Quartz
Many people believe that quartz is a man-made material, but that’s not true. Quartz is a natural mineral composed of silicon and oxygen, and believed to be the most abundant mineral on Earth. The confusion around whether quartz is natural or man-made stems from the fact that quartz, which is the main component in quartz countertops, is a natural mineral, but quartz countertops are engineered by man.
Manufacturers make quartz countertops by grinding natural quartz into dust and combining it with other natural and synthetic materials such as polymers, resins, and pigments. The resins and polymers bind the quartz together, making it hard and durable while pigments are added to give the countertop color. Natural quartz makes up about 90%-93% of the final product.
CaesarStone
Caesarstone offers a Residential Lifetime Warranty that covers the original owner but, unlike Cambria’s warranty, it can be transferred to a new owner. Once transferred, the warranty applies for 10 years prorated from the original date of installation. Like Cambria’s warranty, Caesarstone’s doesn’t cover damage resulting from abuse or outdoor applications. Also, it doesn’t apply if the countertops are used for any commercial purposes
Cambria
Cambria offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty that applies only to the original owner. It does not apply if you buy a house with Cambria quartz already installed. It covers manufacturing defects but doesn’t cover damage resulting from misuse, mishandling, chemical exposure, direct or sustained heat or cold, outdoor installation, or excessive pressure. If you don’t abuse your countertops, they’re guaranteed for life.
Silestone
Silestone offers a 25 Year Warranty guarantees your quartz countertops will be free from manufacturing defects. Their warranty is transferable, and, as long as the original owner completes the Transfer of Ownership Form, the new owner benefits from the same coverage. Like the others, Silestone’s warranty doesn’t cover damage from excessive heat, outdoor use, and any other violation of the standard use and maintenance guidelines.
Pros:
Durable
One of the main reasons people buy quartz countertops is because they are ultra-durable. If you’re looking for a material that won’t crack, scratch, or get chipped easily, quartz is the way to go. When the Italian company Breton invented the process of creating engineered quartz stone in 1963, their goal was to take advantage of the natural abundance of quartz to create a material more durable than stone. Also, they could offer an unlimited variety of designs by adding pigments and other materials during the manufacturing process.
Fortunately, Breton’s vision came to fruition, and today, quartz countertops are one of the most durable surfaces you can have in your home.
On Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which geologists use to measure the hardness and scratch-resistance of minerals from 1 to 10 (10 being the hardest/most scratch resistant), quartz is rated 7 out of 10. For contrast, diamond is rated 10, and marble is typically between 3 and 5.
Just because quartz is durable doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. It’s possible to scratch or chip quartz but, due to its hard composition, the chances of damage occurring from regular, everyday use are minimal.
Stain Resistant
Due to its non-porous composition, quartz countertops are extremely resistant to stains.
Low Maintenance
One of the main reasons people buy quartz countertops is because they require little to no maintenance. All this talk about sealing granite countertops, forget it. With quartz, you never need to worry about sealing and cleaning is a breeze. You simply wipe them with soap and water.
Cons:
Price
If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to consider other materials besides quartz. All the great aspects of quartz—durability, non-porous, ability to custom design—come with a cost.
The price of quartz countertops ranges between $50 and $150 per square foot, including installation, but the actual cost depends on the quality of quartz, manufacturer, style, design, and type of edging.
Susceptible to Heat Damage
Quartz is heat resistant; however, the resin and polymer fillers are not.
Exposing quartz countertops to hot cookware could melt the resins and cause permanent discoloration and damage. White spotting and cloudiness are sure signs of heat damage. Some experts claim quartz can handle up to 300 degrees without damage and while others say they can only handle 150 degrees. The exact temperature threshold depends on the quality and manufacturer. Regardless, to be safe, you should always put a pad or trivet between hot cookware and quartz countertops.
Installation Is Difficult
Installing quartz countertops is not an afternoon DIY project. It requires skilled professionals to measure, level, and secure the slaps to the cabinets or island.
Quartz is more challenging to install because it’s extremely heavy, ranging between 20 and 25 pounds per square foot. Installers need to ensure the foundation is structurally secure and strong enough to handle the mass of the quartz.
Installers also need to carefully position each stab to minimize the visibility of steams. Depending on the pattern and colors, this can be a simple or extremely difficult task
Made for Indoor Use Only
Quartz countertops become discolored with extended exposure to direct sunlight, so if your building an outdoor kitchen, choose another material.
The UV light will fade the pigments and leave your countertops with an unsightly yellow hue.
Even direct UV light through a window can fade the colors over time, so be careful choosing quartz for sun-drenched rooms with large windows.