That's because quartz countertops have emerged as the new worry-free, elegant alternative to high-maintenance granite for architects, designers and homeowners alike. They're stronger than granite, require no resealing, are highly resistant to scratches and stains, come in a huge variety of colours and soon to be manufactured in Canada.

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. This is why leading brands such as HanStone Quartz surfaces are certified NSF 51 (with the National Sanitation Foundation). HanStone quartz countertops have an aesthetic that can emulate the look of granite, but are also available in unique colours and surface effects not found in natural stone, explained Mark Hanna, President of Montreal-based Leeza Distribution Inc., one of North America's leading distributors of HanStone Fine Quartz Surfaces ( leezadistribution.com). The benefit of quartz is that it doesn't have any of the drawbacks associated with materials such as granite. 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 colours. It is naturally hard and scratch resistant. Most quartz countertops are manufactured with up to 93 percent quartz mixed with 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 alike is HanStone, because it contains a higher quartz content than the norm and includes clear and multiple quartz colours, bringing greater depth, dimension and style to its surfaces.

The popularity and growth of quartz in North America led to one of Korea's largest industrial corporations, Hanwha Living & Creative Corporation, to break ground recently on a new manufacturing and distribution plant in London, Ontario for its Hanwha Surfaces products. The building solidifies Hanwha's presence in North America as one of the leading producers of fine quartz surfaces via its HanStone product line. The new plant promises to boost the local economy while lessening the industry's environmental impact.