When people select a countertop surface, one of the materials available is Quartz. As we will see, this is not surprising since the material is durable and practical for homes. In this article we will take a look at Terrastone Quartz. As we do, we will briefly consider why this material is desirable to many. We'll also see Terrastone Quartz compatible products that are effective for working with and caring for it. Here, we will talk about products from the perspective of dealing with Terrastone Quartz. But if you want more general information about engineered stone (also called engineered quartz), you can find it on our engineered quartz information page.
The Quartz Material
Terrastone Quartz is one of several brands of quartz. You might be familiar with these types of surfaces. But if not, we will do a bit of summarizing here to lay the groundwork for our discussion about the Terrastone Quartz compatible products available here on our site.
Simply put, Terrastone Quartz is a man-made material that is made to function in a way that is comparable to natural stone surfaces. In fact Wikipedia says the following about quartz:
...99.9% pure silica in grits and powder form constitutes 90–93% of the body by weight dispersed in a matrix of unsaturated polyester resin (7–10%) mixed with peroxide catalyst and cobalt accelerator which facilitates the curing of the thermoset at ambient temperature.
However, even though Terrastone Quartz is not a completely natural stone material, it does get fabricated and cared for in a similar way. Let's briefly take a look at the similarities between Terrastone Quartz and natural stone surfaces.
Fabricating Terrastone Quartz
As we mentioned above, working with Terrastone is very much like fabricating natural stone. This is because it is so much like a natural stone material. Its hardness makes it necessary to cut it using a diamond blades for cutting stone.
Additionally, the fabrication of Terrastone Quartz involves putting a finish on the surface. This done by making use of a number of stone slab polishing pads designed for polishing stone surfaces such as Terrastone Quartz as well as natural stone surfaces.
Surface Treatments
One of the perceived advantages that consumers have with quartz is that it does not require periodic sealer applications. And although this is true, it does not mean sealer will hurt engineered quartz. It all comes down to whether or not the product is made for the surface to which it is being applied. (That is why we always recommend testing any product in an inconspicuous ara before treating the whole surface.) In fact, several products exist for treating the surface of materials like Terrastone Quartz.
Toning Up the Color
One treatment that is made for use on materials like Terrastone Quartz is Quartz Toner Plus. Contrary to what some consumers have been told, there are times when a Terrastone Quartz may need to be enhanced and that product is made to do that very thing.
Removing Mineral Deposits
Another treatment that a Terrastone Quartz surface may require from time-to-time is a limescale remover. Since Terrastone Quartz is non-porous, any liquids that sit on the surface will not be absorbed. This results in discolorations developing due to mineral deposits that are tough to remove. Using an effective quartz cleaner for mineral deposits and limescale. That's right, that Terrastone Quartz surface can get stained. It's just that the stain happens on the surface instead of inside the pores.
Terrastone Quartz Care & Maintenance
Long after the surface has been installed, a Terrastone Quartz countertop will require cleaning and maintenance. We have already alluded to a possible need for removing some kinds of stains. But what about the cleaning of the surface day in and day out? Well, understanding a couple of things related to surface maintenance might help.
Added Liquid Protection
First, surface sealers create a barrier between the material itself and water-based and oil-based liquids that get on the surface. Second, using certain chemicals on Terrastone Quartz will either destroy the barrier added by the sealer, or react adversely to the surface itself. Because of this, if you choose to use a sealer to help protect your Terrastone Quartz surface from oily and watery liquids we recommend Lustro Italiano quartz sealer since it is safe to use on quartz.
Cleaning Terrastone Surfaces
If you have chosen to seal your Terrastone Quartz surface, it is imperative that you use an appropriate cleaner afterward. Using the incorrect cleaner after sealing a Terrastone Quartz surface will simply destroy the barrier you just added. And even if you decide against the option of sealing Terrastone Quartz surfaces. Using a cleaner that is safe for use on quartz materials will ensure that you don't get the negative results that happen when a cleaner reacts with the material.
As we have seen in this article, Terrastone Quartz like other brands of quartz surfaces has characteristics that make fabricating it and caring for it a lot like you might maintain and work with natural stone. However, there are specific products that make these tasks successful. Since the material is man-made there are some particulars to know about and use the appropriate products when performing those tasks. Doing so, will enable you to get the optimal results.
