Granite is over, and marble? Forget about it. The hottest thing in countertops right now is Quartz (a type of engineered stone). Every magazine, every television show, every top Pinterest pic –  Quartz counters are front and centre. And it’s easy to see why.

Quartz counters are durable

One of the top reasons why Quartz is becoming so popular is that it doesn’t have a lot of the same weaknesses often found in other natural stone surfaces. It won’t scratch, stain or crack, and it can stand up to whatever a busy family or exuberant chef inflicts on it.   While marble is usually still considered the most beautiful stone, the facts that it chips and stains so easily makes it tough to keep it looking pretty.

Quartz is easy to maintain

Some popular counter materials require regular sealing and polishing (granite, marble) while others require regular oiling and even sanding (butcher block). Quartz doesn’t require any of this. All you need to do is wipe it down with a little warm water and mild soap. There’s no need to apply any chemicals or oils.

Quartz can be customized

Since Quartz counters are made from engineered stones it allows for more variety than you would find in other natural stones such as marble and granite. There’s a huge variety of colors available, and you don’t have to worry about unwanted colors or patterns appearing in your chosen piece.

Quartz is safe

What we mean by that is because it’s nonporous and non-absorbent, it won’t draw in moisture from raw or leftover food, which can harbour harmful bacteria.  While you can certainly clean and disinfect other materials, there’s a bit of piece of mind here.

The caveat…

Ok, so there is one area where Quartz falls short. The price. Good quality Quartz ain’t cheap, which is why it’s something we’re coveting rather than running out and purchasing. If you do a Google search you’ll find people stating that it’s anywhere from $50 to $100 per square foot. But truth be told, we’ve seen some for as much as $200 per square foot installed. However, the good news is that if you choose a classic style and neutral color it will last you for a very long time, so the return on investment is great. And if and when you choose to sell your house, it’s bound to impress potential buyers.

So the question is, would you choose Quartz for your kitchen, or is the price just not worth it?

Many thanks to Cambria USA & Cambria Canada for the photos!