Quartz
Quartz surfaces have become as popular, if not more popular, than natural stone surfaces in recent years. Quartz slabs are made by combining crushed quartz and other raw materials with a resin to bind everything together. These slabs are very durable, are resistant to staining and scratching, and never need sealing. Quartz countertops are not as heat resistant as their natural stone counterparts, and can fade with prolonged direct sunlight exposure, making them less suitable for outdoor applications.
One significant advantage to quartz countertops is their relative strength compared to natural stone. Whereas a natural stone countertop may require wood corbels or steel brackets to support an overhanging eating bar area, quartz countertops can often be installed ‘free floating’, without any such supports. Different manufacturers offer warranties for varying amounts of unsupported overhang. Check with us for details.
Countertops from slab quartz arrived on the marketplace in the 1990’s. Initially, selection was limited to fairly plain and uniform colors. As manufacturing techniques evolve, manufacturers push the envelope by producing ever more convincing natural stone look-alikes.
We work with the following brands. Click on each link to visit the manufacturers’ websites!