How to Select Your Quartz Countertop

Selecting your quartz countertops is one of the most crucial elements in your kitchen design plan. Kitchen countertops serve as both a functional workspace and a significant aesthetic feature. With so many materials, styles, and finishes to choose from, selecting the right kitchen countertop can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Cambria has several Galleries and Sales & Distribution Center Showrooms across North America where you can see samples, full slabs, and installations—and where Cambria experts can guide you through the decision-making process, helping you find the perfect countertop for your home.

In order to more broadly share their expertise, we asked West Coast Senior Gallery Manager Michael Carter and East Coast Showroom Manager Jackie Romano about the most frequently asked questions they receive in their respective gallery/showrooms and how they assist clients in choosing their ideal countertops.

Common Questions About Quartz Countertops

Commonly, Carter and Romano are asked, “What is quartz?” Some have even told Carter, “I’ve heard quartz is not natural.” Cambria’s Showroom Managers are happy to explain how quartz countertops are naturally durable, maintenance free, and available in an endless array of designs and colors. And while quartz countertops are often called “engineered” or “man-made,” quartz is actually one of the hardest, most abundant natural elements. “We have mines,” says Carter who explains that Cambria combines high-quality, pure quartz from its mines with small amounts of pigments and binder to create strong, compact slabs with unsurpassed performance.

They are also often asked about the differences between quartz and other stone countertop materials, whether Cambria is stain and heat resistant, and how it should be cleaned. 

Carter says clients are also very interested in knowing where Cambria quartz slabs are made—every slab is made in America, ensuring access is not delayed by overseas shipping. 

This often answers another frequent question, “How long does it take to get a slab?” And although Carter points out that home improvement television shows can fuel unrealistic expectations about how quickly projects can be completed, and that understanding your particular project scope, schedule, and timeline is important, there are no long lead times with Cambria—most slabs are available within a few days.

How to Get Cambria in Your Home

That being said, it’s important to note that Cambria isn’t sold directly to homeowners or interior designers. You cannot go into a Cambria Gallery or Showroom and purchase a slab. Upside—these galleries and showrooms provide access to exploring Cambria’s beautiful slabs in person with unparalleled service from staff in a pleasant, no pressure environment.

Cambria is purchased and installed by professional stone fabricators. Contractors and designers often work with preferred stone fabricators and can place an order for Cambria on your behalf. In some instances, like when a homeowner isn’t working with a contractor or designer and simply wants to replace their countertops, an expert at a Cambria Gallery or Showroom can help with selecting a Cambria quartz design and also connect homeowners with local Cambria retailers for purchase and installation.

See Cambria in Person

Viewing Cambria quartz slabs in person is really helpful in making a design decision for your project. And since there is so much more consistency in quartz than other natural stones, you only need to choose your favorite quartz design and won’t need to choose the exact slab for installation. That high level of consistency in Cambria’s quartz surfaces also means you cannot customize your own quartz slab design—another frequent question that Carter and Romano are asked.

What to Consider When Selecting Your Quartz Countertop

When it comes to selecting a quartz countertop design, Carter and Romano have their own set of questions they like to ask:

Carter likes to ask exploratory questions to help guide clients to a quartz design they’ll love. Questions like, “Do you want your countertops to be a showpiece with lots of bold design elements like veining or color? Or do you prefer more understated countertops that are mostly white or neutral?” He might ask to see pictures of your current kitchen. “If you want to change it, pictures will show me what you don’t like or are tired of,” says Carter.

How Often Do You Remodel?

He’s also curious about how often someone likes to update their kitchen design. While some have the resources and desire to refresh their kitchens every few years, Carter says, “If someone is hoping to create a ‘forever kitchen,’ I advise them not to go over the top in terms of on-trend countertop design so they don’t tire of it in case their tastes change with current styles.”

What Design Elements Should You Consider?

Romano tries to determine if clients prefer quartz designs with an all-over pattern or more of a white quartz design with veining. Then she moves toward tonality, and asks about cabinet color. She helps clients understand that some contrast is good and which quartz designs pair well together. “For people who want white on white, I’ll ask about the color of the floor,” says Romano. “Natural wood flooring can do the job of visually breaking up an all white kitchen. Or sometimes I suggest adding a statement on the backsplash, or to consider paint color and fixtures that will accent an all white space.”

What Countertop Finish Should You Choose?

Romano gets many questions about the difference between matte and polished quartz finishes. She says, “People want to know if there is any difference in maintenance or price for matte. I inform them that all Cambria quartz designs will be high performing, require no maintenance, and come with a transferable Full Lifetime Warranty. But certain finishes can cost more.”

She also gets asked if matte quartz countertops can be later altered to a polished finish. The answer is, “no.” So, it’s important to think through which finish you like best from the start. Romano says, “Some think matte looks more natural or brighter. A polished finish will have more reflection, which could work well depending on the lighting in your space and your desired look. But a lot of light can also cause some glare on polished surfaces.”

Price and Maintenance Considerations 

Another common question for both Carter and Romano is, “How much do quartz countertops cost?” Since Cambria doesn’t sell direct to consumers, you’ll need to have that conversation with your fabricator or your contracted professional. But Romano suggests that price-conscious clients select at least one design from each of Cambria’s different price series to obtain a range for their preferred designs. And it’s simple and convenient to order samples of Cambria quartz designs online.

Lastly, but as important, are questions about Cambria’s warranty. Carter says Cambria’s transferable Full Lifetime Warranty is an especially big selling point. It’s also a plus for homebuyers who purchase a home with previously installed Cambria countertops. He says, “Our technicians will come out and service a Cambria countertop for life. Homeowners who didn’t originally purchase those Cambria countertops become believers when they experience that level of service and will often choose Cambria for their next project.”

Visit a Cambria Location to Find Your Perfect Quartz Countertop

Choosing a kitchen countertop is a significant decision that impacts both the functionality and beauty of your kitchen. Visiting a Cambria Gallery or Showroom is a great step in your kitchen design process. Cambra’s Gallery and Showroom staff can provide valuable expertise, helping you navigate the wide range of options available. From answering common questions about durability and maintenance to offering advice on design integration and budget considerations, our showroom staff is a wonderful resource in the countertop selection process. Visit your local Cambria Gallery or Showroom to get personalized guidance and make an informed, confident choice for your kitchen countertops.