The Advantages and Disadvantages of Cambria Quartz Countertops

Kitchens truly are the heart of the home. They are one of the most important factors when buying a house. Kitchens are also one of the few investments in home improvement you're more likely to see a return on. 

Cambria Quartz is a great countertop option that has many added benefits to homeowners other than being beautiful. Below we'll discuss some of the pros and cons Cambria countertops offer. 

Pros

Cambria is natural quartz that’s pure and is also an extremely hard mineral. Cambria Quartz is the beautiful result of a manufacturing process that creates a stone of maximum strength. 

If you're looking to remodel your kitchen there are great reasons to choose Cambria Quartz for your countertops. It's already a very popular choice for those that are remodeling. Though it's not a household name, like Granite or Marble, yet with so many positives it will be soon. 

Durable

As mentioned, Cambria Quartz is extremely hard. This makes for very durable countertops. The surface is very resistant to chips and scratches.

Cambria countertops have a 25-year, or lifetime, warranty. Other popular countertop options, like Granite, only offer a 10-year warranty. 

Customization

There are many great ideas for kitchen remodels. Some of them involve adding a pop of color to your kitchen. Cambria Quartz is perfect for that. It comes in a variety of different color options and patterns.

There are over one hundred different color options of Cambria Quartz to choose from. These include neutrals and pastels, to bright and loud colors that create a beautiful statement piece in any kitchen. 

Some options even mimic natural stone. From the elegant marble look to a full solid color, Cambria Quartz has the style you’re looking for.  

Safe

Many household items emit pollutants in the air of our homes. These volatile organic compounds can negatively impact our health if they're not filtrated properly. It's important to only have household furniture that keeps us safe.

One of the benefits of Cambria countertops is that the GreenGuard Indoor Air Quality has certified Cambria Quartz as a low-emitting product. This means that Cambria Quartz has been recognized as an indoor material that is safe. No need for expensive air filtration or ventilation systems due to the countertops. 

If that's not enough, Cambria countertops have also been certified by NSF International as a safe surface. The non-porous surface it has doesn’t provide a habitat for bacteria, mold, and mildew growth. You can slice and chop vegetables and raw meat with no need for a cutting board.

Cambria Quartz is cleaner than granite and marble countertops that have a porous surface. 

Low Maintenance

Cambria Quartz countertops are also very low maintenance. It is stain-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about those coffee rings or wine spills. Those usually occur in Granite and Marble as the acid corrodes the porous surface in the stone.

Cambria Quartz can easily be cleaned with a small towel or paper towels and warm water if those accidents do happen. Its anti-bacterial surface also means that you don’t have to spend money on cleaning supplies with harsh chemicals.

There is no need to polish or reseal Cambria Quartz every couple of years. Cambria Quartz will maintain its shine throughout its lifetime and look just as new as the day it was installed.

The ease-of-use Cambria Quartz provides homeowners makes it a perfect option for your kitchen remodel.  

Cons

If you're still thinking, should I use Cambria Quartz? Let's discuss some of the cons of this material to better assist your decision-making.

Despite all the positives that Cambria countertops offer, there are some negatives to think about. It’s important to be aware of these so that it does not catch you off guard when you schedule a consultation for your brand new countertops.

Higher Cost

If you’re doing a side-by-side comparison between the price of Granite and Cambria Quartz, you’ll find that Quartz is more expensive. It costs more per square foot than Granite. 

It’s important to note that this higher cost is found initially. The up-front installation cost and the cost per square foot are more expensive but when you factor in the cost of maintenance and repairs, Quartz can actually end up saving you money over its lifetime. 

If you are interested in Cambria Quartz we have accessible options. Explore our different financing options to see what works best for you and your family.

Visible Seams

Cambria Quartz goes through a manufacturing process that creates custom sizes and cuts for countertops. Often this will require that two stones be molded together to form a solid block. 

With this, there is a seam that is left behind. The seam is often very thin and inconspicuous. When kitchen gadgets and utensils are placed, the seams often go unnoticed. 

Seam placement can vary in an effort to hide it more, but there's no way around having them. Cambria Quartz countertops will have visible seams. Especially on lighter and solid-colored countertop options.

Less Heat Resistance

Despite being a very hard surface, which makes it very durable, Quartz is not very heat resistant. Placing a hot pot, baking tray, or hot pan will damage your countertop. You'll need to think twice before quickly placing that hot plate from the microwave down on Cambria countertops. 

Be sure to stock up on hot pads and heat protection to put out hot dishes. Even prolonged exposure to sunlight could cause discoloration and marks. Cambria Quartz is not recommended for outdoor countertops because of this.   

If a particular part of the countertop is exposed to sunlight from a window or entryway, there can be discoloration in that section. 

Considering Cambria Quartz?

Given its durability, safeness, low maintenance, and customization options it is easy to see why more and more homeowners are choosing Cambria Quartz for their kitchen remodel. It's a great option for many kitchen lifestyles. 

As with most countertop materials, it does need to be professionally installed. Contact us today to further explore Cambria Quartz options and receive a free estimate.