Decor trends: Move over granite Quartz now the hot countertop rock

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So you're in the market for a new premium countertop surface and granite seems like the obvious choice, think again. After all of your research you'll probably end up selecting the highest rated and most popular option available - quartz.

Quartz countertops are the new worry-free, elegant alternative to high-maintenance granite. They are stronger than granite, require no resealing, are highly resistant to scratches and stains, and come in a huge variety of colors.

In fact, Consumer Reports Magazine rated quartz as the top performer among countertop materials such as granite, ceramic tile, stainless steel, laminate, marble, limestone and concrete when it came to resisting prime kitchen hazards such as stains, heat and scratches.

According to the recent Freedonia Group Report on countertop industry trends, there has been a definite shift in the marketplace over the last few years as quartz has become the fastest growing market segment in the industry with 13 per cent growth compared to granite's five per cent.

Quartz surfaces are growing in popularity because they have the appearance of natural stone, but unlike granite, these surfaces never need to be sealed. Quartz is a nonporous material, which means it will not promote the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria.

In your research you will most probably stumble upon a popular brand called HanStone. "Quartz countertops have an aesthetic that can emulate the look of granite, but are also available in unique colors and surface effects not found in natural stone," explained

Mark Hanna, President of Leeza Distribution Inc., distributor of HanStone Fine Quartz Surfaces.

"The benefit of quartz is that it doesn't have any of the drawbacks associated with materials such as granite."

Also of great importance, HanStone

is accredited with Greenguard environmental certification.

What is quartz?

Quartz is silicon dioxide and it occurs as individual crystals and fine-grained masses in a large variety of forms, patterns, and colors. It is naturally hard and scratch resistant. Quartz actually ranks a 7.0 on Moh's Hardness Scale, which is used to measure the scratch-resistance of a material. Only diamonds, ranking 10, topaz, and sapphire are harder than quartz.

Most quartz countertops are manufactured with up to 93 percent quartz and seven percent pigments and resins. This prescribed mixture results in a product that is non-porous, exceedingly durable, and more than twice as strong as granite.

The top rated quartz surface in the industry by designers, architects and developers a like is HanStone, because it contains a higher quartz content than the norm and includes clear and multiple quartz colors, bringing greater depth, dimension and style to its surfaces.

Also of great importance HanStone

is accredited with Greenguard environmental certification.

"HanStone's superior quality is clearly evident," added Hanna. "It begins with the natural elegance of quartz, and then uses advanced technology to create a product with dramatic colors, vibrant patterns and a luxurious sheen." Available in 32 colors and patterns, HanStone offers unlimited design flexibility and a beautiful addition to any setting. More information on fine quartz surfaces is available at leezadistribution.com.