Quartz Countertops

Today, the trend is towards quartz-based counters, many which use recycled ingredients in their mix. Boasting the best qualities of laminate and stone, quartz began appearing in U.S. homes just a few years after gaining popularity in Europe. This engineered material is actually created through a manufacturing process that mixes approximately 95 percent ground natural quartz with five percent polymer resins. The end result is an almost indestructible material that most manufacturers are willing to back with a warranty…something you will not find with natural stone.

We’ve come a long way since the original Formica countertops were introduced to our kitchens in the 1920’s.  Butcher block and stainless, even marble and zinc were all used in the preparation of meals in kitchens that were more about function and less about looks. In the 1980’s we thought we had finally found the next big thing in countertop material with the introduction of Corian solid surface materials. Remember the advertisement boasting how surface scratches and burns could simply be lightly sanded to disappear?

Over the past fifteen years the demand for natural stone surfaces has caused an increase in the volume of granite, marble, soapstone and the like that have been imported into the country, bringing the price of natural stone counters down, and making them competitive with Corian.

Quartz counters take the appeal of the natural look of stone, and some of the attributes of Corian a step further. The fact that quartz is non-porous means that quartz counters are a more sanitary alternative to natural stone. The surface of quartz counters is not conducive to bacterial growth like a more porous material would be, making them an excellent option for restaurants, hospitals and the like. The periodic resealing required for natural stone is not necessary with quartz as it resists staining or corrosion from cooking oils, liquids and most household cleaning products. However, exposure to excessive heat can compromise the quartz so you should avoid extended exposure to direct heat from pots and pans.

Like natural stone, quartz is sold in slabs. However, quartz slabs are often much larger than those available in stone; making it an excellent choice for those wishing to minimize seams in the kitchen. All the beautiful edge treatments available on granite and marble counters can be applied to quartz as well.

In addition to just being a counter material, quartz is great as a kitchen backsplash, for a virtually seamless look. It is also well suited to use in the bathroom for shower wall panels, tub decks and vanity counters.

Quartz counters come in a wide range of color options, and offer large and small chunks of color as well as complimentary solid colors.  We often use the cool gray tones for clients seeking the concrete look without the maintenance. 

Setting a new benchmark for quartz surfacing products, CaesarStone's innovative recycled range of quartz slabs incorporate 17-42% first quality reclaimed quartz from the fabrication process (post-production recycled) and post-consumer recycled glass and mirrors. Their Mosaici Mini-Collection - containing 42% recycled raw materials - is one of the most successful examples of this eco-friendly trend.

While we have been offering quartz material since its introduction, our designers have pushed the design limits on two recent projects.

One, a stunning contemporary master bathroom, features a freestanding bathtub encased in what looks like a solid block of stone.

In a mid-century modern home’s kitchen update we used contrasting colors quartz to create a bar height section to the island with “waterfalls” that extend to the floor.

Quartz counters lend themselves to a variety of design styles and applications. The latest offerings from CaesarStone, one of the pioneers of quartz-based products, include embossed patterns like black crocodile and white damask showing there is no end to the design possibilities when you mix the best of nature with today’s technology and creativity.

Posted in: Going Green, In the Kitchen