When it comes to minerals, quartz is certainly one of the first names that comes to mind. It is common to find it present in many ways in our lives. It has functional, decorative and even therapeutic characteristics that bring value to anywhere it is. But is this a strong mineral? How much weight can it actually hold?
However, it is more common to find it in kitchen countertops, crystal ornaments and jewelry. It comes in a wide range of colors, from pink to green and white. But for countertops and bigger cuts of this mineral, it is typically in shades of white and brown.
And beauty is not it’s only strength. This is considered one of the hardest minerals in the world, that is why it is very common to find it as a countertop, which is a place that bears a lot of stress of daily life. In this article, you will understand how much weight a quartz can hold and how that affects your daily life.
How strong is quartz?
Quartz is considered unbreakable by some due to its amazing compression and tension strength, which is even greater than granite. For comparison, in the Mohs Hardness Scale it reaches 7, out of 10 levels of hardness, with 1 as the weakest and 10 the hardest. As a result, many people are enticed to sit or even stand on the countertops.
It is, in fact, a strong mineral, one of the strongest on earth. For that reason, it is considered a great choice for countertop material. However, this is the location where this mineral is most stressed in daily usage. While standing on the counters may appear to be innocuous, it is not. There have been several reports of individuals standing on the counters and separating at the seam where two slabs are bonded together.
Because installing or even fixing the countertops is not inexpensive, you should avoid stepping on them. When you stand on the countertops, you risk voiding the guarantee as well as harming them.
How much weight can my quartz countertop hold?
Quartz countertops are the newest craze in kitchen countertops. Custom surface-mounted quartz countertops come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Similar to other countertop materials, you can go with something simple, or get more adventurous and try bold and intricate designs. These countertops are equally durable and beautiful as stone countertops and tiles. They are less expensive and more sustainable than most countertops, so this is a great option for those looking to reduce their utility bills.
For their hardness, they are considered a strong piece to have and trust in your house. But as we mentioned, it is wise to not stand or sit in it, as accidents may occur. But if your interest is simply to understand how much stuff or how heavy you can go on top of those, there is a simple answer: it depends!
A typical kitchen cabinet can hold up to approximately 600 pounds, besides the countertop. Keep in mind that this weight needs to be evenly distributed along the whole cabinet, not shelf by shelf. Quartz slabs are typically 120 inches by 55 or 56 inches in dimension, with a thickness of three inches. Although this weight is subject to change, if you maintain your measurements near to this, you can expect it to weigh 630 to 675 pounds.
Remember to always ask the manufacturer how much weight can that slab of quartz hold. But in any way, you shouldn’t try your luck sitting in one of them. If your countertop is overhanging in any form, try not to lean on it, because the chance of it breaking or cracking is even bigger.
Caring for your quartz countertop
If you’re considering buying this stunning engineered stone for your house, knowing how to care for quartz is a fantastic question to ask. Whether you choose to buy quartz countertops for your kitchen or your bathroom, it is a countertop material that you won’t regret having by your side.
Quartz countertops are not difficult to maintain. When it comes to cleaning, a moist towel and some dish soap will usually do the job, but there are some additional recommendations to keep it in good condition. Keep reading if you decide you want the beauty and functionality of a quartz countertop in your kitchen.
Quartz countertops don’t need sealing
This mineral is strong by itself, and even when cut and made into slabs, it doesn’t become porous. Thus, quartz doesn’t need any sealing to be stronger and more durable.
They can overhang about only 30% of their length
If you want a breakfast corner or something like it, you must know that the overhanging part can be much longer. It must be only about 30% of the length of the slab. This and putting support under it can highly reduce the chances of it breaking or cracking.
Where to find quality quartz countertops?
Here, at Eagle Stones, you can trust that the best quality pieces will be installed to perfection in your home. If you live near Sarasota, you can quote your new kitchen countertop right here on this page. Just click here and see the kitchen of your dreams appear!
