Can I seal my quartz countertops?
Quartz is becoming more and more popular as a countertop material. Whether being used in kitchens or bathrooms, it’s a versatile, high-quality material that looks beautiful in any space. Available in many colours and incredibly durable, what more could you ask for?
At Mo’s StoneX, we have a wealth of experience manufacturing, supplying, and installing quartz worktops. At the end of the day, how you care for and maintain your work surface is as important as its installation. We know what the do’s and don’ts are, and we’re here to share them.
What are quartz countertops?
Quartz countertops have grown in popularity for good reason. They’re extremely durable and tough, meaning they’re unlikely to chip, crack, scratch, or mark. They’re also naturally heat and stain-resistant which makes them an ideal material for high-traffic areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Quartz worktops don’t have brittle characteristics and resultantly withstand the wear of everyday use without sealants.
Quartz countertops assume these qualities because of the materials they’re mixed within the manufacturing process. The combination of crushed quartz crystals, resins, pigments, and natural minerals creates a permanent seal on the surface of the quartz countertop slabs. Therefore, they don’t have the porous characteristics that natural stone worktops (such as marble and granite) have.
Natural quartz stone doesn’t have these unique characteristics, only quartz worktops do – and that’s why they’re so special. They’re long-lasting and low-maintenance.
Why don’t you have to seal quartz countertops?
The reason why quartz worktops are so low-maintenance is because they are non-porous in nature. This means that the pores within the stone are naturally sealed as a result of being mixed with other materials, unlike natural stone worktops. The natural seal of quartz worktops is created through the fabrication process that it undergoes. For this reason, quartz counters don’t absorb spilt liquids or harbour any harmful germs or chemicals within the work surface.
Whereas, natural stone countertops – such as marble and granite – absorb liquids because of their porous nature. If you were to spray a sealant on these stone countertops, they would absorb the liquid and seal the pores in the stone to prevent future water from seeping through. This is why you have to seal natural stone countertops.
However, quartz worktops don’t require this regular maintenance because they have a non-porous quality and have a natural sealing property. If you were to spray a sealant onto a quartz worktop, the liquid would rest on top of the surface and not absorb.
How to keep quartz countertops protected without sealing them
As we’ve already mentioned, quartz worktops are incredibly low maintenance. Because they are stain and heat-resistant, you don’t need to worry about routine maintenance. If you spill wine, coffee, or any food items onto your countertop, all you have to do is take a damp sponge or damp towel with dish soap and wipe the affected area. You can rest assured that liquids and stains won’t be absorbed. This simple action will keep your stunning quartz surface looking clean and sparkling, with no sealant needed!
You should avoid using harsh chemicals such as oxidizers, free radicals, alkaline materials (concentrated), and abrasive and high acidity cleansers because they can damage your countertops, whether you use sealant or not.
Although quartz worktops are heat resistant, it’s not advised to place extremely hot items directly onto the countertop. Avoiding this will ensure that your countertops stay looking as fabulous as they can, for as long as they can!
Consequences of sealing your quartz worktops
Quartz worktops naturally have many beneficial properties which suggest that you don’t need to seal your quartz worktops. However, if you want extra protection for your work surface and want to improve the durability of your stunning countertops, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Quartz worktops are non-porous in nature, meaning they have a built-in seal. Most sealants therefore won’t be able to penetrate the surface and will just sit on top as a layer of liquid.
- Sealing quartz worktops can add an extra layer of protection and improve the durability of the countertop, but quartz worktops are already durable. You don’t necessarily need the extra layer of protection.
- Using the wrong type of sealant could be more harmful than beneficial. There are different types of sealants for different countertop materials. Using the incorrect sealant would make it less effective and simply damage the work surface.
- Quartz worktops with textured patterns may be less non-porous than other quartz worktops – this means that sealants could be beneficial for textured quartz stones because the pores between them are more susceptible to absorbing unwanted liquids. A sealant would prevent this from happening.
Advantages of not sealing your quartz countertops
Although there are some positives of sealing quartz countertops, it makes more sense not to. Once installed, they’re immediately ready to use. You don’t have to wait for anything to dry or panic that the sealant hasn’t set. Quartz worktops are naturally sealed, durable, and hard-wearing.
They’re also incredibly low maintenance. You don’t need to engage in annual maintenance or any re-sealing. To clean any spillages, it’s as simple as using a micro-fibre cloth and soapy water and you’re ready to go!
Do I need to seal my quartz countertops?
Ultimately, whether you seal your quartz countertops comes down to personal preference. It can add an extra layer of protection to your work surfaces. But you must ensure you have the correct type of sealant for your quartz countertops otherwise it can cause more damage than good.
Otherwise, remember that quartz countertops are non-porous and have natural sealing properties. They’re extremely durable because they’re an ‘engineered stone’, and are naturally less susceptible to chips, marks, and scratches than other natural stone worktops that do require sealing.
At Mo’s StoneX, we have over ten years of experience manufacturing, supplying, templating, and installing premium luxury quartz worktops. Our skilled team has a wealth of knowledge on sealing (and when not to seal worktops). Contact us today if you have any questions and we’ll be more than happy to answer your queries!