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How to choose a quartz slab?

Author: Franke

Dec. 30, 2024

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4 Tips for Selecting Quartz Surfaces and Countertops - McClurg

Quartz surfaces and countertops are rapidly gaining popularity among homeowners as well as kitchen and bath designers. Quartz is easy to maintain and is available in a wide range of colors, patterns and even textures. While primary uses of quartz continue to be kitchen and bath counters, it can also be used for backsplashes, shower stalls, shower entries, tub decking and even fireplace surrounds.

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This remodeled kitchen has a new configuration that provides more counter and storage space. The counters of the perimeter are granite (&#;Verde Peacock&#;). The island has a quartz surface (Cambria in &#;Minera&#;).

Quartz surfaces are made from ground quartz with polyester resin used as a binder. Quartz is nonporous and antimicrobial making it resistant to stains, odors and bacterial growth. Quartz can be installed as a slab or cut into tiles. The only limitation is that it cannot be used for outdoor projects since it is susceptible to fading by intense sun, it will not withstand exposure to the elements and outdoor use may invalidate warranties.

Here are four tips to help you find the perfect quartz surfaces and countertops for your kitchen, bath and other home remodeling projects.

1.  Choose Colors, Patterns and Texture

Over the past several years, manufacturers of quartz surfaces have significantly changed the look of their products. One of the most stunning products on the market today is Cambria quartz. Cambria is manufactured in the United States. Many of the new patterns look like granite or marble. Cambria comes in a host of colors. Check out their online &#;paint match&#; tool that helps you match Cambria products with complementing Benjamin Moore wall and accent colors.

Caesarstone is a quartz manufacturer that is introducing revolutionary new patterns in its line that resemble Calacatta marble, cement and black granite. One of Caesarstone&#;s most beautiful designs is the &#;Concetto Collection&#; of semi-precious stone quartz surfaces that look like geodes.

Silestone quartz countertop products now come in three textures: polished, matte and rugged. The company has also been creating new color patterns that include flecked, veined and granite-look surfaces in addition to bright colors used in contemporary design.

DuPont Zodiac has a more limited range of colors for its quartz products but its palette includes some great neutral colors and marble patterns.

Two patterns of Cambria quartz were selected for this kitchen. &#;Praa Sands,&#; which looks like granite, was selected for the perimeters and &#;Torquay,&#; a marble pattern was used on the island.

2.  Select the Right Thickness

When selecting quartz it&#;s important to consider the thickness that you will need for the application. The standard thickness of a slab of quartz is 1¼-inch. Generally, this is the thickness recommended for kitchen counters and bathroom vanities. Quartz comes in ½-inch, ¾-inch and 1½-inch thickness. Cambria offers a slab that&#;s 1-centimeter thick that can be used to create layered edging profiles.

Quartz surfacing can be used for many applications. This custom-built walk-in shower features a quartz corner seat. Products for this project include marble wall tile (Dobkin Tile- Elegance: Perseo Statuario) accented by glass listello tile (Best Tile &#;Precious Gems&#;), quartz shower seat (Cambria &#;Braemar&#;) and slip-resistant black tile floor (Dobkin Tile &#;Toros&#; Black Tumbled Marble).

3.  Choose Edging

Edging helps to determine the style of a counter or vanity and effects pricing. Standard edges are straight (squared) and waterfall edges. These edges can be applied to quartz that is 1¼ inch thick. More intricate edging options include ogee (a curved edge), pencil, beveled, bullnose (a rounded edge) and &#;laminated edging&#; profiles which add an extra layer of quartz to achieve a dramatic look. For more information, download Cambria&#;s 19 edge profiles.

A rounded &#;waterfall&#; edge profile was used on the quartz counters and island in this kitchen remodel.

4.  Select Appliances and Plumbing Fixtures Before Selecting Your Quartz Surface

Prior to fabrication measurements will be taken of the area where the quartz will be installed. If you are planning to surface a kitchen or bathroom, it&#;s important to select your sinks and faucets prior to fabrication. The fabricator will need to know the dimensions the number of holes required for installation. If you plan to install a cooktop, a cutout will also be needed.

A glass cooktop was installed with this quartz counter. Precise cuts were made during fabrication to accommodate the cooktop and provide a counter edge.

factors to consider when choosing a quartz countertop

Quartz countertops are made from a special type of hard and durable natural stone. In fact, it is the fourth hardest natural stone and is often mentioned in the same breath as topaz and diamond. It can also look very elegant and intricate. Having weaves and patterns that are unique, classy to edgy colorways and designs makes it a very fun material for home renovators and interior designers to work with. This is why quartz countertops are often seen in bathroom and kitchen countertops. Both for residential and commercial spaces alike.

Quartz countertops can also last a very long time. If you&#;re a fan of the saying if it&#;s not broken don&#;t fix it, then your choice of quartz countertops can stay with you for a very long time. Overwhelming, isn&#;t it? To top it off, choosing the right countertop might just be one tick of a laundry list of choices for your project space.

Don&#;t stress. We&#;ve broken down some super helpful tips and tricks that most homeowners and professionals use to improve your chances of getting this choice right.

HOW TO CHOOSE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

A daunting task in and of itself but once broken down into smaller bits may be more manageable. Smaller and simple tasks will help you visualize much easier by giving you straightforward milestones.

BRAND

Quartz countertops are an engineered quartz mix of both natural stone and a small percentage of resin. Importing quartz abroad comes with its risks and a higher resin percentage in most cases. American-made brands are the highest quality option, containing the highest percentage of natural quartz stone in relation to its resin content.

Foreign quartz countertops tend to have more resin. Whereas in American quartz brands, like MSI Q Quartz, Cambria, and Caesarstone, you get strong durability while also keeping the gorgeous, nature-inspired patterns, weaves, and colors in the counters.

American brand quartz countertops provide quality as well as durability. They are scratch resistant, scorch resistant, and can handle extreme heat, making it a harder surface than granite or marble, but just as aesthetic and beautiful as granite or marble, without being high maintenance.

COST

Quartz countertops are non-porous which provides stain resistance. Quartz countertops won&#;t absorb bacteria and other substances, like red wine and other stains, that would otherwise seep into the surface. When compared to higher maintenance and higher cost stone like marble, quartz is the more affordable option while also being high quality and low maintenance.

Since they are a non-porous surface, quartz countertops are the perfect option when designing a new kitchen or doing a kitchen renovation, ensuring the surface of your counters will remain bacteria-free for years.

The brand, color, texture, edge profile, slab cutouts, and installation are all costs you should keep in mind when designing quartz countertops.

Appearance should be considered when choosing quartz for your home. See our quartz countertop projects, and choose the best.

Take a look

VISUAL APPEARANCE

The look. Part of the pride of having a natural stone countertop is the look it gets from foreign eyes. Eyes who might set on them once or twice. More important than that is how it looks to you, the homeowner. You&#;re the one who gets to wake up every morning and look at the new countertop while you drink your morning coffee or make breakfast.

Quartz countertops come in many quartz countertop colors. Each color brings a different kind of attitude or mood. From the simple classic pearl to the intricate and tantalizing Antico Cloud, an elegant cloud white color, there is a wide selection of white quartz surface options alone.

Keep in mind this is just in the realm of white quartz countertops. There are several other solid color and patterned selections. Quartz countertops also come with a host of different patterns and designs. This can be the chemical X that your countertop needs to be one of a kind. Or it can just fail to work with the rest of the room.

Suppliers and designers will usually have pallets of color options and patterns to choose from. Visualize with the rest of the space to see what works best. Looking only at the color might throw you off. The same goes for just looking at the patterns. Make sure to consider both, and getting a few samples to test with the space is a wise option.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Quartz Stone Slabs.

Appearance should be considered when choosing high-end quartz countertops for your home. See our quartz countertop projects, and choose the best.

QUARTZ SLABS VS. PREFABS

What is the difference between a slab and prefabricated countertops and why does it matter?

Prefabricated (prefab) countertops are the cheaper option, and usually the quickest installation since they are pre-cut. You will pay considerably less per square foot than slab countertops since the cutouts are not customized. On the flip side, you will have fewer options if you choose prefab, making it more difficult to customize for your project.

When choosing quartz, full slab countertops do have a higher overall cost, however, you get a totally customizable and unique counter option if you choose quartz slabs. A full slab countertop gives you complete freedom in your design choices.

THICKNESS

We&#;re now moving more into the function territory. How thick or thin your own quartz surfaces and countertops have both advantages and disadvantages. It will also contribute to the aesthetics of quartz surfaces, but for the most part, it impacts function.

The thickness of quartz countertops will determine how much weight they can bear. Although strong and sturdy, some quartz kitchen countertops can still break. If you are designing your quartz kitchen countertops for heavy use and abuse, then thicker is the way to go.

Thinner quartz countertops are lighter and look more sleek and modern. However, unlike natural stone, they would not have the brute strength that thicker quartz countertops will. They can also be much cheaper.

We understand that design is only limited by your budget and your imagination. But design includes function, reliability, and longevity. Small compromises now might lead to big problems in the future.

FINISHES

The devil is in the details. A small detail can give you a major win, or spell total disaster. Like a single dissonant note to a piano piece, a mismatch in the small details can hurt your overall design.

White quartz countertops can look modern and sleek with a glossy or matte finish. A polished finish countertop will fit very well with a classic and more upscale home. Matte finish quartz countertops bring a muted and warm aesthetic to a space. A satin finish will be more appropriate for a more modern-looking apartment or condo, giving it a straightforward and minimalist look. The styles are endless.

When it comes to quartz finishes, the aesthetic design of your space will help determine which one you should go with.

EDGES

One factor that can be easily overlooked is the edge design of your quartz counters. The edge profile is one of those finer details you will want to pay attention to in a quality quartz countertop.

Quartz countertop edges are just as important to consider as color and pattern designs. White quartz kitchen countertops options with a polished edge finish and a straight-line edge can have a very modern look. The same color can have a very classic and artsy feel with curved and rounded edges. Even though the color may stay the same, the different edge profiles can give the stone a completely different look and feel.

The edges of a quartz counter can be more curved or straight, depending on the elements of design you are styling your space with. Certain edge profiles can add softness or sharpness to your quartz kitchen countertops and overall look to a space. There are many different edge styles you can choose from when choosing quartz countertops that will fit the design and feel of your project space.

APPLIANCES AND OVERALL MOTIF

Read the room. There isn&#;t a singular item, color, pattern design style or finish that&#;s perfect for your space. Perfection is achieved by the combination of dozens if not hundreds of little details put together in a cohesive manner.

The value of the countertop is how it adds to the space. In some cases, it might be a centerpiece. At other times it can play a supporting role.

One best practice is to physically or digitally cut out a picture of your room and superimpose cutouts of countertops with different colors and patterns. This helps you visualize what works and what doesn&#;t in a more real-life situation rather than relying solely on imagination.

Don&#;t hesitate to ask for help. You can actually take a picture of your space when shopping for countertops and juxtapose it with the samples at the supplier. Bouncing ideas back and forth can actually help you get to the best choice.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT QUARTZ COUNTERTOP IN 5 STEPS

The durability and quality of quartz countertops will last you a lifetime. This can make designing and shopping for the right one for your space and home an overwhelming project. Here are five easy and simple steps to remember when looking for quartz countertops.

1. CONSIDER YOUR ENTIRE SPACE

When considering quartz countertops whether for your kitchen counters or in your bathroom, it&#;s important to consider the size, colors, lighting, and design of the entirety of the space. Even the highest quality quartz countertops could look mismatched in a space if they do not mesh well with the rest of the elements and accents of a room.

2. FIND THE MATCHING COLOR

Not every quartz stone will look good in a space if the hues, tones, and accents are off. Using a color wheel could help determine which colors and undertones will go best together. It will be important to match all the elements of the design to ensure a cohesive and polished look in the end. This is also why samples are important, and bringing your color wheel with you to the supplier to pick out quartz samples will make your experience that much easier.

3. DO NOT FORGET ABOUT SAMPLES

Samples are the easiest and most fool-proof way of keeping your design cohesive and succinct. Similar to paint samples, using quartz samples will help you visualize what will work with a room and what will not. Experiment with several different colors, textures, and finishes to get a better grasp of what you&#;re looking for in quartz countertops and how they will mix with your space.

4. MIND YOUR LIGHTING

When taking into consideration the way light works in your space, you will want to take note of the underlying feeling of your space in natural light and in your artificial light. You will want to consider the cool, neutral, or warm undertones of the light in your space to determine which quartz will look best for your space.

The samples you pick will help you test the colors and finishes against the lighting. Use the samples during different times of the day, each hour providing different angles of light, to see how the samples compare in different variations of lighting.

5. LET YOUR QUARTZ COUNTERTOP SETTLE

Before you add all the finishing touches to your renovations and design, it&#;s a wise idea to let your quartz countertops settle for a while before you add other accents and elements to your space.

Let your quartz countertops truly absorb the space before you pick the perfect accent colors and accessories to match the space, especially since quartz countertops are often the focal point of a room. Once everything is installed and renovated, adding those small, finishing touches will come naturally and harmoniously.

CHOOSING A COUNTETOP FOR YOUR KITCHEN OR BATHROOM?

We have 300+ quartz countertop colors and patterns in our latest collection. Call us and we&#;ll be more than happy to asnwer your questions and give you a free estimate.

QUOTE YOUR PROJECT TODAY &#;

CONCLUSION

Any choice must consider the rest of the space and the overall design. Small details contribute greatly to the look and feel of your bathroom or kitchen countertops. A single color can impact the focal point of a room differently if presented in different tones, shades, and finishes.

Choosing quality quartz countertops can be overwhelmingly stressful but once broken down into more simple and understandable tasks it can be suddenly doable.

It is also best to always consult with professionals. These are people who have worked on projects similar to yours several times over. They have seen what works and what doesn&#;t and may have developed what you would call an &#;eye&#; for the job.

Granite Selection is one such professional and probably the best at it. We are the leading supplier of quartz countertops in the Chicagoland area. Our yard has over 14,000 slabs to make sure the perfect choice is available for you. We are located at Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and will service the surrounding 70-mile area. Give us a call at (888) 906  and we&#;d love to help you find the perfect quartz countertop for you.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Quartz Stone Manufacturer.

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