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Counter Intelligence: Stunning, Easy-Care Engineered Quartz
There's a lot to like about this durable blend of quartz and resin for kitchen countertops, and the downsides are minimal
I co-own departure: architecture planning interiors in Portland, Oregon, where I design both new residences and remodels. With a focus on forward-thinking sustainable designs, my preferred palette includes natural materials, simplicity, and playful contrasts.
I co-own departure: architecture planning interiors in Portland, Oregon,... More »
Engineered quartz is the style chameleon of countertops. Whether you love modern or traditional, apple green or ecru, honed or polished, flecked or patterned, quartz's myriad options will have you covered. Engineered quartz is also easy to maintain, nontoxic and nonallergenic — there's not much to dislike about this stunning man-made material.
| The basics: Engineered quartz is a man-made product formed from roughly 90 to 95 percent ground quartz and 5 to 10 percent resins and pigments. Commonly found brands include Caesarstone, Silestone, Zodiaq, Cambria, Technistone, HanStone and Q. Several manufacturers have upward of 40 options, like colors from bright red to earthy linen and patterns from crocodile to concrete. Cost: $95 to $105 per square foot installed. |
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| Pros: Engineered quartz has many bragging rights. Thanks to the quartz content, it's tough like granite, and the resin makes the material malleable and impact resistant. Both materials offer stout durability. Engineered quartz is also nonporous, making it resistant to stains and scratches. And this material has a leg up on natural stone when it comes to large installations: Because it can flex, engineered quartz can be fabricated in larger pieces and with fewer joints. Cons: The resin content isn't heat tolerant, so keep your trivets nearby. |
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Ecofriendliness: Quartz countertops are great for indoor air quality, as they emit few VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and are nontoxic and nonallergenic for humans. For these reasons, many quartz countertop products are certified by the GreenGuard Environmental Institute, an independent agency that verifies claims of low chemical emissions.
Quartz gets the green thumbs-up too for being a durable counter that can last a lifetime, and because several manufacturers offer products with recycled content.
Quartz's eco downsides are that the resins used are petroleum based, and that most companies mine or manufacture their product outside the U.S., which increases transportation-related energy expenditures for U.S. clients. Only Cambria both mines and manufactures its quartz countertops entirely within the U.S.
Quartz gets the green thumbs-up too for being a durable counter that can last a lifetime, and because several manufacturers offer products with recycled content.
Quartz's eco downsides are that the resins used are petroleum based, and that most companies mine or manufacture their product outside the U.S., which increases transportation-related energy expenditures for U.S. clients. Only Cambria both mines and manufactures its quartz countertops entirely within the U.S.
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| Special considerations: Honed finishes, especially dark colors, show more fingerprints. Maintenance: The surface requires no sealants or waxes (either initially or for ongoing upkeep). Routine cleanup is a breeze with soap and water. More guides to kitchen counters |
Ideabook published on Aug. 20, 2012.
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I love that you included the Cambria Bellingham. We've done several projects in it, and it's really lovely. The Cambria has a lot of sparkle to it! The only thing I would disagree with is the ability to be installed with fewer seams. While it is less likely to break in transport, the slabs for most Engineered Quartz come smaller than granite slabs, so it comes out the same in the wash. My favorite quartz is "Torquay" by Cambria....it looks like marble!
KPD
@kimpatrice: It's true - engineered quartz manufacturers recommend using trivets under hot pans. And thanks to @12step4remodel for sharing their anecdotal experience with hot pans.
Yes, Quartz countertops are scratch resistant, stain resistant, and heat reisistant... BUT, they are NOT scratch proof, stain proof, or heat proof. Quartz is the 4th hardest mineral, surpassed in hardness only by topaz, sapphire and diamonds. Yes, just as granite, quartz countertops can chip. Some more than others, depending on your edge detail. Sharp line edge details, like the square eased, beveled, ogee, etc, are more prone to chip than those with a softer edge.
We do NOT recommend placing hot pots on any countertop surface... not on granite, not on tile. When a hot pot comes in contact with the cooler surface temperature of your countertop, it goes thru a process called thermal shock. Thermal shock is the rapid contraction and expansion within a material that has been exposed to extreme temperature differences. Continued exposure weakens the material resulting in stress fractures.
Any countertop material that is cool to the touch, will go thru thermal shock when a hot pot is placed on it. This includes natural stone (with the exception of soapstone), quartz, solid surface (Corian), and tile. Ever notice the crackled glaze in tile next to the stove? That is thermal shock.
While there has yet to be created the perfect countertop material, most will agree the engineered quartz is currently the best product available. Granite purists used to argue the quartz to be too uniform in pattern, it lacked dramatic flair... that is, until last year, when Cambria unveiled the latest additions to their color palette!
Cambria is the only engineered quartz product that is both mined and manufactured here in the USA, so it is understandable that they cater to the American style/color palette. They are without a doubt, one of the most innovative leaders for uniquely original quartz colors and patterns. The response to their latest releases was overwhelmingly positive, so much so that the majority of the new colors are currently on backorder for 2 months!
One question -- can you use granite spray on it, like Method Granite Spray? or Method Natural Surface cleaner? For sticky spills, I find that easier than soap and water (less elbow grease required). For easy spills, I just wet a paper towel.
Mr. Sabin, save your patronizing snark for someone willing to be taken in by the nonsense put out by salespeople trying to convince kitchen remodelers to buy a petroleum-based plastic mixed with semi-useless crumbly quartz that retails for the same price as natural granite. The need for sealing every granite and sealing it often is a cynical myth. In my case, I bought Black Galaxy, a Brazilian granite that is so dense it won't take a sealer.
Articles about countertop materials always seem to focus on appearance, performance, maintenance and relative cost. My post was intended as an alert to homeowners who care about how their countertops feel.
The only concer--comments about edge cracking are now making me consider a different edge, as I'd opted for squared ease.