Quartz is known for its durability and low maintenance, but the details behind how this type of countertop is made and installed can have a bigger impact than appearance alone. From fabrication and edge profiles to installation and long-term care, each step affects how a quartz surface performs over time. Costs can also vary widely depending on countertop layout, customization, and labor.
Our guide covers what to expect at each stage of the quartz countertop process, from planning and fabrication to installation and long-term care.
Is Quartz Better Than Granite?
The primary ingredient in quartz countertops is ground quartz at about 94%, 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.
How Much Do Quartz Countertops Cost?
According to The Home Depot, quartz countertops cost about $59–$130 per square foot, with an average cost of about $80 per square foot. Costs can vary widely depending on the project scope, material selection, and installation complexity. Factors such as edge profiles, number of cutouts, slab size, and overall layout often have a greater impact on the final price than the material itself.
Fabrication details can also impact final project costs. Custom edge treatments, multiple seams, and intricate cutouts for sinks or appliances can increase labor time and material waste, potentially raising the overall cost.
How Are Quartz Countertops Made?
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. These practical considerations can help you avoid common installation issues and plan your project more effectively.
Key Questions Answered
These practical considerations can help you avoid common installation issues and plan your project more effectively.
DIY or Professional Installation?
Quartz slabs are extremely heavy and require precise cutting, making professional installation the safer choice for most homeowners. Like natural stone, quartz slabs are very heavy, and though the added resins make them more flexible than granite, they can still crack if not properly handled. As This Old House Magazine notes, it’s best to work with certified installers to avoid costly damage during transport and placement.
Where Can You Buy It?
Quartz countertops are available through kitchen and bath showrooms, home centers, and big-box retailers such as The Home Depot, IKEA, and Lowe’s. Visiting a showroom can help you compare full slabs in person, since small samples don’t always reflect how patterns and veining will look once installed.
How Long Do They Last?
Quartz countertops can last for decades with proper care. Most manufacturers offer warranties ranging from 10–15 years to lifetime, but long-term performance also depends on proper installation and avoiding damage from heat or impact.
Is a Quartz Countertop Right for You?
Quartz countertops are known for durability and low maintenance, but they’re not the right fit for every space. Understanding how they perform in daily use can help guide your decision.
Pros
- Low maintenance: No sealing required; routine cleaning with soap and water is usually enough.
- Nonporous surface: Resists stains, odors, and bacteria, making it well suited for busy kitchens.
- Consistent appearance: Engineered patterns make it easier to match slabs and control the final look.
- Design flexibility: Can be fabricated into custom shapes, large slabs, and integrated features.
Cons
- Higher upfront cost: More expensive than some alternatives, especially with custom fabrication.
- Heat sensitivity: Can crack or discolor under extreme or prolonged heat; trivets are recommended.
- Not outdoor-friendly: UV exposure can cause fading or damage over time.
- Less natural variation: More uniform appearance may lack the uniqueness of natural stone.
Quartz Countertops Buying Guide and Timeline
While installation itself is relatively quick, much of the work happens during fabrication, where precise measurements, cutouts, and edge details are completed to ensure a proper fit.
1. Explore Colors and Compare Options
Shop 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.
2. Choose Your Material and Finalize Selections
Pick your brand and color, and schedule a time for a fabricator to visit your home to take measurements and create a template of the tops of your base cabinets. Unless you are keeping the existing fixtures, supply the dimensions for the sink and faucet cutouts, as well as for any drop-in appliances, such as a cooktop.
3. Get Quotes and Place Your Order
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.
4. Wait for Fabrication (About a Week)
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.
5. Get Quotes and Place Your Order
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.
The Finishing Touch
Edge profiles affect both the look of your countertop and the overall cost, with more complex designs requiring additional fabrication time and precision. Just about any edge profile that you can get with stone can be replicated with quartz.
The standard eased edge, slightly rounded to eliminate sharp angles, and the more decorative ogee profile are two of the most popular options. 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.
More complex edge designs, such as chiseled or multi-level profiles, require additional labor and can increase the project’s final cost.
Shown: Desert Limestone with chiseled edge, about $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Quartz Countertops to Suit Every Style
While manufacturers offer a wide range of colors and finishes, choosing the right quartz often comes down to how it will perform in your space, including maintenance, durability, and how visible seams will be. Lighter colors may show less dust and water spots, while darker or more patterned surfaces can better disguise seams and everyday wear.
Relaxed Farmhouse
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
Streamlined Modern
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
Earthy Traditional
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
Timeless Elegance
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.
Prefab Options
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
Bonus: Beyond The Kitchen
You aren’t just limited to using quartz in the kitchen, check out these smart and unique use-cases.
Mix and Match
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
Tub Deck
Unlike marble, quartz won’t be marred by an errant splash of bath oil.
Shown: Blizzard, $65-$85 per sq. ft.; caesarstoneus.com
Laundry Counter
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
Shower Seat
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
Dining Room Server
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
Fireplace Surround
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
Bedside Table
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
