Maintaining quartz countertops

As many people might already now, quartz is not a natural stone; a quartz countertop is an entirely manufactured product from sandstone that is rich with quartz. During the manufacturing process, an extremely hard resin is used on the surface of the quartz countertop to completely fill in any pores; this is why quartz does not require any sealing to resist stains or bacteria. Incorporating resin into the manufacturing process gives quartz as a countertop a huge advantage as opposed to another option like granite which is porous and this makes it more prone have to stains and bacteria even though it has its own advantages as a natural stone.

However, a quartz countertop still needs to be taken care of properly in order for it to maintain its condition at its best. There are very few, but necessary, things that you need to do to have your quartz countertop looking as good as new no matter how many years have passed since it was first installed. According to our quartz countertops experts at Phoenix Quartz, this is what you need to do (and what you shouldn’t do):

Do a routine cleaning of for reoccurring stains:

Some people will still find it a little difficult to keep their quartz countertop 100% clean as they find that wiping the surface down with a wet cloth does not do the trick for them because this way of cleaning a countertop made of quartz can leave greasy spots and lines along the way as you wipe.  These are some on-point tips as to what to do with different kinds of stains on a quartz countertop.

-        Although quartz countertops as naturally stain resistant and are not seriously affected by accidents such as spilling liquids that would stain other surfaces like wine, tea, or vinegar, it is important to take care of those spills immediately with a piece of cloth and some detergent before they have the chance to dry and require a little more work to clean off.

-        In case you didn’t have the chance to clean a spill as soon as it happened for some reason, it wouldn’t be as simple as wiping to get it off, but it will still be easier than other countertops. All you need is the sponge that is used to clean nonstick pans and a glass cleaner.

-        For harder stains like paint or nail polish, use a putty knife to scrape them off with it.

-        Use a kitchen degreaser for stains caused by cooking and food grease, it is 100% safe to use on a quartz countertop and will do the trick for you. All you have to do is carefully read the instructions on the degreaser container and follow them, and that’s it.

As for the occasional cleaning, it has to be a little bit deeper. So, you will need a large amount of any cleaner used for smooth surfaces, spray it generously on your quartz countertop and let it sit for good 10 minutes, then wipe it off with a smooth sponge. Be careful not to use products that would scratch the surface of your countertop.

Watch out for:

-        Using any products containing acid or sponges that can scratch the countertop.

-        Any sudden change of the temperature on the surface of your quartz countertop, or leaving extremely hot things like pots for too long can cause the resin on the surface of the countertop to melt.

-        Cutting directly on the quartz countertop will scratch it. Always use a cutting board.

-        Installing a quartz countertop outdoors is risky and completely advised against by Phoenix Quartz.  

No matter what your needs are for the quartz countertop you want in your kitchen, be sure that Phoenix Quartz will have it ready for you in the best quality and wide color selection that is guaranteed to include your color of choice.

We’ll be glad to show you around our warehouse, so you can see the variety and feel the quartz material up close. Whether you visit our store at Tampa or Largo our knowledgeable staff will help you decide which countertop is right for you. Give us a call at 8882991180  Schedule a Consultation  our team of experienced stone and surfacing professionals here at kbFactoryoutlet is here to help you with every step of the way! 

How to choose your quartz countertop

When you are considering quartz as the material for the countertops in your kitchen and bathroom, you must know that you are choosing to have both a durable and beautiful countertop. However, you also must know how to choose your quartz countertops and what to look for when choosing them in order for your home to have the best quality, durability, and aesthetics for its countertops with no regrets. Our quartz experts at Phoenix Quartz will tell you the most important details to have in mind and look out for before and during the process of choosing your quartz countertops.  

1-     Know the final design you want for your kitchen or bathroom to decide what color, texture, and pattern your quartz countertop is going to be

Quartz countertops are available in various colors and patterns. This is why you need to do a thorough research before deciding which one is going to end up as your countertop so that you won’t be overwhelmed by the choices or you choose something that turns out to be the wrong quartz countertop for your kitchen space and looks.

You don’t need to worry, though, deciding on a color for the quartz countertop for your kitchen or bathroom is actually much easier than it may seem. It won’t take an interior designer to decide on the countertop; all you need is to be specific, know what you like, and what you prefer to have in your own home.

What is important to take into consideration is paying attention to the color tones of your cabinets and paint, or if you have tiles, to be able to choose a color for the countertops that complements the already existing colors in your kitchen.

Browse Phoenix Quartz’s catalog to know the available colors to be able to form a general idea of what your new quartz countertop is going to look like.

2-     Consider the proper thickness of the quartz countertop to match your needs

A slab of quartz comes in different thicknesses, for example Phoenix Quartz offers many thicknesses for countertops like the ½- inch, ¾- inch and 1½- inch thicknesses, in addition to the standard thickness which is 1¼-inch. This thickness is usually recommended and used one for countertops and bathroom solid surfaces like vanities.

There are also other thicknesses available for different purposes like the 1 cm thickness slap of quartz that is used to for small corners like the ones that usually exist in a walk-in-shower or kitchens with smaller spaces.

3-     Choose the right edging

This is an important detail to look out for. You need to know the different edges to choose the one that suits you best. The standard edges you will find at Phoenix Quartz are:

-        Flat Polish: this usually is the best quartz countertop edging to go with contemporary designs.

-        Bevel: This one has a slight angular edge that can be customized along with the width of the edge itself.

-        Quarter Round: The top edge of the Quarter Round edge has a radius which makes it perfect for a more traditional look.

-        Half Bullnose: This is a perfect round edge that also goes well with traditional looking kitchens.

-        Full Bullnose: The second type of Bullnose edge features a more round edge which makes quartz countertop look thinner.

No matter what your needs are for the quartz countertop you want in your kitchen, be sure that Phoenix Quartz will have it ready for you in the best quality and wide color selection that is guaranteed to include your color of choice.

We’ll be glad to show you around our warehouse, so you can see the variety and feel the quartz material up close. Whether you visit our store at Tampa or Largo our knowledgeable staff will help you decide which countertop is right for you. Give us a call at 8882991180  Schedule a Consultation  our team of experienced stone and surfacing professionals here at kbFactoryoutlet is here to help you with every step of the way! 

We'll Save Your Time and money !

we recognize that your time is valuable. The building and remodeling process is a huge time commitment. Though it can be inconvenient at times, in the end, it’s well worth it. We do everything we can to make it easier for you along the way, which includes making it simpler to see what’s in stock right at your fingertips. 

There is no need for you to waste your oh-so-precious time going from stone warehouse to stone warehouse to find the perfect slab. We list our entire inventory at both our TAMPA and LARGO  showroom locations online for you to browse in the convenience of your own home. You can Browse Our Products for the type, price range, color, thickness, finish, country of origin, and dimensions that you prefer. You can even look for the type of movement and color range that you desire.

On the road for a business trip? No worries. Today’s technology lets us make a “virtual appointment” to show you the slabs via video chat or Facetime. We go above and beyond to make the process as easy and painless as possible for everyone involved. Give us a call at 8882991180  Schedule a Consultation our team of experienced stone and surfacing professionals here at kbFactoryoutlet is here to help you with every step of the way! 

Get knowledge on Quartz and quartzite similar name different Surfaces

It happens on a regular basis: A couple comes into our showroom to explore their countertop options and they ask to see the natural “quartz” slabs we have available. Or sometimes they’ll ask to see the manmade “quartzite” surfaces.Quartz and quartzite sound the same, so it’s not surprising that folks are tempted to use the two terms interchangeably. However, we’d like to emphasize that they are not the same. 

They’re both durable surfaces that make beautiful kitchen and bath countertops, and they both contain the mineral quartz. Quartz and quartzite have similar hardness and they both have long-lasting durability. But the two terms are not synonymous. 

As you may have guessed, one is manmade and the other occurs naturally in the earth. They also have different maintenance requirements, so it’s important to understand the difference when you’re shopping for kitchen or bath countertops.   

Confusion exists between the two even among professionals in the industry, so you’re not alone. Here’s a quick breakdown of the difference between quartz and quartzite…

Quartz

Phoenix Calacata Quartz

…is just about as popular as granite for today’s top countertop choice and is manmade

… contains bits of crushed quartz mixed with resin and natural pigments

…has a consistent look throughout 

…is available in a wider range of colors, including those not found in nature 

…is made by a manufacturing brand, such as ColorQuartz and has consistent slab sizes, 125” x 62”

…is non-porous; liquids, oils, and acids won’t harm the surface

…is scratch resistant

…can withstand the heat of up to 320 degrees

Quartzite

 Sea Pearl Quartzite

…is usually classified as a granite – typically a silica-based stone occurs in nature

…is quarried into one-of-a-kind slabs

…has a strong resemblance to marble

... naturally contains a high volume of quartz 

…features the depth and detail you typically see in granite 

…is susceptible to certain acidic substances, which could etch the material if calcium is present, leaving dull spots behind

Quartz refers to the manmade material that’s made out of crushed up quartz particles. (Quartz, otherwise known as silicon dioxide, is one of the hardest and most abundant minerals on earth.) Quartz is a synthetic material that’s made in a factory by mixing quartz particles with resin and pigments together in a factory. Here at Marble & Granite, Inc., we carry ColorQuartz brand quartz. Slabs are fabricated in a similar fashion to natural stone. Quartz is non-porous, so it never needs to be sealed, making it easier to maintain than natural stone and comes with a lifetime warranty for staining. 

If you’d like to see the difference between quartz and quartzite for yourself. We’ll be glad to show you around our warehouse so you can see and feel the difference up close and personal. Whether you visit our store at Tampa and largo our knowledgeable staff will help you decide which material is right for you.