Cambria quartz countertops are a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects. Made from quartz stone resin, these high-quality countertops offer durability, beauty, and easy maintenance. Here is an in-depth look at what makes Cambria quartz countertops an exceptional option for your home.
An Overview of Cambria Quartz
Cambria is a leading American-based producer of natural quartz surfaces for countertops, vanities, walls, and floors. Their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Le Sueur, Minnesota uses the latest technology and equipment to craft beautiful slabs from premium quartz and resin.
Cambria quartz is made from about 93% crushed quartz aggregate combined with approximately 7% polyester and acrylic resins to bind the material together. Quartz provides strength, while the resins give the material its color and pattern. Compared to granite and marble, Cambria quartz is less porous, making it more stain and scratch resistant.
Cambria offers a wide array of unique quartz designs to suit any style. From solid colors to bold patterns, their extensive collection has something for everyone. All patterns run through the entire slab, making the most of the material with minimal waste.
Benefits of Cambria Quartz Countertops
There are many advantages to choosing Cambria quartz for your home:
Aesthetic Appeal
With over 100 gorgeous designs like Brittanicca, Ella, Halcyon, and Windermere, you’re sure to find a Cambria quartz pattern you’ll love. The natural quartz aggregate creates depth and radiance in the material. Cambria patterns make a statement and instantly elevate the look of any space.
Durability
Quartz countertops are extremely strong thanks to the sturdy quartz particles within the slabs. Cambria quartz resists scratches, stains, burns, and chips exceptionally well. The non-porous material won’t harbor bacteria and is easy to disinfect. Cambria quartz can stand up well in busy kitchens and baths for years to come.
Low Maintenance
Keeping Cambria quartz looking like new is effortless. The hard, non-porous surface prevents most spills and stains from absorbing. Quartz requires no sealing or polishing. Simply clean with soap and water to remove dirt and grime. No waxes or stone cleaners are needed.
Customization Options
One of the best features of Cambria quartz is the ability to customize the countertops. Cambria offers a Design Studio program where you can blend multiple colors and patterns to create your own unique look. If you have an existing countertop material in mind, they can match the color.
Quality Craftsmanship
Cambria quartz is made in the USA, and the company stands behind their product with a robust lifetime limited warranty. Their stringent quality control ensures your countertops will be defect-free. Cambria quartz is NSF certified giving you peace of mind that your countertops are safe for food contact.
Eco-Friendly Material
Cambria prioritizes sustainability in their manufacturing practices. Their Le Sueur facility runs on renewable wind-power energy. The company has received certification from the Greener Products and UL Environment organizations for meeting sustainability standards. Choosing quartz made from abundant natural stone over scarce natural materials is an environmentally responsible choice.
How Cambria Quartz Countertops Are Made
Creating Cambria’s signature quartz slabs is a complex process. Here are the steps involved:
1. Raw Material Processing
Cambria imports premium quartz stone from various quarries around the world. The raw quartz is crushed into smaller pieces and sorted by color and grade to meet Cambria’s standards.
2. Blending the Mixture
The sorted quartz aggregates are blended with liquid polyester and acrylic resins and pigments to achieve the desired color and pattern for each design. Multiple layers of colored mixtures are used to create depth within the material.
3. Pressing into Slabs
The blended quartz mixture is poured into molds and pressed under tremendous pressure to compact the material into solid slabs.
4. Curing & Finishing
The pressed slabs are cured at length within a curing oven. Once fully hardened, the slabs are gauged, calibrated, and polished to a smooth, glossy finish. Advanced finishing techniques create distinctive edges like a polished edge or an eased edge.
5. Quality Control
Each Cambria quartz slab undergoes thorough inspection and scanning technology to ensure it meets their strict quality guidelines before leaving the facility.
Picking Your Cambria Quartz Countertop Design
With so many gorgeous options to pick from, selecting your Cambria quartz pattern can be exciting yet challenging. Keep these tips in mind when choosing:
- Consider your overall interior design style and color palette. Look for patterns that will complement your existing finishes.
- Neutral earth tones like creams, grays and soft whites are versatile and on-trend. Bolder colors make a statement.
- Busy granite-look quartz patterns disguise messes in kitchens. Solid colors show less wear in high traffic bathrooms.
- View full-sized samples at a Cambria showroom. Pictures don’t always capture the true depth and colors.
- Quartz patterns and colors are consistent throughout the slabs with minimal variation. What you see is what you get.
Typical Costs of Cambria Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops fall into the premium category of countertop materials, costing more than laminate but less than granite or marble. Here are some typical price ranges:
- Total Installed Cost: $80 – $120 per square foot, including material, fabrication and professional installation
- Cambria Quartz Material Cost: $55 – $75 per square foot
- Fabrication Cost: $15 – $25 per square foot
- Installation Cost: $10 – $20 per square foot
Many factors affect the final price, including:
- Pattern – More complex designs cost slightly more. Popular colors are pricier.
- Edge treatments – Decorative edged like beveled, ogee and eased edges increase costs.
- Thickness – Standard 1 1⁄4” slabs are most common. Thicker materials up to 2” cost more.
- Desired finish – Polished, satin, honed and concrete finishes have different prices.
- Installation complexity – Simple rectangular layouts are most affordable.
Getting an exact quote tailored to your project requirements from a professional countertop fabricator is recommended.
FAQ About Cambria Quartz
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Cambria quartz:
Is Cambria quartz really maintenance free?
For everyday cleaning, Cambria quartz requires no sealing, polishing or special cleaners. But as with any surface, some maintenance is required to keep quartz looking its best long-term. Be sure to use cutting boards and trivets to protect from scratches and heat damage. Clean spills promptly to avoid the possibility of staining. Deep clean the surface periodically to keep the quartz from becoming dull over time.
Does Cambria quartz stain easily?
Quartz is essentially non-porous, so most everyday spills, soils and liquids will sit on top rather than absorbing into the material. However, highly pigmented liquids like wine, coffee and juice can potentially stain if left to soak into the surface for a prolonged time. Prompt cleanup of spills prevents most staining issues.
Can you repair chips or cracks in Cambria quartz?
Minor chips along the edges of a Cambria quartz countertop can often be smoothed and polished out by a professional stone restoration company. However, cracks or major chips in the surface are unable to be repaired. One of the tradeoffs for the superior durability of quartz is that flaws and damages cannot be remedied as they could be in softer natural stone.
Are there any cons to Cambria quartz?
Cambria quartz offers many advantages, but no material is perfect for everyone’s needs. Quartz has a smoother, non-porous surface that lacks the distinctive pits, cracks and graining found in natural stone. The consistent speckled appearance doesn’t appeal to some who prefer the unique markings of granite and marble. Quartz also can’t be refinished or buffed out the way softer stones can. The initial cost of quartz is higher than more budget-friendly options like laminate.
Is Cambria quartz suitable for outdoor kitchen countertops?
Cambria does not recommend their quartz for outdoor installation. Prolonged UV exposure can cause fading or discoloration of the resin coating. The material is also prone to substantial expansion and contraction with temperature fluctuations outdoors. Thermal shock can compromise the structural integrity. Quartz countertops designed specifically for outdoor use are the best option for longevity in outdoor kitchens.
Transform Your Home With Quartz From Cambria
Cambria’s stunning quartz designs can elevate your home and bring your vision to life. Their quality craftsmanship, durability, and vast style selection make their countertops an excellent investment that will provide enjoyment for years and years. Be sure to explore all of Cambria’s quartz patterns and colors to find the perfect fit for your space and make your remodeling dreams a reality.
