Quartz vs. Quartzite: Know the Difference

Nov 11, 2020

Deciding between quartz and quartzite for your kitchen countertops? Here is a primer on what the major differences are between the two.

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Top 5 Alternatives to Granite Countertops

Sep 22, 2020

“Granite Throughout!”

“Recently Upgraded with Granite!”

“Brand New Granite Countertops!”

Can someone tell realtors that they’re really out of date? Granite was SO 1990, yet here we are 30 years later with a product that needs to be sealed every year, is susceptible to stains, and - guess what - is mined from the earth (which is the stone equivalent of deforestation). We know, we know, there are sustainable natural stone extraction standards now, but in reality, these are very recent and came on the heels of granite becoming commoditized and ubiquitous - or basically, everyone has it and can get it on the cheap.

So, what’s next?

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6 Reasons Quartz is in Decline

Jan 22, 2020

Thinking about Quartz countertops for your kitchen? Do your homework before you jump on the bandwagon. While Quartz has been the de facto countertop standard since last year, the tides have quickly turned as a tsunami of industry issues snowballed to cripple the quartz market.

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Silicosis: a Primer for the Quartz & Stone Industry

Nov 06, 2019

Silicosis has become a hot topic in the stone world of late, and there is a lot of fear and confusion around the issue. It is important that this issue be taken seriously, but also that it be properly understood.

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The Dark Crystal: Silicosis & Quartz Countertops

Oct 02, 2019

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Stronger Things: 11 Reasons to Choose Sintered Stone

Jul 10, 2019

We've spent a lot of time covering the trials and tribulations of the ongoing quartz tariffs saga, and things aren't getting any less complicated. Tariffs continue to skyrocket while manufacturers, designers, and fabricators alike are beginning to feel the impact on their wallets. Meanwhile, the public opinion continues to shift, as trends come and go and consumers grow smarter. They want more out of their surfacing. It's no longer just about price and that perfect veining the Jones family has next door in their too-perfect starter kitchen. It's about health - the health of our families and the health of the workers producing the material. It's about performance. It's time for stronger things.

As all things Stranger Things pervade every corner of the social sphere, we couldn't help but draw parallels between the hit Netflix show and our favorite strong and strange material, Lapitec sintered stone. We think sintered stone is the next material that will turn the surfacing world upside down. As a nod to our favorite telekinetic television teen, here are 11 reasons to choose sintered stone:

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The Ultimate Quartz Alternatives Product Guide

Jul 03, 2019

As the Quartz industry spirals indefinitely out of control, the design world looks for alternatives that are not commodities caught up in a war of trade and arrogance. Simultaneously, countertop fabricators and millworkers alike are looking for materials that are unfettered with cost uncertainty and impending penalties on already installed materials. Companies are scrambling to set up quartz manufacturing here in the US, but the reality is that there are already suitable alternatives here.

We have pulled together a list of some great alternatives to quartz that are beautiful, have exceptional performance and will get you ahead of the surfacing design curve and out of the quartz quandary.

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