Quartz: Real or Manufactured Stone?
One of the most common questions we come across when it comes to materials for home renovations or brand new projects is whether Quartz is a natural stone or manufactured product. This question applies to countertop contenders such as quartz, which has usurped granite as the top high-end countertop choice. Here we will explore what actually is quartz, the ingredients and the process of making it.
Quartz 101: Natural Mineral and Engineered Stone
Natural Quartz: Well, yes, quartz in its natural form is a real stone. It is an extremely common mineral and is part of the Earth's crust which makes up 12% of that mass. A natural quartz is made up of silicon dioxide (a mineral that ranks 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which assesses the scratch resistance of a mineral) and is one of the hardest and most plentiful minerals on the earth and owns a compressive strength of more than 1100 MPa which is much more robust than granite. This inherent durability makes quartz an ideal raw material in a wide assortment of utilizations.
Engineered Quartz: Otherwise most frequently called simply as “quartz” for counters and various other construction, engineered quartz is a manmade item. Engineered quartz slabs are made by taking natural quartz crystals, mined and crushed into super fine dust, and combined with resins, pigments, and other materials — the mixture is then formed into slabs using a vibrocompression under vacuum.
Engineered quartz Manufacturing Process
1. Composition: Engineered quartz is usually composed of 90-94% percent natural quartz. These are made up of polyester resins and pigments which comprise the final 6-10%. The resins are like the glue and the pigment makes the slabs so beautiful in different colors and patterns.
2. Formation- the quartz resin mix is written into pours and mold to shape cast- the cast is subject to high pressure and heat to form solid slabs. This process guarantees non-porosity and perfect uniformity in the final product, conditions that the natural stone does not always assure.
3. Final Touches: The slabs are then polished once cured to make it aesthetically pleasing and smooth. This adds extra resistance to staining and scratching of the stone.
Uses of Engineered Quartz
Kitchen and Bathroom Countertops — Engineered quarts are used in kitchens and bathrooms countertops due to its durable, non-porous nature and aesthetic versatility. It is stain resistant in regard to cooking oils, beverages, and cosmetics—perfect for these environments.
Floor & Wall Cladding — Engineered quartz products are commonly used as walls, also, they are prepared for maintaining strength & uniformity.
Comparative Benefits
Quartz: Quartz is more durable compared to many natural stones and requires less maintenance. It does not need to be sealed every few years as opposed to granite and marble.
Design: Replicated natural stones like marble and granite, making it much more versatile for finishing as compared to other materials
Well, to know more in details about how to tell is it real quartz or just simply any other material you can also click here is quartz real.
So in the end, natural quartz is real, but almost all stone used in home installations is quartz, so nearly all quartz is engineered. This man made quartz offers the best of both world- it comes with the beauty of nature and the versatility of technology, making it a long lasting, attractive and useful material for many applications. For countertops, floors, or walls, engineered quartz strikes a perfect balance between aesthetics, practicality, and durability.