Cambria Counter Top GuideQuartz countertops, like the Cambria counter top, are a man-made product combining natural quartz (a material found in granite) and a binding, coloring resin. Hence the name... "quartz" counter top. This process forms a very hard and durable surface similar to a granite countertop. Good choice. Cambria countertops are great for your kitchen countertops, kitchen backsplash, kitchen island, bathroom vanity, wet bar or wine cellar. However, like all man-made quartz, Cambria countertops cannot be used outside for an outdoor kitchen. The resin that binds the quartz will yellow with exposure to sun and UV rays. Other brands such as Zodiac and Silestone make essentially the same product as
Silestone is by far the leader of the market with more distributors, a more efficient production process and more colors to choose from, but the look, feel and function of the product isn't any "better" than the others. Deciding which product/company to buy will likely come down to color choices and availability from you local fabricator or distributor. Silestone offers more colors but, Cambria countertops and Zodiac have different colors so you may want to check out all three companies. Cambria Counter Top Colors
Pattern. Used to be that quartz countertops whether Silestone, Zodiac, or a Cambria counter top had a very uniform, pattern that many prefer for it's consistency and others find boring for the lack of movement often found with granite countertops. Well, choices have improved in recent years with all quartz countertop makers and Cambria countertops now offer patterns with a bit of movement more like natural granite with other patterns and colors that can mimic (at least loosely) a travertine, marble or soapstone. Preference. Of course the advantage of a consistent pattern is that Cambria counter top slabs can be easily matched up without a shift in the pattern or color that sometimes happens with granite at seams. But a good fabricator can match slabs to eliminate a color/pattern shift and this has never been much a problem in the industry. So, it really boils down to what you prefer.... pattern movement or consistency. Care & MaintenanceResistant Not Invincible. Cambria counter tops are extremely resistant to chemicals, heat and scratching (just like granite countertops). But, they are not heat or scratch proof and can be damaged by intense heat, prolonged heat from say a crock pot or certain chemicals (like bleach) and food products such as, wine, vinegar, tea, juice, coffee, soda, some fruits and vegetables if these substances are left to dry.Really, it's not much to worry about. The truth is that you would have to try pretty hard and be very neglectful to do any real damage, but it is possible. Always use cutting boards for food prep, trivets under hot pots and pans and wipe up spills before they dry. Daily cleaning on quartz countertops is a snap. Hot water and a sponge are sufficient for keeping things tidy. For more thorough cleaning that will leave the surface protected and looking its best use stone cleaner... they perform far better than a generic cleaner. I like this Granite & Marble Cleaning Spray, which provides excellent results and cheaper than others. Do not use abrasive powders such as Comet or abrasive scratch pads. Cambria vs. GraniteIt's All Marketing. Despite convincing marketing messages by makers of quartz countertops, there isn’t any significant difference regarding performance, function, cleaning or price between granite and Cambria countertops or other brands of quartz countertops.More on Quartz vs. Granite including cleaning and sealing can be found at countertop comparison.
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