With the look of natural quartz, minus the maintenance, these surfaces give granite a run for its money…
Made from one of the hardest minerals on earth, natural quartz countertops are arguably the most durable option for kitchens. They’re also some of the most eye-catching. They come in a wide variety of colors, including fire-engine red and apple green, as well as earthy browns, blacks, and creams, with sparkles and veining for the look of granite or marble. But unlike natural-stone slabs, which are mined, these slabs are engineered in a factory. Their primary ingredient is ground quartz (about 94 percent), combined with polyester resins to bind it and pigments to give it color. For some designs, small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks are added to the mix. The resins also help make these counters stain and scratch-resistant—and nonporous, so they never need to be sealed. Compare that with granite, the reigning king of high-end countertops, which typically requires a new protective top coat at least once a year.
In the past, the biggest knock against quartz was that it lacked the patterns and color variations you get with natural stone. But that’s a moot point now, with all the manufacturers offering multihued slabs with enough flecks, swirls, and random patterning to make them almost indistinguishable from the real thing. They were once available only with a polished finish; now you can get one with a honed, sandblasted, or embossed treatment. So if it’s the look of matte limestone, textured slate, or glossy granite that you want, there’s a quartz countertop for you. Read on for help picking one to match your budget, your cooking and cleaning needs, and your style. We’ll go over the pros and cons of quartz countertops so you can make the best choice.
Granite-like movement in black and gray gives this quartz countertop a bold, traditional look.
Shown: Bellingham, about $75-$80 per sq. ft. installed; cambriausa.com for dealers.
How They’re Made
Natural-quartz crystals are mined, then ground into a dust or an aggregate that’s fused with resin binders under intense heat and pressure to form a solid slab. Pigments added during the process impart color to the countertop.
Vitals
Installing a quartz countertop around a kitchen sink
How much do they cost?
Expect to pay about the same as you would for natural stone, around $60 to $90 per square foot, including installation.
DIY or hire a pro?
Like natural stone, quartz slabs are very heavy. And though the added resins make them more flexible, they, too, can crack if not properly handled. Work only with certified installers.
Where to buy it?
Order through kitchen-design showrooms or from home centers and big-box stores, such as The Home Depot, IKEA, and Lowe’s.
How long do they last?
For as long as you have your kitchen. Quartz countertop manufacturers provide warranties ranging from 10 or 15 years to a lifetime, depending on the company.
Premium Granite believes in the importance of clients handpicking stone for their personal projects, which is why we offer showrooms and warehouse located at 4215 Walney Rd Unit L, Chantilly, VA 20151.
