Quartz countertops have been an extremely popular choice of countertop for both kitchens and bathrooms for decades.

The history of quartz spans far back to ancient civilisation when this natural occurring stone was revered for its natural beauty and perceived mystical qualities, but it wasn’t until the 1960’s that engineered quartz was popularised and made its way into homes across the globe.

However, despite its popularity there are still many misconceptions about this illustrious stone pertaining to its durability, appearance, maintenance and more.  As such, here we will be discussing seven common misconceptions about quartz countertops to help potential buyers stay informed!

Quartz is only for Kitchen Countertops.

There is a myth that quartz can only be used in kitchens and not in bathrooms, but this is simply not true.

This myth stems from the idea that you will require a countertop material that is not only water and heat resistant but easy to maintain.

The fact is, Quartz is one of the best materials for kitchens and bathrooms because it ticks all these boxes.

Quartz can be easily damaged.

Another common myth is that quartz can be easily damaged which deters homeowners from investing in quartz countertops.

The reality is, quartz is not only durable, having a Mohs hardness rating of 7, but it is also relatively stain resistant making it ideal for high traffic rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Quartz is a non-porous rock which means any condensation, spillages etc. will not be absorbed and will sit on the surface and can be wiped away or will evaporate.

Quartz Countertops can only have one type of edge.

If you are not experienced in the different types of countertop available on the market, it is likely you are also unaware of the types of edges available. Despite this myth, quartz countertops can be finished with a wide variety of edges, just like other countertops. Quartz can be finished in ogee, full bullnose, half bullnose as well as many more beautiful and distinctive finishes.

Quartz cannot break.

Although quartz countertops appear solid and indestructible, they can still be damaged. Quartz is one of the most durable types of countertop, but it is not bulletproof and can crack, scratch, and even break.

Despite its engineering, it is still mostly made of natural stone which can crack and break but the good news is, it is likely you will have to apply a huge amount of force with a hammer to break your countertop apart!

Heat can damage quartz.

Quartz countertops are great at dealing with heat, making them perfect for hot pots and pans in the kitchen and styling tools in the bathroom.

Engineered quartz is extremely durable and heat resistant which means if you place a hot pan onto the surface it will not warp or crack.

That being said, any natural stone counter specialist will advise you to always use trivets or heat pads on your surfaces to protect them from potential discoloration and other damage that long term heat exposure can cause.

Quartz Countertops need to be sealed.

One of the biggest misconceptions about quartz countertops is that they need to be sealed but they are in fact one of the only natural stone countertops that do not require sealing.

If you did attempt to seal a quartz countertop, the sealer will sit on top of your counter and won’t be able to impregnate the surface by seeping into the pores that other materials contain.

The nonporous nature of natural quartz means that quartz countertops are extremely desirable as it makes them very low maintenance, only requiring to be wiped down with an everyday cleaner and a soft cloth.

Quartz Countertops don’t contain any real quartz stone.

The term ‘engineered quartz’ can confuse people into thinking that quartz countertops are completely manmade and contain no quartz, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Engineered quartz is a manmade product but it is composed mostly from natural materials. It is made of anywhere between 90 to 94 percent ground quartz and only 6 to 10 percent resins and pigments that are combined into the quartz countertops we know and love.

Some lower quality quartz countertops can have a quartz content that goes as low at 88 percent but it is a myth that quartz countertops can be made with 100 percent manmade materials.