Granite fading in popularity? According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, granite countertops are in less demand today, while the use of quartz is on the rise. Man-made quartz countertops are offered in a far greater range of looks and feels. It’s a bit easier to maintain over the long haul, and it’s deemed a better environmental choice because it emits lower levels of radon—a potentially cancer-causing agent. To be fair, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains the radioactive materials in granite countertops are far too minuscule to pose a health threat.

So, what, exactly, is a quartz countertop? It’s made of engineered stone, composed of at least 90% ground-up quartz mixed with a binder (like resin) then molded into a slab. Unlike granite countertops, which require periodic resealing to maintain their beauty, quartz is low maintenance, needing only regular cleanings with soap and water or a mild detergent.