Counter top quartz What are the benefits

Get the high-quality look of stone—without its inconsistent patterns and veins—with engineered quartz kitchen countertops.

The look of quartz, because it is man-made, is more uniform in color and pattern than that of granite. This is often considered a plus for homeowners who enjoy symmetry or who are turned off by the less consistent patterning and veining of granite.

Engineered from a combination of crushed quartz (about 93 percent) and resins and pigments (about 7 percent), quartz countertops are produced in a wide variety of colors; in general, the color palette depends on how coarsely the material is crushed.

Quartz countertops have received less attention. Quartz is an engineered stone; it is not a slab stone like granite or marble, but is a composite of quartz crystals (making up typically 93 percent of the material) bound together by a polymer additive. Quartz is also a component of granite, along with other minerals such as feldspar and mica. Quartz and granite contain varying amounts of uranium, thorium, and potassium, which are naturally radioactive. Uranium and thorium decay to a radioactive gas, radon, which in turn decays to other radionuclides.
With both granite and quartz countertops, we are concerned about two primary ways in which consumers can be exposed to radiation: by inhaling radon gas released when uranium and thorium decay and by exposure to gamma radiation emitted by natural radionuclides. Let's consider the hazards of radon inhalation first.

Quartz countertops differ from granite and marble countertops in one significant way: quartz is an engineered product while the other two are solid stone. The composition of quartz countertops is about 93 percent quartz, a natural material found in abundance in the earth’s crust, and 7 percent binder and color.

The quartz is ground into small particles and then mixed with a polyester resin binder to hold it together and with pigment to give it richer color. Small particles of glass or reflective metallic flakes are added to some designs to achieve a unique look. The result is an attractive, extremely strong slab that is similar in appearance to marble.

In addition to lustrously polished finishes, quartz counter tops are available that duplicate the matte finish of limestone, the textured finish of granite or the gloss of highly polished stone. As an engineered product, they can be produced in far more options than natural stone countertops. When you go shopping for quartz countertops, you’ll find options to fit any design and the color scheme you’re planning.

solid counter top quartz