Made from one of the hardest minerals on earth, quartz countertops are arguably the most durable option for kitchens. Theyre 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.
Please visit our website for more information on this topic.
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 resistantand 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 thats 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 its the look of matte limestone, textured slate, or glossy granite that you want, theres a quartz countertop for you. Read on for help picking one to match your budget, your cooking and cleaning needs, and your style. Well go over the pros and cons of quartz countertops so you can make the best choice.
Expect to pay about the same as you would for natural stone, around $60 to $90 per square foot, including installation.
Natural-quartz crystals are mined, then ground into a dust or an aggregate thats fused with resin binders under intense heat and pressure to form a solid slab. Pigments added during the process impart color to the countertop.
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 can you buy it?
Order through kitchen-design showrooms or from home centers and big-box stores, such as The Home Depot, IKEA, and Lowes.
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 lifetime, depending on the company.
Here are the pros and cons to consider when deciding to go with quartz.
Its low-maintenance.
Unlike natural stone or wood, it never needs to be sealed. Just wipe with soapy water for daily upkeep. Surface stains can be removed with a gentle cleansing scrub. Avoid scouring pads, which can dull the surface, and harsh chemicals that could break down the bonds between the quartz and resins.
Its antimicrobial.
Resin binders make quartz counters nonporous, so stain- and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew cant penetrate the surface.
Its design-friendly.
Some makers offer jumbo slabs for uninterrupted runs of countertop. But even with standard slabs, typically 60 by 120 inches, the seams can be almost imperceptible; added resins allow cleaner cuts without chipping as stone does. The resins also make quartz more flexible than natural stone, allowing fabricators to bend and shape it into sinks or the sides of a curved island. And its versatile enough to be used on floors and wallsfabricators can even cut the slabs into standard tile sizes.
Its pricey.
Compared with DIY options, such as wood, laminate, and concrete, which can cost less than $10 per square foot, quartz, like granite, is expensiveabout $60 to $90 per square foot, including installation. Acrylic solid surfacing, another competing option, costs about $40 to $80 per square foot installed.
It cant take extreme heat.
Quartz counters are heat and scorch resistant, but only up to a point. Most manufacturers say their products can handle up to 400 degrees F, but a sudden change in temperature or sustained heat from a pan left on the counter may cause the surface to crack. To be safe, always use a trivet or a hot pad.
It cant weather outdoor use.
Install it outdoors in an uncovered area, and youll void the warranty. Direct sun beating down on it day after day can cause colors to fade or the countertop to warp or split over time. Currently, none of the major manufacturers offers an outdoor-approved quartz counter.
iStockShop around to compare colors and prices. Some quartz makers sell exclusively through big-box stores; other slabs are available only through independent kitchen and bath showrooms.
Pick your brand and color, and set up a time for a fabricator to visit your home to take measurements and make a template of the tops of your base cabinets.
Unless you are keeping existing fixtures, you supply the dimensions for the sink and faucet cutouts as well as any drop-in appliances, such as a cooktop.
Get a price quote and place your order. Once the fabricator knows the complexity of the installation, including the edge profile, number of slabs, and cutout details, they can quote the actual cost of the entire job.
Wait, but not too long. Assuming your base cabinets are in and your kitchen is otherwise complete, the fabricator can get the slab from the distributor or direct from the manufacturer and shape it to your specs in about a week.
If youre using multiple slabs, consider asking the fabricator to get them from the same manufacturing batch to ensure the best possible match.
Schedule the installation. The fabricator lays the slab directly on top of cabinets; in general, no plywood underlayment is required. Its held in place with silicone-based construction adhesive, and any seams between slabs are filled with color-matched epoxy resin.
Undermount sinks are installed with clips (and sometimes wood braces) that attach to the underside of the countertop. Expect installation for a typical kitchen to take from a few hours to a day.
Brown veining against a sand background. Giallo Michelangelo, Zodiaq by Dupont, about $60-$100 per sq. ft.*
*All prices include installation.
Recycled-glass flecks glisten in a blue-gray base. Calm Springs, Zodiaq by Dupont, about $60-$100 per sq. ft.
Earthy recycled-glass particles add sparkle. Forest Snow, Eco by Cosentino, about $62-$78 per sq. ft.; ecobycosentino.com
Tan watermarks speckle a brown base. Vintage Limestone, Viatera by LG, about $67-$72 per sq. ft.; lgviaterausa.com
Vibrant blue highlighted with translucent particles. Celestial Blue, Zodiaq by Dupont, about $60-$100 per sq. ft.
Small iridescent blue and charcoal flecks. Waterford, Cambria, about $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
Gray striations for the look of Carrara. Tranquility RU613, HanStone, $55-$95 per sq. ft.; hanwhasurfaces.com
Solid turquoise with a contemporary feel. Slice of Ice CW102, HanStone, about $55-$95 per sq. ft.; hanwhasurfaces.com
Reddish-brown lines mimic veining. Ivory Wave MV620, HanStone, about $55-$95 persq. ft.; hanwhasurfaces.com
Black and gray-blue streaks against taupe and cream. Praa Sands, Cambria, about $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
A lively solid. Green Fun, Silestone by Cosentino, about $54-$74 per sq. ft.; silestoneusa.com
Subtle cream veins look nature-inspired. Piatra Grey, Caesarstone, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Granite-like veins and light-reflecting crystals. Canterbury, Cambria, about $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
Metallic flecks impart shine. Chrome, Silestone by Cosentino, about $70-$89 per sq. ft.; silestoneusa.com
Gray-toned particles and swirls on white. Atlantic Salt, Caesarstone, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Thin white lines overlay a jet-black base. Black Knight , Caesarstone, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
A matte-finish warm gray. Altair, Silestone by Cosentino, about $54-$74 per sq. ft.; silestoneusa.com
Copper-colored flecks add depth. Mariposa Buff MV410, Samsung, about $50-$60 per sq. ft.; staron.com
This sandy hue has faint color gradations. Sugar Storm, Viatera, about $67-$72 per sq. ft.; lgviaterausa.com
A granular texture imitates fossil and shell fragments. Natural Limestone, Viatera, about $67-$72 per sq. ft.; lgviaterausa.com
Like a slice of blue mineral chunks. Ocean Palace , Caesarstone, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
It doesnt get much more luxurious than a semiprecious-stone countertop formed from real slices of colorful quarried crystals, such as agate and amethyst. Added resins work like a glue to bind the gems together into a continuous countertop while also making it stain and scratch resistant. These opulent tops would add a dramatic look to a small kitchen island, a built-in bar, or a powder-room vanity.
Shown: Concetto Collection in Brown Agate, Rose Quartz, and Tiger Eye, about $400 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Just about any edge profile that you can get with stone can be replicated with quartz. The standard eased edge, slightly rounded over so that there arent any sharp angles, and the more fanciful ogee, which resembles an S curve on its side, are two of the most popular treatments.
Your fabricator will help you select an edge that suits your kitchens style and the countertops thicknesstypically ½, ¾, or 1¼ inchesand will shape the profile using a template provided by the manufacturer. Fabricators can also do custom designs, such as a chiseled, raw edge (shown) or a gently cascading three-level waterfall-style profile. Keep in mind that the more complex the edge, the higher the cost.
Shown: Desert Limestone with chiseled edge, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
This slate-gray countertop has a muted, lived-in look to match the zinc stools and the weather-beaten-steel pendant light. Open shelves and painted cabinets with bin-pull drawer hardware add to the kitchens homey appeal.
Shown: Fieldstone, about $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
A white countertop with subtle gray veining, a glossy finish, and a simple eased edge makes a crisp contrast with the green-painted cabinets and sleek stainless-steel fixtures and appliances.
Shown: Misty Carrera, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Two warm countertop colors complement the stained wood cabinets. A washstand-style curved backsplash behind the range adds a vintage note. On the island, a 5-inch mitered edge profile gives the work surface a chunky, furniture-like look.
Shown: Nottingham (perimeter), and Sussex (island), about $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
A black-and-white color combination is always a classic. Here, the dark countertop pairs with the lighter perimeter cabinets. The contrasting scheme is reversed on the island, where an ogee edge profile adds an extra dose of sophistication.
Similar to shown: Zodiaq Galaxy Black and Cloud White, $60-$100 per sq. ft.
You wont find ready-made slabs for kitchen counters, but home centers now offer smaller bathroom vanity tops with faucet drillings and undermount-sink cutouts. Expect to pay $350 to $900 for a vanity top, depending on the size and color.
Home-furnishings manufacturers are also catching on to the pluses of quartz. Room & Board offers dining, cocktail, accent, and counter-height tables with five different quartz-top options and a choice of bases.
Get a custom-look vanity for less by wedding a prefab counter (sink included) with a stock cabinet.
Shown: Solieque Bisque Baroque, from $640; homedepot.com
You arent just limited to using quartz in the kitchen, check out these smart and unique use-cases.
Mix and match quartz tops and wood bases for an updated farmhouse table.
For more information, please visit Holy.
Shown: Linden walnut table with white quartz top, from $1,700; roomandboard.com
Unlike marble, quartz wont be marred by an errant splash of bath oil.
Shown: Blizzard, $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Quartz is antimicrobial, so it wont harbor bacteria from soiled clothes. Just be sure to clean up bleach spills quickly to prevent damage.
Shown: Brentwood, $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
In a fully tiled shower, a corner seat crafted from a quartz remnant means fewer grout lines to keep clean.
Similar to shown: Ultra White, $67-$72 per sq. ft.; lgviaterausa.com
You can stop worrying about red-wine rings; because quartz is nonporous, vino cant penetrate it.
Similar to shown: Tranquility, about $55-$95 per sq. ft.; hanwhasurfaces.com
Quartz can withstand very high temperatures as long as the heat is indirect. So go ahead and surround your firebox with it.
Shown: Concrete, $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
By topping your nightstand with quartz, you wont need a coaster to keep morning coffee or tea spills from staining.
Shown: Ashford, $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
My journey with this product started with admiration for its substance more than 90% of natural quartz strengthened by polyester resins and pigments, which made the surface nonporous and sturdy. It is not a question of cost to compare, this dated space with this stain- and scratch-resistance is unquestionable, despite the possibility of spills or even a few fleeting seconds of dirt and activity also worrying me. Although marble may have been the stone of the emperors, Calacatta quartz retains the royal elegance while allowing it to emulate the actual counterpart without regular upkeep.
The difference between marbles and quartz is the color dynamics and feeling of luxury they provide. The genuine beauty of marble moiré cannot be duplicated; it may be exclusive because no two marble slabs look the same. However, Calacatta quartzs steady veining enables you to manage the design in a way that marble cannot replicate. This overall predictability, rather than making it boring, provides a blank canvas where life can run in full flow without being interrupted by the harmful characteristics of unnatural interruptions.
Trend-Setting Hues for Calacatta Quartz Top Calacatta Quartz Colors, as of This YearEvery year brings a new depth to the color palette of Calacatta quartz. This years palette ranges from an ethereal white and the whisper-thin veining. To the deeper strokes of gold and gray that crisscross into the slabs. Opting for any of these hues will compliment your space with vibrant yet sophisticated energy. Which makes for a perfect contradiction as these hues are bold yet uniform in their luxury.
How Style Affects Veining PatternsFor me, the moment Im faced with a quartz slab, the veining grips my styles interest. Then veining is not just a pattern, its a story; a tale of paths and dispersion. It ranges from tight and swirling, to soft and linear, and it all intimately affects the mood in my space. Every slab of quartz is a work of art, each drawing its neighbors of wood, paint and metal to create a pleasant mix.
Matching Quartz to Kitchen Color SchemesIts a pleasure to combine these stones with the existing palette of your kitchen. A cool white slab with a minimum of veining can bring freshness into a relatively small kitchen. While a golden-veined option is capable of warming a neutral kitchen. The key is to combine it all without overpowering your space.
Selecting the Right Calacatta Quartz for Your Kitchen Quality and Pricing Differences to ConsiderOver the years, I have helped numerous friends and clients pick and purchase their countertops. Some readily affront to the idea of spending a premium on a single slab; others take a cheaper road. Ultimately, quality has to align with pricing in the most optimal manner, which is why quartz from reputable brands is easily one of the best investments. I might be paying twice as much, but knowing that I have a warranty and that the slab will last a lifetime gives me great peace of mind. However, purchasing from other sources might be considerably cheaper and of inferior quality.
Thickness and Finish: a Point to AnalyzeThickness and finish also have a say in the looks of the countertops. Firstly, the countertops have to look and feel heavy: 1 cm is too little, and I usually opt for 2 cm slabs and up. I personally like my countertops to sound like wood when you knock on them. The finish is also crucial: gloss finishes hold too much light and make the slab too vivid, unpolished make it dark. A matte finish distributes light and emphasizes the stone.
Installation and Maintenance Tips Preparing for a Quartz Countertop InstallFor me, the installation day is like a concerts opening night, and preparation is key. Getting sure that the cabinets are level and strong enough to carry the quartz, finding the right thing to support overhangs, and shopping for professional installers with a reputation are steps I never miss. The quality of the choice is as important as that of the thing.
Best Practices to Care for the Countertop in the Long TermI have a simple mantra of caring for the quartz its the little and often. Warm water, detergent, and a soft cloth are all that is needed to be used on a daily basis. When it is something stickier and more stubborn and it sticks and you need to scrub, a non-abrasive cleaner is your friend, although harsh chemicals or scrubbing pads will not be required at any point. Due to such a method, I can easily keep the thing looking good at all times.
Common Questions Asked by FriendsNot that frequently, but my friends ask me whether quartz countertops are absolutely indestructible. Though such things are really hardy, they are not impeccable. That is why I always recommend them refraining from putting hot pots directly on the surface and cutting anything without a board. Such little habitual changes can protect a thing and the soul of the kitchen.
Making the Right Aesthetic Choices With Quartz Calacatta Quartz Composition and Material SpecificationsCalacatta quartz is one the most versatile materials one can use in any design. It resembles the chameleons of surfaces it may look ultra-modern due to minimalistic design or fit perfectly to soft and classic curves of classic design . The key to cellular broad is considering the material not as a solo artist but a part of a great choreographed ensemble. A part of such ensemble may be materials as different as wood, metal, and glass . The array of textures supports the play of light. A non-reflective surface of a faucet in brushed finish may look great on high gloss quartz, as well as a wafer-thin sheet of countertop material may be contrasted with the roughness of matte wooden cabinetry. However, the relationships between individual elements of the design are most important as it is what the overall ensemble shows to the viewer.
Ambient Options for QuartzIf kitchen and toilet surfaces are the default options for any quartz, calacatta being the most versatile material calls for something more for the owner. Quartz may be used for the surfaces of any tabletop in formal dining rooms, breakfast nooks or as a home office table countertop. Due to high mobility, teams of this ensemble are often transferred to a remote workspace, so calacatta quartz can also be found in tables and desks of various living spaces and studies.
Customizing Your Kitchen with Calacatta Quartz Creative Backsplash Ideas Using QuartzThe backsplash is an opportunity to let your imagination run wild. Using the quartz of the same colour as the countertop can result in a monolithic, seamless transition; still the possibilities stretch far beyond this. A geometric tile pattern in several shades can provide depth to a room, while a single subway tile done up in fresh hue achieves that refreshing color spin. The backsplash in fact is your kitchen canvas, waiting for personal creativity to arrive.
Mixing Quartz into Modern StyleThe reason that I love Calacatta quartz is because it fits so perfectly with the current fashion for design. "Waterfall" edges on a kitchen island impart a sculptural feeling; as the stone stretches up into walls, it takes on an artistic role. Its performance has changed with the times in terms of design taste, whether or not comfortably conforming to where we are now while still holding on to its timeless charm.
Blending Fixtures and Hardware with Quartz SurfacesFixtures and hardware are the jewelry of the kitchen, and that is why pairing them with Calacatta quartz comes down to the details of which accessories fit. Polished chrome on pure white, or matte black fixtures set against a veined quartz surface, all highlight the stone's special characteristics. These small details, if we remember to consider them significant parts of an overall production after all which has its place not just in practical terms but also aesthetically?
Investing in Calacatta Quartz: Is It Worth It? Considering Longevity and Durability: Is It a Valuable Investment?Considering all the foregoing, in terms of what counts more appearance or durability the latter would, doubtlessly, be a clear winner. It is a fit and forget acquisition, and there is hardly anything that can ruin its performance. It is highly forgiving almost resistant to any kind of abuse and easily retains ones composure after all these years. Having transformed multiple homes thanks to Calacatta quartz, I have seen many proofs that not only the pocket benefits from such a transformation. The kitchen ceases to be just a space but grows into a room, built for you, equipped according to your lifestyle, and able to store not only the products but also the meals and the memories made in it. No space-like kitchen can be shared with you when it is equipped with Calacatta. If one considers the price, it might seem as an initial drawback. Still, when it comes to the satisfaction one gets from it and the years to enjoy, cost is more than justified. It is a permanent piece of the homes personality, a witness to the life stages, a statement, and, most importantly, a thing of lasting beauty. Therefore, fifteen years later, I am still sure that Calacatta is the best choice. Its elegance and sophistication win over the time and difficulty of taking care, surpassing the trends, and remaining the preference for those who appreciate beauty, uniting everyday life and aesthetic satisfaction.
For more information, please visit calacatta quartz slab.