TL;DR
Get home appliances delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A House Beautiful report says designers are increasingly considering quartzite and other materials instead of engineered quartz, citing preferences for natural variation and concerns about quartz’s performance expectations. The report also points to a California production restriction being prepared over silica-related worker health risks, but does not establish a nationwide ban or that quartz is disappearing from kitchens.
Designers interviewed by House Beautiful say some clients are choosing quartzite, granite, soapstone and porcelain instead of engineered quartz, as interest shifts toward natural-looking surfaces and concerns persist about fabrication workers’ exposure to crystalline silica. The report describes a change in design preferences, not a confirmed nationwide phaseout: quartz remains an option, and the timing and scope of the reported California production restriction are not established in the supplied material.
The report cites the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s annual trend report, saying 78% of designers are sourcing quartzite while fewer individuals are selecting quartz. The article does not provide the report’s survey dates, sample size, or a comparison figure for quartz selections, so the statistic indicates sourcing activity but does not quantify a precise decline in quartz use.
Designers describe several reasons behind the shift. Barrett Oswald, an interior designer in New York’s Westchester County, says engineered stone offers durability, consistency and relatively low maintenance, but she finds it lacks the depth, warmth and individuality of natural stone. San Diego designer Kilian Camp says clients may reconsider quartz after learning more about natural stone and seeing slabs in person.
Performance expectations are another factor. Santa Barbara designer Jessica Risko Smith says some clients expect quartz to be “worry-free” and “bulletproof,” an expectation she considers unrealistic. Steven Cooper of Cooper Pacific Kitchens in West Hollywood makes a narrower point: quartz is stain-resistant, not stain-proof. The report also says crystalline silica has been linked to silicosis among workers and that California is reportedly preparing to restrict engineered-quartz production; it gives no official measure, implementation date or regulatory document.
Choosing a Surface Beyond Quartz
Countertops are a costly, disruptive renovation decision, so changing preferences can affect homeowners planning kitchens as well as designers, fabricators and suppliers. The reported movement away from quartz is not simply a switch to one replacement: each material involves different trade-offs in appearance, maintenance, price and durability.
Natural stone appeals to clients who value variation and a surface that can develop patina over time, but it may need more care. For people prioritizing lower maintenance, Risko Smith recommends granite and soapstone. Camp and Cooper point to porcelain slabs as an alternative, including for buyers on a budget, though the source provides no price comparisons or product testing. Readers should treat these recommendations as designers’ views, not a universal ranking of materials.
Products Worth Considering
Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max Air Purifier
Levoit Vital 200S-P Smart Air Purifier for Large Rooms
Philips Hue Festavia Globe Outdoor String Lights, 32 Bulbs, 91 ft
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How Designers Describe the Shift
Engineered quartz became a popular choice because it can offer consistent patterns, durability and relatively low maintenance, according to Oswald’s account in House Beautiful. Designers interviewed for the report say some clients still come to them seeking those practical qualities, but may change their minds after comparing samples or learning how natural stone behaves.
The report contrasts surfaces intended to look consistent with materials that show natural variation. Oswald says clients are increasingly open to imperfections and gradual changes, while Risko Smith argues that small marks can reflect ordinary use rather than a failed countertop. These are observations from the designers quoted; the source does not establish how widespread the shift is across the housing or renovation market.
Health and regulation form a separate part of the story. The article links concerns to crystalline silica exposure during fabrication and reports that California is preparing to ban production of engineered quartz. It describes Camp’s expectation that other regions could take precautions, but that forecast is not evidence of action elsewhere.
““We’ve always felt that quartz lacks the depth, warmth, and individuality of natural stone.””
— Barrett Oswald, interior designer in New York’s Westchester County
The Scope of Any Quartz Phaseout
The source does not identify an enacted California rule, the agency responsible, the proposed text, an effective date or whether any restriction would cover all engineered-quartz production. Its wording is that California is reportedly preparing a production ban, so that should not be presented as a completed or implemented ban. The article also does not document restrictions in other states.
It remains unclear how much countertop purchasing has shifted nationally. The 78% figure concerns designers sourcing quartzite, but the report supplies no baseline, survey methodology or exact measure of fewer quartz selections. Nor does it compare costs, maintenance requirements or durability across the alternatives. Individual product performance can vary, and the quoted designers’ assessments are not a substitute for product specifications or fabrication safety guidance.
Watch for Rules and Market Data
The next concrete developments to watch are an official California announcement or regulatory document clarifying whether a production restriction is proposed, what products it covers and when it could take effect. Any action elsewhere would need to be confirmed by the relevant state or local authorities; Camp’s prediction alone does not establish a broader policy trend.
For homeowners, the report’s practical takeaway is to compare actual slabs and ask suppliers about care, staining, fabrication and installation before choosing a material. Designers cited in the article recommend considering natural stone or porcelain where appropriate, but the best fit depends on a household’s budget, intended use and tolerance for maintenance. The source does not provide a date for a follow-up trend report or further regulatory update.
Key Questions
Is quartz being phased out nationwide?
No nationwide phaseout is confirmed by the supplied report. It describes changing designer preferences and says California is reportedly preparing a production restriction, without confirming its status or details.
What materials are designers recommending instead?
The designers named in the report point to quartzite, marble, granite, soapstone and porcelain. Their suitability varies with budget, appearance preferences and willingness to maintain the surface.
Why are some clients moving away from quartz?
Designers cite a preference for natural variation and patina, as well as concern that buyers may expect quartz to be completely stain-proof or maintenance-free. These are observations from the designers interviewed, not proof that all homeowners are changing preferences.
What does the report say about quartz and worker health?
It raises concerns about crystalline silica exposure during fabrication and reports that California is preparing to restrict engineered-quartz production. The supplied material does not include an official rule or details of its scope and timing.
Source: housebeautiful.com
