• ADU Newswire
  • Posts
  • Bioquartz® Revolutionizes Kitchen Counter Tops for the ADU Market

Bioquartz® Revolutionizes Kitchen Counter Tops for the ADU Market

ADU Designers and Architects Seek Eco-Friendly Solution

January 21, 2025

The construction industry is evolving with innovative materials that prioritize safety, sustainability, and aesthetics. Among these advancements, BioQuartz stands out as a game-changing option for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) – those secondary housing units becoming increasingly popular on residential properties.

What is BioQuartz?

BioQuartz is a revolutionary engineered stone material that addresses significant health and environmental concerns associated with traditional engineered quartz. Developed by Breton S.p.A., a leading Italian manufacturer of stone processing equipment, BioQuartz is created through a "pyrolytic transformation" process where common siliceous and feldspar natural sands are melted at approximately 1800°C.

This transformation process creates a material that maintains the same technical and aesthetic features as quartz while being completely free of crystalline silica. The crystalline silica in raw materials is converted into amorphous (non-crystalline) forms during manufacturing, eliminating the health hazards associated with crystalline silica dust.

Why BioQuartz Matters for ADU Construction

Health and Safety Advantages

Traditional engineered quartz, while popular for its durability and aesthetics, contains up to 90-93% crystalline silica. The fabrication process for these materials—cutting, grinding, sanding, and polishing—releases fine respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust, which can cause silicosis, an incurable and potentially fatal lung disease.

The alarming rise in silicosis cases among fabrication workers has prompted regulatory responses, including Australia's ban on engineered stone and California's emergency temporary standards for engineered stone fabrication. This health crisis has driven manufacturers to develop safer alternatives like BioQuartz.

For ADU contractors and homeowners, BioQuartz offers peace of mind that construction and installation won't endanger workers' health—a growing ethical consideration in building material selection.

Performance Benefits for ADUs

ADUs demand materials that maximize durability while minimizing maintenance in compact living spaces. BioQuartz delivers:

  • Scratch Resistance: BioQuartz ranks around 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, providing excellent resistance to everyday wear

  • Impact Strength: Enhanced impact resistance compared to traditional quartz reduces the likelihood of chipping or cracking

  • Non-Porous Surface: Excellent stain resistance without requiring sealing, making it ideal for ADU kitchens and bathrooms

  • Heat Resistance: Can withstand moderate heat exposure, though using trivets for extremely hot items is still recommended

  • UV Stability: Maintains appearance when exposed to sunlight—important for bright, window-filled ADUs

Environmental Considerations

For environmentally conscious ADU projects, BioQuartz offers significant advantages:

The manufacturing process emphasizes sustainability through domestic sourcing of raw materials, which reduces the carbon footprint associated with global shipping. It also incorporates circular economy principles by allowing the reuse of processing sludge and slurries from manufacturing, minimizing waste.

Additionally, the elimination of crystalline silica removes a significant environmental hazard associated with traditional quartz production and fabrication.

Integrating BioQuartz in ADU Design

Countertops and Surfaces

The most common application for BioQuartz in ADUs is for countertops. The material offers several advantages for these compact living spaces:

  • Space Optimization: With Breton's Kreos Plus technology, BioQuartz can be produced in very thin profiles while maintaining strength, preserving precious space in compact ADUs

  • Design Flexibility: Available in various colors and patterns that can mimic expensive natural stones like Calacatta marble at a lower price point

  • Seamless Integration: Works well with undermount sinks, providing clean lines in small ADU kitchens and bathrooms

Beyond Countertops

While countertops are the primary application, BioQuartz's versatility extends to other ADU features:

  • Bathroom Vanities: Resistant to moisture and easy to clean, making it ideal for bathroom surfaces

  • Window Sills: Durable and low-maintenance option for window treatments

  • Wall Cladding: Can be used for accent walls or shower surrounds

  • Fireplace Surrounds: Heat resistant properties make it suitable for fireplace applications

Cost Considerations for ADU Projects

BioQuartz generally comes at a premium compared to traditional engineered quartz, with pricing typically 10-15% higher. However, when comparing to high-end natural materials like Calacatta marble, it can be 20-30% less expensive while offering superior durability and maintenance advantages.

For ADU projects, this represents an investment in long-term value. The material's durability, low maintenance requirements, and elimination of ongoing costs like sealing can make it more economical over the life of the structure.

Installation in ADU Construction

A significant advantage of BioQuartz for ADU builders is its compatibility with existing fabrication techniques and equipment. Unlike some alternative surfaces that require specialized tools and skills, BioQuartz works with standard fabrication approaches.

This means:

  • Fabricators can create the same range of edge profiles available with traditional quartz

  • All standard sink mounting options (undermount, drop-in, integrated, or farmhouse) work well

  • Fabricators don't need extensive crystalline silica dust protection systems, potentially reducing installation costs

The Future of BioQuartz in ADU Construction

As regulations around silica exposure become stricter and consumer awareness of health and environmental impacts grows, demand for materials like BioQuartz is likely to increase in the ADU market.

The combination of performance, aesthetics, and safety positions BioQuartz as an attractive option for homeowners looking to add high-quality, sustainable living spaces to their properties while protecting the health of construction workers.

Looking for BioQuartz® in Sacramento? Visit https://sacramento.silicafreequartzstone.com/consumers.html

Sources:

  1. BIOQUARTZ Trademark of DARIO TONCELLI - Registration Number 5796534 - Serial Number 79238778: https://trademarks.justia.com/79238778

  2. Silica-free Surfaces of the Future | Stone Update: https://stoneupdate.com/silica-free-surfaces-of-the-future/

  3. Green News for Quartz-based Surfaces | Stone Update: https://stoneupdate.com/green-news-for-quartz-based-surfaces/

  4. Quartz - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz

  5. Quartz: Mineral information, data and localities: https://www.mindat.org/min-3337.html

  6. Bio-like structure - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bio-like_structure

  7. Diatom - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatom

  8. Petrifaction - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrifaction

  9. What are Diatoms? - Diatoms of North America: https://diatoms.org/

  10. Indicators: Sediment Diatoms | US EPA: https://www.epa.gov/indicators/sediment-diatoms

  11. Biogeochemical cycle - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogeochemical_cycle

  12. Quartz vs. Quartzite: What's the Difference? - Countertops: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/quartz-vs-quartzite-whats-the-difference-stsetivw-vs~130067

  13. CN102898070A - Bio-based artificial quartz stone and production process thereof - Google Patents: https://patents.google.com/patent/CN102898070A

  14. Quantum biology - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_biology

  15. Ecosystem - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem

  16. What is an ecosystem? (article) | Ecology | Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/ecology/a/what-is-an-ecosystem

  17. Ecology and Ecosystems - Opportunities in Biology - NCBI Bookshelf: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK217672/

  18. The Nature ‘Bio’ Quartz Collection from COMPAC - The Art of Design Magazine: https://www.theartofdesignmagazine.com/the-nature-bio-quartz-collection-from-compac/

  19. QuartzBio | Data Management | Clinical Programs: https://www.quartzbio.com/

  20. Quartz Bio SA – Swiss Biotech: https://www.swissbiotech.org/listing/quartz-bio-sa/

  21. Microorganisms | Free Full-Text | Microbial Biofilm: A Review on Formation, Infection, Antibiotic Resistance, Control Measures, and Innovative Treatment: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/5/998

  22. Biofilm - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofilm

  23. Microbial biofilm: formation, architecture, antibiotic resistance, and control strategies - PMC: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7866638/

.