Quartz is one of the most common minerals found in the Earth’s crust. It has a specific chemical compound and crystalline form that gives it a unique appearance and makes it resistant to weathering. In products like countertops, this quality makes it extremely attractive and resistant to damage.
Beyond its original source, there are many types of countertops. These include custom slab and prefabricated ones.
What are prefabricated quartz countertops? This article answers that question. It includes information that will help you determine if they are the right option for your home or project.
What Is a Prefabricated Quartz Countertop?
“Prefabricated” refers to quartz countertops that are mass-produced in standard designs and dimensions. They are cut, polished, and often pre-edged before being sold to a retailer or directly to a customer. They usually come in standard sizes and can have limited options for customization.
What Is the Difference Between Prefabricated and Slab Countertops?
Unlike prefabricated quartz countertops, slab ones are cut from large pieces of natural stone, such as granite. They are fully customizable based on design requirements.
This includes dimensions and thickness, which can be particularly useful for nonstandard spaces. You can also select almost any pattern or design, including specific edge profiles.
Quartz vs granite countertops have other differences. Slab countertops can be good for custom homes or projects that have unique sizes or aesthetic requirements. However, prefabricated quartz is perfectly suitable for most standard projects.
Benefits of Prefabricated Quartz Countertops
There are many distinct benefits to prefabricated quartz countertops. Here are the main ones to consider.
Cost Savings
Prefabricated countertops are usually less expensive than slab ones. That is because they require less labor during production processes, which are also much faster than traditional methods.
Lots of Options
Although prefabricated countertops lack the customization capabilities of slab ones, that does not mean there are no options. In fact, quality distributors may offer a range of choices when it comes to:
- Color
- Style
- Finish
- Size
- Thickness
You may need to select within these constraints, but if available countertops meet your specifications, this is a good way to leverage the other prefabricated quartz countertops benefits.
Easy Maintenance
A final advantage of prefabricated quartz countertops is that they are usually much easier to install and maintain than slab ones. The prefinished aspect translates to fewer adjustments being made on-site. It means you need fewer tools and less labor in prefabricated countertops installation.
Quartz in general is nonporous, meaning it will not absorb liquids or stain very easily. That means quartz countertops are resistant to spills from coffee, wine, oils, juices, or other substances. This also makes it easy to clean.
Quartz is also scratch- and heat-resistant. You can expect it to hold up well against impacts from heavy appliances or hot pans placed directly on their surface.
Learn More About Prefab Quartz Countertops
Prefabricated quartz countertops are a great way to leverage the advantage of this sturdy material while minimizing installation time and hassle. They also are the best way to keep the cost of quartz countertops to a minimum.
LX Hausys has been providing the highest quality flooring and other materials to its customers since 1947. We help create aesthetically pleasing rooms through the use of high-quality, eco-friendly materials. Contact us today to learn more about kitchen countertop options.