Quartz is an important design material in the world of design. It is an engineered material that is available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and finishes, and is growing in popularity due to its strength and durability. It has many applications in the home, but is most commonly utilized as kitchen counter tops. While natural stone requires routine maintenance and resealing, the man-made material of quartz is stain, chip, scratch, and heat resistant, and does not require resealing.
Some well-known brands of quartz that you may recognize include Silestone, Cambria, Caesarstone, and Pentalquartz. All of these brands and others carry manufactured quartz surfaces in a large variety of colors and patterns. While quartz may be a durable and functional surface option, it is not an ideal choice for everyone. It is difficult to replicate the natural veining and pattern that is achieved by true granite or marble, so quartz will not look indistinguishable to natural stone. When it comes to pricing, quartz tends to be 20-40% more expensive than granite, and marble remains slightly more expensive than quartz, depending on the quality of marble. Even so, quartz counter tops require more complicated installation than marble slabs, so the cost of installation tends to minimize the price difference between marble and quartz. While some people favor the look of natural stone, quartz remains a durable, functional option for surfaces in various spaces of the home including kitchens, bathrooms, bars, laundry rooms, and more.
