You just finished boiling the pasta for dinner tonight? As you prepare to empty the water into the sink, you get the phone call you waited all day to receive. Without thinking, you put the boiling pot of pasta on your quartz countertop and answer the phone.
Ten minutes later, you come back to drain the pasta. However, you are aghast to discover the boiling pot of pasta now sits on a cracked quartz countertop?
What happened you ask? How did this take such a disturbing turn? Are quartz countertops heatproof you ask yourself?
Below we answer quartz countertops tolerance for heat, and how to protect your countertop in the future.
The answer is yes, and no. Quartz countertops can take a beating. However, they are not indestructible and can suffer if you put pots and pans over 300° on the counter. Why is that?
Quartz countertops have a composition of 94% quartz and 6% polymer resins. The polymer resins protect the stone from staining and make it easier to maintain over time.
The polymer resins make quartz more durable than granite or marble. Unlike those stones, you do not need to reseal your quartz countertop every year.
However, it also has a lower heat threshold than a granite countertop. The low heat resistance is due to the polymer resin, which only has a 150° threshold. As we mentioned above, the quartz stone has a 300° threshold. Since the polymer is like glue, it is not surprising that the resin burns at a lower temperature than the surrounding quartz slab.
The low threshold makes it more likely to burn or break when in contact with heat. Therefore, you can put a hot mug of coffee on your countertop, but a searing hot pan or boiling pot of water could leave a burn mark.
Over time, coffee mugs and teacups could leave burn marks as well.
Alternatively, as we discussed above, it could lead to a potential crack in the quartz due to the heat or rapid change in temperature.
Follow these simple tips, and your quartz won’t only remain undamaged but also as beautiful as this Calacatta Laza project.
However, it also has a lower heat threshold than a granite countertop. The low quartz heat resistance is caused by the polymer resin, which only has a 150° threshold. As we mentioned above, the quartz stone has a 300° threshold. Since the polymer is like glue, it is not surprising that the resin burns at a lower temperature than the surrounding quartz slab.
The low threshold makes quartz more likely to burn or break when in contact with heat. Therefore, you can put a hot mug of coffee on your countertop, but a searing hot pan or boiling pot of water could leave a burn mark.
Over time, coffee mugs and teacups could leave burn marks as well.
Alternatively, as we discussed above, it could lead to a potential crack in the quartz due to the heat or rapid change in temperature.
In a matter of moments after placing an object with a very high temperature, yellow or brown scorch stains appear. They are signals of the resin burn and can be caused by even moderately hot pots or pans. If you regularly put them on your quartz countertop’s surface and let them stay there, the discoloration will appear as well. Even cooling down coffee pots can cause these marks.
Wondering how to protect your countertops after reading our article on mistakes when caring for quartz countertops? The following tips will give you a more in-depth look at how to make your quartz last longer:
When you’re cooking, don’t place hot pots and pans right on your quartz counter. Instead, put them on trivets and hot pads. Both use a treatment, which is why they can resist higher temperatures than your quartz countertop can.
It’s an easy fix that you can use on a regular basis so you can save your quartz countertop from excessive heat.
While most coffee and tea mugs will not burn through your quartz counter the first time you set them down, you do not want to tempt fate. Use coasters to protect the stone from heat marks.
Over time this will help you with the maintenance of your counter.
All quartz use similar construction methods. The difference is the materials and providers who deliver your quartz stone. Do they have quality quartz stone that can help you stop burns and heat exposure from getting worse? It is essential to know what ingredients manufacturers use to make your granite countertop.
The right provider uses the best materials for clients. Our natural stone warehouse gives you access to the best quartz stones for your next quartz home project.
Furthermore, Granite Selection accurately measures and cuts all the quartz countertops. We do this to make sure you only get the highest level of materials for your kitchen.
We want to tell you it is okay if you see a discolored countertop. However, the truth is that removing discoloration from quartz is not always possible.
While you can fix the discoloration in marble or granite easily, quartz is a different matter. The best you can do is hide the stain and hope no one notices.
Or if it is bad enough, you might want to consider replacing a section or your entire countertop.
We have a great collection of over 300 quartz patterns to choose from! Our experts will be happy to help you choose one that is right for you and advise you on how to take good care of your quartz countertop.
Your quartz countertop should be with you for the foreseeable future. Just take care of your quartz by ensuring it does not interact with hot objects.
The question “Are quartz countertops heatproof” doesn’t have a definite answer. As they contain resin, they can get cracked when you put extremely hot objects on them but it’s OK to leave a cup of coffee on your countertop for a minute. But the level of heat resistance depends on the quality of the quartz, that’s why we recommend you to select the best one for your needs. If you have questions about quartz countertops, let us help you.
Give us a call at (888) 906 3317 to speak with one of our quartz countertop experts today.
Do you have questions about granite or quartz countertops in Chicago?
Request a free consultation or visit our office.
