Quartz surfacing: Review specs for this kitchen countertop, bathroom surfaces and flooring materialQuartz surfacing is an engineered stone composite popular for kitchen and bath vanity countertops. It can also be used for most interior surfaces including bath surrounds and flooring.

Quartz surfacing may well be a byproduct of the competition between the two popular high-end countertop materials--granite and solid surfacing--now popular for topping kitchen cabinets. Quartz surfacing, which is also commonly called engineered stone or quartz composite, has the look and feel of natural stone, but technically is a solid-surfacing material. But unlike conventional solid surfacing materials such as Corian and Avonite, which are made of polyester and/or acrylic, quartz surfacing is composed of 90 percent quartz and 10 percent acrylic or epoxy binder. And since natural quartz is an extremely hard mineral (only diamond, sapphire and topaz are harder), quartz surfacing provides a very durable, nonporous surface highly resistant to stains, scratches and heat. DuPont's Zodiaq, Formica's Crystaline, Cosentino's Silestone, Samsung's Staron, Cambria and CaesarStone are a few of the quartz surfacing brands now available.

Silestone quartz surfacing, Stellar Marine

Quartz Composite Specs
Homebuyers are attracted to quartz surfacing because the material has a depth, clarity and radiance not found in other countertop surfaces. Quartz surfacing is available in slightly fewer colors and patterns than traditional solid surfacing materials, such as Corian, but quartz surfacing is available many more colors and consistent patterns than granite. Most quartz surfacing manufacturers offer about 30 to 60 colors, ranging from mottled white and dark black to rich red and brilliant blue. Many quartz surfacing patterns are dead-on replicas of various granites. Another important quartz surfacing characteristic: Quartz surfacing is less rigid than granite and other types of natural stone, so it's less likely to chip or crack during shipment, fabrication or installation.

Quartz surfacing is more expensive than traditional solid surfacing materials; in most regions countertops made of quartz surfacing are comparable in cost to high-end granite countertops; about $150 to $200 per square foot, installed. And quartz surfacing isn't just for kitchen countertops. Designers and architects are increasingly using this versatile material for bath vanities, desktops, tub and shower surrounds, kitchen backsplashes, wet bars, tabletops, and fireplace surrounds

Dupont Zodiaq solid surfacing in a dramatic bath application

Quartz Surfacing Sizes
Quartz composites are typically available in 3/4- and 1 1/8-inch-thick slabs measuring 52 inches wide by 118 inches long. And like other solid surfacing materials, special tools and techniques are required when working with quartz surfacing material. It's important to hire only experienced, certified fabricators. That's your assurance that he or she has received training in the proper way to cut, seam and install quartz surfacing material. Hiring an uncertified contractor will increase the chances of poor workmanship and, more importantly, void the quartz surfacing material's manufacturer warranty.

Samsung Staron solid surfacing

Ordering Quartz Composites
To prevent construction delays, be sure to order the specific color/pattern of quartz surfacing as early as possible. Also, have the quartz surfacing fabricator arrive as soon as base cabinets are installed, so he or she can make a template for the countertops. Depending on the complexity of the countertop and the fabricator's work schedule, it may take anywhere from three weeks to a couple of months--or longer--for the countertop to be completed.

Additional Resources
American Composites Manufacturers Association
Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association
National Kitchen & Bath Association
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