6 Reasons Quartz is in Decline

6 Reasons Quartz is in Decline

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Thinking about Quartz countertops for your kitchen?  Do your homework before you jump on the bandwagon. While Quartz has been the de facto countertop standard since last year, the tides have quickly turned as a tsunami of industry issues snowballed to cripple the quartz market.

1. CommoditizationWhen China whiffs a lucrative industry that is burdened only by its labor costs, it strikes hard and fast.  As they did with quartz. The resourceful country saw a demand and they started making quartz cheaper and faster and at a larger scale than other mid to low level entrants and quickly took a $25-30 per square foot material and made it $10-15 per square foot.  Demand spiked as major brands were knocked off beautifully by their Asian peers. Prices fell, quartz demand surged and they woke the (arrogantly resting on their laurels) Giant.
2. Questionable manufacturing and ingredientsWith commoditization and price pressure comes the need to cut costs. Many manufacturers use questionable fillers in their quartz slabs, including some ingredients that would not hold up to the elements and were of inferior quality.   Further, to avoid the tariffs, some manufacturers were swapping crushed glass for the quartz, which was a short-lived workaround as that quickly became part of the anti-dumping and countervailing suit.Learn more:
   https://caragreen.com/blog/entry/half-full-or-half-empty-quartz-companies-looking-at-glass-to-fill-their-cof
3. TariffsDespite an already ongoing trade war between the US and China, incurring duties of 10%, then 25%, the quartz industry did not anticipate a further whack at the hands of US-based Cambria.  The Minnesota-based manufacturer got fed up with the price pressure and filed for anti-dumping and countervailing duties due to unfair subsidies and below market prices of Chinese quartz in the US market.  The Commerce Department agreed and thumped Chinese quartz companies with duties in excess of 400% in many cases. Chinese quartz was all but eliminated from the US Market (after some creative loopholes navigated by some companies, that allowed imports to surge during one period before slowing to a trickle.)Get up to speed on the tariff wars:
   http://caragreen.com/blog/entry/terrible-tariffs-and-what-it-means-for-you
   http://caragreen.com/blog/entry/update-quartz-companies-coalesce-calling-out-cambria
   http://caragreen.com/blog/entry/update-trifecta-of-tariffs-take-down-quartz-surfacing
4. AestheticsConsumers are finicky. Long heralded as the 'it' material for its stonelike appearance and cold, glossy feel, consumers are looking for warmer, more colorful materials. While quartz manufacturers have added new color lines, finishes, and aggregate to meet this customer demand, it's beginning to feel less trendy in appearance and more like your grandma raided the sale section at Forever 21.Learn more about design trends here: 
   https://caragreen.com/blog/entry/make-your-mark-in--set-your-own-design-trends
5. Better performing materialsAnd this brings us to our last reason: there are simply more innovative, durable, and aesthetically relevant materials on the market. Take Lapitec sintered stone, a low-silica surfacing material made from 100% minerals. Lapitec is available in 18 colors and 19 textures, including absolute black and absolute white (which is free of silica). Lapitec is extremely durable and is heat and frost-resistant. Then there's Durat ' an entirely customizable colorful solid surface made with up to 28% recycled acrylic. PaperStone is a durable, warm to the touch, silica-free surfacing material made with recycled paper and a proprietary non-toxic phenolic resin that's made in the U.S.A. New IceStone no longer requires sealing and is a good aesthetic alternative to the chunkier quartz on the market.
6. Awareness of Respirable SilicaQuartz is roughly 90-93% crystalline silica content.  When quartz is quarried, cut, or polished for countertops, the crystalline silica creates airborne dust which becomes respirable, hence, respirable silica. Those tiny airborne particles can enter your lungs, creating scar tissue and can cause a number of diseases, including COPD, silicosis and lung cancer. The weakened lung tissue is susceptible to other diseases like tuberculosis. While many engineered stone fabricators are following (and have been following) recently enacted OSHA regulations around the wet cutting of quartz or engineered stone that are meant to protect the workers, those who failed to meet these standards in the past are getting sick. This isn't going to affect the health of your family and home ' but many consumers are now seeking products that protect the health of the planet and the people producing their countertop.Learn more about silicosis: 
   https://caragreen.com/blog/entry/the-dark-crystal-silicosis-quartz-countertops
   https://caragreen.com/blog/entry/silicosis-a-primer-for-the-quartz-stone-industry

    

Without mentioning the plethora of other innovative surfaces in the game, it's clear that the hold quartz has over the Jones households is not as strong as it used to be. Many quartz manufacturers are getting savvy and working to ensure sound practices, transparency, and variability in aesthetics. But consumers are smart. They will research the features they want in their countertop but will also look for products that speak to their values.  If you are choosing a quartz countertop, be sure to research the brands and find a manufacturer that you can trust.

Looking for more quartz alternatives? Check out this handy infographic: http://caragreen.com/blog/entry/the-ultimate-quartz-alternatives-product-guide

Choosing the countertop for your newly remodeled kitchen or bathroom is a lot of fun! However, it's also serious business ' after all, it's a major investment. It's also a commitment that could last 25 years or more, if you choose quartz countertops or another quality option. That's why it's so important to weigh the pros and cons of each option before making that big decision. 

Quartz is one of the most popular choices for today's countertops, as it's a high-quality, luxury material. Unlike other luxury surfaces, quartz is an engineered slab. This opens up a new world of possibilities in form and function! Quartz countertops are tough and durable, and have many characteristics that busy families will appreciate. No material is perfect, though. It's important to consider both the benefits and limitations, so you can be confident you've chosen the right countertop for your lifestyle and taste.

Pro: Consistency in Appearance

Quartz countertops are manufactured surfaces made with real quartz crystals, along with other minerals and pigments, bound together with a resin. Therefore, each piece looks the same. When you choose a quartz countertop, you can be assured that the countertop that is installed in your kitchen or bathroom will look just like the one you saw in the showroom. This isn't the case with natural materials like marble or granite. Patterns and colors, such as the veins in natural marble, can vary considerably between slabs. To get exactly the look you want, you need to go to the slab yard and select the actual piece you wish to buy. Otherwise, the end result could look markedly different than what you had in mind.

Pro: Durability

When you install a quartz countertop, you'll be getting an extremely strong, tough surface material that can stand up to decades of use by your busy family. It's resistant to scratches and chips, and since it's waterproof, it also resists stains and water damage. In fact, this is one of the biggest reasons people choose quartz countertops. They are not completely indestructible ' you should still use cutting boards, wipe up spills quickly, and use trivets to protect against hot pans and dishes. Because of the durability of quartz countertops, manufacturers issue generous warranties against manufacturing defects and damage.

Are you interested in learning more about Quartz Slabs Wholesale? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Fossil Gray Quartz

Pro: Low Maintenance

When selecting a countertop, one of your most important questions should be this: How much work will it take to maintain? Natural stone countertops range in difficulty when it comes to keeping them looking their best, but all need to be sealed on a regular basis. Without sealing, stone countertops are porous and prone to water damage and stains. Quartz doesn't have this problem. It never needs sealing ' it's always waterproof and nonabsorbent. Natural stone countertops also need special cleansers, with a neutral pH, which are formulated specifically for that purpose. With quartz, any nonabrasive, mild cleanser will do. 

Con: Price

Quartz countertops are luxury options. They typically cost more than natural stone countertops. However, the cost of alternatives such as granite or marble varies widely depending on many factors ' its rarity, the distance it travels from the quarry, and its quality just to name a few. When deciding between quartz vs. granite, remember that high-end natural stone can cost much more per square foot than quartz. 

Calacatta Bali Quartz

Con: Contemporary Look

As a modern, manufactured surface, quartz countertops are associated with contemporary styles of décor. They're an ideal match, since they can be manufactured in virtually any color, such as solid black quartz, or with subtle, consistent patterns. If you prefer a traditional or rustic aesthetic for your home, you may lean toward the elegant look of marble, granite, soapstone, or other natural material. Many homeowners prefer the variability of natural stone's veining, coloration, and movement. Keep in mind, however, that quartz countertops are made to authentically resemble natural surfaces like fine Italian marble, allowing you to have the best of both worlds: Elegant looks and super-easy care.

Con: Heat Resistance

In busy kitchens, accidents happen ' like placing a hot pot or pan directly on the countertop surface. For some countertops, such as laminate, that would be a disaster. Quartz countertops are somewhat heat resistant, but at very high temperatures the resins that bind the quartz crystals may discolor. If heat resistance is a top priority for you, a natural stone countertop may be a better choice, although stone surfaces can also be damaged by excessive heat. No matter which countertop you choose, get into the habit of using hot pads and trivets.

Calacatta Karmelo Quartz

Con: Weight

Another drawback to quartz countertops is their weight; they can weigh between 20 to 25 pounds per square foot. For this reason, installation is not a DIY project. It's best left to the pros. Cabinets and even flooring may need additional reinforcement and support to handle the weight of the quartz slab. However, by comparison, natural stone countertops such as granite can weigh just as much, if not more.

Con: Indoor Use Only

Outdoor kitchens and bars have become a popular trend, and it's important to select the right countertop for this purpose. Unfortunately, quartz countertops are recommended for indoor use only. The main reason is that the resins that bind the countertops can fade or discolor in direct sunlight. In fact, this can happen even indoors beside a sunny window. Granite, slate, and other natural stone countertops are a much better fit for your outdoor living spaces.

As you can see, there's a lot to love about quartz countertops, but they aren't an ideal fit for everyone. The price may be on the high side, but the low maintenance and long warranty can make up for it. When considering drawbacks like weight, heat resistance, and appearance, remember that there may not be much difference between quartz countertops and natural stone. Every type of countertop surface has its pros and cons, and only you can decide the one that best fits into your home and your life.

Ready to find your perfect quartz? Chat with us online, visit an MSI showroom, or contact an MSI authorized retailer and start your quartz countertop journey today.

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