Quartz vs Concrete Countertops is a popular topic when researching materials for your Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel. Both are popular Countertop Materials, but which one is best for you and your home? While both have their pros and cons, quartz tends to be more maintenance-free than concrete, making it more popular among homeowners who want the most bang for their buck on their remodeling project. But before you make your decision about which type of countertop to use for your renovation project, it’s important to understand the differences between Quartz vs Concrete, so that you can choose the one that’s right for you!
Quartz Vs Concrete: Comparing Your Options
When it comes to picking out new countertops for your kitchen or bathroom, there are a lot of options to choose from. You have to ask yourself a few questions in regards to style, design, and colors. Are you just changing out your Countertops, or your Cabinetry, Flooring, and Appliances too? All of these facets of the space contribute to the overall vision and direction of your remodel. That’s why it’s so important to see different countertop colors and options in your own setting and lighting, to make sure you’re getting a good fit. This article will help you decide which material to choose for your next kitchen, bathroom, or other home renovation project. Keep reading to see which is better, Quartz or Concrete.
Quartz vs Concrete: The Look
Quartz and Concrete, both have gorgeous colors and patterning. And with new designs coming out every day, and technology continuously improving, it’s getting harder and harder to tell what’s Quartz and what is actually Concrete! However visually, there is a difference between the two. Concrete Countertops are a little more rugged and rough around the edges, although they can be polished and sanded to create a smoother-looking surface. Quartz Countertops can mimic the look of Granite and the look of Marble with ease, with hundreds of designs to choose from. One of the interesting things you can do with Concrete Countertops is you can use pigments and epoxy to create different designs and patterns on the surface of the concrete countertops.
About Quartz Countertops
Quartz Countertops have been around for over 30 years now on the market, and have proven time and time again to be a reliable Countertop Material that more and more people are gravitating towards every day. Quartz is a natural mineral that is then turned into Engineered Quartz Slabs for Countertops.
Durability
Quartz is one of the hardest and strongest minerals on Earth, only a couple of spots behind Diamonds, which is the hardest mineral on Earth. Quartz Countertops are your most durable option for New Stone Countertops. Scratch-Resistant, Chip Resistant, and Stain Resistant without ever having to Seal your Countertops.
Maintenance
As mentioned above, Quartz Countertops Never Need to be Sealed. That means you will never need to re-seal your Countertops, or really maintain your Quartz Countertops. Just wipe away gunk and grime with mild soap and water, no special cleaners are needed!
Colors
With so many different Quartz Countertops Brands on the Market, there is an abundance of Quartz Colors to choose from. New Colors and Designs are being made every year, which means that finding a Quartz color that looks like Concrete is easier than ever! Find something you like that fits with the color scheme of your space. Another nice thing about Quartz is that the designs are consistent in coloring and patterning, making it an easy shopping experience knowing what you see is what you’re gonna get.
About Concrete Countertops
A Lot of People ask us how Concrete Countertops are made. Concrete Countertops are made by pouring concrete into molds, and then letting the mixture aerate and dry. Some Concrete Countertop Professionals will precast standard size countertop pieces off-site, and then fit them to your Counters in your home. Another option is casting your concrete in place, pouring the countertops to your exact dimensions while in your home.
Durability
Concrete Countertops are Strong and Dense but can crack or develop fissures. If your Concrete Countertops do crack, they can start to harbor germs and bacteria in those cracks. Repairing cracks in concrete countertops can be hard to do yourself and may require the help of a concrete professional. Concrete Countertops can last a lifetime if taken care of properly. See below for more information on Concrete Countertop Maintenance. Another issue in durability starts with the composition of the concrete being used, and how they are made. As seen above, some aggregate concrete mixes can cause air bubbles in the material and create chips or holes. If the countertop isn’t made correctly, the overall durability of the stone is affected.
Maintenance
The biggest maintenance factor you will need to consider with Concrete Countertops Sealing them. A Lot of people ask when to seal concrete countertops, and the answer varies, depending on the type of Sealer you use. An Acrylic Sealer will need to be applied once every year to block out moisture and stains. The other option is Spray-On Sealer, which gives you a little more breathing room as it is only needed every 5 years. However, Spray-On Sealer needs to Cure for 5 days, meaning you are unable to utilize your Countertops until the sealant is done curing.Concrete Countertops are Sensitive to Stains and absorb liquids quickly, but Wiping up Spills and Stains immediately can help combat that somewhat.Leaving a Lemon Wedge on your Concrete Countertops can actually etch and damage the Concrete, so always be sure to use a cutting board and clean up after you are done.
Colors
One of the cool things about Concrete Countertops that many people may not know, is that you are NOT just limited to standard, gray concrete! Concrete Countertops can be mixed with Internal Pigments before they are poured to achieve the look you want. Another option you can look into for Concrete Coloring is using an Acid Stain on a cured Concrete Countertop. The Acid when introduced to Concrete, causes a chemical reaction that changes the color of the countertop. This isn’t permanent however and can wear down with repeated use of the countertop, and will need an epoxy layer over it to maintain the coloring.
Quartz vs Concrete: Which is More Expensive?
Quartz Countertops may seem to be more expensive at the beginning than Concrete Countertops. But hiring a professional to make your Concrete Countertops will drive up the price, as well as maintaining or replacing concrete slab pieces down the line that have stained, cracked, chipped, etc. The cost of concrete sealer once a year for the life of the Countertops also adds up. Concrete Countertops can run you almost $150/SF, with Annual Sealing to maintain them as an extra cost.When you Buy Quartz Countertops, you will usually get a Warranty with your New Countertops, with warranty terms for Quartz from 20, 25 years, to lifetime warranties on certain brands. Different Brands of Quartz Countertops carry different warranties. This allows you to Shop with Confidence, knowing that if something happens to your Countertops, you will have years of Servicing and Support included in the cost when you use Quartz Countertops.
15 Most Popular Quartz Countertops Colors that Look Like Concrete Countertops
With Quartz Countertops being all the rage right now, a lot of people ask, which Quartz Colors look like Concrete Countertops? Below you will find some of our Top 15 most popular Concrete-looking Quartz Countertop Colors and Designs.
1. Carrick Cambria Quartz
2. Pikes Peak Cambria Quartz
3. Lagos Pompeii Quartz
4. Eternal Serena Silestone Quartz
5. Devon Cambria Quartz
6. Cygnus Silestone Quartz
7. Raw Concrete Caesarstone Quartz
8. Seattle Rain Cambria Quartz
9. Blue Savoy Pompeii Quartz
10. Chicago Tower Cambria Quartz
11. Altea Pompeii Quartz
12. Concreto Honed Pompeii Quartz
13. Rugged Concrete Caesarstone Quartz
14. Airy Concrete Caesarstone Quartz
15. Saint Claire Quantum Quartz
Concluding Thoughts on Quartz vs Concrete
Quartz Countertops are Better than Concrete if you are looking for something easy and maintenance-free. With Concrete, there’s a lot of variables that could go wrong when pouring or casting the countertops, if not done by a professional. Concrete requires a lot of maintenance and walking on eggshells so as to not accidentally stain or damage concrete countertops.
Ready for New Quartz or Concrete Countertops?
Now that you’ve learned all about Quartz vs Concrete, you probably want to know where you can buy New Countertops for your Home! At International Granite and Stone, we Fabricate and Install all types of Quartz and Natural Stone Countertops. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, and armed with our General Contractor’s License, we are fully equipped to handle any Kitchen or Bathroom Project you throw our way. That’s not to say we don’t do other stuff in the Remodeling World. We also Paint and Reface Cabinets, Install LED Lighting, Backsplash Tile, Plumbing Services, Electrical Services, and more.We are your One-Stop-Shop for all your Countertop Project Needs. Have one of our highly skilled Design Representatives come out to your Home, armed with Samples, Design Advice, and Pricing specifically for your Project. Click the Link Below to Get Started!
