Quartz countertops have become incredibly popular in recent years as a durable, stylish, and low-maintenance option for kitchen and bathroom remodeling. But there is often confusion around what quartz countertops actually are and how they compare to other materials like granite, marble, and solid surface. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll clearly explain what quartz countertops are made of, how they are constructed, their key benefits and drawbacks, how they compare to solid surfaces, and help you determine if quartz is the right choice for your next countertop project.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is a mineral that is found naturally in the earth’s crust. It is incredibly hard and durable, ranking a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Quartz is formed when silicon dioxide and oxygen undergo a chemical reaction under immense heat and pressure.
Pure, natural quartz crystals are transparent to translucent. But when quartz is used for countertops, it is ground up into a powder and combined with resins and pigments to create an engineered stone. So quartz countertops are not purely natural stone, but are instead man-made using a mixture of around 90% ground quartz along with polymer resins that act as a binding agent.
How Quartz Countertops Are Made
The manufacturing process of quartz slabs is surprisingly high-tech. Here are the key steps:
- Quartz is mined – Natural quartz is extracted from quarries, crushed into smaller particles, cleaned, and ground into a fine powder.
- Pigments are added – Pigments are introduced to achieve the desired color and pattern. Popular quartz colors include whites, grays, blacks, blues, greens, browns, and vivid solid colors.
- Binding resins are mixed – Polymer resins like polyester or epoxy are added to act as a binding agent. The resins give the countertop improved flexibility and resistance to cracks.
- Slabs are formed – The quartz mixture is poured into molds and compacted under vibration and vacuum pressure to remove air pockets and form solid slabs.
- Slabs are cured – The quartz slabs cure in a kiln using heat and additional pressure. This hardens the resins to create an incredibly dense, non-porous material.
- Slabs are polished – The top surface is polished to a smooth, glossy finish using abrasives. The sides are often left with a rough, textured finish.
- Slabs are cut to size – The large slabs are cut to standardized widths and lengths to fabricate into countertops.
So while natural quartz crystals come straight from the earth, quartz countertops go through extensive processing to create an engineered stone that can stand up to heavy use in kitchens.
Key Benefits of Quartz Countertops
There are many reasons why quartz has surged in popularity compared to natural stone and other countertop options:
Extreme Durability
Quartz has a rating of 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it harder than granite (6 to 7) and marble (3 to 4). The resin binders create a glass-like material that is non-porous, so it resists scratches, stains, and heat damage better than natural stone. Quartz also lacks the cracks, fissures, and pits found in many stones. This makes it an incredibly durable surface able to withstand years of daily use.
Low Maintenance
The non-porous surface of quartz repels liquid, resists staining, and prevents bacteria growth. It never needs to be sealed. Simple cleaning with soap and water is all that is required to keep quartz looking like new. While granite requires periodic sealing to prevent staining, quartz simply needs the occasional wipe down. This makes it very low maintenance.
Consistent Appearance
Since quartz slabs are engineered under highly controlled conditions, the color and patterning is very consistent between slabs. This allows for a continuous look when installing a countertop across multiple surfaces. Natural stones have more variation which can result in noticeable differences between pieces. The uniform appearance of quartz provides a cleaner aesthetic.
Heat and Scratch Resistance
Quartz holds up to heat better than many competitors. Hot pans can be placed right on the surface without worry of damage. Quartz is also highly scratch resistant, maintaining its smooth surface despite years of use. Materials like laminate can show scratches and scorch marks much more readily.
Non-Porous
With zero porosity, quartz repels water and resists the growth of mold and mildew. Bacteria have nowhere to hide. This property makes quartz a great choice for food prep areas where sanitation is important. Granite and marble are more prone to harboring bacteria in tiny surface pores that can’t be fully cleaned.
Flexible Customization
One of the advantages of engineered quartz is that pigments can be added to create unique colors and patterns. Everything from solid whites to bold blues, greens, grays, and patterns mimicking natural stone are possible. This allows quartz to be customized to match your unique style.
Increased Home Value
Kitchen and bathroom remodeling with quartz often recoups over 70% of the investment cost at resale. The stylish appeal and durability of quartz makes it a value-adding upgrade that can pay dividends later.
Potential Drawbacks of Quartz Countertops
No material is perfect, and quartz does have some potential downsides to consider:
- Seams are more visible – The uniform patterning and color of quartz makes seams between slabs easier to detect. Natural stones better hide seams. Careful installation is required.
- Not heat proof – While resistant to normal cooking heat, direct contact with very hot pans or appliances can damage quartz. Trivets or hot pads should still be used.
- Repairing damage is difficult – Scratches, chips, and cracks in quartz are hard to fix. Seamless patching usually isn’t possible. Full slab replacement may be needed.
- Higher cost than laminate – Quartz is priced higher than inexpensive options like plastic laminate. But it offers better long-term value.
- Limited exotic visuals – The speckled, marbled look of exotic natural stones can’t be precisely duplicated in quartz. Patterns tend to be subtler.
- Some quartz requires sealing – While pure quartz is non-porous, some product lines combine a small percentage of natural stone that should be sealed occasionally.
For most homeowners, the advantages of extreme durability, easy maintenance, resistance to damage, and custom colors outweigh the disadvantages of quartz. But carefully compare your options before deciding.
Is Quartz Considered a Solid Surface?
This is where confusion often arises. The terms solid surface and quartz are sometimes used interchangeably when they actually represent different materials:
Solid Surface Countertops
- Made primarily of polyester or acrylic resins and alumina trihydrate filler
- 100% man-made synthetic material
- Softer surface on Mohs scale, around 3
- Seamless appearance – seams can be tightly bonded
- Nicks and scratches can often be sanded and repaired
Quartz Countertops
- Made of around 90% ground quartz combined with polymer resin binders
- Much harder than solid surface, ranks 7 on Mohs scale
- Seams are more visible
- Damage is difficult to repair seamlessly
So quartz and solid surface countertops have some similarities – they are both engineered materials made of resins and filler. But quartz contains high percentages of one of nature’s hardest minerals, making it significantly more durable, heat resistant, and scratch resistant compared to a true solid surface material.
If trying to decide between solid surface vs. quartz, quartz is the clear winner in terms of resilience and longevity. The only advantages of solid surface are easier repairability and more seamless appearing seams. But quartz performs better in every other regard.
How Does Quartz Compare to Other Countertop Materials?
Here is a broad comparison between quartz and other top options for countertops:
Quartz
- Extremely durable at 7 on Mohs scale
- Resists scratches, stains, heat damage
- Easy maintenance, never needs sealing
- Consistent coloration between slabs
- Man-made engineered stone
Granite
- Very durable but softer than quartz, around 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Porous and requires periodic sealing
- Natural stone with variations in patterning
- Can chip or crack if impacted
Marble
- Softer and etched by acids, ranks 3-4 on Mohs scale
- Very porous and stains easily without sealing
- Classic natural stone appearance
- Easily scratched and damaged over time
Laminate
- Very affordable option
- Vulnerable to scratches, burns, and water damage
- Seams are highly visible between pieces
- Lacks the beauty and value of natural stone
Concrete
- Heat and scratch resistant but can stain
- Sealing required to prevent damage
- Farmhouse, industrial appeal
- Porous if not properly sealed
Butcher Block
- Needs heavy oiling/sealing to resist moisture, warping
- Can scratch and stain easily
- Provides a classic, warm look
Stainless Steel
- Extremely durable, easy to sanitize
- Can dent, high maintenance fingerprint cleaning
- Industrial, modern aesthetic
Tile
- Wide range of colors, textures, and patterns
- Grout requires sealing to prevent staining
- Warmer than solid surface, can crack and chip
Should You Choose Quartz Countertops?
Quartz delivers an unbeatable combination of fashionable visuals, extreme durability, and easy care. The man-made manufacturing process allows for unique custom colors too. For busy kitchens and bathrooms that demand both style and resilience, quartz is arguably the best overall option.
The only caution is that quartz comes at a higher installed price than more budget-friendly options like plastic laminate. And exotic natural stone still provides one-of-a-kind patterning. But for a superb balance of form and function, quartz rules as a leading countertop recommendation. If your goals are long-lasting performance, low maintenance, and contemporary custom styling, then quartz is likely the top choice.
Quartz Countertop Colors & Patterns
One of the distinct advantages of engineered quartz is the ability to incorporate vivid colors and patterns you won’t find in nature. This allows you to customize your countertops to match your unique taste and decor. Here are some of the possibilities:
Solid Colors
From crisp cool whites to bold reds, blues, and blacks, quartz offers a spectrum of solid color options:
White quartz countertop
Black quartz countertop
Green quartz countertop
Whites
Crisp, clean whites are eternally popular. Quartz can achieve both bright white and soft eggshell hues:
White quartz countertop closeup
White quartz backsplash
Grays
From pale dove grays to darker charcoal, quartz has every shade of gray covered:
Gray quartz kitchen island
Gray quartz countertop
Blues
Cool blues are widely popular in kitchen designs. Quartz can provide every tone from powder light to deep navy:
Light blue quartz countertop
Blue quartz kitchen island
Blacks
Inky dark black quartz countertops can create a dramatic, modern look:
Black quartz kitchen island
Black quartz countertops
Patterns Mimicking Stone
While pure quartz surfaces lack the natural veining of true stone, patterns can mimic the look of marble, granite, and other designs:
White quartz that looks like marble
Quartz with granite-like patterns
Blends
Different quartz colors and aggregates can be blended to create unique designs:
Blended quartz countertop
Metallic Finishes
Shimmering mica or metal flecks provide a glittery effect:
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Quartz with metallic finish
This wide range of colors and patterns lets you find the perfect quartz look aligning with your personal style.
Popular Quartz Brands
There are many reputable quartz manufacturers to choose from. Some of the top brands include:
Cambria
- Made in the USA
- Natural quartz with no toxins added
- Striking designs, especially blues
Cambria Blue quartz
Caesarstone
- One of the first engineered quartz brands
- Huge variety ofstyles
- Durable and scratch resistant
![Caesarstone Quartz](https://www.caesarstoneus.com/