If you're a design-conscious homeowner looking to upgrade your kitchen, consider quartz countertops for a striking new look.
Durable and beautiful with extensive design options, quartz is a popular alternative to granite and marble with many advantages over most other countertop materials.
Here are the 9 top reasons why more and more homeowners and designers choose a quartz countertop for the kitchen or bathroom.
With many new and sophisticated colors and patterns coming to market quartz countertops present style options for every type of kitchen design.
You'll find styles from traditional to rustic, modern to farmhouse, from midnight black counters to go with white cabinets to white quartz countertops to go with dark grey cabinets which is all the rage on TV design shows.
If cohesive style is what you love, then you’ll appreciate the fact that quartz typically has a consistent appearance and color which is controlled during the manufacturing process of quartz (a man-made surface also known as “engineered stone”).
The entire countertop has an even pattern. That's not to say the patterns are boring or basic. They aren't. But you don't have unexpected or unwanted random anomalies.
This is especially noticeable when comparing man-made stone to granite and marble countertops, which have natural veining and lots of movement or changes in the pattern and color.
This predictable pattern can be matched up between two quartz slabs to hide seams very well and let the color and pattern flow.
Do you like to have endless choices when planning your countertop interior design? If so, quartz may be just what you are looking for.
Be prepared to choose from a remarkable variety of colors, patterns, edge designs, and finishes to achieve that perfect look that is just your style.
Although, granite has thousands of different colors you could argue that quartz countertops present a wider range of colors.
Sure you have the standard speckled patterns in earth tones light to dark, but also many organic patterns that feature mottled colors and visual textures, patterns that look like granite and marble with veining, stunning whites and blacks, and even vibrant solid colors like red or blue if you please.
If you’re undertaking a complete kitchen remodel, there’s a perfect quartz countertop color out there.
Ask your kitchen remodeling contractor or designer to help coordinate the quartz color with your cabinets and flooring ideas and then design a backsplash to match.
Or simply install the same quartz you choose as a backsplash.
For instance, arctic white quartz might fit in a country farmhouse style kitchen while dark slate counters are perfect for a sleek, modern setup.
Every kitchen is different, but the wide variety of quartz countertop colors and patterns provide homeowners with virtually limitless options.
Aesthetics and cost matter, but what about functionality? The good news is that quartz countertops are among the most durable and easy-to-maintain countertop materials available.
Quartz is basically impossible to scratch, rare to chip, resistant to stains and heat, and doesn’t require sealing.
Note that some cleaners and chemicals can discolor the pigments within the resin leaving a quartz stain but this is rare.
Just be sure to use natural stone cleaners since quartz is mostly natural stone these cleaners are optimum for cleaning quartz as well.
Quartz countertops from reputable suppliers like Silestone or Zodiac are specifically engineered to last and remain a fixture in your kitchen for decades to come.
Quartz counters are non-toxic, antimicrobial, and non-porous.
This non-porous attribute is why quartz countertops don’t need sealing and are safe from most stains. But again, not stain "proof" which is important to understand so you aren't careless with cleaners thinking quartz can't be damaged.
That’s peace of mind in any busy household where accidents happen daily in the kitchen.
Quartz countertops costs can actually be rather reasonable.
Certainly, other types of countertops can be cheaper, but for the premium level of quality, style, and durability of quartz you can still get a good deal.
Costs, in general, are similar to granite which has a wide range of $45 - $200 per square foot.
Expect to pay around $65-$75 psf on average but quartz countertop costs can be cheaper in many cases so you get top quality without over-extending your budget.
And compared to marble quartz is far less expensive.
If you’re a homeowner looking to remodel your kitchen on a budget (and, really, who isn’t?), you need to consider every dollar spent.
Quartz countertops deliver a big bang for your buck.
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Although, remember that we are talking about generalities. Prices range a lot depending on the specific quartz color and brand you buy, cutouts, edge treatments, finish, etc.
Some varieties of expensive quartz kitchen countertops will cost more than granite.
Note that with recent tariffs imposed on imports some brands of quartz countertops may see a price increase.
Our recommendation: unless you’re looking to just prepare your house for sale, go with what you like even if not the cheapest quartz color option. You will be happier in the long run.
The long-lasting durability, affordability, and allure of this countertop material mean that owners like you will get a fantastic return on investment from purchasing and installing quartz countertops.
When the time to sell does come, you may be surprised to find that these countertops look as stunning as the day they were installed.
Quartz countertops are a high-quality stylish surface considered to be more valuable than most other types of kitchen countertops.
It will make your home much more attractive to potential buyers and far easier to sell when the time comes.
This is especially true if you currently have laminate materials in your kitchen.
The annual cost vs. value report at remodeling.com indicates you can expect an 80%+ return on investment (ROI) when replacing old laminate with a new premium material like quartz countertops.
We’ve already contrasted quartz and granite countertops, but it should be noted that quartz is also a great alternative to marble.
You can find several patterns of quartz that look like marble but without the cost (marble can be expensive) and maintenance drawbacks of the real deal.
The end result is a more affordable and resilient countertop than marble while still giving your kitchen or bathroom the distinctive style that you crave.
The hard truth is that marble isn’t a great fit for kitchens, where many food products will etch the surface and cause dull spots. It is just more troublesome to maintain than quartz or granite.
If you do want to add marble to your home, consider making it a decorative piece in a lesser-used space where it’ll still make an impression, such as your guest bathroom.
Engineered stone countertops are better for the environment than many other types of countertops.
Here’s why: quartz is a common element easily mined throughout the United States. Now mining is not environmentally-friendly but quartz countertops are made using quartz that is already being mined. No quartz is mined just to make quartz countertops.
In addition, most of the top quartz countertop brands like Caesarstone and Cambria are manufactured in North America.
By buying countertops mined and manufactured in North America, you are cutting down significantly on transportation distance and cost, which helps cut your household’s carbon footprint.
Most granite comes from China or Brazil so the environmental cost of transporting is much higher.
Countertops made of quartz have few carbon emissions during construction, making them a “greener” choice for you and your family.
Quartz countertops are made by binding crushed quartz with resins and pigments. Some VOC’s are used during this process and all brands use basically the same method.
However, they tend to have little-to-no impact on indoor air quality, which should help you keep your peace of mind where health matters are concerned.
Of course, mining, manufacturing, and transportation all have a negative impact on the environment. The point is that quartz countertops have less impact than the other most popular surface granite.
Due to the durability, affordability, functionality, and ease of maintenance, quartz countertops perform really well in a wide variety of kitchens.
Now that you know the benefits of quartz countertops, it’s time to find out if they’re right for your home.
Your first stop should be to talk with your kitchen remodeling contractor or designer about specific colors, edge styles, finish options, and costs available from the different quartz countertop manufacturers.
You can then decide if quartz countertops will fit your design and stay within your budget and plans for the rest of your kitchen.
The expert you’re working with can also help you find trusted fabricators and installers in your area.
If you are especially keen on the environmental side of your new countertops, be sure to ask where the engineered stone is being produced.
There’s a lot of variety in the quartz world. Embrace those options, and you will find the countertops—and kitchen—of your dreams ahead.
About the author: Samantha Jones is the countertop and cabinet content specialist at Superior Stone and Cabinet, the to go source for custom and wholesale cabinets in sunny Phoenix, AZ. When not in the office, Samantha really enjoys gourmet cooking and traveling with her pup. She is also an avid reader.