Many people are unaware that “quartz slab” is invariably different from other natural stones. Quartz slabs are strangely more unusual than what we realize. Is it a man-made material? Is quartz a natural stone?
The answer to the above question is both yes and no. The quartz slabs are a form of engineered stone, which are made up of ground particles of stones that are then bound together with other plastic resins.
Quartz slabs are one of the best materials for countertops as they are low-maintenance, which is perfect and aesthetic for any home. It is one of the latest and best man-made materials for slabs, making their entry into many contemporary spaces. The resin that is present in the quartz slabs makes them much more durable and stronger. Quartz slabs are low-maintenance because they only require a simple wipe-down with a basic cleanser, making them squeaky clean like before. Also, problems like scratches, stains, and cracks or blemishes on the slab are not usual for a quartz slab, and even if such issues occur, they can be solved easily. Quartz slabs are not only durable but undoubtedly make the interiors look beautiful, bringing an elegant and contemporary look to your space.
Suppose you’re looking for some material slabs in your house, office, or any other space that you want to re-decorate, then quartz is the way to go. A few more interesting things that you need to know about quartz slabs are as follows:
- Quartz slabs aren’t complete solid slabs – In most of the quartz slabs, some amount of quartz is present but not 100%. About almost 10% of the material in all quartz slabs isn’t stone but other materials like a polymeric or resin-based mixture of the two. Hence, quartz slabs are also engineered or compounded stones as they contain a greater or lesser quantity of quartz stones but include lots of other materials that help them become more durable.
- The process of making quartz slabs – This technique of creating an engineered stone was created in the year 1963. Furthermore, the process was also licensed under the name Bretonstone. But many manufacturers use this technology today to produce quartz stone. This process consists of mixing natural stone with a mix of polymers, after which air is removed from the stone. This stone is further heated and shaped into a material that gets the hardness and appearance of the natural stone.
- Quartz slabs are environment friendly – These slabs are totally environment friendly, and the process does not involve using any kind of trees or any other part of the forest. This is one of the most influential parts of using quartz slabs.
- The majority of floor tiles are quartz slabs – You might not be aware of this fact, but most homeowners think of quartz slabs, majorly as kitchen counter slabs or bathroom counter slabs. However, the reality is that quartz slabs are used worldwide in many ways in massive sizes at airports, malls, and for flooring purposes.
- No competition with Granite – For years now, quartz has been labeled as competition against granite; it’s regarded as a low-cost, more durable version of granite. The physical properties of quartz slabs make the installation process simpler compared to granite, making it more flexible and easier to handle. On the contrary, granite-look quartz is available in the market, but the truth today is that quartz slabs have taken over the market share of granite. To sustain in this competitive market, granite manufacturers had to decrease their prices in the market to make this material more widely available. Still, they are not able to sustain against quartz slabs.
- Differentiation between high-quality and low-quality quartz – The most significant difference between the two is the amount of raw material, i.e., resin, used during the process of manufacturing the quartz. A low-quality quartz slab contains around 12% resin, and this type is considered a high builder-grade material with a lower shine quotient. On the other hand, a higher quality quartz slab contains about 7% resin which makes the slab look more flawless with a fantastic sparkle, almost like a marble. The pricing for the high-grade quartz slab is almost double as compared to the lower-quality quartz slab.
- Difference between quartz and quartzite – So briefly speaking, the difference between quartz and quartzite is that the former is an artificial quartz slab and quartzite is more of a natural slab. Hence, artificial quartz slabs are the way to go if you’re looking for something aesthetic, low maintenance, and more durable than your normal slabs.
To conclude, quartz slabs are available in abundant varieties and colors, some of which are Calacatta Quartz, Quartz Stone slab, etc., and the leading colors are Black, red, white, and so many more that can be customized with cutting-edge technology, superior quality, and higher performance.
In order to achieve a sparkling finish, glass is also combined during the manufacturing process in some cases to provide different textures and patterns over the quartz slabs. Their ultimate selling point is that they are very versatile, with easy fabrication and installation, which allows you to design the perfect interior design for your space.
Also, when compared to granite, mixing and matching become easier for quartz slabs since it is available in relatively more smooth and plain surfaces.
And if we talk about the pricing structure of quartz slabs, it depends on the thickness (generally, quartz slabs are available in two varieties – thickness of 15 mm and thickness of 20 mm, some brands also offer slabs with a thickness of 13 mm). The thinner the slab, the lesser the cost is, and it also provides a contemporary appeal to your space. All the above are some facts and benefits of using quartz slabs
