If you want to install stone flooring in your home, you’ve made a great choice! Stone adds a natural beauty and elegance that no other material can match. Now you need to narrow down the type of stone you want to install. Learn more about quartz flooring in this designer’s guide to help you make the right choice.
Designer’s Guide to Quartz Flooring
Qualities of Quartz
Quartz is a common mineral found in nature, but quartz tiles are engineered rather than being quarried from a mine. Pure quartz is white or colorless, and adding polyester resins gives it the rainbow of pigments, patterns and veining you’re used to seeing in quartz slabs and tiles. The resins also make the quartz material scratch resistant, stain resistant and nonporous. In this way, the manufactured material has all the durability of expert engineering and all the beauty of a natural stone.
Quartz has a hardness rating of 7. Diamonds are rated at 10, so it’s pretty clear how hardy and scratch resistant quartz is. For this reason, quartz is commonly used for flooring, countertops, shower walls and other high-use surfaces in both residential and commercial applications. The material isn’t easily etched by acidic solutions the way other stones are, and since it’s so hard, you can power wash quartz flooring at pressures up to 1,450 psi, as long as the grout is in good condition.
Limitations of Using Quartz for Flooring
While this stone is incredibly durable, it’s not impervious to damage:
- High impact can crack or chip quartz. Fortunately, a professional can repair damage so cracks are nearly invisible.
- High heat can scorch quartz tiles. A sudden change in temperature can also cause it to crack.
- Quartz is meant for indoor use only. Direct sunlight can cause the pigment to fade and the tiles to warp or split over time.
Benefits of Quartz
When comparing different types of stone tiles, consider these benefits of quartz:
- The stone doesn’t require sealing, buffing or reconditioning because it’s manufactured to be nonporous. It sustains its beauty and opulence without much maintenance needed.
- The material’s high strength means it can withstand some of the most demanding conditions.
- Natural and varying pigments let you choose the precise color you want.
- Quartz flooring is a high-traction surface. This means it becomes less slippery than many other stones when wet, making it a good choice for bathroom floors.
- If you spill lemonade, wine or other acidic beverages on quartz, it resists etching much better than other types of stone.
- With proper care and maintenance, quartz is resistant to stains, mold and mildew.
How to Maintain Quartz Flooring
With such a strong, durable flooring material, maintenance requirements are minimal. Still, it’s beneficial to treat quartz tiles with care to ensure they maintain their beauty for many years to come:
- Clean up spills immediately to prevent staining the stone. Blot rather than wipe to prevent spreading the spill around.
- Place felt pads on the bottom of wood furniture to prevent scratching the flooring material.
- Sweep the floor regularly to remove dust, dirt and sand that can scratch quartz tiles.
- Clean the stone flooring occasionally with mild dishwashing soap and warm water. Avoid acidic, alkaline or abrasive cleaners that could damage the stone. Don’t use scouring powders or Brillo pads since these could scratch the surface.
For more information about selecting, installing and caring for quartz flooring, please contact us today!