Choosing your quartz countertops fabricator will be the most crucial decision of your quartz countertop purchase. Furthermore, this same ideal exists for any other type of stone. For instance, granite, marble or any high end countertop option.
Picking the right fabricator for you is even more essential that selecting your stone. Because the best fabricator will help you understand what type of quartz is best for you.
They will tell you if your slab has any issues before they sufficed. Another common thing they say is about the benefits and drawbacks of quartz. They will teach you how to look after your stone so that it remains beautiful for a very long time. This is the task of a fabricator.
This is why it is important to learn how to work with a quartz countertop fabricator. It is advisable to work with a local quartz countertops fabricator who can easily visit your home to inspect your kitchen, and make any suggestions that might be appropriate. After material is approved and we have all the fabrication information we need, including having any undermounted sinks and faucets in the shop we will create a Shop Folder which is given to our production team.
What can delay a project? However we do everything in our power to eliminate unexpected delays. As soon as the production team receives the Shop Folder they will call you to set your installation appointment.
As your project moves through the production process every piece is checked to make certain that it is true to the digital template and your fabrication instructions. Once completed your countertops are staged for installation.
We anticipate it may take up to 15 business days from the time your project enters production until your installation. The install crew will arrive at your home within a two hour window of your installation appointment. You will be contacted if there are any unforeseen delays. The installation should take approximately four to six hours, longer if needed.
Compare that with granite, the reigning king of high-end countertops, which typically requires a new protective top coat at least once a year. In the past, the biggest knock against quartz was that it lacked the patterns and color variations you get with natural stone.
But that's a moot point now, with all the manufacturers offering multihued slabs with enough flecks, swirls, and random patterning to make them almost indistinguishable from the real thing. They were once available only with a polished finish; now you can get one with a honed, sandblasted, or embossed treatment.
So if it's the look of matte limestone, textured slate, or glossy granite that you want, there's a quartz countertop for you. Read on for help picking one to match your budget, your cooking and cleaning needs, and your style.
We'll go over the pros and cons of quartz countertops so you can make the best choice. Natural-quartz crystals are mined, then ground into a dust or an aggregate that's fused with resin binders under intense heat and pressure to form a solid slab. Pigments added during the process impart color to the countertop.
Like natural stone, quartz slabs are very heavy. And though the added resins make them more flexible, they, too, can crack if not properly handled. Work only with certified installers. For as long as you have your kitchen. Quartz countertop manufacturers provide warranties ranging from 10 or 15 years to lifetime, depending on the company. Unlike natural stone or wood, it never needs to be sealed. Just wipe with soapy water for daily upkeep. Surface stains can be removed with a gentle cleansing scrub.
Avoid scouring pads, which can dull the surface, and harsh chemicals that could break down the bonds between the quartz and resins. Resin binders make quartz counters nonporous, so stain- and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew can't penetrate the surface. Some makers offer jumbo slabs for uninterrupted runs of countertop. But even with standard slabs, typically 60 by inches, the seams can be almost imperceptible; added resins allow cleaner cuts without chipping as stone does.
The resins also make quartz more flexible than natural stone, allowing fabricators to bend and shape it into sinks or the sides of a curved island. And it's versatile enough to be used on floors and walls—fabricators can even cut the slabs into standard tile sizes. Quartz counters are heat and scorch resistant, but only up to a point. Most manufacturers say their products can handle up to degrees F, but a sudden change in temperature or sustained heat from a pan left on the counter may cause the surface to crack.
To be safe, always use a trivet or a hot pad. Install it outdoors in an uncovered area, and you'll void the warranty. Direct sun beating down on it day after day can cause colors to fade or the countertop to warp or split over time. Currently, none of the major manufacturers offers an outdoor-approved quartz counter. Shop around to compare colors and prices. Some quartz makers sell exclusively through big-box stores; other slabs are available only through independent kitchen and bath showrooms.
Pick your brand and color, and set up a time for a fabricator to visit your home to take measurements and make a template of the tops of your base cabinets. Unless you are keeping existing fixtures, you supply the dimensions for the sink and faucet cutouts as well as any drop-in appliances, such as a cooktop. Get a price quote and place your order. Once the fabricator knows the complexity of the installation, including the edge profile, number of slabs, and cutout details, they can quote the actual cost of the entire job.
Wait, but not too long. Assuming your base cabinets are in and your kitchen is otherwise complete, the fabricator can get the slab from the distributor or direct from the manufacturer and shape it to your specs in about a week.
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