Essential Guide to LUCASTONE™ Quartz

When shopping for new countertops, quartz is a common type that you're likely to encounter during your window shopping. The material has become popular over the last decade, but many people are unfamiliar with it.

If you're considering it for your countertops, you might have many questions, such as its durability? Where are quartz countertops  best applicable? What are the pros and cons of installing quartz countertops? In this post, we'll look at everything you need to know about quartz to help you make an informed decision.

What Is Lucastone Quartz?

Quartzite is a naturally occurring stone available in various forms, including jasper, rose quartz, milky quartz, ametrine, and amethyst. Once the quartz minerals are mined, they are ground into a fine or coarse aggregate. When making quartz countertops, engineers fuse 90% of the ground mineral with 10% resin to bind the rock under intense heat and pressure.

They impart color and add pigmentation during the process to give the countertop a beautiful and aesthetic appearance . The result is a granite-like surface that matches how the quartzite is ground. Finely-ground quartzite produces a smooth look, while coarsely-ground quartzite produces a rough surface.

Nice kitchen interior - Francini Marbles Inc.

Quartz Countertop Properties

Quartz countertops are most common in kitchens and bathrooms due to their durability and long-lasting nature.  Although it comes in slab form, similar to granite and marble, it outshines the competitors in numerous ways. Below are some quartz properties that are likely to make you fall in love with these countertops:

Highly Durable

When buying countertops, you need to invest in a material that will hold up to anything. Quartz is the best choice as it's incredibly strong and durable. In addition, it's heat resistant, incredibly hard, and doesn't require resealing. Therefore, you can use it for all your kitchen needs without worrying about damaging it. 

Non-porous

As mentioned above, quartz countertops are 90% natural quartzite. This benefits you in two ways:

Natural quartzite is non-porous, hence stain resistant. Unlike other natural countertop materials such as granite, which are porous, quartzite doesn't absorb liquids or moisture, eliminating the reason to worry after a spill.

The non-porous nature means that you don't need to reseal your countertop regularly to hide the stains. Periodically re-sealing your countertops is time-consuming but an activity you can't ignore if you wish to maintain your kitchen in good condition. Since quartz doesn't require resealing, it takes less work to have it in your home. 

Low Maintenance 

Being non-porous means you can easily clean spills off your quartz countertop without special cleansers. You can instead use basic kitchen cleaning liquids or soap and water. In addition, since quartz is stain and scratch-resistant, it requires low maintenance.

Minimal Imperfections

Almost every stone has minor, naturally occurring imperfections such as cracks, fissures, and color streaks. If you take a closer look at granite or marble countertops, you will notice some of these imperfections. Some of these cracks are small but will start to grow with time.

Unlike these competitor stones, quartz countertops are made with precision, using the right amount of materials and quality control. With these qualities and the right amount of care, quartz has minimal chances of getting cracks, fissures, or any other form of imperfection common in kitchen countertops .

Stylish

Quartz is one of the most stylish stones you will find in the market. It's available in a wide range of colors and patterns. In addition, they are available in colors unavailable with other stones such as bright blue. Engineers can mimic other materials such as marble, granite, and concrete. The availability of multiple styles gives you the freedom to choose what matches your preferences.

Quartz countertops are available on order. You can shape your countertop to match any unique situation. In addition, Francini Inc. gives you a variety of finishes and colors  hence the freedom to customize your quartz countertops to match your home.

Quartz can match the traditional appearance of polished marble or the industrial appearance of leathered concrete. It is also far more durable and low-maintenance than these other materials, hence the best choice for your countertops. 

Nice kitchen interior - Francini Marbles Inc.

Benefits of Using LUCASTONE™ Quartz Countertops

In addition to the above properties, quartz offers a wide range of benefits when you choose it for your countertops.

  • Highly versatile: due to its non-porous nature, quartz is a good choice for your bathroom tiles and countertops.
  • Add aesthetic value- quartz products possess natural beauty, clarity, and depth that make them appealing to the eye.
  • Available in a wide range of colors- the ability to add color pigmentation during the manufacturing process avails quartz countertops in a dazzling array of colors. From bright, bold, intense to soft, warm, and muted colors, quartz gives you the freedom to choose countertops that match your preferences.
  • Anti-bacterial due to their non-porous nature, quartz countertops are less likely to attract bacteria. They are therefore suitable for food preparation areas.
  • Unrivaled strength- quartz countertops are 90% natural stone ground and mixed with binders and colorings. The mixture gives the stone an unmatched power comparable to natural stone such as granite. Despite this strength, the quartz is soft to the touch.

Applications of Quartz

Quartzite is one of the most abundant minerals on earth. It is crystalline and has high thermal and chemical properties. In addition to the above-discussed properties, it's available in different varieties, making it one of the most useful naturally-occurring minerals. In addition, it has a wide range of applications, including:

Countertops

Engineered quartz countertops are very attractive and produce a deep finish that you cannot compare with many solid materials. Many homeowners prefer quartz countertops due to their durability, similar to granite and concrete. However, quartz is more forgiving than its competitors because it doesn't chip easily. 

Its non-porous property resists staining better and doesn't support bacteria growth. It's, therefore, suitable for kitchen and bathroom countertops and tiles. The only downside of quartz engineered countertops is that they are a bit pricey compared to other countertop material options. 

Bar Tops

Bar tops go through a lot of rough handling and abuse. So when choosing the suitable material, you need one with water resistance, handle sliding glassware, and cannot be stained by liquids and acidic substances. Unfortunately, most countertop materials available are prone to stains, wear, and tear.

But before you give up on the best material for your bar tops, consider engineered quartz. Its non-porous, strong, and superior nature makes it the most suitable for your bar counter.  In addition, quartz is easy to maintain and doesn't require periodic sealing. 

Walls

Although quartz is mainly associated with kitchen countertops, it's recently gaining popularity for bathroom countertops, walls, flooring, and benches. Quartz gives you unlimited design and coloring options when used for your bathroom walls. With the materials, you have the freedom to create a relaxing focal point in your bathroom.

In addition, you get to enjoy its durability while adding style and decor to your bathroom. Many people prefer granite for their bathroom walls as it requires minimal maintenance. 

Art

Quartz art has gained popularity since it brightens the walls and gives your home a custom and unique look. Just like quartz countertops, these arts are durable and long-lasting. 

How to Care for Quartz Countertops

If you want to maintain the timeless beauty, durability, and antibacterial properties of your LUCASTONE™ quartz countertops, then you need to know the right way to care for the material. Below are valuable tips to help you care for your quartz countertops.

General Cleaning

If your kitchen experiences high traffic, you will need to clean it regularly. When cleaning:

  • Wipe it with a damp soapy cloth or paper towel
  • Only use a natural surface cleaner with soap and water solution
  • Avoid using strong cleaning chemicals
  • Avoid ammonia-based products
  • Avoid using steel wool pads
Nice bathroom interior - Francini Marbles Inc

Cleaning Spills

Spills are common, but luckily LUCASTONE™ quartz countertops are resistant to spills and moisture. If a spill happens, clean it using a clean cloth. For dried and stubborn stains, clean using baking soda and warm water. 

Hot Pans and Pots

Although LUCASTONE™ quartz is heat resistant, allow the pans to cool before placing them on the LUCASTONE™ quartz countertop. If not, always use trivets or hot protection pads to avoid prolonged exposure to heat. 

Francini Inc. Is the Only Choice for LUCASTONE™ Quartz and More Natural Stones

If you plan to upgrade your kitchen countertops or bathroom walls, ensure you get your products from a reliable and trusted distributor . Francini Inc. has the highest quality  LUCASTONE™ Quartz , and natural stones like marble, granite, limestone, and travertine.

We have a team of dedicated customer service staff that will cater to your needs and answer any questions you may have. So, whether you are a homeowner, architect, or interior designer, contact us today , and we will be happy to serve you.