Does Heat Cause Cracks on Quartz Counters?
Many designer kitchensare now equipped with quartz countertops. It’s not surprising to learn that quartz is a top choice for high-end homes. After all, interior designers currently favor this engineered stone material because it has become associated with higher home values. Quartz countertops can be fabricated to resemble exotic marble and onyx, they don’t require sealing, and they’re more durable than granite. These are all highly appealing aspects of engineered stone, but homeowners shouldn’t think of this material as being indestructible. Under some circumstances, quartz countertops can crack, particularly when they’re installed in the kitchen and are exposed to extreme heat.
The Heat Resistance of Quartz
When compared to natural stone, quartz is very low maintenance, only requiring regular cleaning and polishing with a combination quartz polish and cleaner such as Granite Gold Quartz Brite®, and this is a reason it can be found in many commercial spaces. Quartz would be a smart countertop choice for a wait station in a busy restaurant, but it may not be the best for a Neapolitan pizzeria where the pies come out of the oven at 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Cosentino, a renowned Spanish quartz fabricator, warns that its countertops can resist up to 400 degrees, but they may crack beyond those temperatures.
Thermodynamics Can Affect Quartz
As previously mentioned, a Neapolitan-style pizza baked at 700 degrees can be dangerous on a quartz surface, but this is a recipe that’s known to lose heat very rapidly. After a few minutes, the baking sheet may cool down to 350 degrees, but some of the pizza ingredients may have greater heat capacity and conductivity. Tomatoes mixed with moist pizza dough can burn more effectively, and if they come into contact with a quartz surface section that was previously cool, a small hairline crack may form.
Discoloration Instead of Cracking
Unless you have a wood-fired pizza oven, you may not have to worry about cracking a quartz countertop in the kitchen. Similarly, a hair styling iron in the bathroom shouldn’t be an issue. However, there’s more than just cracking to worry about. When a quartz surface is constantly in direct contact with high temperatures, discoloration is a risk even if the surface doesn’t shatter or crack. Keep in mind that resins are used as bonding materials in quartz fabrication, and they’re mixed with synthetic pigments that can become discolored.
Protecting Your Investment
With all the above in mind, the use of hot pads and trivets in the kitchen is highly recommended. Remnants from quartz countertop and flooring installations make ideal insulating materials for pot holders and coasters. And don't forget about using a pad orother protective item to prevent the hot curling iron in the bathroom from coming in direct contact with your quartz countertops.
To learn more about quartz and how to care for it properly, get in touch with Granite Gold®. All of our products are also safe to use on granite, marble, and other types of natural stone. Call 1-800-475-STONE (7866) today, and follow us on Twitter for more important information on quartz and natural stone.
