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Quartz countertop questions

14 years ago

Starting to plan a kitchen remodel and I'm looking at options and ideas. My husband and I really like the look of the quartz counter tops. First, anybody have and like? I hear overall they're tougher than granite and supposedly less expensive. Is that about right? Also, any comment regarding price and quality between some of the brands? So far I've come across Cambria, Silestone, Ceasarstone, Zodiaq by DuPont, and Viatera from LG all carrying quartz lines. Recommendations? Also, has anyone ever gone through Lowes or Home Depot for this? How do they compare price and install quality from more independent source?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

User

14 years ago

"Tougher than granite" and "cheaper than granite" and "don't need sealing like granite" are myths put out there by the manufacturers of quartz and other solid surface makers.

Many granites are completely bulletproof and never need sealing. Some granites are delicate and quartz is "tougher" than they are, but most are about equal in lack of fragility. Cheaper than granite is the big laugh. Most quartz is actually more expensive than your lower and medium priced granites.

Granite is the way to go for resale value to the masses and if you're looking for an inexpensive yet beautiful solid countertop. If money and resale are no object, then get what you really love, but only after actually comparing them in person. Don't buy into the advertising hype before you actually view them.

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Comments (6)

worthy
14 years ago
We used Zodiaq. Granites come in a vast range of prices. The quartzite composite counters came in above many granites. Quartzite is what gives granite its hardness. Nevertheless, it does chip, surprisingly easily if you drop ceramic cups or even glasses from cabinet height. Don't ask!

Never even considered the box stores. I sourced the granite/quartzite at one speciality supplier who fabricates on-site. The fewer middlemen the better.
baxter01
14 years ago
I have Silestone gotten through HomeDepot. They were great to work with and we love the countertops. The price is now slightly higher than some granite. We love never having to seal it or worry about stains.
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brickeyee
14 years ago
"We love never having to seal it or worry about stains."

Many types of granite do not need sealing and do not stain.

Make sure you use trivets for anything hot on most of the man-made surfaces.

You can take a pan off the stove and put it on granite.
davidro1
14 years ago
hollysprings makes clear that emotions run high.

I can only agree that you go and see.

Read the various manufacturers web sites. All the quartz manufacturers make it clear that sealer must be not used. Sealer doesn't stick, on quartz. Waste of time rubbing it off afterwards (it won't all come off easily). Waste of money too. Fun fun fun.

"Tougher" is an ill-defined word so it will always serve someone's purpose. Quartz is a synthetic, more uniform than any natural material that may (or will) have weaknesses of all kinds.

hth
worthy
14 years ago
Granite is the way to go for resale value to the masses

Sadly so. However not one person in a hundred twigged to the fact that our quartzite wasn't granite.

Many granites are completely bulletproof and never need sealing

In fact, stone industry organizations uniformly recommend sealing granite counters to prevent staining from oils, mustards etc. (Scroll down link.)

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