Quartz countertops are engineered stone countertops formed by combining ground quartz with a small amount of resins, polymers, and pigments. This forms a very hard surface. Quartz countertops are extremely durable non-porous, scratch and chip resistant and non-staining. Quartz can give you the high end look of marble or granite with unmatched durability, making it the quintessential “hard and shiny” surface.  Most quartz materials are not engineered to withstand the harsh UV rays of the sun, therefore,  they are not recommended for outdoor applications.