Stain resistance, durability, and style make quartz a great countertop choice.

Learn more about it with our guide to maintenance, color options, and cost.

Susan Serrais a certified kitchen designer (CKD) in Huntington, New York.

Kitchen with white counter and bar seating

Credit: Helen Norman

Engineered stone is consistently one of themost popular materials in countertop upgradesthanks to its durability and broad style options.

Although quartz is a naturally occurring mineral, quartz kitchen countertops are manufactured.

Unlike natural stone slabs, quartz countertops have a non-porous surface that resists scratches and stains.

kitchen with beige cabinets

Credit: Helen Norman

you could remove most stains on quartz countertops with glass cleaner and a non-abrasive sponge.

Although scorch-resistant, quartz can be damaged by extreme heat.

Always use a trivet or protective pad when placing a hot pot or pan on the countertop.

white kitchen with marble counters

Credit: John Granen

The appearance of the surface depends on the size of the quartz granules.

Remember that styles with large granules might make your countertop look busy.

Even the lightest shades of quartz hold up well when it comes to stain resistance.

Serra recommends letting coffee, oil, and red wine sit on the sample piece overnight.

Quartz slabs are very heavy and difficult to handle, so a professional should almost always do the installation.

Additionally, quartz countertops sometimes chip around edges or corners and can be challenging to repair.

Hiring a professional to fix damaged areas can drive up the overall cost of quartz countertops.