What Warranty Do Countertops Have?
Quick Answer
Countertop warranties vary by material and manufacturer. Quartz countertops typically come with a 10-25 year (sometimes lifetime) manufacturer warranty. Natural stone like granite and marble usually has a 1-15 year fabricator warranty. The installation itself is generally warranted separately for 1-2 years by the fabricator or installer.
TL;DR
- Quartz brands offer the longest warranties - often 10, 15, 25 years, or lifetime
- Natural stone (granite, marble, quartzite) warranties come from the fabricator, not the stone itself
- Fabricator installation warranties typically cover 1-2 years
- Most warranties do not cover chips, stains, heat damage, or normal wear
- Seam quality and structural integrity are usually the main things covered
- Registering your warranty is often required - do not skip this step
- Keep all receipts, contracts, and warranty documents together
Two Types of Countertop Warranties
Understanding countertop warranties starts with recognizing there are usually two separate warranties in play:
1. Manufacturer / Material Warranty
This covers defects in the material itself - things like:
- Manufacturing defects (inconsistent thickness, structural flaws)
- Color or pattern inconsistencies beyond normal variation
- Premature staining or discoloration under normal use (quartz)
- Cracking not caused by impact or misuse
2. Fabricator / Installation Warranty
This covers the workmanship - specifically:
- Seam quality and integrity
- Proper support and substrate attachment
- Cutout integrity around sinks and cooktops
- Edge profile consistency
- Levelness and fit
These two warranties are independent. A quartz manufacturer like Caesarstone will not cover a poor seam made by a local fabricator, and the fabricator will not cover a manufacturing defect in the slab.
Warranty Coverage by Material
| Material | Typical Warranty Length | Warranty Source | What's Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz | 10-lifetime | Manufacturer | Defects, staining, cracking under normal use |
| Granite | 1-15 years | Fabricator | Sealing, structural issues, seam integrity |
| Marble | 1-10 years | Fabricator | Installation defects, sealing |
| Quartzite | 1-10 years | Fabricator | Installation and structural defects |
| Porcelain | 10-25 years | Manufacturer | Manufacturing defects |
| Laminate | 1-10 years | Manufacturer | Delamination, defects |
| Solid surface | 10-lifetime | Manufacturer | Defects, structural issues |
Quartz Warranty Details by Brand
Quartz countertops carry the strongest warranties in the industry because the material is engineered and consistent. Here is what the major brands offer:
| Brand | Warranty Length | Residential | Commercial | Transferable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caesarstone | Lifetime | Yes | 10 years | Yes |
| Cambria | Lifetime | Yes | 10 years | Yes (with fee) |
| Silestone | 25 years | Yes | No | Yes |
| MSI Q Quartz | 10 years | Yes | Limited | No |
| LG Viatera | 15 years | Yes | No | Yes |
| Hanstone | 15 years | Yes | 5 years | No |
| Pental Quartz | 15 years | Yes | No | Limited |
What Quartz Warranties Actually Cover
Most quartz manufacturer warranties cover:
- Manufacturing defects: Chips, cracks, or discoloration that result from how the slab was made - not from use or abuse
- Staining resistance: Quartz should not stain under normal household conditions (but wine left for 48 hours is not "normal")
- Structural integrity: The slab should not crack or break under normal use with proper support
What Quartz Warranties Do NOT Cover
Read the fine print. Nearly every quartz warranty excludes:
- Heat damage: Setting a hot pan directly on quartz will void the warranty. Quartz resin can scorch or discolor above 300°F.
- Impact damage: Dropping a cast-iron skillet on the edge is not a warranty claim.
- Chemical damage: Harsh chemicals, oven cleaners, paint strippers, and high-pH cleaners can damage quartz and void coverage.
- Outdoor use: Most quartz warranties are void if the countertop is installed outdoors. UV exposure causes yellowing.
- Improper installation: If the fabricator did not follow the manufacturer's installation guidelines, the warranty may be void.
- Seams: Seam appearance and quality are the fabricator's responsibility, not the manufacturer's.
- Normal wear and tear: Minor scratches from daily use are expected, not defective.
Natural Stone Warranty Details
Natural stone - granite, marble, and quartzite - does not come with a manufacturer warranty the way quartz does. The stone is a natural product quarried from the earth; there is no "manufacturer" in the traditional sense.
Instead, your warranty comes from:
The Fabricator
Most reputable fabricators offer a 1-2 year workmanship warranty covering:
- Seam separations
- Improper support causing cracking
- Edge chipping due to fabrication defects
- Installation-related structural failures
Some premium fabricators extend this to 5-15 years, especially if they also handle sealing.
The Sealer
If you have granite or marble sealed, some sealant manufacturers offer their own warranties:
| Sealer Brand | Warranty | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| StoneTech BulletProof | 15 years | Must be professionally applied |
| Tenax Proseal | 10 years | Requires proper surface prep |
| Dry Treat Premium | 15-25 years | Certified applicator required |
What Natural Stone Warranties Do NOT Cover
- Etching: Marble etches from acidic liquids. This is a property of the stone, not a defect.
- Staining from neglect: If you never reseal your granite and it stains, that is maintenance failure.
- Cracking from lack of support: Stone needs proper cabinet or plywood support. Unsupported overhangs over 8-10 inches can crack.
- Color variation: Natural stone varies. Your countertop will not match the showroom sample exactly.
How to Protect Your Warranty
At Purchase and Installation
- Get everything in writing: The warranty terms, material specifications, edge profiles, and slab identification numbers should all be documented.
- Register your warranty: Most quartz brands require online registration within 30-90 days of installation. If you skip this, you may lose coverage.
- Keep receipts: Store the purchase contract, payment receipts, and installer information where you can find them.
- Photograph the installation: Document the finished countertops from multiple angles on install day. This provides a baseline if you need to file a claim later.
- Verify installer certification: Some quartz brands require that the fabricator be an authorized dealer or certified installer. Ask before you hire.
During Daily Use
- Use trivets and hot pads - always
- Use cutting boards - knives dull before they scratch quartz, but they will scratch marble
- Clean with pH-neutral cleaners, not bleach or vinegar
- Reseal granite every 1-2 years (or as recommended by your sealer brand)
- Wipe spills promptly, especially wine, coffee, and citrus on natural stone
Filing a Warranty Claim
If something goes wrong, here is the general process:
- Document the issue: Take clear photos in good lighting. Include close-ups and wide shots.
- Determine whether it is a material defect or installation issue: This determines whether you contact the manufacturer or the fabricator.
- Contact the appropriate party: For quartz, start with the manufacturer. For natural stone, start with the fabricator.
- Provide documentation: Warranty registration confirmation, purchase receipt, photos of the issue.
- Allow inspection: The manufacturer or fabricator will likely send someone to inspect the countertop in person.
- Resolution: If the claim is approved, the company will either repair, replace, or credit the affected area.
Common Claim Outcomes
| Issue | Likely Covered? | Who Handles It |
|---|---|---|
| Seam separation within 1 year | Yes | Fabricator |
| Quartz discoloration (no heat cause) | Yes | Manufacturer |
| Crack at sink cutout | Maybe | Fabricator (if installation-related) |
| Heat ring from hot pot | No | Not covered |
| Etch mark on marble | No | Not covered |
| Chip from dropped object | No | Not covered |
What Fabricators Should Know About Warranty Management
For fabrication shops, warranty claims can be expensive - especially when a recut or replacement is needed. The average cost of a countertop remake runs $1,500-$4,000 including material and labor.
Shops that invest in quality control systems - including template verification, accurate CNC programming, and pre-install checks - see far fewer warranty claims. Software like SlabWise includes template verification with a 3-layer check that catches measurement errors before they become $3,000 problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a lifetime quartz warranty really last a lifetime?
It lasts the lifetime of the original owner's use of the countertop in the original installation location. It does not transfer to a new property or, in some cases, a new homeowner.
Are countertop warranties transferable?
Some are. Caesarstone and Silestone warranties transfer to new homeowners. Others (MSI, Hanstone) do not. Check your specific brand's terms.
What voids a countertop warranty?
Common warranty-voiding actions include: outdoor installation, using harsh chemicals, failing to provide proper structural support, unauthorized repairs, and not registering the warranty.
Do I need to seal granite to keep my warranty?
If your fabricator's warranty requires regular sealing, yes. Most recommend resealing every 1-2 years. Some premium sealers reduce this to every 10-15 years.
Can I repair a chipped countertop myself without voiding the warranty?
DIY repairs with store-bought epoxy kits generally do not void the material warranty, but they may void the fabricator's workmanship warranty if the repair causes further damage.
Is a crack in my new countertop covered by warranty?
If it appeared within the first few weeks and there was no impact or misuse, it is likely a fabrication or material defect and should be covered. Document it immediately and contact your fabricator.
Do home warranties cover countertops?
Most home warranties (American Home Shield, First American, etc.) do not cover countertops. They cover appliances and systems, not surfaces.
How do I register my quartz countertop warranty?
Visit the manufacturer's website and look for a warranty registration page. You will need: purchase date, fabricator name, material name/color, and proof of purchase.
What happens if my fabricator goes out of business?
The manufacturer warranty still applies for quartz. For natural stone, you lose the workmanship warranty. This is why choosing an established fabricator matters.
Are outdoor countertops covered by warranty?
Almost never. Most quartz warranties explicitly exclude outdoor installations due to UV damage. Natural stone outdoors has no manufacturer warranty to begin with.
Protect Your Investment
Understanding your warranty is part of making a smart countertop purchase. Before you sign a contract, ask your fabricator to clearly outline both the material and workmanship warranties in writing.
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Sources
- Caesarstone - Limited Lifetime Warranty Terms, 2024
- Cambria - Residential Warranty Documentation, 2024
- Natural Stone Institute - Consumer Guide to Stone Countertops, 2024
- Silestone - Warranty Registration and Terms, 2025
- Consumer Reports - Countertop Warranty Comparison, 2024
- HomeAdvisor - Understanding Countertop Warranties, 2025
- StoneTech - Professional Sealer Warranty Terms, 2024