There are many different styles of countertop materials available on the market today; and while the most popular are typically ceramic tile, granite, and laminate, there is another style of countertop that can effectively achieve all that you want from a new kitchen design. A quartz countertop brings a low-maintenance, durable, and beautiful alternative to all who are looking for a stunning new countertop design.

Quartz is a material that is found in great abundance within the earth; in fact, it is only second to water as the most common mineral-based form on the entire planet. Found to be effective and durable in a number of common home applications, quartz is now widely used in this capacity.

The quartz countertop is typically comprised of 100% quartz; the result is a countertop that holds up incredibly well under any kitchen conditions. Such countertops are heat resistant and hold up extremely well against scratches, stains, and impact. They are relatively low maintenance and provide an excellent workspace for cooks.

However, it is important to be on the lookout for those countertops that claim to be fully quartz comprised but that actually contain other material as well. Any additional material used in the making of the countertop can actually compromise the integrity of the quartz, rendering the countertops porous and therefore highly vulnerable to stains and scratches.

The quartz countertop is made from raw quartz crystals that are selected for their size and strength and then ground together. Once the quartz crystals are sufficiently ground, they are mixed with bonding agents before being heated and compacted to form an impenetrable surface.

The colors that we are attracted to when we pick our countertop are actually added within this process of grounding the quartz crystals. Color pigments are added to the mixture of bonding agents and ground quartz to form a beautiful palette that will suit any kitchen design.

Ultimately, the quartz countertop is a solid piece of stone that weighs quite a bit more than granite simply because it was manufactured to be particularly dense. While this is an advantageous characteristic once they are installed, the quartz countertop can be difficult to install for exactly this reason.

A do-it-yourselfer - no matter how motivated - should never attempt to install a quartz countertop unless they have specific experience with handling this particular material. Because this countertop is so strong it is also very heavy and can be dropped and broken if not handled correctly. It is best to leave such an installation to a professional contractor who has experience with quartz.

You can find a quartz countertop at any location where you would purchase a kitchen countertop - from a kitchen design store to a large home improvement retailer. Just be sure to do your homework prior to shopping so that you know how to recognize the real countertops when you see them.