What Are The Pros And Cons Of Quartz Shower Walls?
Quartz shower walls are the result of combining resin, natural quartz, and pigment together. They are pressed together to create large panels that have become very popular in bathrooms. While it’s a man-made material, that doesn’t take anything away from its beauty.
If you are looking for a contemporary or modern design element to give your bathroom a facelift, quartz may be what you have been looking for. It’s also a fantastic option for new builds as well. Because of the clean and sophisticated lines of the quartz, it pairs easily with different design elements and materials.
The advantages of quartz shower walls are they have a smooth, sleek finish, are durable, require minimal maintenance, offer many design options, plus they are stain-resistant. Some downsides include the expense to install them, the reaction they have to certain chemicals, how heavy the slabs are, and how precisely they need to be measured to get the right fit.
With so many options out there it’s a good idea to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each of them! Keep reading to find out more!
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Pros of Quartz Shower Walls
There are lots of choices when it comes up adding that extra touch of character to your bathroom. Installing quartz shower walls is one way to do that. Let’s dive into the advantages of using quartz.
Design
The luxurious appearance of quartz is inviting and aesthetically pleasing to most people. Its sleek finish is much fancier than plastic or fiberglass shower walls. Quartz in general, has become a popular choice for kitchens as well.
It’s a man-made material, so the options for different styles and pigments are pretty much endless. Most often the quartz panels are made to look like stone, marble, leather, or gravel.
They offer many colors and the hardest part is deciding which one will look the best in your space! The sophisticated look can even be found in fancy hotels. Depending on the design that suits you most, you can make it look more minimalist or as classy as you wish.
It’s Groutless
Instead of grouting quartz, an epoxy caulk is applied instead. This means that the caulking isn’t going to peel, crack, or stain like you get when you grout tile.
Your walls are going to be smooth without any grout lines to worry about. Plus, without grout, you don’t have to worry about dirty water getting into the cracks and causing mold to form.
Smooth Finish
Installing quartz is a breeze and you never have to worry about an unlevel edge or finish. Tile, for example, has a time and place, but if you have ever stood on a tiled shower floor, you know that tile can be very uneven.
The slightest difference in tiles can cause you to stub your toe, trip, or slip. Plus, tiles can break over time and you will have to remove the broken ones and replace them.
Versatile
Quartz is very versatile and many designers and contractors have gravitated towards using it in the last couple of decades. It can be used as shower walls to give your bathroom a spa-like vibe. Plus, it can be added as shower flooring, shelving, shower seats, or countertops too.
Stain-Resistant
Other than using acidic chemicals, it’s very unlikely you will stain quartz shower walls. Liquids can simply be rinsed off, or washed with dish soap and there won’t be any leftover staining.
This is because the finish is non-porous so liquid doesn’t have a place to hide as it does with other types of material, such as tile.
Keep in mind stain-resistant isn’t the same as stain-proof. Stain-proof means that it’s impossible to stain. Harsh chemicals can and will leave stains and potentially damage quartz, so you will need to consider that.
Durable
Quartz wins the war on durability because it’s non-porous, easy to clean, and doesn’t house bacteria. Plus, it’s very heavy material so it is going to take a lot to crack or break it.
Because water will glide right off of the shower walls, it’s very unlikely that it will cause mold issues. It comes in large sheets that go together seamlessly, which makes it much more durable than tile.
Low Maintenance
Installing quartz shower walls is a benefit for those that prefer minimal maintenance materials. There is no sealing required and a basic cleaner is all you need to keep it looking beautiful for decades.
While other materials such as stone are porous and require you to seal them on a yearly basis, there is no need for that here. You also don’t have to worry about dirty grout and replacing it every year or two like you do with tile.
Low maintenance also means you don’t need to spend money every year to keep it looking good.
Cons of Quartz Shower Walls
It’s important you understand the good, bad, and ugly that goes along with having quartz shower walls. Take a look at these disadvantages to help you decide if you want to take the leap and order it or not!
Must Be Measured Perfectly
While other shower surrounds and walls have some flexibility on measuring quartz really doesn’t. It’s best to hire a professional to take care of the measuring for you.
Once the panels have been cut, it’s going to be very difficult for you to make adjustments or cuts. You would need the proper tools, skills, and workspace to make that happen, and most of us don’t have that.
Because of how the pieces of quartz fit together, it’s a job that is best for the professionals instead of a beginning DIY’er.
Expensive To Install
Quartz on average is going to cost you around $50 a square foot for the basic designs. It can cost all the way up to $100 a square foot for more luxurious designs. This can add up very quickly, even if you have a small shower.
In addition to the cost of the materials, you will most likely need to hire a contractor to install the shower walls. Naturally, the prices of contractors are going to vary from company to company, so it’s worth doing some research in your area.
Low Maintenance Costs
The good news is that, while the investment is rather large upfront, you aren’t going to have a bunch of maintenance expenses to worry about later. No need to pay to have it regrouted, since it doesn’t have grout.
You don’t have to worry about tiles cracking and needing to be replaced either. So it’s important to consider those expenses as well if you are considering a different type of shower wall.
Heavy Material
Installing quartz shower walls is easy because it comes in large panels. However, the weight of the slabs is significant. Quartz shower panels are much heavier than tile, fiberglass, or plastic.
The thicker the panel you get, the heavier it’s going to be. In most cases, you can get shower panels that are between ¼ inch and ½ inch thickness.
Your contractor will need to make sure that the walls and flooring are strong enough to withhold the weight. If not, they are going to need to be reinforced which is going to cost you even more money.
This could especially be an issue if you have a small living space, condominium, or older home. With some effort, more often than not, they can find a way to make it work, but it may break your budget.
Sensitive To Chemicals
There are many chemicals that can cause quartz to react. This will make it discolored and take away from the natural beauty that it has. Follow these tips to keep your quartz shower walls in great shape!
- Clean with a soft cloth and mild soap. You can simply use dish soap or for tough stains a glass cleaner.
- Never use bleach. It’s very harmful to quartz and will leave it discolored and potentially damaged. So steer clear of anything that has bleach in it.
- Acidic & alkaline cleaners should never be used. Vinegar, pine-sol, and other highly acidic cleaners could add large spots of discoloration. Once they develop there isn’t anything you can do to remove them.
- Don’t scrub with force. If you have hard water or end up with a spot that is stubborn, using force can damage the surface. It will also dull the finish.
- Use baking soda for stubborn spots. Warm water and baking soda are the perfect combination for cleaning quartz shower walls. You will need to let it soak on the build-up to help soften it, then continue to clean with a soft cloth until it’s clean.
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Our Conclusion
Quartz shower walls are lavish, sleek, stylish, and sophisticated! They will add beauty to your bathroom without the need of extra bells and whistles. Due to the cost and installation process, they may not be for everyone or every budget, but it’s up to you to make that tough decision. Before deciding it’s always a good idea to bring in professionals because they can give you everything you need to know about the cost an
Paige is an elementary school librarian with a passion for writing. Her hobbies include reading an exorbitant amount of fantasy, slowly teaching herself to draw, and home decor. While she isn't the most talented artist or interior designer, what she lacks in skill she more than makes up for in enthusiasm. When she's not curled up with a book, you can certainly find her curled over the keyboard.
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