A Quartz Counter Top is Cool!

A quartz counter top, also known as . . . "engineered stone," is made by combining 93% quartz (an element in granite) with resin and pigments in a process that binds the medium permanently.

The end result is a countertop that has
similar properties to granite, such as high heat, scratch and chemical resistance.

Silestone, Cambria and Zodiac all produce quartz countertops with Silestone being the dominant player in the market.

No matter which company you choose to buy from, engineered quartz surfacing will look fantastic on your kitchen countertops, kitchen island, bathroom vanity, wet bar or wine cellar.

Color. You certainly will have many colors to choose from and new color and pattern designs are hitting the market all the time, but granite simply affords the largest array of patterns and colors of any material available.

Pattern. Although Silestone, Cambria and Zodiac are all made to look like granite, purists note that quartz counter tops lack the depth of color, variety of color and unique patterns of movement that characterize granite.

On the plus side, Silestone counter top colors have a consistency that few granites can offer so there's never a problem matching slabs. Also, many people prefer a uniform pattern that is exactly the same over the entire surface. Cambria counter top colors and Zodiac counter top colors will offer this same feature.

Personal Preference. It really boils down to
what you like. It's hard to beat granite's classic
appeal, but you won't notice a difference in the performance or feel of quartz counter tops when compared to granite.

The question is do you like the "look" of man-made quartz. Cost is not really an issue when comparing to granite since you'll pay about the same for engineered stone.

Cleaning and Maintenance. Quartz counter tops from all the brands are a snap to clean.

Engineered stone counter tops are non-porous and chemical resistant so you can use almost any general surface cleaner.

But, hot water and a sponge are sufficient for most spills and keeping your space clean while cooking.

Always use cutting boards for food prep and trivets for hot pans. Yes, quartz--like granite--is very tough. It's heat and scratch resistant, but it can be damaged with extreme heat or consistent abuse.

For a thorough discussion of everything you should and shouldn't do to keep all your countertops in great shape take a look at the Care & Cleaning page.

Quartz vs. Granite. To get the true story on the difference between granite and quartz and put to rest all the myths and conflicting information floating around out there go to Countertop Comparison.

Additional Uses. Engineered stone can also be used on flooring, wall cladding, tub decks and shower surrounds providing more options for your other home projects as well.

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