Quartz becoming the topping of choice
Countertops have become more than just countertops, they have pretty much become the focal point of the kitchen.
With the open concept design of most new homes these days, the countertop is arguably the first aspect noticed when visitors enter the kitchen, which continues to double as the gathering room, the social heart of the home.
Kitchen islands and other countertops tend to get a lot of use and some abuse. Because of the level of activity going on in the kitchen, a growing number of homeowners are turning to quartz as the topping of choice for the countertops in that room.
“Quartz is being used as a spec by builders and/or chosen by home buyers, not only in the kitchen, but throughout the home because of its durability,” says Ryan Costain, sales and marketing manager for Jade Stone Ltd.
Although made from one of earth’s hardest minerals, quartz countertops are engineered in a factory, unlike natural stone slabs, which are mined.
The primary ingredient is ground quartz, which is combined with polyester resins to bind it, and pigments to give it colour. The resins, adds Costain, also help make the quartz counter- tops stain- and scratch-resistant, as well as non-porous. And unlike marble and granite, quartz doesn’t need to be resealed on an annual schedule.
Advancements in manufacturing have given quartz more pizzazz through the creation of randomly patterned multi-hued slabs that are now hard to distinguish from natural materials like granite and marble.
“Quartz is maintenance-free, and is most popular with starter and move-up buyers and has been the market leader for the past three years,” says Costain, estimating that about 65 per cent of Jade’s residential installations are quartz.
That’s despite the fact the marketplace for countertops has become more competitive in recent years, and now includes granite, marble, quartzite, soapstone, recycled glass, rubber, laminate, stainless steel, butcher block wood, and concrete.
Costain says exotic granites continue to be popular for the estate home buyers in Calgary although quartz is making inroads.
“Estate home clients are usually looking for the one-of-akind countertop with the natural stone feel, that’s why granite continues its appeal.
“But quartz is breaking into this segment with new products that mimic the nature look of granite,” Costain says.
More good news, the price of granite is coming down.
“It has come down a lot in price over the last three years. Before then, quartz was a major upgrade, but increased competition in the market and higher demand has decreased the price,” says Costain, adding that the retail cost of quartz is between $65 and $150 per square foot — between granite and marble.