Understanding Warranties for Quartz Countertops

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Warranties are important, especially when it is for significant investments like new quartz countertops. All the top brands of quartz stone have warranties for their products, and that s good. Some offer 15 years, others 25 years, and a couple offer lifetime warranties. These sound fantastic, but you need to understand that these are limited warranties.

Each manufacturer will have slightly different conditions in their warranties, but the terms are very similar. If you look up the published warranties for Silestone, Cambria, Caesarstone, and MSI Stone, the language is pretty clear. But it might be a good idea to discuss some major points they have in common.

The warranty period

In most cases, the warranty period (15-year, 25-year, or lifetime) means just that. There may be a slight difference in terms of when the warranty actually takes effect. For some companies, it starts when you purchase the product. In others, it may be upon installation or upon activation, which a reliable retailer usually takes care of for you.

Transferability

Some warranties are transferable, while others are not. Transferable warranties mean the warranty remains in effect even when the house the product is in changes ownership or is rented out. You will probably see something like “genuine 25-year transferable” or to that effect. However, some companies might specify, “This warranty does not cover any residence where the owner is not the occupant.” This means it will not honor any claim where the original purchaser is not the owner or occupant (in case of a renter) of the house.

This is an important consideration if you plan to sell your house within the warranty period. You will have to disclose to the homebuyer if the warranty is not transferable. Especially if the quartz countertops was a major selling point.

Coverage

Most people would be more concerned about what the warranty covers. And in the case of most limited warranties, this refers solely to defects in manufacturing. The problem is most warranties will not specify exactly what that means, and the company has sole discretionary powers about what constitutes a manufacturing defect.

You might read something like this: “All decisions regarding this warranty are at the sole discretion of {company}. No representative, dealer, salesperson, distributor, fabricator or other persons have the authority to make any warranty or promises on behalf of {company} with respect to the product. If it is determined by {company} that the product failed due to a manufacturing defect, {company} will, at its sole discretion, repair or replace such materials.”

In addition, the warranty only applies if an authorized company provided and installed the quartz countertops. This seems a bit unfair, but in most cases. This is simply to discourage people from improperly installing quartz countertops that might result in damage.

Exclusions

You should pay more attention to what is not covered by the warranty. The wording of the is standard for quartz countertops. Because they all go through the same manufacturing process. So they all have most of the vulnerabilities.

Among the things quartz countertop warranties have in common for exclusions include installing it outdoors, improper use or abuse, damage from mishandling of the product, damage from impact, damage from excessive heat or uneven exposure to weather conditions, physical or chemical abuse and damage from improper care and maintenance.

One company specifies exactly what you can and cannot put on top of the countertops to avoid thermal shock that may result in cracks in the stone. This includes “crock pots, skillets or other hot items placed directly” as well as anything that might cause the quartz countertop to shift.
The warranties will also not process claims for any damage resulting from the transfer, alteration, or removal of quartz countertops.

For the most part, the manufacturer puts a lot of responsibility on the fabricator and installer of quartz countertops, because this is when most of the damage happens. They are also responsible for ensuring that the products are free of defects. They have to check for any visible defects in the slab prior to fabrication and installation and report it to the manufacturer. This is the reason why manufacturers will not sell directly to consumers, and will not cover any product that did not go through an authorized retailer and installer.

Conclusion

The warranties offered by quartz countertop manufacturers aim to protect them from frivolous or fraudulent claims.  At the same time provide their customers with a clear guide for protecting their investment.

As a prospective purchaser of quartz countertops, you need to read and understand the warranties to avoid nasty surprises in the future and manage your expectations. That said, quartz countertops are engineered to last for a long time with reasonable care and use. You should not need to make a claim if you treat your quartz countertops well.

You also need to make sure you deal only with authorized retailers and installers to make sure the warranty will apply to your quartz countertops. Keystone Marble and Granite is your best bet in the areas of Columbus, Ohio, Delaware cities, Lancaster and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We carry the top quartz countertop brands such as Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone, and MSI, all with clear manufacturer warranties.

We have showrooms in Lancaster and Horsham, Pennsylvania as well as New Castle, Delaware and Columbus, Ohio if you prefer natural stones. Also we can walk you through each slab and explain how each can benefit you in your kitchen or bathroom upgrade. Once you have chosen your slabs, we provide free professional design consultation and quotes so you know exactly where you are before committing. We also have a quick turnaround, so you will get your products on time and on budget.

We are experts at fabricating and installing engineered stone, marble, and granite countertops. So you can be confident that you will get the very best in product and service quality. Give us a call or send us an inquiry through our website to set the ball rolling!