Cambria versus Dekton: Understanding Countertops
If you're in the market for new countertops you have likely added quartz to your list of options to consider. Quartz has become the de facto standard for homeowners looking for new countertops. In the last few years quartz has managed to snatch the first place position away from granite. While granite is bold and filled with colour and pattern the pendulum has swung to the other side where quartz is primarily neutral colours with little pattern.
While quartz was gathering momentum we’ve seen Dekton sneak in and offer some competition to quartz. This is a material brought to market by a Spanish multinational company named Consentino. While it’s still new to many homeowners it’s quickly gaining momentum with interior designers, myself included.
If you’re unsure whether you should be replacing your countertops, read this post. If you’re ready to go forward with countertops you might be confused about which product is the best for you. As a designer I’ve done a lot of research and I have personal preferences but I want to share my insight as a professional. If you’re not sure where to start, this is for you.
What Is Quartz?
Quartz is an engineered product made up of 95 per cent ground, natural quartz mixed with 5 per cent polymer resins to hold it together. Quartz has a reputation for being easy to maintain and extremely durable.
What is Dekton?
Dekton is a type of quartz made from quartz, glass and porcelain. It’s also known for its durability and low maintenance properties.
Benefits
Both of these materials are recognized for being leaders in durability when it comes to countertops but what are the real benefits of each?
Quartz
It’s extremely durable and made to last.
It’s not porous and won’t absorb liquids the way some natural stone will.
It is stain resistant but not stain proof. I recommend cleaning messes immediately to avoid issues with staining.
Because they’re non-porous quartz is considered anti-bacterial.
Resistant to heat but can be damaged by intense heat.
Dekton
Known for its exceptional durability.
Dekton is non-porous so no liquids can absorb into it.
Dekton is extremely stain resistant even to products like coffee and wine.
The non-porous nature of the material makes it anti-bacterial.
Heat resistant.
The biggest factor in differentiating Dekton from quartz is that while quartz is scratch-resistant, Dekton is scratch-proof. Yes, you read that correctly. You can’t scratch it even if you try.
Pricing
Of course a big consideration when installing new countertops is the price. So how does quartz compare to Dekton?
They’re essentially the same price with quartz ranging from $55 to $155 per square foot and yes, that does include installation. Dekton ranges from $60 to $150 per square foot installed. These prices will vary depending on the selection you make as well as the complexity of installation.
Maintenance
One of the reasons that these products are so popular is due to their ease of maintenance. It’s easy to maintain the look of both quartz and Dekton with just some simple maintenance.
Both Dekton and quartz can be maintained by regularly cleaning with warm water and a gentle soap cleanser. It’s important not to use any chemicals or harsh cleaners. Neither of these surfaces require sealing or polishing.
They really are the easiest countertops to maintain so if you have a busy family and can’t manage high-maintenance countertops, either of these will work well for you.
Pattern & Colour Options
When granite was the leader in countertops we saw a lot of dark, deep colours along with heavy pattern and graining. Since granite is extracted directly from the earth there are a lot of factors that influence the colour, primarily earth’s minerals. Like all elements of design we tend to see countertops go in and out of fashion. In the last 7 or 8 years we’ve seen the desire for darker colours fade away while neutrals become more popular.
This desire for neutrals created the opening for products like both Dekton and quartz to take over the marketplace. Since they are both man-made products, the colour and pattern is created to suit the current demand.
Dekton is available in white, off-white, tan, brown, gray and black and there are over 60 colours in their catalogue. The patterns they offer mimic the look of natural marble as well as grainy and irregular patterns.
Quartz offers an even wider range of colours although the options will vary with manufacturer. For example, Cambria has over 200 colour options while Caesarstone carries 65 options. When it comes to available patterns, quartz offers a number of veining options that mimic the look of marble and that’s what really put them on the map when marble countertops were the craze amongst homeowners. Aside from just marble patterns, quartz also comes in patterns mimicking stone, concrete or just monochromatic patterns. There is definitely something for everyone.
There is a lot of legwork required when selecting a stone countertop for your own home. Start by asking yourself whether this is a renovation that needs to happen now or can it wait? I’ve written an entire post about where to spend your renovation dollars. Read this before you begin your kitchen renovation.
I always recommend you start by looking on Pinterest to find kitchens that appeal to you. Once you know the range of colours you like you should start to visit the manufacturer or retailers to see the slabs in person. There are so many options and the small stone samples will never show you the entire story. If possible, always visit in person to see the larger slabs available.
Slab Size
There doesn’t tend to be a lot of discrepancy in slab sizing but in case size is an important factor here are the standard sizes offered.
Dekton comes in a few standard sizes but these are the most common:
Standard Large Format: 126" x 56"
Larger Format (some colors): 130 x 64”
PRO TIP - Dekton is thinner than quartz, coming in at only 2cm compared to 3cm for quartz. If you’re using custom cabinets, it's important to let your cabinet maker know what product you will be using because most set their cabinet height using a 3cm default for counter thickness. If using Dekton, they will need to adjust the height.
Quartz slab sizes will vary depending on the manufacturer but here are some of the more popular manufacturers and their sizing:
Cambria Standard Format: 122” x 55.5”
Caesarstone Standard Format: 120” x 56”
Caesarstone Jumbo Slab: 131” x 64”
Warranty
After spending so much on countertops we want to know that there is protection for us if something should go wrong. A warranty is important and you should always inquire about what is covered under warranty and find out how long it lasts.
When it comes to Dekton, Cosentino offers a 25-year warranty once you have registered the product. The warranty covers manufacturers defects but it also covers performance issues when properly installed.
Since quartz is manufactured by a few manufacturers including Caeserstone, Cambria Silestone and HanStone the warranty will be dependent on their terms. For example, Cambria offers a limited lifetime warranty but one of the best parts of their warranty is that it can now be transferred to a new owner. This is an advantage for those wishing to sell a home because the warranty will be passed to the new owners. This isn’t always the case so check before you commit to a particular company if warranty is important to you.
Where to Purchase
When purchasing quartz you’ll find that some manufacturers sell via big box stores while others only use a single fabricator for all their sales. Cambria only sells their product through Floform (the fabricator) whereas Caesarstone can be purchased through specialty retailers as well as Home Depot.
If having a unique pattern and colour is important to you I would advise avoiding any countertops that can be purchased through a large retailer. Those tend to be overused patterns and colours and you’ll likely see the same ones in the homes of your friends and family. In order to maintain a unique look in your home go for a pattern and colour that isn’t available everywhere so that you have something special in your kitchen.
If you live in Canada and you want to find retailers selling Dekton you can check Consentino’s website for a list of their authorized retailers. Some Home Depot locations have started to carry Dekton as well but it will depend on your location.
I hope that helps you get started on gathering the information you need to get started on the search for a new countertop. If you’re undergoing a kitchen renovation and would like some help, reach out to me. I’d love to chat about your project and see how I can help you.
Warm regards,
Adrienne