In kitchen and bathroom countertops, quartz is a product made of a combination of natural rock, resins, and pigments to make a work surface that is as beautiful and low-maintenance as it is durable.

Where granite is natural by design, quartz is a man-made material that uses both natural and synthetic components to make it stronger and nonporous.

Quartz countertops start with natural quartz crystals mined from the earth. Manufacturers then grind the crystals into dust or aggregate, which they fuse with resins and optional pigments to form a solid, heavy slab. Much like the geologic processes that turn quartz into sedimentary or igneous rocks, this process happens under intense heat and pressure.

One of the most notable benefits of quartz countertops is that they’re easy to clean and generally withstand mild, non-abrasive chemicals. To keep your kitchen countertops clean, use non-bleach dish soap or detergent and a soft cloth or rag. This will keep your countertops clean during daily use.

Quartz countertops are famous for marrying durability and practicality into a single product. Not only are your kitchen’s quartz countertops resistant to stains and scratches, but they also resist bacteria and mildew growth. In other words, quartz kitchen countertops are designed to last a lifetime.

Unlike laminate countertops or wood countertops, quartz is an inherently heat-resisting material. However, this doesn’t mean they’re completely heatproof. Most manufacturers recommend not exposing your countertops to temperatures over 400ºF. 

To prevent heat damage from harming your quartz countertops over time, avoid laying hot pans and pots directly onto your countertops. Use trivets, hot pads, and even coasters to protect the countertop from being permanently burned or damaged.

No. Unlike granite or marble countertops, quartz is nonporous. Therefore, your quartz kitchen countertops will never need to be sealed to keep the stone protected from wear and tear.

DURABILITY
Quartz countertops are well known for their durability—they can withstand small scratches, cracks, chipping, water damage, some stains, and mold in a kitchen setting.

HYGIENE
Because quartz kitchen countertops are nonporous, it’s nearly impossible for bacteria and mold to make themselves at home on your work surfaces. Simply using dish soap and a wet cloth can make your quartz countertop clean enough to use for food preparation.

LESS MAINTENANCE
Unlike granite, marble, or wood countertops, quartz countertops don’t require much maintenance—no resealing, re-laminating, or treatments with wood oil are necessary. Regular cleaning of the countertop is all it takes to keep quartz in good working order.

BEAUTY
Because quartz countertops use crushed stone as their base, they also offer the same natural beauty as granite without the maintenance. Since quartz can incorporate colored pigments and resins, it’s also available in a range of color options, from solid jewel tones to patterns meant to imitate marble and granite.

Quartz countertops are more expensive than laminate but can be as affordable as granite or marble, depending on availability. Here are a few factors to consider when comparing prices:

Square footage: Replacing a countertop that wraps around the entire kitchen will generally be more expensive.

Thickness: The thicker the quartz countertop, the more expensive it will be.

Installation: Quartz countertops are extremely heavy and need to be installed by professionals, requiring labor costs. However, most quartz countertops only take one day for professionals to install.

Material quality: The quality and hardness of the material can differ. Since the stone is mixed with other materials like resin, this can affect the final product and result in something more or less expensive, depending on hardness.

Color/tone: There are many color options available since quartz is an engineered stone. These color options vary in slab consistency and popularity. Some colors are easier to achieve when mixing. The harder it is to create a specific pigment, the more expensive the quartz.