Marble is especially vulnerable to household acids like vinegar, mustard, catsup, citrus and numerous food-related products. In fact, it is this characteristic of the material that makes it quite a hygienic option as it restricts the origination of microorganisms, including bacteria, in the areas it is … This chemical reaction removes marble’s natural and stunning polish. Acidic substances can cause etching when they come into contact with marble. This means that quartz countertops do not require the sealing that granite and marble countertops do. There are several color options to choose from and many different brands. Marble is also softer than quartz and etches with use. The fact that quartz is non-porous means that it doesn’t absorb liquid like some other materials, such as granite and marble, and this means that your floor is likely to last you much longer as a result. Environmentally-Friendly. Specific cleaning sprays with sealing properties used with soft cleaning rags or washcloths on a weekly or monthly basis offer an added layer of protection against staining. While quartz is a great choice for countertops and backsplashes, no material is perfect. Quartz can repel the harshest spills, from juice to oil to tomatoes, coffee and more. Alas, its porous surface is granite’s kryptonite. Caesarstone is a non-porous surface, so you will never have to apply sealer to any Caesarstone surface. / September 15, 2017. This is one of the major advantages that quartz countertops have over many other options. They tend to penetrate the material, thus turning it green and/or an unattractive off-color blue. While very durable they cannot be considered indestructible. © Copyright 2021 Corridor Kitchens / Powered by CG Web Strategy / Blog, 650 Pacha Pkwy, Ste 6 North Liberty, IA, North Liberty, IA 52317. For cleanliness, a non-porous surface means that it will not harbor bacteria or viruses. Polished or semi-polished limestone counter tops will be left with rough spots from where acidic substances sat on the stone. Purity Porous silica material has a very high-purity content since it is made from synthetic silica glass, which has very few impurities. Porous materials allow liquids to seep beneath their surface, which can lead to staining, discoloration, and irreversible damage. The bottom line on limestone countertops’ porosity: They can’t fight their porous nature without help. Because of the man-made resin that is used to glue quartzt together it is non-porous, so it’s stain resistant (not stain proof) and super-low maintenance. Sign Quartz is a chemical compound consisting of one part silicon and two parts oxygen. List of the Pros of Quartz Countertops. Honed quartz is a porous material, which means it will need to be resealed every few months just to maintain its quality and integrity. Like other hard surface countertop materials, quartz is non-porous so it resists staining much better than granite, marble and concrete. Because it is not a porous material, the quartz countertop resists moisture, bacteria, and dirt. The non-porous quality of the surface also greatly reduces the potential for bacterial growth. The main issue you will have to be mindful of is the ability of quartz to be damaged by excessive heat. Quartz Is a Nonporous Surface According to materials engineers at Cosentino, a Spanish brand of quartz known to manufacture slabs that look just like white Carrara marble, the reason quartz surfaces have zero porosity is because of their composition. Through reviewing this guide, you can better understand porosity and its effects on countertop materials, as well as additional information about quartz countertops. Are Quartz Countertops Porous? Quartz is also the cleanliest of America’s most popular countertop surfaces. Be warned though: Like marble, limestone is highly susceptible to kitchen acids like citrus juices, vinegars and mustards. It has a completely non-porous surface that doesn’t absorb liquids and water. Before you assume that this makes quartz superior to granite, consider the very reason it’s non-porous. For some granite colors, dark spots may appear if a puddle is left unattended for a substantial period of time. Doing so will allow you to know which countertops will be better at handling spills and stains. / April 24, 2018, By Ginger Perales Copyright © 1996 - 2021 Marble.com™. Another benefit that results from these surfaces being engineered is that they are non-porous, which separates them from both granite and marble. On the other hand, marble is porous and it … We recommend While attractive and heat resistant, limestone is the weakest of the three most popular counter top surfaces when fighting porosity. Granite. Its non-porous surface means it will not harbor bacteria or viruses. The undisputed, unbeaten champion of the Porous Test, quartz is non-porous. Smooth, cool, beautiful as a diamond and much more resistant to porosity problems, marble is a gem of a counter top surface. All rights reserved. You seem to be visiting our website on Internet Explorer, a browser that is no longer supported. But liquids left unattended lying on marble for extended periods of time can leave a lasting stain scar. Quartzite countertops are produced after slabs of the natural stone are mined and precisely cut to ensure aesthetic appeal. Unlike natural stones that have microscopic pores throughout, engineered quartz countertops are non-porous. In addition to being stain resistant, quartz countertops are also scratch resistant. Quartz is a non-porous material. In addition, you will not need to apply a sealant as you would with most natural stone countertops. Quartz and Corian each offer plenty of advantages and a handful of drawbacks. If liquid or air can pass through your counter top, your kitchen’s centerpiece has a gaping hole, damaged look and major structural deficiency. Quartz is superior in quality to both solid surface and laminate countertops. Each counter top surface can withstand its natural porosity with differing degrees of strength. At least one study has found granite is very resistant to bacteria, but further long-term study is needed to draw any definitive conclusions. comments But with the right sealant and regular care, marble can stand the test of time and overcome its porosity to be the wowing showcase of your kitchen. The surfaces are beautiful, durable and low maintenance – all qualities that homeowners love. A penetrating sealer like the highly rated Granite Gold Countertop Liquid Sealer and StoneTech Bulletproof is recommended to prevent stains from oil, wine or other liquids from soaking into the surface. Service. It is a fairly hard stone at 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, and is non porous. While you should clean up any spills that occur immediately as a good habit, you will not have to worry about staining as much as you will with many other surfaces. It's a member of the quartz family. Here’s how to know: The undisputed, unbeaten champion of the Porous Test, quartz is non-porous. / December 04, 2019. It can be cleaned with warm water and soap and never needs sealing. Can You Install Quartz Countertops on Your Own? by Jeremy Troetti Remember how it’s made of a … Blame limestone’s calcium carbonate nature. a Quote, Privacy Lastly, you cannot install a quartz countertop outside, as it can become damaged from exposure to direct sunlight. Heck, even a knife can’t scrape granite’s good looks. Like granite, marble needs to be sealed regularly. Quartz is non-porous. If you are looking for new kitchen countertops, or new countertops for areas like the bathroom, these engineered stone countertops will be a great fit. "Engineered with pure quartz crystals, the quartz countertop from DuPontâ„¢ Zodiaq® let you bring the best of both worlds - nature and science -- to your kitchen, bath and throughout your home." Tools, Get Here are the pros and cons of quartz countertops to consider. More common types of quartz will come at a lesser cost, while rare types are in the high-end of the price range. 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