertops OK in a bathroom?

13 May.,2024

 

Guide to Quartz Bathroom Countertops | Caesarstone US

If you want to learn more, please visit our website ROMA.

Home remodeling is an exciting journey. But it can be a complicated and stressful process at times. From selecting materials and choosing the perfect color and design of quartz bathroom countertops to dealing with fabricators and installers, homeowners often find the entire process a little overwhelming. The selection of countertop materials must be done carefully, in consideration of factors such as durability, porosity, ease of maintenance, and style. Having all of this information will make your decision much easier. 

When it comes to selecting countertop materials, it is easy to focus on the kitchen and forget about the bathroom. Selecting bathroom countertop materials is not any easier than selecting kitchen countertops, however. The wide variety of countertop materials on the market can make the process even more difficult, especially for people who do not have sufficient information about the pros and cons of each countertop material. Anyone looking for a bathroom countertop that is stunning, durable and non-porous should opt for quartz from a reputable manufacturer like Caesarstone. Let’s see why bathroom quartz countertops are preferred among homeowners and renters, and why they should be the go-to option.   

But first, what are quartz countertops? 

Quartz is an engineered stone that is composed of 90% quartz and 10% pigments, polymers, and resins. Quartz is also one of the hardest naturally occurring minerals on earth. When formulated, it creates a very strong surface that is not only eye-catching but also mimics natural stone countertops. It is available in a wide array of colors and styles, so it doesn’t restrict the quartz countertops bathroom styles that homeowners have to choose from. 

What makes quartz bathroom countertops a great choice? 

  • The durability – As we mentioned, quartz is an engineered stone that is made with one of the hardest minerals on earth. On the Mohs hardness scale, it has a rating of 7 and is only surpassed by diamond, corundum, and topaz. This makes quartz bathroom vanity countertops less susceptible to chips and cracks, which can be a nuisance, not to mention the extra cost of frequent repairs to less durable countertop materials. 
  • Quartz is non-porous – Bathroom countertops often come into contact with all types of liquids. The non-porous nature of quartz, thanks to the resins used during the manufacturing process, is a quality that homeowners should look out for when selecting bathroom countertops. This ultimately makes quartz the ideal bathroom countertop material.  
  • Ease of maintenance – No one wants to scrub bathroom or kitchen countertops every other day. The non-porous nature of bathroom quartz countertops makes cleaning a quick, stress-free and easy process. Quartz countertops also offer antibacterial and hygienic benefits as a result. Quartz bathroom countertops have simple cleaning needs and only require clean water and mild soap. 
  • Variety of colors and designs – Quartz countertops are available in a wide array of designs, colors, and patterns, some of which mimic natural stone countertops such as marble. Whether looking for a dark, light, bold or neutral design, you’ll find it in quartz. 

What are the best quartz countertop bathroom options?   

5101 Empira Black

As we mentioned earlier, quartz bathroom countertops are available in many different designs and colors. Here are some design options that are ideal for bathrooms or kitchens depending on the preferred styles and colors. 

Whites 

  • 5171 Arabetto – This is a perfect design for someone who is looking for hues of grey/green and white. The 5171 Arabetto has swirling galaxy-like features of grey stripes and speckles on a crisp white surface. This makes for an impressive stone countertop, one that captures a delicate interlacing of copper and jade and a complex mineral composition. It creates a polished yet supernatural finish that can be custom-designed based on the preferred thickness.  
  • 5112 Aterra Blanca – This is a quartz countertop that has a misty white base with soft earthy veining. It radiates with warm, glowing and milky swirls, and is the perfect choice to create a subtle veined bathroom look. 

Blacks 

  • 5101 Empira Black – Looking to add opulence in the bathroom? Caesarstone’s 5101 Empira Black will do exactly that. With its deep, dark and mysterious black and fine white veining, it creates a beautifully contrasting surface, one that blends effortlessly with other bathroom features. This is an ideal countertop material for a polished and natural finish. 
  • 3100 Jet Black – Looking for a bathroom countertop that exudes luxury? Go for Caesarstone’s 3100 Jet Black. Not only is it exquisitely dark but it also has a subtle pattern that makes it a sophisticated and sleek surface. 

Browns 

  • 6338 Woodlands – Want a bathroom countertop that is bold yet graceful? With earthy veining dancing across a dark-chocolate base, Caesarstone’s 6338 Woodlands is just that. While it is durable and easy to maintain, remember that sharp objects should not be used on the countertop. 

Beiges 

  • 5220 Dreamy Marfil – The perfect countertop to create a rustic charm, this quartz countertop is a blend of beige hues that are enriched with browns, beautifully represented in a polished finish. 

What factors should be considered when choosing quartz bathroom countertops? 

  • Lifestyle – Luckily, all bathroom quartz countertops are easy to clean and maintain. However, certain finishes require more care than others, so a person’s lifestyle should be factored in. 
  • Visual appearance – This is a major consideration before installing quartz bathroom countertops. No one wants to be left with countertops that do not match the bathroom’s overall aesthetic. Luckily, quartz countertops are available in a wide variety of colors, designs, and patterns to choose from to suit any space. 
  • The manufacturer – It is important to get quartz bathroom countertops from a reputable manufacturer such as Caesarstone. Quartz countertops can be a significant investment. As such, no homeowner wants to deal with repair and maintenance costs that can result from choosing an inferior manufacturer. 

What are the Cons of Quartz Bathroom Countertops?

Engineered stone is taking the countertop industry by storm, but what about quartz bathroom countertops? Are they worth the price tag? Here’s everything you need to know about the bathroom quartz countertop. What are the cons? Do they merit the hype? (Spoiler alert: They don’t.)

What Is Quartz?

Before we get into the pros and cons of quartz, it’s essential to understand what it is and how it’s made. Quartz is what’s known as an engineered stone. Because of that, many people assume that it’s man-made. But that’s only partially true.

Quartz is a naturally occurring mineral mined in the form of rocks. Other countertop materials like granite, marble, and soapstone are also extracted from quarries, but they come in large sections cut into slabs. Some people are surprised to learn that many granite slabs contain portions of natural quartz.

Quartz on its own isn’t naturally found in large slabs. Rather, the quartz pebbles are ground down into fine dust and then mixed with resin, pigments, and polymers to form a hard and durable countertop. Natural quartz makes up about 90% of most quartz countertops, and the remaining 10% is other materials. 

So while the bulk of the materials in quartz countertops are naturally occurring minerals, the actual process of making them into a slab is done by humans, hence the title “engineered stone.”

Cons of Quartz Bathroom Countertops

There are quite a few reasons why quartz countertops are great for bathrooms. They’re incredibly durable and completely nonporous, so they resist water, staining, germs, and bacteria. They’re easy to clean and maintain, and they are visually appealing. 

For all of these pros, though, there are some concerning downsides. Here’s a look at some of the biggest cons of quartz countertops and why you might want to avoid them in your bathroom. 

Price

Easily, the biggest downside to ordering quartz for your bathroom remodel is the price. Quartz does come with benefits – it’s nonporous, extremely durable, scratch-resistant, customizable, and doesn’t need to be sealed. 

But all of these benefits come with a cost. So, if you’re on a tight budget, you might want to consider other countertop options. The price of quartz countertops can vary significantly. It all depends on the manufacturer, installation costs, style, and design. Marble and granite are cheaper. 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Custom Quartz Bathroom Countertops.

Appearance

Although the appearance of quartz can be a huge selling point for some buyers, it can be a serious drawback for others. The coloring and style are entirely customizable, but they will always have a uniform appearance. 

If you’re hoping to perfectly mimic the varying appearance of granite or other natural stone, it’s just not going to happen. The natural veins of granite simply can’t be replicated by engineering quartz countertops.

Another drawback is that the seams in quartz are more visible than those in natural stone. So if you’re looking for a large bathroom countertop that will take more than one slab, there’s a good chance you’ll have a noticeable seam where the two slabs meet.

Prone to Heat Damage

Bathroom countertops need to be able to handle whatever your daily routine throws at them. Hot curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers are part of many morning routines, and quartz countertops don’t handle them well. 

While natural quartz is heat resistant, the resin and polymers that help bind the countertop together are not. Exposing quartz counters to high-temperature objects can easily cause damage in the form of white spots, clouding, and permanent discoloration. 

How much heat can quartz countertops take? Some manufacturers claim they are heat resistant up to 300 degrees or more, while others state they can only handle 150 degrees. The actual temperature threshold of a certain quartz slab will depend on the quality of the countertop and the manufacturer. Either way, it’s essential to be cautious when using hot items on quartz countertops.

Difficult to Install

Quartz is extremely heavy, making it very difficult to install. It’s not something you can knock out yourself in an afternoon of DIY. It requires professional installation by someone who knows what they are doing and has worked with quartz before. 

Lining up the seams to reduce visibility is also much more difficult with quartz than with granite, so be prepared to pay higher installation costs if you choose to go with quartz countertops.

Can’t Handle Sunlight

Engineered quartz countertops are made for indoor use only. Use it in your bathroom? No problem, as long as there are no windows. Is there a big, beautiful window letting in plenty of sunshine? 

If there is, the UV light will fade the pigment in quartz countertops and leave you with a yellowish hue in place of the beautifully colored slab you once loved. So, unless your bathroom is in a dark dungeon with no natural light, you might want to steer clear of using quartz for the countertop.

Upgrade Your Bathroom With Mountain States Kitchen and Bath

Quartz bathroom countertops might not be the right choice for your bathroom remodel. But where quartz is lacking, granite can really deliver. Granite countertops are a surefire way to upgrade the look and feel of not only your bathroom, but your entire home as well. 

So, when you’re ready to make a change, Mountain States Kitchen and Bath is here to help every step of the way. We have everything you’ll need to create the bathroom of your dreams, from custom cabinetry to granite countertops and everything in between.

We specialize in remodeling kitchens and bathrooms across the Wasatch Front, from Spanish Fork to Salt Lake City, Utah, and everywhere in between. Contact us today to learn more about what we have to offer, or swing by our showroom in Lehi, Utah, and see some of our beautiful options and designs for yourself. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have or to schedule an in-home consultation with you. Let us help you design the home of your dreams. We can’t wait to work with you!

Want more information on Custom Quartz Vanity Tops? Feel free to contact us.