What Is Cambria Brand? Definition & Guide
Understanding what Cambria brand offers helps fabricators and homeowners evaluate their quartz options.
Cambria is the only family-owned, American-made producer of natural quartz surfaces. Based in Le Sueur, Minnesota, Cambria manufactures engineered quartz countertops used in residential kitchens, bathrooms, and commercial spaces. For countertop fabricators, Cambria represents a premium product line that commands higher margins but demands precise fabrication practices.
TL;DR
- Cambria is the sole American-owned and American-made quartz countertop manufacturer
- The company operates from Le Sueur, Minnesota, with over 200 designs in its catalog
- Cambria quartz slabs are nonporous, NSF-certified, and carry a transferable lifetime warranty
- Fabricators typically pay $50-$100+ per square foot wholesale depending on the design
- Cambria requires authorized dealer and fabricator partnerships to sell its products
- The brand uses a proprietary design process that creates unique veining patterns
- Fabricators working with Cambria need accurate templating to avoid costly remakes on premium material
Cambria Brand Overview
Company Background
Cambria was founded in 2000 by the Davis family, which has been in the natural stone business since 1936. Unlike most quartz brands sold in North America - manufactured overseas in China, India, or Turkey - Cambria produces every slab domestically. The company operates multiple manufacturing plants in Minnesota and employs over 2,000 people.
This domestic manufacturing gives Cambria tighter quality control and shorter lead times compared to imported quartz brands. For fabricators, that means more consistent slab thickness, fewer material defects, and better warranty support when issues arise.
Product Composition
Cambria quartz surfaces are engineered from approximately 93% natural quartz mixed with pigments and polymer resins. The resulting material is:
- Nonporous: Does not require sealing, unlike natural granite or marble
- NSF 51 Certified: Food-safe for kitchen applications
- Scratch-resistant: Rates 7 on the Mohs hardness scale
- Stain-resistant: Resists common household chemicals and food stains
| Property | Cambria Quartz | Natural Granite | Natural Marble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porosity | Nonporous | Porous | Highly porous |
| Sealing required | No | Yes (annually) | Yes (frequently) |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 7 | 6-7 | 3-5 |
| Typical cost/sq ft (retail) | $75-$150+ | $40-$100 | $50-$150 |
| Warranty | Lifetime, transferable | Varies by fabricator | Varies by fabricator |
Why Cambria Matters to Fabricators
Premium Pricing and Margins
Cambria sits in the upper tier of the quartz market. Retail prices typically range from $75 to over $150 per square foot installed, depending on the design. For fabricators, this means higher revenue per job - but also higher risk per mistake. A single remake on a Cambria slab can cost $1,500 to $4,000 or more, depending on the design and slab size.
Authorized Dealer Network
Cambria operates through a controlled distribution model. Fabricators must become authorized Cambria partners to purchase and install the product. This authorization process involves meeting quality standards, maintaining proper equipment, and following Cambria's fabrication guidelines.
The benefit for authorized fabricators is reduced competition - not every shop in your area will have access to the same material. The trade-off is that Cambria maintains strict expectations around installation quality.
Design Catalog
Cambria offers over 200 designs organized into five price tiers. The catalog ranges from solid colors and simple patterns to complex, full-slab designs that mimic the look of natural marble or quartzite. Some of the most popular designs include:
- Brittanicca - a marble-inspired design with bold gray veining
- Ironsbridge - warm tones with subtle movement
- Torquay - a Carrara marble alternative
- Ella - soft white with delicate veining
- Blackpool Matte - solid black with a matte finish
Each design has specific veining direction and pattern consistency that fabricators must account for during layout and nesting.
Fabrication Considerations for Cambria
Template Accuracy
Because Cambria slabs are premium-priced, template accuracy is critical. A mismeasured cutout or incorrect edge profile can result in a remake that costs your shop thousands of dollars. Digital templating with tools like the LT-2D3D or Proliner has become standard practice for shops working regularly with Cambria.
AI-powered template verification - like the 3-layer check available through SlabWise - can catch dimension errors, missing cutouts, and incorrect edge specifications before the slab ever reaches the CNC machine. For a $100/sq ft material, that kind of verification pays for itself on the first caught error.
Slab Nesting and Yield
Cambria's directional veining patterns make slab nesting more complex than working with solid-color quartz. Fabricators need to account for vein direction, pattern matching at seams, and bookmatching when specified. Poor nesting on a premium slab wastes material that costs $40-$120 per square foot.
AI slab nesting tools can improve yield by 10-15% compared to manual layout, which translates to significant savings when you're working with high-end Cambria designs.
Edge Profiles
Cambria supports all standard edge profiles, including eased, beveled, bullnose, ogee, and waterfall. The company publishes detailed fabrication guidelines for each edge type, and fabricators are expected to follow these specifications to maintain warranty coverage.
Cambria vs. Other Major Quartz Brands
| Feature | Cambria | Silestone | Caesarstone | MSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country of manufacture | USA | Spain | Israel | Various (China, India) |
| Ownership | Family-owned | Cosentino Group | Public (CSTE) | Private (US-based importer) |
| Number of designs | 200+ | 100+ | 80+ | 150+ |
| Price range (retail/sq ft) | $75-$150+ | $50-$120 | $50-$110 | $35-$80 |
| Warranty | Lifetime, transferable | 25 years | Lifetime (limited) | Varies by product |
| Distribution model | Authorized dealers only | Authorized dealers | Open distribution | Open distribution |
How Fabrication Software Helps with Cambria Jobs
Working with Cambria's premium materials raises the stakes on every fabrication step. Modern shop management platforms help in several ways:
- Template verification catches measurement errors before cutting begins
- Slab nesting optimization maximizes yield on expensive material
- Digital job packets ensure the correct edge profile and design specifications travel with each job
- Customer portals reduce phone calls about order status - shops handling Cambria jobs report that homeowners call more frequently due to higher investment levels
- Quick quoting speeds up estimates for Cambria materials, which have distinct pricing tiers that need accurate calculation
FAQ
What is Cambria quartz made of?
Cambria quartz surfaces are made from approximately 93% natural quartz combined with pigments and polymer resins. The material is manufactured entirely in the United States at facilities in Minnesota.
Where is Cambria manufactured?
Cambria manufactures all of its quartz surfaces in Le Sueur, Minnesota. It is the only quartz countertop brand that is both American-owned and American-made.
How much does Cambria quartz cost?
Cambria quartz typically costs between $75 and $150+ per square foot installed, depending on the design tier. Fabricators pay wholesale prices that vary based on their authorized dealer agreement.
Is Cambria better than granite?
Cambria quartz is nonporous, never needs sealing, and offers consistent coloring - advantages over natural granite. However, granite offers unique natural patterns and can be more affordable. The choice depends on the homeowner's budget and maintenance preferences.
Do you have to be authorized to sell Cambria?
Yes. Cambria operates through an authorized dealer and fabricator network. Shops must meet quality standards and maintain proper equipment to become authorized partners.
Does Cambria quartz stain?
Cambria quartz is highly stain-resistant due to its nonporous surface. Most household spills can be cleaned with soap and water. However, prolonged exposure to certain chemicals can still cause discoloration.
How many Cambria designs are available?
Cambria offers over 200 designs across five price tiers, ranging from solid colors to complex veined patterns that mimic natural marble and quartzite.
Can Cambria quartz be used outdoors?
Cambria does not recommend its quartz surfaces for permanent outdoor installations. Prolonged UV exposure can cause color changes over time, which is not covered under the warranty.
What edge profiles work with Cambria?
Cambria supports all standard edge profiles including eased, beveled, bullnose, ogee, dupont, and waterfall edges. Fabricators should follow Cambria's published fabrication guidelines for each profile.
How does Cambria's warranty work?
Cambria offers a transferable lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects. The warranty requires that the product be installed by an authorized fabricator following Cambria's installation guidelines.
Start Fabricating Smarter
Working with premium brands like Cambria means every template, every cut, and every installation matters. SlabWise helps fabricators protect their margins on high-value jobs with AI-powered template verification, optimized slab nesting, and automated customer communication. Start your 14-day free trial and see how much you can save on your next Cambria project.
Sources
- Cambria USA - Official product catalog and company information
- Natural Stone Institute - Quartz surface fabrication standards
- NSF International - NSF/ANSI 51 certification standards
- Marble Institute of America - Countertop material comparison data
- Kitchen & Bath Business - Premium quartz market pricing analysis
- Fabricators Alliance - Authorized dealer program requirements