There are a huge variety of available kitchen benchtop materials, each one with various characteristics that may or may not be perfect for your home. Durability, price, aesthetic value, maintenance requirements and availability are all factors that might influence which material is right for your kitchen.

Choosing the right material is important as it will influence when you will need to replace the counter again, the hygiene standard of your kitchen, the time you will have to spend cleaning each day, and the aesthetic of your kitchen for many years to come. To help differentiate between some of the two most popular – and often confused – material choices, here is an overview of quartz and KompacPlus.

Quartz countertops are some of the most common countertop types across the world. This is because quartz is an extremely durable material and comes in a variety of styles/designs that give the homeowner choice in the aesthetic appearance. Quartz benchtops are usually made from quartz dust or chips which have been bound together using resin. They are usually 90% quartz. The best known quartz manufacturers in Singapore are Dekton, Lian Hin and Corian quartz.

Quartz is more durable than granite, marble, laminate, and many other popular choices for kitchen countertop materials. It is low maintenance and can resist damage from scratches, stains, chipping and cracking. However, the resin in quartz countertops is less resistant to heat than quartz itself, so exposure to hot cookware could damage the countertop. Quartz is also more expensive than the cheapest benchtop materials like laminate.

On the other hand, KompacPlus is a new material gaining traction in the benchtop world. Kompacplus is an innovative new countertop material comprised of layered kraft paper and resin through compact engineering techniques. KompacPlus is a fairly thin material (only 6mm thick) but it has a high durability to compensate.

A nonporous material, KompacPlus is fire, water and steam resistant. It is also low maintenance and can withstand years of heavy use without showing wear. KompacPlus can also be installed over the top of existing countertops, eliminating the need for an expensive and time consuming removal. However, KompacPlus does not have the same aesthetic value that make natural materials like quartz and marble such popular choices.

So, how do they measure up against one another? Read on for a detailed review of quartz vs KompacPlus problems and benefits.

KompacPlus vs quartz: pros and cons

Durability

Both Quartz and KompacPlus are ultra-durable. Quartz benchtops were created with the intention of making a material stronger than stone, which they achieved through the addition or resin. Quartz is a material that will not crack, scratch or chip easily. Quartz has a rating of 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. (Marble is usually ranked at 3-5 and diamond the highest at 10).

Likewise, KompacPlus is an exceptionally durable material. As with quartz, it is waterproof, dense and non-porous. This gives KompacPlus the resistance to stains, water damage, wear, chipping and scratching that makes it a good choice for long term heavy use. Despite its minimal thickness, KompacPlus has extreme strength that measures up well against quartz. Either material is an excellent option for durability and there is no obvious choice when it comes to the wear and tear of Quartz vs KompacPlus.

Maintenance

Both Quartz and KompacPlus are low maintenance with simple cleaning processes. Quartz requires regular cleaning with mild soap and a cloth. KompacPlus is the same, though it can be somewhat less frequent. Neither surface should be cleaned with bleach.

Heat/scratch/stain resistance

Here is where KompacPlus takes a slight advantage over quartz. Quartz is resistant to stain as a nonporous material – but it is not stain proof. Liquids need to be wiped off as soon as possible to avoid the colour seeping into the polymer gaps between quartz chips.

By contrast, KompacPlus will resist staining and liquids can be left for over 24 hours on the surface before cleaning without leaving a stain. Quartz is also a little more susceptible to heat and will need heating pads at all times rather than hot pans or pots being placed on the surface. KompacPlus has low flammability and should not be damaged by high temperatures.

Price

Quartz is generally a little more expensive than KompacPlus. Standard quality quartz prices range from $120-$150 per square foot. Quartz is also fairly difficult to install, so additional prices could increase the overall cost. KompacPlus will usually cost around $120 per square foot.

Finish

Quartz is undeniably a much more visually appealing material than KompacPlus. Quartz is somewhat reflective and has a glossy finish that gives it an expensive appearance. There is a huge variety of colours and styles of quartz (one of the most popular being arkstone quartz), making it highly customizable to individual preferences.

Well-maintained quartz will also add to the resale value of a home, unlike KompacPlus. Compact plus does not have the same natural beauty as quartz and will often look dull or subdued. KompacPlus does not have the same glossy finish as quartz. It can be customized to look like wood, which somewhat improves the aesthetic.

Environmental impact

Quartz is available in abundance and does not require mining in its acquisition. This makes it the most eco-friendly stone material available. A quartz shortage is unlikely and quartz itself is recyclable. KompacPlus also has a low environmental impact as it is mostly made from paper and can last for decades.

Quartz table top: Quartz vs solid surface

Solid surface materials are an older method of countertop than engineered quartz. Quartz is more durable and generally more attractive, though solid surface countertops are cheaper and easier to install.

Caesarstone vs quartz: Caesarstone is a brand of engineered quartz, often confused for a separate material entirely.

Edl compact vs KompacPlus

EDL compact is another brand of compacted paper and resins. Both EDL Compact and KompacPlus are used to refer to the type of benchtop material or sink cover in general.