Whether you’re considering a countertop or simply interested in stones, it can be fascinating to know how much quartz weighs.
Knowing roughly how much quartz should weigh can help you determine whether what you’re looking at is actually quartz, and it can also help when it comes to building or remodeling projects.
What is quartz?
Quartz is a crystalline mineral with a structure that makes it very hard. It’s well-known for its gemstone-like qualities and beautiful colors, and some types of quartz are actually classified as gems. Amethyst, tiger’s eye, citrine, and onyx are all forms of quartz.
Aside from use in jewelry, clear quartz is often carved into prisms or other decorative shapes and is sometimes even hollowed out to make glass-like cups, vases, or jugs.
Other types of quartz are used to make countertops, and crushed quartz is often used for sandblasting or to cover sandpaper.
How much does quartz weigh?
Quartz is a naturally occurring stone, so it will always have slight variations in its density depending on how and where it formed. This means that not every piece of quartz will weigh exactly the same amount. However, on average, a square foot of quartz weighs between 20 and 25 pounds.
Most countertop pieces of this weight are right around 1.25 inches thick. If the slab of quartz is thinner, it can weigh a bit less.
Exactly how much quartz you might need for a countertop varies depending on the location, amount of counter space, and any decorations, such as backsplashes.
In general, however, an average kitchen countertop is about 30 square feet.
This means that, in an average kitchen, a quartz countertop can weigh between about 600 and 750 pounds.
What other countertop options are there?
Granite, another popular countertop stone variety, weighs about the same amount as quartz. Granite is one of the most common countertop choices thanks to its wide range of beautiful colors and patterns and its durability.
Dolomite is another stone option, similar to granite and quartz, that is available in a wide range of colors. It looks very similar to marble, which is also sometimes used in countertops. Dolomite, however, is much harder than marble.
This makes it a more durable choice. Marble can often be too fragile for areas like the kitchen.
Engineered stone countertops are actually made of pieces of quartz that have been molded together with resin. This process creates a lovely appearance but also gives the stone strength, flexibility, and durability. Engineered stone is unlikely to crack, chip, or stain.
A square foot of quartz weighs between 20-25 pounds.
Solid surface countertops are made of acrylic plastic. These countertops are often colored to look very similar to quartz, granite, or marble, but they are less expensive and can be easier to maintain.
They also weigh less, with a square foot of solid surface countertop usually weighing about 5 pounds.
Porcelain is another popular countertop choice. Porcelain is incredibly heat resistant and it’s also very easy to clean, so it often has a long life and is simple to maintain.
Porcelain can also be made in nearly any color, and people who choose porcelain for their countertops can choose solid countertops or tile to achieve the exact look they’re hoping for.
Are natural stone countertops better?
Whether or not a natural countertop is better than a solid surface countertop largely depends on personal preference and what you’ll be using the countertop for.
Solid surface countertops are non-porous and don’t need to be sealed or resealed. They don’t stain easily and they’re often simple to clean.
They’re also relatively easy to repair if they’re damaged, and because they’re manufactured, they can be crafted in a single piece without any gaps.
Natural stone countertops such as quartz countertops, however, are incredibly durable and will typically last for decades.
They can stand up to heat, so you can usually rest a hot cup of coffee or a warm pan on them without damage. They’re also very hard and won’t usually chip if something is dropped on them.
Quartz and other stone countertops are also highly prized for their appearance and, because they’re natural, no two stone countertops will ever look quite the same.
How should I measure countertops?
If you’re considering a natural or engineered stone countertop, you may need to know how much it will weigh in order to figure out how much support it requires. The first step to doing this is by measuring your countertops.
Begin by measuring the length of every countertop, including the areas around the sink and stove, if necessary. Then, measure the width of the countertop and multiply the width by the length.
Subtract for the areas taken up by any sinks or stoves. If you have an island, measure the width and length and multiply them to get the area, and add this to the total countertop area.
Then, multiply the number of square feet by the weight of the stone to find out how much your countertop will weigh.