Made from one of the hardest minerals on earth, quartz countertops are arguably the most durable option for kitchens. They’re also some of the most eye-catching. They come in a wide variety of colors, including fire-engine red and apple green, as well as earthy browns, blacks, and creams, with sparkles and veining for the look of granite or marble. But unlike natural-stone slabs, which are mined, these slabs are engineered in a factory.
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Their primary ingredient is ground quartz (about 94 percent), combined with polyester resins to bind it and pigments to give it color. For some designs, small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks are added to the mix. The resins also help make these counters stain and scratch resistant—and nonporous, so they never need to be sealed. Compare that with granite, the reigning king of high-end countertops, which typically requires a new protective top coat at least once a year.
In the past, the biggest knock against quartz was that it lacked the patterns and color variations you get with natural stone. But that’s a moot point now, with all the manufacturers offering multihued slabs with enough flecks, swirls, and random patterning to make them almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
They were once available only with a polished finish; now you can get one with a honed, sandblasted, or embossed treatment. So if it’s the look of matte limestone, textured slate, or glossy granite that you want, there’s a quartz countertop for you. Read on for help picking one to match your budget, your cooking and cleaning needs, and your style. We’ll go over the pros and cons of quartz countertops so you can make the best choice.
Expect to pay about the same as you would for natural stone, around $60 to $90 per square foot, including installation.
Natural-quartz crystals are mined, then ground into a dust or an aggregate that’s fused with resin binders under intense heat and pressure to form a solid slab. Pigments added during the process impart color to the countertop.
DIY or hire a pro?
Like natural stone, quartz slabs are very heavy. And though the added resins make them more flexible, they, too, can crack if not properly handled. Work only with certified installers.
Where can you buy it?
Order through kitchen-design showrooms or from home centers and big-box stores, such as The Home Depot, IKEA, and Lowe’s.
How long do they last?
For as long as you have your kitchen. Quartz countertop manufacturers provide warranties ranging from 10 or 15 years to lifetime, depending on the company.
Here are the pros and cons to consider when deciding to go with quartz.
It’s low-maintenance.
Unlike natural stone or wood, it never needs to be sealed. Just wipe with soapy water for daily upkeep. Surface stains can be removed with a gentle cleansing scrub. Avoid scouring pads, which can dull the surface, and harsh chemicals that could break down the bonds between the quartz and resins.
It’s antimicrobial.
Resin binders make quartz counters nonporous, so stain- and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew can’t penetrate the surface.
It’s design-friendly.
Some makers offer jumbo slabs for uninterrupted runs of countertop. But even with standard slabs, typically 60 by 120 inches, the seams can be almost imperceptible; added resins allow cleaner cuts without chipping as stone does. The resins also make quartz more flexible than natural stone, allowing fabricators to bend and shape it into sinks or the sides of a curved island. And it’s versatile enough to be used on floors and walls—fabricators can even cut the slabs into standard tile sizes.
It’s pricey.
Compared with DIY options, such as wood, laminate, and concrete, which can cost less than $10 per square foot, quartz, like granite, is expensive—about $60 to $90 per square foot, including installation. Acrylic solid surfacing, another competing option, costs about $40 to $80 per square foot installed.
It can’t take extreme heat.
Quartz counters are heat and scorch resistant, but only up to a point. Most manufacturers say their products can handle up to 400 degrees F, but a sudden change in temperature or sustained heat from a pan left on the counter may cause the surface to crack. To be safe, always use a trivet or a hot pad.
It can’t weather outdoor use.
Install it outdoors in an uncovered area, and you’ll void the warranty. Direct sun beating down on it day after day can cause colors to fade or the countertop to warp or split over time. Currently, none of the major manufacturers offers an outdoor-approved quartz counter.
iStockShop around to compare colors and prices. Some quartz makers sell exclusively through big-box stores; other slabs are available only through independent kitchen and bath showrooms.
Pick your brand and color, and set up a time for a fabricator to visit your home to take measurements and make a template of the tops of your base cabinets.
Unless you are keeping existing fixtures, you supply the dimensions for the sink and faucet cutouts as well as any drop-in appliances, such as a cooktop.
Get a price quote and place your order. Once the fabricator knows the complexity of the installation, including the edge profile, number of slabs, and cutout details, they can quote the actual cost of the entire job.
Wait, but not too long. Assuming your base cabinets are in and your kitchen is otherwise complete, the fabricator can get the slab from the distributor or direct from the manufacturer and shape it to your specs in about a week.
If you’re using multiple slabs, consider asking the fabricator to get them from the same manufacturing batch to ensure the best possible match.
Schedule the installation. The fabricator lays the slab directly on top of cabinets; in general, no plywood underlayment is required. It’s held in place with silicone-based construction adhesive, and any seams between slabs are filled with color-matched epoxy resin.
Undermount sinks are installed with clips (and sometimes wood braces) that attach to the underside of the countertop. Expect installation for a typical kitchen to take from a few hours to a day.
Brown veining against a sand background. Giallo Michelangelo, Zodiaq by Dupont, about $60-$100 per sq. ft.*
*All prices include installation.
Recycled-glass flecks glisten in a blue-gray base. Calm Springs, Zodiaq by Dupont, about $60-$100 per sq. ft.
Earthy recycled-glass particles add sparkle. Forest Snow, Eco by Cosentino, about $62-$78 per sq. ft.; ecobycosentino.com
Tan watermarks speckle a brown base. Vintage Limestone, Viatera by LG, about $67-$72 per sq. ft.; lgviaterausa.com
Vibrant blue highlighted with translucent particles. Celestial Blue, Zodiaq by Dupont, about $60-$100 per sq. ft.
Small iridescent blue and charcoal flecks. Waterford, Cambria, about $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
Gray striations for the look of Carrara. Tranquility RU613, HanStone, $55-$95 per sq. ft.; hanwhasurfaces.com
Solid turquoise with a contemporary feel. Slice of Ice CW102, HanStone, about $55-$95 per sq. ft.; hanwhasurfaces.com
Reddish-brown lines mimic veining. Ivory Wave MV620, HanStone, about $55-$95 persq. ft.; hanwhasurfaces.com
Black and gray-blue streaks against taupe and cream. Praa Sands, Cambria, about $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
A lively solid. Green Fun, Silestone by Cosentino, about $54-$74 per sq. ft.; silestoneusa.com
Subtle cream veins look nature-inspired. Piatra Grey, Caesarstone, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Granite-like veins and light-reflecting crystals. Canterbury, Cambria, about $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
Metallic flecks impart shine. Chrome, Silestone by Cosentino, about $70-$89 per sq. ft.; silestoneusa.com
Gray-toned particles and swirls on white. Atlantic Salt, Caesarstone, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Thin white lines overlay a jet-black base. Black Knight 1620, Caesarstone, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
A matte-finish warm gray. Altair, Silestone by Cosentino, about $54-$74 per sq. ft.; silestoneusa.com
Copper-colored flecks add depth. Mariposa Buff MV410, Samsung, about $50-$60 per sq. ft.; staron.com
This sandy hue has faint color gradations. Sugar Storm, Viatera, about $67-$72 per sq. ft.; lgviaterausa.com
A granular texture imitates fossil and shell fragments. Natural Limestone, Viatera, about $67-$72 per sq. ft.; lgviaterausa.com
Like a slice of blue mineral chunks. Ocean Palace 1550, Caesarstone, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
It doesn’t get much more luxurious than a semiprecious-stone countertop formed from real slices of colorful quarried crystals, such as agate and amethyst. Added resins work like a glue to bind the gems together into a continuous countertop while also making it stain and scratch resistant. These opulent tops would add a dramatic look to a small kitchen island, a built-in bar, or a powder-room vanity.
Shown: Concetto Collection in Brown Agate, Rose Quartz, and Tiger Eye, about $400 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Just about any edge profile that you can get with stone can be replicated with quartz. The standard eased edge, slightly rounded over so that there aren’t any sharp angles, and the more fanciful ogee, which resembles an S curve on its side, are two of the most popular treatments.
Your fabricator will help you select an edge that suits your kitchen’s style and the countertop’s thickness—typically ½, ¾, or 1¼ inches—and will shape the profile using a template provided by the manufacturer. Fabricators can also do custom designs, such as a chiseled, raw edge (shown) or a gently cascading three-level waterfall-style profile. Keep in mind that the more complex the edge, the higher the cost.
Shown: Desert Limestone with chiseled edge, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
This slate-gray countertop has a muted, lived-in look to match the zinc stools and the weather-beaten-steel pendant light. Open shelves and painted cabinets with bin-pull drawer hardware add to the kitchen’s homey appeal.
Shown: Fieldstone, about $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
A white countertop with subtle gray veining, a glossy finish, and a simple eased edge makes a crisp contrast with the green-painted cabinets and sleek stainless-steel fixtures and appliances.
Shown: Misty Carrera, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Two warm countertop colors complement the stained wood cabinets. A washstand-style curved backsplash behind the range adds a vintage note. On the island, a 5-inch mitered edge profile gives the work surface a chunky, furniture-like look.
Shown: Nottingham (perimeter), and Sussex (island), about $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
A black-and-white color combination is always a classic. Here, the dark countertop pairs with the lighter perimeter cabinets. The contrasting scheme is reversed on the island, where an ogee edge profile adds an extra dose of sophistication.
Similar to shown: Zodiaq Galaxy Black and Cloud White, $60-$100 per sq. ft.
You won’t find ready-made slabs for kitchen counters, but home centers now offer smaller bathroom vanity tops with faucet drillings and undermount-sink cutouts. Expect to pay $350 to $900 for a vanity top, depending on the size and color.
Home-furnishings manufacturers are also catching on to the pluses of quartz. Room & Board offers dining, cocktail, accent, and counter-height tables with five different quartz-top options and a choice of bases.
Get a custom-look vanity for less by wedding a prefab counter (sink included) with a stock cabinet.
Shown: Solieque Bisque Baroque, from $640; homedepot.com
You aren’t just limited to using quartz in the kitchen, check out these smart and unique use-cases.
Mix and match quartz tops and wood bases for an updated farmhouse table.
Shown: Linden walnut table with white quartz top, from $1,700; roomandboard.com
Unlike marble, quartz won’t be marred by an errant splash of bath oil.
Shown: Blizzard, $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Quartz is antimicrobial, so it won’t harbor bacteria from soiled clothes. Just be sure to clean up bleach spills quickly to prevent damage.
Shown: Brentwood, $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
In a fully tiled shower, a corner seat crafted from a quartz remnant means fewer grout lines to keep clean.
Similar to shown: Ultra White, $67-$72 per sq. ft.; lgviaterausa.com
You can stop worrying about red-wine rings; because quartz is nonporous, vino can’t penetrate it.
Similar to shown: Tranquility, about $55-$95 per sq. ft.; hanwhasurfaces.com
Quartz can withstand very high temperatures as long as the heat is indirect. So go ahead and surround your firebox with it.
Shown: Concrete, $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
By topping your nightstand with quartz, you won’t need a coaster to keep morning coffee or tea spills from staining.
Shown: Ashford, $75-$80 per sq. ft.; cambriausa.com
Bathroom countertops are just as important as their brethren in the kitchen because they not only provide a functional work surface but a big piece of the decorating theme as well. A good bathroom countertop is the right blend of aesthetics and durability that’s sufficient to meet the demands of how you live.
Vanity tops (we’ll use bathroom countertops and vanity tops to mean the same throughout this article) aren’t immune from a harsh environment either, particularly in a full bathroom with a shower and/or tub.
First, there’s the moisture to contend with that’s generated from showers. Then there’s all the stuff that’s normally found in a bathroom environment like toiletries and cleaning supplies.
When you think about all the challenges that you’ll throw at your countertops it’s easy to understand that not only should they be beautiful, but durable too.
There are lots of materials to choose from and the first step toward making the right decision is to stop and plan how you’ll use your bathroom. From there it’s a matter of finding the right combination of material, style and budget. Choose wisely and you’ll be rewarded with a countertop that gives you good service for many years.
The first impulse when choosing a bathroom countertop is to get something that looks good. And that’s ok because as was mentioned earlier, they play a big role in the overall look and feel of the space.
But looks aren’t the whole picture because your countertops also serve a functional role. That’s why it’s important to stop and think about a few things other than how snazzy a particular vanity top looks.
The first step in any decision should be to think about how your use your bathroom on a daily basis and whether that will change in the near future. This will help you narrow down your choices to the ones that will make the most sense.
For example, consider the following questions:
Answering these kinds of question ahead of time can help you narrow down the materials that work best for your situation.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Custom Quartz Vanity Tops. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Bathrooms with a lot of traffic or families with children usually means the sink and countertop need cleaning more often. Easily-cleaned and less ‘delicate’ surfaces make sense in these situations.
A bathroom that will be your sanctuary after a hard day’s work might be best outfitted with a custom-designed concrete or glass countertop, just because it makes the space feel a bit more indulgent (practicality doesn’t always have to rule).
Photo Courtesy of the Slab Lab Concrete Studio
And speaking of practicality, here are a few more considerations to think about before you lock in your decision:
From a functional point of view vanity tops and bathroom countertops are essentially one in the same. They perform the same role and are made from the same materials. The only way they differ is in how you buy them and the amount of style options that are available.
Vanity tops are a classification of bath countertops that are pre-made. In other words, you don’t need a fabricator to come into your home, measure your space and custom-fabricate and install your countertop surface. Instead, you can buy vanity tops at home centers and online that will fit various sizes of vanities. For the most part they’re made from the same materials as custom countertops. You just won’t have the same breadth of style choices that you do with a custom installation.
The up-side of vanity tops is that they’re easy to get and install. Some vanities come with a top already included or you can buy just the vanity and shop for the top separately. You can also change the top on an existing vanity.
The point to remember is that it doesn’t matter whether you’re choosing a simple vanity top or a larger bathroom countertop. The range of material choices are similar and what you choose should be compatible with how you’ll use it.
There’s no shortage of countertop materials and your biggest hurdle will probably be narrowing your choice down to just one. You obviously want to get something that looks good but just remember that there are other considerations to think about like ease of maintenance and durability.
To get you started, here’s a list of choices along with their good and not-so-good qualities.
(Note – in most sections below there are links like “Laminate Countertops” that will take you to a more detailed article about that kind of countertop material).
Laminate
Laminate countertops work well in the bathroom because they’re durable, moisture-resistant and they’re offered in more colors and styles than you can shake a hairbrush at. Plus, laminate’s affordable. Laminate is, for lack of a better descriptor, a thin plastic sheet that’s made up of a number of layers of material with the decorative (color/pattern) layer just underneath a transparent wear-resistant coating. The laminate sheet is glued to a substrate material like plywood, particle board or medium density fiberboard (MDF). Laminate is non-porous which helps it resist staining and makes it easy to clean and maintain.
Pros Cons Very affordable, arguably the most economical choiceLots of prefab vanity & pre-made countertops available
Very wide range of patterns and colors available
Easy to clean; a low-maintenance surface
Not immune to edge-chipping and scratchesNot as repairable as other types of ctop materials
Dark-edge seams are visible depending on the type of installation
Long term exposure to high humidity and moisture may cause the material to peel or come unglued (delaminate) from the substrate beneath it (depending on the quality of the bond)
Solid Surface & Cultured Marble/Granite/Onyx
Solid Surface is a form of plastic and makes a good bath countertop because like laminate, it’s impervious to moisture and easy to keep clean. The other benefit is that you can get an integral solid surface sink so there’s no seam or delineation between the edges of the countertop and the sink. There are lots of prefabricated solid surface vanity tops available in the marketplace which makes it convenient for DIY’ers.
Cultured marble and it’s close siblings cultured onyx and cultured granite are similar to solid surface in that they’re a combination of fillers and resins. However they differ from solid surface in that they’re coated with a material called “gelcoat”. This coating provides the base material with a hard, non-porous and shiny protective surface. Cultured marble is used a lot in pre-fab vanity tops although it is available for custom installations by certain fabricators.
Pros Cons Non-porous surface that’s easy to clean and maintainSolid surface and cultured marble are renewable – scratches can be polished out
Available in pre-made vanity top styles
Allows for a seamless integral bathroom sink
Lots of colors and patterns available
Custom installations of solid surface require professional fabricationThese materials are softer than other types of surfacing and can scratch more easily – you don’t want to use abrasive cleaners particularly on surfaces with a high sheen
Both solid surface and cultured marble aren’t heat tolerant (however things like hot pans aren’t usually found in the bathroom)
Natural Stone
Natural stone countertops offer beauty and durability but the key here is to choose the right stone for your particular bathroom’s environment. The bathroom is actually a better location for a marble countertop than the kitchen because the bathroom doesn’t see the same “challenges” as a kitchen does with respect to foods and other substances that can damage that kind of stone. The point to remember is that some stones (more porous and/or calcite-based) need more care and maintenance than other types of stone and other vanity top materials.
Pros Cons Offers a natural beauty that’s hard to duplicateStone is durable and won’t easily scratch or mar, particularly in a bathroom environment
The right type of stone (such as dense granites and soapstone) are virtually non-porous and easy to maintain from a stain-prevention perspective
Pre-fabricated stone vanity tops are readily available for various vanity sizes
Some stones (unless very dense) are porous and need to be sealed for stain protectionStones that are calcite-based (like marble) don’t get along well with acidic substances so certain cleaners need to be avoided with more sensitive stones
Can be more expensive than other surfaces depending on the type of stone used (color, rarity, availability) and whether it’s a custom fabrication/installation or a pre-fab top
Pre-fab stone vanity tops are usually offered only in a limited range of colors/types of stone
Engineered Stone/Quartz
Engineered Stone is a hard surface that’s a marriage of crushed stone/minerals and resins, compressed into into sheets under high pressure. One of the major players in this category is quartz surfacing. The benefit of engineered stone is that it’s non-absorbent (unlike some natural stone) so it doesn’t require any sealing or ongoing maintenance. There are plenty of colors and patterns available too, many that mimic the look of natural stone.
Pros Cons Hard and durable like stone but without the porosity and need for sealingStyles are available that mimic the look of real stone
Wide range of colors/patterns including ‘non-earth tone’ colors like bright red and blue and many shades in between
Available in pre-made vanity top configurations
Can be damaged by highly alkaline or acidic chemicals like drain-clog dissolvers as well as solvents, bleach and abrasive cleansers (the latter can dull the shiny surface)More expensive than other varieties of bathroom countertops
Requires professional installation for situations that aren’t covered by a pre-fab vanity top
Concrete
Photo Courtesy of Andrew Hovde / Hovde Design
Concrete countertops provide a unique and attractive option that offers a lot of room for creativity. They’re usually custom fabricated to fit your vanity or bathroom space and can be made using any color you choose. Since concrete is naturally porous it requires sealing and periodic upkeep to maintain it’s integrity. You can have an integral sink with a concrete bathroom countertop or use it as a conventional countertop with other types of sink installations (undermount, drop-in or vessel).
Pros Cons Unique and attractive appearanceHighly customizable
Can incorporate an integral sink as well as decorative items inlaid into the concrete surface
Usually requires professional fabrication & installation though there are shops that can make a vanity countertop for you that you can installCan be chipped and may form hairline cracks
Requires sealing to protect against moisture and stains
Heavy – requires sufficient support from vanity/base cabinets
Recycled & Composite
Photo Courtesy of Glass Recycled
Composite & Recycled counters are made from recycled and re-used materials like glass and paper that are combined with resins or some form of cement. The materials are amalgamated into sheets and slabs that can then be cut and shaped. The result is a surface that’s smooth, hard and attractive and offers a way to bring some eco-friendly elements into your bathroom. The range of material types in this category varies from resin-based products that are like solid surface to cement-based materials that are more similar to concrete, with similar pro/con qualities.
Pros Cons Hard, durable surface“Green” material due to recycled content and/or eco-friendly fabrication methods
Similar positive qualities as solid surface or engineered stone depending on the specific product you choose (for example, paper-based or recycled glass products)
Recycled glass countertops are offered in a wide range of color selections and custom colors are available from some fabricators
Availability may be limited depending on the specific material you chooseSome cement-based composite materials need to be sealed
Long-term durability is still unknown based on newness of some materials within the marketplace
Tile
Ceramic, porcelain and stone tile is another option and the ceramic and porcelain tiles can usually stand up to just about anything that’s thrown thrown their way. However a tiled bathroom countertop means you’ll have grout lines that can be hard to clean. A tile counter can also contribute to ’tile overload’ if you have tile in other areas of your bathroom. And don’t forget that real stone tile will probably need to be sealed depending on the type of stone the tile is made from (see the stone pros/cons above).
Pros Cons Ceramic/porcelain tiles are very compatible with the moist bathroom environmentWide variety of styles and colors to choose from
Affordable depending on the tile you choose
Stone tiles may require sealing like their monolithic countertop cousinsGrout can discolor and stain over time and requires sealing
Grout lines make it harder to clean and maintain the surface (it’s harder to just “swipe clean” because the grout lines interrupt the smooth surface)
Glass
Glass makes for a durable, stylish and easy-to-clean surface. Glass countertops are non-porous so there’s no need to seal them. They’re available in many forms and colors and can be customized too. Styles range from slim sheets to thicker monolithic slabs. Glass may not be the first material you think of for a countertop material but it’s one that has a lot to offer.
Pros Cons Non-porous and easy to clean and maintainNot sensitive to chemicals like other surfaces – regular glass cleaner or vinegar and water will usually suffice for cleaning
Unique choice for a countertop material
Can be customized with tints and texturing
Can be made with integral sinks
Available in pre-fabricated vanity tops or custom-made with a variety of colors and textures
Can be more expensive than other countertops depending on style and customizationGlass doesn’t hide fingerprints and general bathroom “rash” (spilled toothpaste, etc.) very well because the dirt mars the otherwise clear surface (think about how a dirty mirror looks) unless the glass is textured in some way
Although the glass is typically durable chips and cracks are a potential hazard and are non-repairable
The materials listed above are those that, more or less, have “established” themselves as viable work surfaces for the bathroom environment. However you might ask, “are there any other alternatives?”
There are some other types of materials that can be used and are used for kitchen countertops. But that doesn’t mean they’re suitable for the bathroom.
These types of surfaces may be okay in a powder room that has no bathtub or shower which produces high humidity. Often a powder room isn’t subjected to the same scope of toiletries that you find in a full bathroom either, so the potential for getting messy is limited. If that’s the case then these other types of surfaces might work as a bathroom countertop. Be forewarned however and don’t be surprised if these materials cause you some grief later on.
article courtesy of homestylechoices.com
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