There are many characteristics that make quartz stand out from other materials especially when it’s used in multifamily projects. Quartz is a stone that is durable, nonabsorbent, easy to maintain, and a cost-effective solution. However, there are also great qualities that natural stone such as granite have. Granite is also very scratch resistant and has a low embodied energy. This means that this stone has fewer steps to go through before being installed.
Quartz: A Manmade Stone
There are many characteristics that make quartz stand out from other materials especially in multifamily housing. One of the main reasons quartz performs well in multifamily housing is due to the fact that it is a nonabsorbent material. Many liquids will not absorb into the stone, but if an acidic liquid or chemical is spilt on a quartz countertop it should be promptly clean to avoid etching and possible discoloration or removal of a polished finish. Because it is nonabsorbent, quartz does not harbor harmful bacteria which is a significant factor with multifamily units since multiple individuals may live in that unit over a period of time. Quartz is also a cost-effective solution due to it not needing extensive maintenance. Quartz does not need to be sealed because it is manufactured with resin which acts a protective layer and extends the life of quartz.
Also Read: Why Choose Natural Granite Countertops
Quartz from Quarry to Install
Quartz goes through a five-step process before being installed. This manufacturing process is one of the most important parts because quartz is a material not found in nature, but one that is created. The first step is the raw quartz is mined from a quarry, this is the process of taking natural quartz particles and crushing and sorting them. After being sorted the particles are mixed with resin and binders. All ingredients are transported to a manufacturing facility and combined to create the final product.
Granite: A Natural Stone
Granite is also a great material to work with but relatively has the same properties as quartz with some differences. Granite and quartz are relatively the same when it comes to the strength, but granite will have a higher heat resistance. Granite and quartz also have relatively the same looks to them with granite having slightly more color variation.
Granite from Quarry to Install
Granite has a significantly smaller process from stone in the ground to slabs. First the granite is gathered from a quarry and is then transported to a producer where it is cut into slabs, and a surface finished is applied. Because of the shorter process granite is considered to have a lower embodied energy compared to quartz. Granite’s life cycle is also significantly longer than quartz with roughly about 100 years as opposed to quartz with 20 years. If you are looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative granite is a great option and can be recycled. Quartz on the other hand cannot be recycled due to the resin the quartz particles are combined with.
Both granite and quartz are great to use for your multifamily units.
It’s important to take into consideration how you want the stone to perform and the environment it will be exposed to. To see Republic Elites natural stone and man-made stone options visit our website at republicelite.com.
