Engineered Quartz Countertops

If you are looking to upgrade your kitchen countertops, there’s a new competitor you shouldn’t overlook. With all the best qualities of both laminate and natural stone, engineered quartz is a gorgeous, durable, and versatile option. Here are some of the features that make it so fabulous:

Quartz CrystalsIt’s not indestructible, but it’s close.

This stuff is strong. Engineered quartz is about 93% ground quartz combined with polyester resin to bind it and pigments for color. Unlike granite, the reigning king of high-end countertops, which is quarried directly from the earth in huge chunks and then cut into slabs, all the flaws of engineered quartz are engineered out. There are no invisible striations waiting to crack open or defects to cut around during manufacturing. Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth. Once ground and mixed with resin binders, it’s durability is unmatched. It’s scratch-resistant and heat-resistant up to 400 degrees F, though sustained heat can cause damage, so always use a trivet.

It’s low-maintenance and antimicrobial.

The resins make it nonporous, so it doesn’t have to sealed or polished – ever. That spilled glass of red wine that could permanently stain other countertops won’t soak in to engineered quartz. That also means bacteria, mold and mildew can’t penetrate the surface. Just wipe with soapy water to clean. Avoid harsh chemicals though. You won’t need them and they could break down the bonds between the quartz and the resins.

It comes in a dazzling array of colors and styles!

Color and design options never before available in stone products are a snap in engineered quartz. Brilliant solids, dramatic patterns, or veining nearly indistinguishable from marble are as available as replicated gloss granite or matte slate look. Engineered quartz can look like just about anything, with more consistent patterns and veins than 100% natural stone. Even opulent gemstones like agate or amethyst can be sliced and added with the resin binders.

The resins make it more flexible than natural stone, so it can be fabricated in a variety of shapes. Graceful curves, crisp bevels or chiseled raw edges can all be replicated precisely to your specifications.

Check out the inspiration galleries at Cambria and Caesarstone for more stunning options, or visit our pinterest board. Your imagination is the only limit!

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