Quartz countertops have become increasingly popular in recent years, prized for their durability, aesthetics, and low maintenance. One of the key features that makes quartz so desirable is that it is non-porous, unlike more porous natural stone materials like granite or marble. But what exactly does being non-porous mean for a countertop material like quartz? Here is an in-depth look at whether quartz countertops are non-porous and what that means for their performance and care.
What Does Non-Porous Mean?
Non-porous means that a material is impenetrable to water and other liquids. The material lacks pores and voids, so liquid is unable to penetrate the surface. Instead, the liquid just beads up and can be easily wiped away.
Porosity refers to tiny holes or openings in a material’s surface. More porous materials like marble, granite, and concrete contain many pores where liquid can seep in. Over time, the absorption of liquids can cause stains, promote bacteria growth, and compromise the integrity of the material.
Non-porous surfaces repel liquid rather than absorbing it. There are no pores for the liquid to sink into. This makes a non-porous material much more stain resistant and easier to keep sanitary. Non-porous also means the material is less vulnerable to damage from exposure to liquids.
Is Quartz Countertop Material Non-Porous?
Quartz countertops are considered non-porous. The key characteristic that makes quartz non-porous is its composition. Natural stone like marble is entirely composed of stone. But quartz surfaces consist of ground natural quartz combined with resins, polymers, and pigments.
The resins used in the manufacturing process fill in the natural pits and cracks between the ground quartz particles. This gives quartz countertops their even, pore-free surface. The resins form a sealant that makes the material non-porous.
Without resins, natural quartzite stone would have a porous, rough surface texture similar to sandstone. But the polymer resins smooth it out and eliminate voids. So quartz countertops contain minimal porosity thanks to their engineered combination of quartz fragments bound by resin polymers.
The Benefits of a Non-Porous Quartz Countertop
Choosing a non-porous quartz surface for your countertop comes with several advantages:
1. Resistance to Stains
The non-porous quality of quartz makes it very stain resistant. Since liquids cannot penetrate the surface, potential stains only make surface contact. Quartz resists absorption and staining from common kitchen substances like wine, coffee, tomatoes, olive oil, and lemon juice.
While some very intense substances like ink or hair dye can leave a stain if not wiped up quickly, quartz’s non-porous surface makes stains rare and confined to the area of contact. Overall, quartz offers excellent stain resistance compared to more porous natural stone.
2. Does Not Need Sealing
Since liquids cannot soak in, quartz countertops never need sealing. Sealing is the process of applying a waterproofing resin to fill pores and prevent stains on porous surfaces like granite. It has to be frequently reapplied to maintain effectiveness.
But non-porous quartz has no pores to fill, so sealing is unnecessary. As a low-maintenance material, quartz never requires sealing to maintain its stain resistance. This saves homeowners the repetitive hassle and expense of sealing required for porous natural stone countertops.
3. Resists Growth of Bacteria and Mold
Porous surfaces are prone to bacteria and mold growth within their pores. Dampness gets trapped and stimulates undesirable biological growth.
With quartz countertops’ non-porous surface, there are no hiding places for microbes to take hold. Liquids and food particles simply remain on the surface where they can be easily cleaned away.
The lack of penetration into the material denies bacteria and mold an environment to thrive. Quartz resists cultivating biofilms much better than porous stone or wood countertops.
4. Easier Cleaning and Maintenance
Since liquids do not soak into quartz counters, cleaning them is much quicker and easier. Spills and messes remain on the non-porous surface for easy wiping. Food and debris will not get lodged deep within tiny pores.
Quartz also resists etching from acids found in foods like lemon juice and tomatoes. You do not have to worry about meticulously wiping up all traces of acidic substances to avoid etching symmetrical stone like marble. With quartz, a simple wipe down restores the smooth finish.
Overall, quartz’s non-porous quality translates to easier daily cleaning and long-term maintenance compared to more high-maintenance natural stone surfaces. It is very forgiving of common kitchen spills and messes.
How Does Quartz Maintain Its Non-Porous Property Over Time?
The resins used to fill pores and create quartz’s non-porous surface are engineered to be durable and long-lasting. With proper care, quartz countertops maintain their non-porous quality for years of use. Here are some of the ways quartz preserves its non-porosity:
- Strong resins – Manufacturers use top quality polyester and epoxy resins designed to stand up to heavy use. These durable polymers maintain their integrity to continue sealing the quartz particles.
- Uniform thickness – The resins form an even layer throughout the thickness of the slab during factory curing under pressure. This prevents pores from developing over time.
- Stain protection – Surface treatments such as those containing silicon dioxide nanoparticles provide an added barrier against liquids penetrating the quartz.
- Heat and scratch resistance – Quartz resists chipping, impact damage, and heat up to 212°F that could otherwise compromise the non-porous resin layers.
- Easy renewability – If the surface eventually does become compromised, light sanding and polishing can renew quartz’s non-porous finish.
With proper installation and care, quartz maintains its non-porous properties for decades in the home. Manufacturers typically provide 10-15 year warranties ensuring the lasting stain, scratch, and heat resistance of quartz surfaces.
Can Quartz Countertops Ever Absorb Liquid?
While quartz countertops are engineered to be non-porous, it is possible for some absorption to eventually occur if the resins become compromised. Here are some scenarios that may allow quartz to absorb moisture:
- Damage from excessive heat – While quartz is heat resistant, extreme direct heat over 300°F from hot pans can gradually cause the resins to break down. This may open pores and compromise non-porosity.
- Deep scratches or impact damage – Severe impacts that gouge the surface may detach pieces of the resin material and create crevices for liquid to penetrate.
- Poor installation – If gaps are left between slabs during installation, liquids can seep into these spaces. Improper sealing of seams and edges also exposes pores that absorb moisture.
- Wear over time – After years of use, routine impacts and cleaning gradually erode the resin barrier that makes quartz non-porous. Worn areas become more vulnerable to absorbing liquids.
- Low quality resins – Inexpensive quartz using inferior polymers is more prone to breaking down over time, losing its non-porous traits faster. Higher quality resins maintain non-porosity longer.
With proper care, high-end quartz from reputable manufacturers will retain its non-porous qualities for many years. But certain impacts or wear over time can slowly allowquartz to absorb more liquid if the resin sealant becomes compromised.
Signs Your Quartz Countertop May Be Losing Its Non-Porous Traits
Here are some warning signs that indicate your quartz countertop may be becoming more porous and absorbent over time:
- Stains are taking longer to wipe up and cleaning liquids now result in dark spots.
- Spills and drips seep into the surface rather than beading up.
- Sections of the countertop develop a rough, pitted texture suggesting resin erosion.
- Cracks, impact chips, scratches, or burns allow moisture to penetrate through to the stone layer.
- Seams and edges look darker or feel damp to the touch after spills.
- Mold or mildew begins to grow on sections of the countertop surface.
- Food debris, grease, and liquids accumulate in scratched grooves rather than wiping clean.
If you notice these signs of losing non-porosity, avoid exposing the countertop to more water. Consult with the manufacturer about resealing or refinishing the surface to restore stain resistance. Address any impacts, damaged areas, or gaps allowing liquid absorption.
How to Keep a Quartz Countertop Non-Porous
While quartz is engineered to stay non-porous, you can take some basic precautions to preserve this quality:
- Avoid exposing the surface to excess direct high heat from pots and pans that could compromise the resins.
- Repair any impact damage like chips that could allow moisture penetration.
- Reseal countertop seams and edges if gaps appear that compromise non-porosity.
- Clean up spills immediately to prevent possible staining agents from dwelling on the surface.
- Follow the manufacturer’s care guidelines regarding cleaners and avoiding abrasives.
- Have countertop professionally refinished if the surface develops small pits or scratches.
With regular care and avoidance of damage, your quartz countertop should maintain its non-porous characteristics and liquid repelling abilities for many years. Non-porosity is a major advantage of quartz over natural stone. But be sure to reseal or replace quartz at the first signs of losing its water-resistant properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the non-porous nature of quartz countertops:
Is Quartz Completely Non-Porous?
Quartz countertops are considered non-porous but not completely impervious. While the resin minimizes porosity, some minute pores in the stone fragments may still exist. However, they are minimized and sealed off by the surrounding resin binder. Under normal conditions, liquids cannot penetrate the densely compressed quartz and polymer layers.
Can Liquids Soak Into Sections of a Quartz Countertop?
In pristine condition, liquid should bead and wipe away without soaking into quartz. However, cracked areas, impact damage, or deteriorated sections could potentially allow absorption of spills. But intact quartz free of defects repels liquid thanks to its non-porous resins.
Is Quartz or Granite More Non-Porous?
Quartz is far more non-porous than granite. Natural granite contains pores and fissures that require sealing to prevent staining. Quartz has almost no porosity due to its resin binders filling spaces between quartz particles. Liquids cannot penetrate quartz, while granite is prone to staining without consistent sealing.
Is There Such Thing as a Porous Quartz Countertop?
By definition, quartz countertops must contain polymer resins to create the non-porous surface. Without resins, the product would essentially be ground quartzite stone, which is naturally porous. Reputable quartz manufacturers use resins designed to eliminate porosity. An all-natural quartz product would be porous.
Do Any Quartz Products Have More Porosity?
Budget quartz brands may use lower quality resins with less staining and heat resistance. Premium quality polymers contribute to better non-porosity. Highly pigmented quartz solid surface blends may be more porous than lighter quartz. But all quartz countertops are designed to be as non-porous as possible.
Conclusion
A key advantage of quartz over natural stone countertops is its non-porous surface. The polymer resins mixed with ground quartz fill spaces between particles to create a dense material that liquids cannot penetrate. This makes quartz very stain resistant and low maintenance since liquids cannot seep in and cause damage.
Quartz’s non-porous property also prevents harboring bacteria and makes cleaning simple. With proper care, quartz maintains its non-porous characteristics for years. But excessive heat, damage, and wear over time can gradually compromise the resins and allow increased moisture absorption if not addressed.
Understanding quartz’s non-porous nature allows homeowners to capitalize on its benefits while properly caring for it. With its durability and stain resistance, non-porous quartz provides beauty and reliability as a countertop surface.