Do Quartz Countertops Scratch Easily? 5 Things You Should Know

Quartz is a rock formed deep in the Earth when the minerals start to cool and harden. This material is used as one of the components for quartz countertops. Quartz that we use for our homes is, in fact, a manufactured stone made of natural quartz and other components. Those components are resins and polymers and they are added to improve the resistance to staining.

Since you have been introduced to the nature of quartz countertops, let’s further analyze its resistance to scratching.

1. Quartz is one of the hardest stones

Quartz is ranked number 7 out of 10 on the scale of hardest stones, 10 being the diamond. With that being said, quartz will not scratch easily when dragging heavy kitchenware or cutting with steel knives.

2. It has a great flexural strength

Flexural strength is a characteristic of materials to preserve 95% of their capabilities when they are exposed to heavy load. In practice, this means that quartz can handle heavy loads without deformation.

3. Be careful with ceramic knives

Ceramic knives can be very sharp and can damage quartz’s top surface. Make sure to use a cutting board when cutting with ceramic knives. Such scratches are usually flat and can be repaired.

4. Can be repaired

When the scratch is just on the top layer it can be repaired easily. Just use dry 300 grit sandpaper or steel wool and gently buff over the scratch. When the scratches are deeper, you should call a professional for help.

5. With everyday use, it doesn’t scratch

Anything can get scratched when you use an excessive force or use it in the wrong way. Generally speaking, with everyday use, and with proper maintenance, quartz will not get scratched from dragging the kitchenware, gently cutting directly on it or accidentally dropping something on your countertops.

In conclusion, quartz is highly resistant to scratching, but it is not completely scratch-proof. However, with proper use quartz can be a great option for kitchens, where the most scratching happens. It will not scratch from regular knives or objects with sharp edges. It is very resilient and it will not be damaged when you accidentally drop something heavy on it.

Need more information about the characteristics of engineered quartz stone? Please feel free to contact us for more.