29

Oct

Grades Of Quartz Countertops & How To Examine A Quartz Sample

Quartz is a man-made countertop material and it’s one of the strongest available, offering excellent longevity and strength. However, when buying quartz kitchen countertops, you should learn about different grades of quartz and how to spot a fake or low-quality quartz slab. Here’s a guide.

Different Grades Of Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops mainly have three grades. Let’s go through them one by one.

First-Choice Quartz

First-choice quartz is also known as high-grade quartz and it is the best grade of quartz out there, albeit very expensive at that. This grade has a very striking color that makes it look high-quality and it has the perfect thickness for kitchen slabs. The material concentration is definitely higher in first-grade quartz, making it heavier and sturdier, however, it also means that it will be a pain to install.

First-grade quartz is also highly scratch-resistant, so you don’t need to keep your knives at bay, because this can take on everything. But it’s not suggested to cut food directly on the surface without a trivet or coaster.

Second-Choice Quartz

This is the perfect middle material to choose from, if you don’t want to go for too expensive or too cheap quartz slabs. Also known as mid-grade quartz, second-choice quartz is stronger than its low-quality counterpart.

Unsurprisingly, it is popular among homeowners, because it’s really affordable, it comes in a lot of colors, and it’s fairly durable. But is it the most durable quartz quality on the planet? No. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get it for yourself. It will last a decent time in the kitchen.

Third-Choice Quartz

Also known as low-grade quartz, this material has more resin than quartz and minerals. This makes the material lightweight and affordable, but it is definitely not as long-lasting or durable as the above two grades.

However, you can still install it in your kitchen. You just need to be really careful that you’re not letting any hot things near it, because the resin will blister and it will lead to heat stains on the countertops, which is not what you want.

How To Check A Quartz Sample?

So now that you know the different grades of quartz countertops, you should learn how to check the quality of quartz as you can’t carry out extreme quartz durability tests. Here is what to look for when examining a quartz sample:

Check The Slab Thickness

The first thing you want to take note of is the slab thickness. Even though quartz comes in a lot of slab sizes, you still want to keep your eyes peeled for any sketchy signs.

So, when you’re looking at a slab, you first want to ensure that it obviously matches your dimensions, but if you want to see whether you’re getting a good quality quartz or not, then you have to check its thickness. The thickness should be uniform from any side. So, check the thickness from the middle and the edges and sides to see if there are variations. If there are, you’re looking at a low-quality quartz slab.

Moreover, the slab should be at least 2cm in thickness. Lesser thickness than that doesn’t necessarily mean the quartz slab is low-quality, but even first-choice quartz would be fragile at a thickness less than 2cm.

The Color Of The Slab

The next thing you want to consider is the color of the quartz slab. By now, you know that good quality quartz has a very potent color too. You don’t want to go for too white slabs because they look fake and may be of bad quality.

You also want to check whether the color and pattern is consistent throughout the slab. If you see any inconsistencies in the slab’s color or random yellow or black spots or pinholes, then you may want to stay away from that because it may be faux quartz or low-quality quartz.

Resin To Mineral Ratio

The next thing you want to check is the resin to mineral ratio. Even though quartz is primarily made out of resin and pulverized minerals, you still have to check how that ratio is running throughout the slab.

Firstly, you want to check if the slab is too yellow or not. If it is too yellow and very hard and brittle, then it has more resin than mineral in it. If it’s the other way around, then it is a good quality material. For reference, quartz slabs are usually 90-95% quartz and other minerals, and 5-10% resin.

The Price Tells A Lot

Quartz countertops, even though they’re man-made, can still run a little expensive, especially if they’re good quality. These countertops are nowhere near considered cheap by any means.

So, if you’re going for a good quality quartz countertop and you want to ensure that you’re not getting duped, then you have to buy it at full price. It might not be something you want to hear, but in the case of quartz, you’re paying for the quality you get. So, even though you might want to go the other way, it won’t be beneficial.

Weight Of The Quartz Slab

Quartz is also quite heavy. It is not a lightweight material by any means. If you pick up a sample of the quartz slab and try to get a feel of the weight, and if it feels slightly heavy, then you’re getting a good quality one. It means that it has the right ratio of mineral and resin.

If the quartz has too much resin in it or if it’s made out of non-quartz materials, then it will be lightweight. So, this is something that you have to keep in mind.

Is The Surface Smooth Or Gritty?

For this, you might need a magnifying glass, or you need to have a really good sense of detail. You want to check the grittiness of quartz. It is something that will save you from getting duped. Sometimes, people will make glass look like quartz and if that is the case, then the surface, especially where the veining is, will be very smooth.

Real, good-quality quartz, on the other hand, will be gritty with a texture. You can easily figure it out with a magnifying glass or by running your fingers over the material. It is a great way to figure out which is the real deal.

Where Is The Slab From?

You want to know the origin of the slab and this doesn’t just mean checking the label, which says where it’s made. These can be pretty misleading and, in all honesty, how hard is it to slap a label on something? So, if you want to ensure that you’re getting good quality quartz, then try to source your material from retailers that are known to source materials from countries that export quartz. This is also a really good tip for natural stone countertops.

Even though quartz is man-made, some countries specialize in manufacturing them. Top countries that export quartz are China, India, USA, Turkey, Brazil, and Norway.

Conclusion

Quartz grades may seem like they are insignificant, but you’ll only know the difference when you get your hands on the good quality stuff. Hire a reputable quartz countertop installer Rockville who can help you navigate through the entire quartz countertop installation process from choosing the quartz quality to the installation.

17

Oct

What To Know About The Ogee Edge For Granite Countertops?

Countertop edges are of many types like straight, beveled, rounded, bullnosed, and more. One of the most beautiful and intricate edge profiles out there has to be the ogee edge. So, here is everything you need to know about it and how it pairs with granite countertops.

What Is An Ogee Edge Profile?

Before diving into the specifics of the ogee edge, you first need to know the basics, like what it is, what it looks like, and how it makes for a perfect kitchen countertop edge.

The ogee edge is a very curved countertop edge that features an S-shape. The shape is made by first bulging the countertop out in a concave shape, and then the sides are tapered in, looking like a convex arrangement.

As for the sides, when you look at an ogee edge, it literally looks like a 2-step stair. When you look at an ogee edge, you will be able to see the S-shaped formation really easily.

This edge shape and design is very beautiful and it is one of the most intricate countertops edging profiles out there. If you love something that has a little bit of a personality to it, then an ogee edge will be perfect. They will look very soft but still like a statement, which is exactly what you need in a kitchen.

Something about ogee edges is just so soft and beautiful at the same time. It looks subtle yet striking in the best way and the mixture of concave and convex bulging just really takes it to the next level.

How Is An Ogee Countertop Edge Made?

When deciding on going for an ogee edge, you don’t just want to know about its shape and how it looks. You also want to figure out the different types of materials on which this design can be made easily.

When it comes to ogee edges, even though the look is beautiful, there is still a lot of work involved and for that, you first need to select a stone that won’t mind the buffing and maneuvering.

This is why you want to choose a material that is strong and durable. This is where natural stones come in, because they can literally take on any edge design and shine in all their glory.

If you’re wondering about the way this edge is made, then all you need to know is that there is a lot of buffing, shaping and back and forth involved, so for this, you really need to opt for a stone that is not prone to chipping or breaking, especially at the edges, since this is the part where the ogee edge will be in its galore.

Ogee edges, thanks to the intricacy in the design, are also considered to be some of the most expensive edging profiles out there. There is just a lot of work involved, especially in making the design and the S-shape perfect, so if you think that these edges will be a breeze for your wallet, then you might want to think again.

However, because the design is just so unique and beautiful and unlike anything else, people don’t mind the hefty price tag as long as they can get their hands on this edge design.

It is truly a timeless edge design that will have you turning your head back for more.

Why Is Ogee Edge Popular?

So, now that you know the nitty-gritty of the ogee edge, here is everything you need to know about the benefits of these edges.

Looks Beautiful

This is the most obvious one, but ogee countertop edges are insanely beautiful. They’re really different from your usual countertop edge styles that might look very simple at times, but the ogee edging profile is just going to be a breath of fresh air for you. So, if you get bored with edge designs really quickly, then this one will be a different option to try and you will love it.

Easy To Clean

Surprisingly, even though there are a lot of curves and grooves in this specific edging profile, the ogee edge is still very easy to clean and it has to do with the curves and grooves themselves. Since there is no sharp edge or any obstacle in the edge design, it is really easy to glide your microfiber cloth on the surface of the edge and get it into every nook and cranny to get it all cleaned up.

This is really amazing because some edging profiles are not great as they’re really hard to clean.

Epitome Of Sophistication

Some edging profiles just look very tacky and some can look very obnoxious. So, if you want something that is very elegant but still not muted by any means, then ogee edge is literally perfect for you. You can’t go wrong with its beauty and elegance. The curves really make the whole countertop look soft, but it is still a head turner in every way, which is honestly amazing.

An ogee edge is literally the perfect liaison between obnoxious and nothing. You will seriously love this edge design because it literally has zero flaws – well, aside from the jaw-dropping price tag.

Curves Prevent Injuries

One of the most common problems people have with certain edges is that they are literally a poking hazard. They’re less edges and more like swords poking out from the sides and one wrong wedge can lead to a serious injury to important parts of your body. So, the great thing about an ogee edge is that they are soft and curved all over.

If the S-shape wasn’t convincing enough, then the half-bullnose edges will certainly make you want to get these edges on your countertops. There is literally no fear of getting stabbed in the hip or the side of your head with a pointy edge, because an ogee edge has none.

Is An Ogee Edge Good For Granite Countertops?

If you want to pair ogee edges with the beautiful and majestic granite countertops, then there is only one answer for it.

Go ahead! There is something so beautiful and mystical about granite and ogee edges. Even though granite is already quite dramatic with its design, the ogee edging profile will help to mute down the harshness of granite, but still make it a beautiful work of art at the same time.

So, if you think that an ogee edge will be too dramatic on granite, then think again, because the two might just go well together like peanut butter and jelly.

Also, granite is a pretty strong and sturdy material, which makes the execution of this edging profile so much better. This is a hard material you’re talking about, so it won’t chip off when you’re trying to get that perfect curve for your ogee edge.

So, the stronger the material, the more reason there is for you to go for the iconic ogee edge because it will literally complete the whole look of the countertops beautifully.

Conclusion

Ogee edging profile really is a work of art and you can’t go wrong with it, especially if you’re installing natural stone countertops. However, for perfect fabrication and installation, make sure to hire an experienced granite contractor Rockville.