Eco-Friendly Home Design: Is Quartz the Green Choice?
Until recently, granite, a natural stone, reigned supreme for those choosing the perfect benchtop material. However, the situation has since changed, and all eyes are now on a new contender – engineered stone.
Engineered stone or quartz benchtops represent the perfect mix of beauty and function. On the one hand, they can look however you’d like, sporting an eye-catching, uniform pattern throughout your home or property. On the other hand, this surface is exceptionally sturdy, durable, and resistant to many dangers that plague other benchtop materials.
But is a quartz benchtop a good choice for environmentally conscious home or business owners? After all, the growing awareness of the world’s environmental challenges has put sustainability at the forefront of purchasing considerations for many.
Is Quartz Eco-Friendly?
Short answer – yes, quartz is eco-friendly. Engineered stone benchtop material consists of over 90% of quartz natural minerals. However, the material’s origin isn’t the only “green” thing about it. Quartz benchtops are eco-friendly every step of the way, from the manufacturing process to the finished product’s regular maintenance. Let’s break this down in more detail.
There’s an Abundance of Quartz in the Nature
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth’s crust. In fact, it’s the second most abundant mineral, with only feldspar being more widespread. When you can find this natural mineral virtually anywhere, there’s no need to employ heavy machinery and complex mining processes that wreak havoc on the environment. When there’s a quartz quarry near a manufacturing facility, transportation costs are reduced and, thus, less carbon emissions.
Quartz Countertops Have a Long Life Span
When manufactured and installed correctly, quartz benchtops are virtually indestructible. Here are just some of the common adversaries of traditional benchtops they’re resistant to:
- Impact
- Heat
- Stains
- Scratches
For instance, quartz scores 7 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. To help put this into perspective, glass scores around 5.5, while knife blades range from 5 to 6.5.
Given this surface’s sturdiness, home- and business owners don’t have to worry about replacing them frequently. Since they’re made from the most durable benchtop material on the market, quartz benchtops will serve them for years to come, preventing unnecessary waste.
Quartz Is Recyclable
Quartz benchtops can undoubtedly take quite a beating without showing any signs of damage. However, excessive damage isn’t the only reason you might want to discard (or replace) a benchtop. You might be moving to another home or upgrading to a larger benchtop. Whatever the case, you’ll be happy to know that quartz is a recyclable material.
With this in mind, quartz benchtops make an excellent choice not only for environmentally conscious individuals.
Quartz Countertops Require No Sealing
Most benchtop materials require sealing. Granite, marble, and dolomite are just some materials that will deteriorate rapidly without this maintenance task. But as a non-porous material, quartz isn’t on this list.
Now, sealing isn’t inherently hazardous for the environment. But make a single misstep in choosing a sealant, and it becomes so. For example, solutions containing ingredients like light distillates and butoxyethanol can be toxic to humans and the environment.
Cleaning Quartz Countertops Is a Breeze
Quartz benchtops require minimal maintenance. As a non-porous surface with no crevices, there’s nowhere for dirt to hide or liquids to penetrate. This ease of maintenance translates to using only light cleaning solutions that contain no chemicals that can harm the environment.
Of course, this is a significant plus for environmentally friendly homeowners. But we’re confident parents with young children and busy household members will also appreciate it.
An Eco-Conscious Choice
There you have it – the answer to the question, “Is quartz eco-friendly?” is a resounding yes. Armed with this information, you can choose the perfect quartz benchtop for your home or business, knowing you won’t harm the environment with the new addition.
Quattro Stone is here to help you with the selection process. We offer quartz slabs in numerous colour options and designs, allowing you to find the perfect style for your home or business. Get in touch with us today, and let us guide you towards a choice that combines beauty, durability, and sustainability.
