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.

22

Feb

10 Tips To Follow When Buying Quartz Countertops

Are you thinking of getting new countertops for your kitchen? Is the material coming to mind quartz? Well, you’re at the right place, because here is the guide you need to buy quartz kitchen countertops.

Look For Small-Scale Retailers

If you want to get your hands on authentic quartz countertops without making your wallet scream, then this tip is the one for you. Small-scale countertop retailers have a lot of options to choose from and they’re generally a lot more reasonable than those big countertop brands. Chances are that you will get the real deal from these independent retailers as well, and because they’re small-scale, they won’t charge you an arm and a leg for the countertops.

Since quartz is a man-made material, there are a lot of independent retailers because it’s made in every manufacturing factory and you can easily find something that you will fall in love with. All you need to do is bargain for the perfect price and with small-scale retailers, that’s also easy to do.

Do Your Research

Quartz is a very readily available material for kitchen countertops. There will be hundreds upon hundreds of options for you to choose from. Of course, you’re bound to get confused. So, to avoid this brain spiral, you’re going to have to be smart and do your research beforehand.

This means that you’ll need to prepare a list of all possible retailers that have quartz countertops available and then you will filter them out based on your preference.

Usually, you will need to check if the retailer’s options fit your budget, if they have your desired style and finish of quartz, if they are near you, if the quality is reasonable, and other similar factors. The retailer that will tick all of the boxes for you will be the one you need to go to first because chances are that you will find your perfect countertop there and also at a reasonable price.

Explore

Don’t expect to find your kitchen countertops at the first shop you go to. Countertops are similar to clothes, and you’ll never find the one that hits the jackpot until you explore a couple of different stores or browse a few stores online.

So, don’t be afraid to window-shop around and look at samples and finishes of all available options. You will find something that you’ll love. You can also look at reviews of the retailers beforehand so that you can get an idea as to which ones are worth giving a shot and which ones aren’t. This will also save you a lot of time.

Always Look At Samples

People normally don’t take this step seriously, but looking at countertop slab samples is so important. They’re kind of like a sneak peek of the actual thing that you’re going to get. So, whenever you visit a quartz countertop retailer, make sure to view a couple of samples, because things can look very different in online pictures. Pictures are taken in different lightings so colors and patterns may appear different when seen in person.

It’s also recommended that you take a look at the samples in natural sunlight so that you can get an idea about the finish of the countertop and the real color.

The Color Variety

Quartz is available in a long range of colors and it depends on which color is perfect for your kitchen as per your preference. If you have no idea what color quartz will look good in the kitchen, then you can assess the décor. If you’re stumped, then choose neutral or light-colored quartz because that’s going to be a winner in any case.

Regardless, you’re will need an idea for the color of the countertops before you hit the stores and buy said countertops.

The Thickness Matters

Another very important thing that you need to keep in mind when buying quartz countertops is the thickness of the slab. Whether you’re opting for a slab, the thickness is key. The thicker the slab is, the more durable it will be and the more aesthetic it will look.

However, keep in mind that you may have to pay more for thicker slabs and if you don’t have an allocated budget, then things can take a wrong turn. It’s recommended that you go for a slab that’s medium in thickness, not too thick or too thin so that the countertops are easier to install and they won’t crack or break either.

Prefabricated Countertops – Are They Good?

This is also another dilemma people go through when looking for quartz countertops. There are two types of countertops that you can get, especially where quartz is concerned. You can get slabs that have to be cut to fit your kitchen counters, and then there are prefabricated countertops that come already prepared with all of the cavities and openings pre-cut. So, all you need to do is match the dimensions and have the countertops installed.

Now, the only problem with fabricated countertops is the fact that they don’t fit every single time, so this means that there isn’t a lot of variety. But, if it does fit, then it’s a breeze.

Quality-Price Balance

The quality of quartz is really important to consider, but keeping it in check with the price is crucial as well because you don’t want to end up spending every last cent from your savings on high-quality countertops. High-quality doesn’t always mean better in every case.

The balance between the quality and the cost of quartz countertops is really hard to maintain because people can go to the ends of both extremes and not get what they need. They can either go for really cheap quartz that can break and crack under the slightest pressure, or they tend to go for really expensive quartz countertops that are downright hefty and they’re left with an empty wallet.

Look At The Finishes

Quartz has a lot of finishes as well. You can opt for a matte, shiny, polished, or smooth finish when choosing quartz countertops. The finish you go for ultimately depends on what seems to be your preference.

If you like the look of glossy countertops, then polished ones are the way to go. If you like the honed and matte look of surfaces, then matte finishes will be perfect for your kitchen.

Consider Everything Else Too

When selecting quartz countertops, you need to consider the entire kitchen as a unit. You can’t just localize the décor to countertops or the island alone. The lighting, the appliances, the orientation of the windows, the amount of natural light, etc. need to be taken into account when selecting the perfect quartz countertops because only then you will be able to tie the kitchen together and everything will look stunning.

You should also keep the functionality of the countertops in mind. They need to make you productive in the kitchen, So, where you put them is the name of the game.

Conclusion

Countertops can difficult to buy if you don’t know where to start. Luckily, these tips are going to help you in the process. Get in touch with a quartz countertops dealer Potomac to ask any questions and to take a look at the varieties they offer.