Quartz countertops are not only great in terms of their look but also their practicality and durability. We all love to get around comfortable around our countertops.
We all have a natural tendency of leaning on it, resting our elbows on them, and sometimes sitting on them while we engage in a conversation in the kitchen. But is it really safe to particularly sit on quartz countertops?
In this article, I will be answering this question so that you’re informed of the best practices. I’ll also be providing other tips on how to maintain your quartz countertops so that they last for a very long time.
Quartz is a relatively hard material and is also non-porous, which makes it a great candidate for countertops but can you sit on a quartz countertop?
While quartz countertops can withstand the average weight of an adult person, it is still not advisable to sit directly on the stone as it can lead to cracks in seams or cracks appearing on the quartz itself over time.
However, it may be safe for you to lean or perch your arms and elbows on the surface without worrying about its safety under prolonged pressure around this area of contact.
Here’s what you need to ask yourself if you’re in the mood to hop on your countertop;
How Much Weight Can Quartz Countertops Take?
Quartz countertops are strong enough to take the weight of an average person (180 pounds). If you’re above the general average then the risks of damaging your quartz countertop when you sit on them will be higher.
However, it’s important that you don’t sit on your countertop no matter what your weight is.
If you must, it’s also important that you don’t sit on it with your whole body weight because this can lead to cracks and chips on the countertop.
It’s best to avoid sitting on it for an extended period of time but if you must, then just sit on your counter with just your behind.
In my personal situation, when it was time to install my quartz countertop I asked my installer to make a concrete slab to support the quartz countertop.
I am seldom home, so I figured I will not be around to police who stands or sits on the countertop.
Although it cost me a lot more, and over the years, I have never had any issue with that countertop installation.
Does The Quartz Countertop Have Seams?
To be able to determine if sitting on your countertop is safe you need to determine if your countertop has seams or not.
Quartz that’s 100% solid is very strong and safe to sit on. If your countertop has seams then there is a higher chance that it will crack or chip when you sit on it. This is because quartz countertops with seams are not very strong and stable.
This becomes more critical if those seams are not well placed on the countertop. For example, if they’re placed right in the middle of your counters then it will become very easy to damage them when you sit on the countertop.
It’s best to avoid sitting on counters with seams but if you must, it would be better that you sit closer to the parts around the sink as those areas often have support brackets and some form of vertical support.
Although seams are not that common on quartz counters, it’s still important to check if your countertop has them or not before deciding to sit or stand on it.
Length of Time Weight Stays On The Countertop
How long you’re going to be sitting on the countertop is another factor you need to consider.
If it’s just for a short period of time and you significantly weigh less than the average weight of a person, then there shouldn’t be any problem but if you’re going to be sitting on your countertop for a long time, no matter what your weight is, then it’s probably not the best idea.
Countertops are meant for plates, cups, and food so if you’re going to be sitting on them then your body weight will only add up and eventually damage the countertop.
The key takeaway here is that the longer you sit on a quartz countertop regardless of your weight, the higher chances of chipping or cracking it. It’s best to avoid sitting on quartz countertops for extended periods of time.
What Can Go Wrong When You Sit On A Quartz Countertop?
Seams May Crack
Seams are the result of joints in the installation of the quartz countertop. Seams are created so that the same or different quartz materials can be used to create a more attractive countertop.
However, seams weaken the overall structure of your quartz countertops and make them very susceptible to damage when you sit on them. For this reason, it’s best to avoid sitting on seams as much as possible.
Doing so can crack the seams on your countertops leaving them needing to be replaced.
Cracks Can Spontaneously Appear
If you have a quartz countertop that’s 100% solid and not extremely large, then chances are it will not crack when you sit or stand on them for short periods of time.
However, if your countertop has seams and the countertop in itself is very large then there is a possibility that it can crack when you sit on them.
Accidents do happen and even if you’re only sitting on the countertop for a few seconds, it might crack.
I know that first-hand as I have seen a very large quartz countertop in a public restaurant kitchen only after a few months, it cracked when one of the workers in the restaurant accidentally bumped into the corner. The disappointment on the manager’s face was simply unforgettable.
The Joints Near The Sink Or Seams May Get Damaged
If you’re sitting on the countertop near your sink then there is a higher chance that it will be damaged when you do.
This happens because most of the weight will be placed on your countertop when you sit near its sink area.
The joints in this part can sometimes be weaker and may only give support to the sink and the weight of the countertop.
This is because the sink area of your countertop will carry most of the weight when you sit on it.
Even if your countertop has a strong structure, it’s not going to stand the test of time if you sit on it for extended periods of time.
The Countertop Becomes Unglued
If the adhesive used to mount your quartz countertop isn’t strong enough then it’s likely that when you sit on it, your countertop may become unglued.
This is because the countertop will get an uneven surface when you sit on it which leads to a weak hold between your countertop and the quartz.
In some cases, your countertops can become completely unglued from your kitchen cabinets which is a nightmare to fix.
It’s best to avoid sitting on your countertops for extended periods of time.
Better Option To Sitting On The Countertop
If you would like to avoid sitting on your countertops, here are better alternatives for you.
Get A High Top Countertop Bar Stool
The high-top countertop bar stool is great for sitting or standing during cooking. You can sit on it for short periods of time which will reduce the chances of damaging your countertops.
It’s also great for when you’re eating breakfast in the morning and cooking something on the stove.
Other Things You Shouldn’t Do To Quartz
Aside from avoiding sitting on the worktops, there are a few other things you should not do to the countertops.
- Clean Spills Immediately
You should not wait for a spill to dry on the countertops. You need to clean up spills immediately from quartz since spill buildup can damage the countertops.
- Don’t Use A Knife To Cut
You should not use a knife to cut on the quartz since this can damage the worktops and cause cracks. This is because when you do this, it will cause the countertop to split and crack.
- Don’t Use Acidic Cleaners
Using acidic cleaners can damage quartz because of its nature. For this reason, it’s best to avoid using an acidic cleaner on the countertop.
- Don’t Use Scouring Pads
You should not use scouring pads on quartz since it will scratch and damage the surface of your countertops. This is because even though they’re made of the same material, quartz and granite countertops have different textures.
- Don’t Use Overly Heated Cleaners
You should not use overly heated cleaners on quartz because the high temperature will damage your countertops. This is because when you do this, it will cause your countertops to warp.
- Don’t Use Abrasive Cleaners
You should not use abrasive cleaners on quartz because this will damage the surface of your countertop. This is because they are too abrasive for quartz which can scratch and cause cracks in the worktops.
- Clean The Countertops With Distilled Water
When you want to clean the countertops, it’s best that you use distilled water. This is because it will not leave any streaks on your countertops which can cause damage in the long run.
- Don’t Leave Pots And Pans To Cook For Long Periods Of Time
When you’re cooking something in the oven, it’s best that you don’t leave it in there for too long. Leaving pots and pans in the oven can cause damage to your quartz countertops when they are hot.
- Don’t Use Hot Ovens On Quartz
It’s best that you only use your quartz countertop for cold foods since hot ovens can cause damage to your quartz. This is because the heat will warp and crack your countertops if it’s used for hot foods.
Final Thoughts
One thing that is clear after reading this post is that sitting on quartz countertops is a big no-no.
However, there are alternatives to sitting on the quartz. These include buying a high-top bar stool that is designed for countertops or getting kitchen stools that are low to the floor.
The downsides to sitting on quartz countertops are numerous with some of the main ones being that it can warp over time, crack when you put too much weight on them and seams may crack.
