Concrete countertops vs. Quartz countertops are a popular topic when looking for materials for your Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel.
Which of these two widely used countertop materials is better for you and your house?
Quartz countertops are more maintenance-free than concrete, making them more popular among homeowners who want to get the most value for their money when updating their homes, even if both have advantages and disadvantages.
However, it’s crucial to grasp the distinctions between Quartz and Concrete before deciding which type of countertop to choose for your rebuilding project. This will help you pick the material that’s best for you.
Comparing Options between Quartz and Concrete Countertops
Several alternatives are available when selecting new worktops for your kitchen or bathroom. In terms of style, design, and colors, there are a few things you need to ask yourself. Do you only replace your countertops, or do you also replace your cabinetry, flooring, and appliances?
These many aspects of the room all contribute to your refurbishment’s overall goal and course. To ensure a good match, comparing several countertop styles and colors in your environment and lighting is crucial. This article will assist you in deciding on the material to choose for your upcoming bathroom, kitchen, or other home improvement project.
Keep reading!
Appearances
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Quartz Countertops
Quartz resembles natural stone, having beautiful hues and patterns and a deep, three-dimensional depth.
The most appealing aspect of quartz material, whether designing a bar, laundry, or kitchen counters, is that it comes in practically any color, from solid neutrals and vibrant colors to natural stone designs. Whether you desire the appearance of granite, marble, or concrete, the material gives you that option while maintaining quartz’s benefits.
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Concrete Countertops
It’s becoming more difficult to distinguish between Quartz countertops vs. Concrete countertops as new patterns are released daily as technology advances. There is, however, a visible distinction between the two. Concrete countertops may be polished and sanded to provide a smoother-looking surface, but they are a touch more rugged and rough around the edges.
Concrete has countless color options; it is possible to generate hues of white, gray, brown, red, blue, yellow, green, orange, and black.
Durability
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Quartz Countertops
The second-hardest mineral on Earth, after diamonds, is quartz, one of the strongest and hardest minerals. The most resilient choice for new stone countertops is quartz.
Quartz countertops are resistant to scratches and chips. They are homogeneous and nonporous in the sense of factory-made composites. They don’t require sealing since they don’t have the same intrinsic flaws as natural stones. Despite quartz’s extreme durability, homeowners should still use cutting boards, quickly clean up spills, and trivets to guard against hot pots and plates.
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Concrete Countertops
Concrete counters are dense and strong, yet they can break or develop cracks. If your concrete countertops do break, those cracks may begin to house bacteria and germs.
It might be challenging to fix cracks in concrete countertops on your own and may require the assistance of a concrete expert. If properly maintained, concrete countertops may last a lifetime. The makeup and construction of the concrete being utilized are further factors in durability. The total stone durability is impacted by improper countertop construction.
Maintenance
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Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops don’t need to be sealed, as was already explained. That is good news because you won’t ever need to re-seal or maintain your quartz countertops. No special cleansers are required; just use mild soap and water to remove dirt and grime!
To keep it looking new, use trivets to protect its surface from heat and clean countertops after use with mild soap and water. The epoxy may be used to fix any minor chips quickly.
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Concrete Countertops
The most crucial aspect of upkeep for concrete countertops is sealing them. When to seal concrete countertops is a common question, and the answer varies based on the type of sealer you choose.
Although spills and stains need to be cleaned immediately since concrete countertops are sensitive to stains and quickly absorb liquids, this may be partly mitigated. Always use a cutting board and clean up after yourself since leaving a lemon wedge on concrete countertops will etch and harm the concrete.
Stain Resistance
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Quartz Countertops
Due to its low porosity, quartz is the material that resists stains the best. Most typical spills may be cleaned up quickly; however, products containing trichloroethane or methylene chloride, bleach, greasy soaps, permanent markers, and paint removers should never be used.
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Concrete Countertops
Due to its porous nature, concrete is the material most susceptible to stains. Concrete has the potential to get stained and to grow mildew or germs, but it also tends to do so over time. These stains or patinas need periodic resealing and waxing to clean the surface.
Heat Resistance
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Quartz Countertops
Quartz is particularly resistant to heat. Natural quartz crystals are compacted into sturdy, nonporous slabs to create quartz countertops. Although certain resins are used during fabrication, quartz countertops are more heat resistant than solid surface counters since quartz makes up most of the countertop. As quartz can change color when exposed for an extended period to extreme heat, you might still wish to use trivets or pads.
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Concrete Countertops
A countertop’s ability to withstand heat is influenced by both the material and the degree of sealing. If the seal is equal, quartz is often less heat resistant than granite and concrete. But a sealed granite countertop will be more heat resistant than a sealed concrete countertop.
Despite this, it is still advised to avoid putting hot pots and pans on their sealed surface because the heat might stain them. You should always use trivets and pads as a safety precaution when handling hot pots and pans.
Cost and Installation
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Quartz Countertops
A 30-square-foot concrete countertop typically costs between $2,220 and $2,410, but a quartz costs between $3,500 and $3,760 on average. Concrete costs less than quartz but requires more care. However, it gives itself to fascinating possibilities because, once cured, it is only as stiff as genuine stone.
Depending on the size and style, installing quartz countertops is simple and only requires a few hours. Additionally, you need to be skilled at sculpting and making slabs. When working with such precious stones, whether natural or artificial, the odds of an accident or a subpar finish are far too great to take a chance. Therefore, having a professional installation is ideal.
Another benefit of a quartz countertop is that you may use it immediately.
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Concrete Countertops
The price of concrete per square foot is about $65. If you build it yourself, a concrete countertop can cost far less than an expensive quartz range. However, it takes a while to cast and cure, and it also calls for specific tools.
Although it is possible to DIY them, the procedure is rather complex; therefore, we advise hiring experts. However, the cost of repairing or replacing concrete slab components later on that have discolored, cracked, chipped, etc., would increase if you hire a professional to create your concrete countertops.
Every year throughout the lifetime of the countertops, the expense of applying concrete sealer rises significantly. With annual sealing to keep them in good condition, concrete countertops may cost over $150/SF.
Customization
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Quartz Countertops
Quartz can be your best option if you want a unique appearance for your countertops. Quartz countertops may be made to order to meet any unique kitchen design. Therefore, quartz countertops may be ideal if you’re trying to match an odd backsplash, strange flooring, or distinctive cabinet color.
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Concrete Countertops
The ability to customize concrete worktops to resemble any stone countertop currently on the market is perhaps its most significant benefit. Homeowners may then match their kitchen worktops to any interior design.
You may choose almost any color or form you require to start and a selection of edge profiles, embeds, and polishing options for a brilliant finish.
The Verdict
Now that you’ve learned everything there is to know about Quartz countertops vs. Concrete countertops, you may see that Quartz Countertops are superior to Concrete if you want something easy and low-maintenance. If concrete countertops are cast or poured without a professional’s help, several potential problems might arise. Concrete demands much upkeep and mindful walking to avoid accidentally damaging or staining concrete worktops.
