Zodiac Counter Top Guide
The Zodiac counter top is a quartz countertop made by the big chemical company DuPont. This is the same company that makes Corian solid-surface countertops.
Zodiac quartz counter tops are an excellent choice for anywhere in your home: kitchen countertops, kitchen island, bathroom vanity, wet bar or wine cellar and even for a backsplash, but they cannot be used for an outdoor kitchen because the dyes will fade. Zodiac, Cambria and Silestone countertops are all essentially the same product. They are all engineered stone counter tops made in essentially the same manner. Zodiac, Silestone and Cambria are simply brand names marketed by different companies with Silestone by far the leader in the market with the most distributors, more efficient production and more colors to choose from.
Deciding which product/company to buy will likely come down to color choices and availability from you local fabricator or distributor. Depending on your area, it may be more difficult to find a certified Zodiaq installer than say a Silestone installer. Zodiac Counter Top Colors30 countertop colors are currently available from Zodiac including whites, tans, ocean blues, rusty reds, sea greens and blacks, but they are making more.Pattern. Like Silestone and Cambria, Zodiac counter tops have a very uniform pattern. When compared to granite, quartz countertops can seem a bit dull or monotone since granite has an almost unlimited variety of patterns and colors to choose from. They look very nice, of course, but you won't find a pattern with "movement" like granite if you like that. Preference. However, many people prefer this consistent pattern over the entire countertop surface. And one advantage is that Zodiac counter top slabs can be easily matched up without a shift in the pattern or color that can happen with granite at the seams.
Care & MaintenanceResistent Not Invincible. Zodiac countertops are extremely resistant to chemicals, heat and scratching (just like granite); but they are not heat or scratch proof and can be damaged by intense heat or certain chemicals and food products such as, wine, vinegar, tea, lemon juice, coffee, soda, some fruits and vegetables if these substances are left to dry.This may sound like all you’re able to do is “look” at your beautiful countertops but, don’t worry. The truth is that you would have to try very hard and be very neglectful to do any real damage, but it is possible, so.... Always use cutting boards for food prep, trivets under hot pots and pans and wipe up spills before they dry. Daily cleaning is a snap. Hot water and a sponge are sufficient for keeping things tidy. For more thorough cleaning use a sponge and a non-bleach glass and surface cleaner. I like Simple Green the best. It’s less toxic and a good cleaner for non-natural stone surfaces like Zodiac. Do not use abrasive powders such as Comet or abrasive scratch pads. Zodiac vs. GraniteIt's All Marketing. Despite marketing efforts by makers of engineered stone to try and convince you otherwise, there isn’t any significant difference regarding performance, function, cleaning or price between granite and Zodiac or other brands of quartz countertops.Once this is understood, the decision between granite and Zodiac quartz comes down to color, pattern and perceived value for most buyers. Value & Options. As mentioned Zodiac quartz countertops have a limited color palette compared to granite, but a broad range is available to suit many design themes. Granite enjoys a greater “prestige,” if you will, due to it’s natural uniqueness and therefore, a greater perceived value. However, quartz countertops are excellent countertops with qualities as good as granite. So if you find that perfect color and pattern from Zodiac, then you can bet you’ll be very satisfied. For more on this topic go to the: counter tops materials comparison page. bact to Quartz Counter Top
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