Wood Look Solid Surface Slabs

Average(in US market):

Basic Quartz Slab Prices: $215 to $230

Best Quartz Slab Prices: $302 to $330

Engineered quartz is hard, dense, nonporous, nonabrasive, and nonreactive to acids—attributes that make it perfect for use as countertops, backsplashes, walls, and even floors. Keep in mind that, like natural stone, it’s heavy. And it’s not recommended for use outside because the resins aren’t UV stable (warranties are voided for outdoor applications). In terms of heat resistance, the material is reportedly not affected by temperatures lower than 300 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, it shouldn’t be used as flooring over radiant heat because of possible damage from long-term exposure to heat.

Engineered quartz are easy to clean and maintain. Warm water and soap are recommend for day-to-day cleaning. For a stubborn spill, you can use a nonabrasive cleaner such as Soft Scrub. The polished finish will stay intact with no need for ongoing maintenance other than avoiding abrasive cleaners that could dull the surface. Note that honed surfaces show more fingerprints and other signs of use than other finishes and require more frequent cleaning.

Quartz and granite are priced similarly per square foot, with granite slabs having the wider variation in price. Granite can be more expensive than quartz at times, based on the availability of a color and pattern. Sometimes quartz is more expensive due to the treatments it receives during manufacturing.

The main downsides of quartz countertops are their price, appearance (if you desire the look of natural stone), and lack of resistance against heat damage.

The surface should be streaked with white and show naturally occurring irregularities. Glass made to look like quartz will be smoother and show few, if any, striations or streaks in its surface, with even color distribution that may be pleasing aesthetically but are not characteristic of genuine quartz.

While a quartz countertop is heat resistant, it can be damaged if exposed to too much heat. Since the resin can only withstand approximately 150 degrees, placing very hot materials such as a pan directly out of the oven will burn the countertop and cause permanent damage.