7 Things to Know About Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Quartz became the go-to countertop material for kitchen remodels in San Diego and across the country. Durable, non-porous, low-maintenance, and available in dozens of colors and patterns — it made a lot of sense for a lot of homeowners. That picture has gotten more complicated.

California is moving toward banning quartz countertop fabrication due to serious occupational health concerns tied to silica dust. As someone who has been in this business for more than 40 years, I’ve watched material trends come and go. This one is different. I’ve spoken directly with fabricators and followed this issue closely, and our interior design team is already steering clients toward alternatives.

Here are the seven things that have always been true about quartz countertops, plus what every San Diego homeowner needs to know about where this material is headed.

Originally published June 2019. Updated October 2026.

1. Engineered Stone, Not Natural Stone

Quartz countertops are not a naturally quarried material, despite what the name suggests. Many homeowners have difficulty distinguishing quartz from granite visually, but the two are very different. Quartz countertops are an engineered composite made from crushed quartz and polymer resin — roughly 90 to 94 percent quartz by volume, with the resin acting as a binding agent and sealant.

The result is a hybrid between synthetic and natural products. It performs differently from granite and requires different handling at the fabrication stage, which is central to the health concerns described below.

2. Ultra-Durable

Quartz is one of the more durable countertop materials on the market. The engineering process eliminates the inconsistencies found in natural stone, producing a surface that holds up well under normal kitchen use without sacrificing visual appeal. For a kitchen remodel where longevity matters, quartz has historically been a strong performer.

3. Resistant to Heat, Impact, and Scratching

The kitchen is a demanding environment. Quartz handles it well in three key areas:

Heat: Quartz can withstand temperatures up to approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit without warping. Surface scorch marks can often be sanded out, whereas other materials would need full replacement.

Impact: The polymer resin acts as a shock absorber, distributing impact before it reaches the stone. This makes quartz significantly more resistant to cracking than unsealed natural stone.

Scratching: The resin mixed into the crushed quartz resists scratching more effectively than natural stone alone. Knives will dull before the surface shows meaningful damage.

4. Low Maintenance

Unlike granite, quartz does not need to be sealed at installation or resealed over time. It cleans easily with mild soap and water, glass cleaner, degreaser, or nonabrasive surface cleaner. For homeowners who want a countertop that performs well without ongoing upkeep, quartz has been a practical choice.

5. Non-Porous

Natural stone countertops are porous, meaning liquids, particles, and bacteria can penetrate the surface over time. Quartz does not have that problem. The polymer resin fills any microscopic gaps in the material, making it more sanitary and easier to keep clean than most alternatives.

6. Higher Price Point

Quartz sits at the upper end of the countertop price range. It has historically been competitive with granite — sometimes slightly less expensive, sometimes slightly more, depending on color, thickness, and slab source. Laminate and solid-surface options run significantly less. Prices across all materials have increased substantially since 2020 due to supply chain pressures. Get current pricing from your contractor and material supplier before budgeting.

7. Not Suited for Outdoor Use

Quartz performs well indoors but degrades in outdoor environments. Prolonged exposure to sun, wind, and rain reacts unfavorably with the resin, causing surface degradation and warping over time. For outdoor kitchens or countertops in covered outdoor spaces, concrete, stainless steel, or porcelain are better-suited options.

The California Quartz Fabrication Ban: What San Diego Homeowners Need to Know

This is the section that was not part of the original 2019 version of this post, and it is the most important update.

California is moving toward banning the fabrication of engineered quartz countertops due to the silicosis risk created when quartz is cut, ground, and polished. Silica dust released during fabrication causes silicosis, lung cancer, and other serious systemic diseases in workers. The disease is irreversible and, in a number of documented cases, fatal.

I spoke recently with the general manager of a local fabrication shop with 40 years in the business. His view on why a safety law alone will not solve the problem: the laborers do not want to wear respirators, and compliance is not realistic. The only way to cut quartz safely is with full respiratory protection, consistently applied. In a production environment, that has proven very difficult to enforce.

What the ban means for homeowners:

If you already have quartz countertops installed, they are safe. Quartz in its existing, undisturbed state does not release silica dust. The health risk is in fabrication — cutting and grinding the material — not in living with it. Think of it like lead paint: it presents risk when disturbed, not when left intact.

If you are planning a kitchen remodel and considering quartz, the more relevant question is what happens to supply and pricing as the ban takes effect. The likely outcome is upward price pressure on the best natural alternatives — granite, quartzite, and porcelain — as demand shifts away from quartz.

Quartz manufacturers are working to reformulate the product without the silica content that makes it hazardous. Until that work is complete and verified, I agree with California’s direction on this. Safety compliance in a fabrication environment is not a realistic protection when the material itself is the source of harm.

Our approach at Murray Lampert: Our interior designers are already steering clients toward alternatives. We are happy to walk you through the options that perform well, look great, and do not carry this kind of occupational health history.

Best Alternatives to Quartz Countertops

If you are working through a kitchen remodel and want to move away from quartz, here are the materials worth considering:

Porcelain: Extremely durable, heat-resistant, non-porous, and available in large format slabs that can mimic the look of natural stone. One of the strongest alternatives on the market.

Quartzite: A natural stone (not to be confused with engineered quartz) that offers excellent hardness and a distinctive appearance. Requires sealing but is a premium choice for homeowners who want natural stone performance.

Granite: Still a strong performer and widely available in San Diego. Price-competitive with quartz in many cases, and the increased demand from the quartz ban may affect pricing over time.

Soapstone: Dense, non-porous, and heat-resistant. A less common choice but one that has been used in kitchen and laboratory settings for generations. Develops a natural patina over time.

Solid Surface (Corian and similar): Lower price point, seamless installation possible, repairable if scratched or damaged. Not as heat-resistant as stone alternatives but a practical mid-range choice.

If you are planning a kitchen remodel in San Diego and want to talk through countertop options, our team can walk you through what performs best for your specific use case and budget.

Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel has served San Diego homeowners since 1975. CA Lic. #458038. A+ BBB rating since 1976. We specialize in fully permitted kitchen remodels, room additions, whole-home remodels, and ADU construction, all designed in-house by our architectural and interior design team.