Why Morrison Stone Doesn’t Fabricate Quartz Countertops
- rockymountainyogini
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
If you’ve been researching countertops, you’ve probably noticed something:
Quartz (also called engineered stone) is everywhere.
It’s marketed as durable, consistent, and sometimes more affordable than natural stone. And for many homeowners, it seems like an easy choice.
But here’s something most people don’t see:
Behind the scenes, quartz fabrication comes with serious health risks.
At Morrison Stone, we’ve made a clear decision: We do not fabricate engineered stone products.
Not because we can’t.Because we won’t.
What Is Quartz (Engineered Stone), Really?
Quartz countertops aren’t solid stone.
They’re made from crushed stone bound together with resins, and most importantly, they contain extremely high levels of crystalline silica, often over 90%.
That matters because when these materials are cut, ground, or polished, they release fine silica dust into the air.
The Health Risks Most People Don’t Hear About
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), exposure to respirable crystalline silica can lead to:
Silicosis (an incurable and potentially fatal lung disease)
Lung cancer
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Kidney disease
Silicosis, in particular, has been increasingly linked to workers in the engineered stone industry, and in many cases, it progresses faster and more aggressively than in other trades.
Why This Is Becoming a Bigger Issue
This isn’t theoretical, it’s happening right now.
OSHA has increased inspections and enforcement around silica exposure
Fabrication shops across the country are being cited for unsafe conditions
More cases of severe lung disease are being reported among countertop workers
The reality is: even with safety measures, this material presents a higher level of risk than many people realize.
Our Decision at Morrison Stone
We’ve been in this industry long enough to understand both the craft and the cost.
And we’ve made a decision we stand behind:
✔ We prioritize the long-term health of our team
✔ We choose materials that are safer to work with
✔ We focus on quality, craftsmanship, and integrity, not shortcuts
This means we specialize in natural stone surfaces like:
Granite
Marble
Quartzite
Soapstone
And many more!
Materials that are not only beautiful, but also align with how we believe this work should be done.
What This Means for You
Choosing a countertop isn’t just about color or price.
It’s about durability, value, and in our opinion, responsibility.
We know quartz can be appealing. We know your interior designer may have recommended it. But we also believe our clients deserve transparency.
Your countertops shouldn’t come at someone else’s expense.
Looking for Alternatives to Quartz?
We’re always happy to walk you through natural stone options that fit your style, your space, and your budget.
If you’re curious what that could look like, reach out, we’d love to help you find something that feels just as good as it looks.
Morrison Stone
Craftsmanship. Integrity. Responsibility.
Interested in learning more?
Here are some articles and studies on the subject.
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