Quartz Countertops - The Comprehensive Guide

Quartz countertops are the most popular on the market today. They’ve edged out the former reigning king, granite, as the premium surface of choice for residential and commercial applications alike.

In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about quartz countertops, including why they’re so highly sought-after.

What Are Quartz Countertops?

Pictured: 4001 Fresh Concrete

Quartz countertops are engineered stone surfaces. They combine the best of natural stone with modern manufacturing processes. This results in a surface that’s comparable (and often superior) in beauty to granite and marble while offering greater durability.

How Are Quartz Counters Made?

At Caesarstone, we produce quartz countertops using roughly 90% loose quartz. The rest is resins and pigments. We mix and blend these materials before molding them into slabs of 120 x 57 inches. From there, we apply 100 tons of pressure to the slab via a vacuum and vibration process.

We then cure the slabs, polish them, and check for quality before labeling them appropriately.

This differs drastically from the manufacturing process for natural stone countertops. For these, manufacturers cut large blocks of stone and then cut them into slabs.

This process offers manufacturers less flexibility to change how the natural stone looks or overcome its shortfalls as we at Caesarstone can with quartz.

Quartz Countertops Pros and Cons

Benefits of Quartz Countertops

Greater Versatility

Pictured: 5131 Calacata Nuvo

The resins and pigments that we use to manufacture quartz countertops achieve a number of things. Among the most impressive is the wide range of appearances quartz counters come in.

You can find quartz resembling materials such as porcelain, granite, marble, and concrete. Some of the best quartz countertops, however, come in designs unique to the format itself.

Unmatched Durability

There are certain aspects of other countertop materials that rival quartz. Few materials, for example, compare to granite in terms of heat resistance. Caesarstone countertops, however, are the best for all-around durability.

You see, while granite (and most other stone products, including marble, quartzite, and concrete) is virtually impossible to damage with heat, it falters in one key area: porousness.

Stone countertops stain very easily and require regular resealing. This proves quite costly in the long run.

Caesarstone countertops, on the other hand, require no maintenance. They’re essentially life-proof too, offering more resistance to heat, cracking, chipping, etc, than you’ll ever need for indoor use.

Quartz Kitchen Countertops Increase Home Value

Pictured: 5133 Symphony Grey

Because quartz kitchen countertops are the most desirable on the market, they increase your home’s resale value. This (along with a lack of maintenance requirements) offsets the fact that quartz countertops prices in Canada typically exceed that of most other materials. Homeowners who think long-term value instead of merely upfront costs reap this benefit in spades upon reselling their properties.

They Feel More Inviting

One common complaint people have about natural stone countertops is that they feel hard and cold. This is because materials like granite actively extract heat from their surroundings. This can be quite unpleasant in countries like Canada, which experiences freezing temperatures for much of the year.

One of the key benefits of quartz countertops is that they feel substantial yet not uninvitingly hard or cold.

Downsides of Quartz Countertops

Quartz Countertops Prices Can Be High

It’s no secret that quartz countertop prices exceed those of laminate and a few types of natural stone. But quartz is also better than all other types of countertops. It’s more durable, requires no maintenance, looks better, and retains more value.

In other words, you get what you pay for. Considering this is quartz’s only real downside (which primarily exists if you’re focused on upfront costs), it’s still a no-brainer as far as materials go.

Quartz Countertops Cost

Pictured: 5212 Taj Royale

Quartz countertops cost roughly the same as granite. They start at $40 per square foot at the lower end and can climb beyond $100 per square foot.

All in (materials plus installation) you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000. These quartz countertops prices for Canada are based on current estimates. Visit one of our Caesarstone locations for the most up-to-date information.

Trust Caesarstone for Quartz Countertops In Canada

Truth be told, not all quartz countertops are created equal. Some wholesale quartz is manufactured cheaply using subpar techniques.

At Caesarstone, we produce the highest-quality quartz countertops in Canada. Our surfaces don’t just keep up with kitchen trends — they set them. Our world-class team of designers and engineers is constantly working to create better and bolder surfaces.

Check out our kitchen design tool to start designing with our surfaces today.

Conclusion

Quartz is currently the most popular countertop material in Canada, and for good reason. Quartz surfaces offer greater durability, beauty, value retention, and overall quality. Whether you’re looking for a residential surface or one for commercial purposes, trust us at Caesarstone for all your quartz needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you clean quartz countertops?

To clean quartz countertops, simply use a washcloth, warm water, and non-acidic soap. This combination is perfect for daily cleaning as well as quick removal of spills as they happen.

How do you care for quartz countertops?

Aside from wiping the surface down regularly using non-acidic soap, you don’t really need to do much maintenance with quartz countertops. This differs drastically from natural stone countertops, which require resealing as often as twice annually.

How much do quartz countertops cost?

Quartz countertops cost between $40 and $70 per square foot. This is well worth it when you consider the many benefits of quartz, along with its lack of maintenance requirements.

How do you remove stains from quartz countertops?

If you’ve managed to stain quartz countertops, you’ll be relieved to know that the stain rarely goes beyond surface-deep. Avoid cleaning materials like bleach, nail polish remover, oven cleaner, or drain cleaner. Instead, use a mild detergent.

Is quartz better than granite?

Quartz is certainly better than granite. It offers greater stain resistance and better all-around durability. The key difference, however, is that quartz is not porous. It won’t stain as easily.

Which is more expensive — granite or quartz?

Granite and quartz cost roughly the same.

Can you put a hot pan on a quartz countertop?

We don’t recommend that you place a hot pan on quartz. Its heat resistance is sufficient for day to day normal use but placing a very hot pan on the surface will leave a mark.