Natural stone has always been a popular choice when designing a kitchen or bathroom, but lately, another material with similar technical characteristics has become a viable option on today’s market. With the durability and refined look of natural stone, engineered quartz has emerged as one of the new “go-to” choices for countertops and tub surrounds alike.
The crystal-like material, which has stain- and scratch-resistant qualities, a flexible nature and uniform color, has recently become a major competitor of natural stones. “Every quartz manufacturer is trying to match Calacatta marble,” said Buddy Ontra, owner of Ontra Stone Concepts in Bridgeport, CT. “Some are better than others. Some have several Calacatta types to choose from.