The Countertop Material You Should Consider Avoiding, According To Pinterest

When you're looking for the best countertop material for a home, you generally want something both beautiful and durable. For quite some time now, interior designers have been explaining why they love using quartz countertops for home renovation projects. Made with 93% crushed quartz bound with resin, this material looks like natural stone at first glance but is stronger and in some ways easier to care for than granite or marble. However, a few truths about quartz are coming to light making some homeowners turn away from it in favor of other countertop materials.

One of the main reasons consumers are turning away from quartz is the disappointment with its heat resistance. Without the consistent use of hot pads, trivets, and other protective accessories, quartz countertops can be damaged by hot pans in the kitchen and heated hair appliances in bathrooms. Yes, anything higher than 150 degrees Fahrenheit can damage the resin (plastic) holding the quartz together and cause permanent damage. Direct sunlight can also stain the material and cause the surface to dull over time, according to an article shared by Marble Systems on Pinterest. There are several other reasons homeowners are reconsidering adding quartz countertops to their remodels and new builds, too.

While the potential damage from heat is a major concern, homeowners are also turning away from quartz for cosmetic reasons like the veining having an obviously artificial appearance in comparison to natural stone. This is particularly true when the material is used to cover large areas like backsplashes and shower stalls. Finding matching slabs to complete these types of projects can also be difficult. 

The weight of quartz also requires it to be moved by specially equipped professionals, so it's not usually suitable for a DIY project. This is especially true since cutting the material when installing quartz countertops creates dangerous crystalline silica dust. A report from CBS News shed light on this issue as more and more employees in quartz cutting and polishing facilities are becoming gravely sick with lung diseases, which raises ethical issues about purchasing quartz made in such factories. If all of these reasons weren't enough to reevaluate quartz, consumer tastes and preferences also appear to be changing.

Even though quartz manufacturers have expanded the colors and finishes available to satisfy the changing tastes of consumers, quartz is no longer the trendy option it once was and is starting to feel played out, according to CaraGreen on Pinterest. More and more, homeowners shopping for new countertops are gravitating to the warmth and saturated hues of other countertop material choices. 

One of the reasons preferences are shifting is due to the appeal of the all-white kitchen wearing off. Quartz countertops, which are often solid white, were the perfect accompaniment to this austere look. But with homeowners wanting more color saturation in their countertops, rather than something mimicking marble, they want the real deal or another natural material like quartzite. Nevertheless, resale values for homes with quartz countertops appear to be holding their own right now, but that could change as waves of consumers tire of heat-related issues and the less-than-natural look of quartz, offering yet another reason to avoid quartz countertops when starting your next home project.