Quartz Brands to Avoid: A Kitchen Countertop Buyers Guide

When selecting a quartz countertop for your next kitchen remodeling project, there are better places to cut costs, no matter how tight the budget is. Here's why.

If asked to describe your relationship with your home's products, only a few would warrant the term "intimate." Your kitchen counter is one of the few. There's no denying that kitchen countertops are a place to cook, organize, and use for various reasons every day. A quality quartz countertop can bring you and your family years of satisfaction. This association is significant, which helps to explain why, despite their cost, engineered quartz slabs currently outsell granite for kitchen counters in new construction and remodeling projects. But not all quartz is equally pleasing, durable, and safe, which is the issue.

The Composition of Quartz Slabs

Quartz countertops are made from a blend of crushed stone and resin with mineral fiber and color added to enhance beauty and longevity. Homeowners opt for high-quality quartz countertops because of their durability and attractiveness, consistent patterns, color choices, and nearly invisible seams when properly installed. Quarts countertops resist staining. Engineered stone like quartz is antimicrobial and non-porous, with no surface irregularities that could trap bacteria or mold. It doesn't need sealing or waxing. It's worth every penny when you consider the alternatives.

Not All Quartz Countertop Brands Are Created Equally

When shopping for a quartz countertop, it’s important to remember that not all brands adhere to rigorous manufacturing standards. Consumers have reported issues—such as easier chipping or discoloration—particularly with low-cost, uncertified slabs that have high resin content and lack NSF/ANSI 51 food-safety certification. Before purchasing any countertop, look for the Bretonstone® label or check if the brand has a strong warranty, clear manufacturing details, and recognized certifications. Products that don’t meet these criteria could pose durability and quality risks, and you may want to avoid them.

The Importance of Certification

When choosing a quartz countertop, it’s essential to look for certification from reputable organizations such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). NSF certification ensures that the product meets strict standards for public health protection, while ANSI certification guarantees that the product meets rigorous standards for quality and performance. Specifically, look for products that have NSF/ANSI 51 certification, which indicates that the countertop has met the most stringent industry standards for food safety and sanitation. This certification is crucial for ensuring that your quartz countertop is safe for food preparation and meets the highest quality standards.

Look for Bretonstone Technology

A great example of a luxury yet durable engineered quartz countertop is Breton S.p.A. Made in Italy, Breton S.p.A. has a patented process called "Bretonstone," used to make one of the best quartz countertops on the market today. Bretonstone slabs are produced using a technique known as "vibro-compression under vacuum," the heated mix is vibrated and compacted until it's super-hard, super-stable, and super-resistant to scratches, chips, and stains. Many big-name brands, as well as some smaller ones, rely on this technology.

Unfortunately, not all manufacturers use Bretonstone's technology, and not all products meet food safety standards. These facts were realized a few years back when the US market was inundated with quartz countertops imported from China.

Quartz Brands to Avoid

While defamation rules prevent me from listing specific brand names to avoid, fortunately it's simple enough for you to spot these quartz brands that cut corners. Look for the following warning signs when evaluating a quartz supplier:

1. Avoid Quartz Brands with a High Resin Content

To save money, come manufacturers of counters use a high resin content—from 2% to as much as 30%—and a manufacturing process that doesn't provide enough compaction. The result? Slabs that easily scratched, stained, and, in some cases, melted when exposed to a hot pan.

2. Avoid Quartz Brands That Lack Accreditation

A little-known fact is that quartz countertops must be certified by the American National Standards Institute and NSF International (previously the National Sanitation Foundation) to meet the NSF/ANSI 51 standard for food zone surfaces, allowing for the safe cooking of food on the surface. Another little-known fact about engineered quartz countertops certification is the food zone surfaces need to be certified, not the splash zone surfaces. Unfortunately, some quartz brands exploit this loophole and sell quartz slabs that are destined to become countertops but that don't meet the NSF/ANSI standards. Without these certifications, there is no guarantee that the product meets essential safety and quality standards.

3. Avoid Quartz Brands That Don't Have a Warranty

Another red flag is a manufacturer that does not provide a warranty or has a poor warranty policy. This can indicate a lack of confidence in their product’s durability and quality. Additionally, be cautious of manufacturers that use low-quality materials or have a history of manufacturing defects.

4. Avoid Quartz Brands That Seem Too Good to Be True

The old adage, you get what you pay for is alive and well when it comes to shopping for quartz slabs. Unfortunately, quartz manufactured by little-known, fly-by-night companies sold at a cut-rate price is almost certainly to be of inferior quality. Be wary of big box stores that may offer low-quality products at discounted prices. These products may not provide the same level of durability and performance as those from reputable manufacturers.

Of course, not all inexpensive quartz should be automatically categorized as inferior, but it takes technical knowledge and a good amount of effort to confirm its quality and safety. That makes non-certified quartz products a buyer-beware situation. This is why reputable remodeling companies rely on proven engineered quartz technology manufacturers and why you should, too.

Top Quartz Brands to Consider

When it comes to choosing the best quartz countertops for your kitchen remodel, several popular high-end and midrange brands stand out for their quality and design. Cambria Quartz is a favorite among homeowners and designers, offering a wide range of colors and patterns that mimic the look of natural stone. (Be choosy though, some Cambria patterns have a little too much "movement," at least for my tastes.) Caesarstone is another well-known brand, celebrated for its high-quality products and extensive selection of colors and patterns. Other brands to consider include Compac, Corian Quartz, and HanStone Quartz, each offering their own distinctive styles and benefits.

The Benefits of a Service Warranty

A service warranty is an essential aspect of any quartz countertop purchase. It provides peace of mind and protects your investment in case of manufacturing defects or other issues. Look for manufacturers that offer a comprehensive warranty that covers repairs and replacements for a minimum of 10 years. A service warranty can also provide additional benefits such as maintenance and repair services, which can help extend the life of your quartz countertop. When shopping for a quartz countertop, be sure to ask about the manufacturer’s warranty policy and what is covered under the warranty. A robust warranty ensures that you are protected and that your countertop will remain a beautiful and functional part of your home for years to come.

Exploring a Kitchen Remodel?

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