Materials · Quartz
Quartz countertops: the low-upkeep choice, honestly explained.
Quartz is engineered stone: crushed natural quartz bound with resin and pressed into slabs. That makes it consistent and easy to live with, and it comes with a couple of limits worth knowing before you pick it.
Quartz at a glance
- Good at
- Stain resistance, no sealing, consistent color from slab to slab, and clean modern looks including marble-style veining.
- Watch out for
- Direct heat from pans, and long sun exposure, which is why it's an indoor stone in Arizona.
- Best for
- Busy family kitchens, multifamily and commercial kitchens that need to match, and bathrooms you don't want to baby.
- Care
- Soap and water. Skip harsh abrasives and use trivets.
Fabricating quartz
Because every slab of a given quartz color matches, quartz is the easiest material for long runs, big islands with seams, and buildings where every unit should look the same. Seams still need care: we place them where they're least seen and match the pattern direction.
Quartz takes a mitered waterfall edge beautifully, like the cooktop counter here. Compare edge options on the edges page, or see how quartz stacks up against granite.
Questions we get
Is quartz the same as quartzite?
No. Quartz countertops are engineered: crushed stone bound with resin and made to a pattern. Quartzite is a natural stone quarried in slabs. They look alike in photos and behave very differently.
Can I put a hot pan on quartz?
Use a trivet. The resin in quartz can discolor or crack from direct high heat, which is the main tradeoff against granite.
Can quartz go outside?
We don't recommend it for an Arizona outdoor kitchen. Strong sun can fade or yellow the resin over time. Granite is the better outdoor choice.
Does quartz need sealing?
No. It's non-porous, so day-to-day care is soap and water or a gentle cleaner.