Quartz is an excellent material for modern countertops. Although it is an engineered material, it is every bit as durable and beautiful as marble, granite, and quartzite. But as with all engineered materials, there are always concerns about quality when selecting quartz countertops.
An expert can tell the difference between high- and low-quality quartz fairly easily. Consumers do not have that advantage. Still, knowing what to look for could give you a leg up in determining quartz quality.
We have put together a short list of things that indicate the quality of a quartz slab. As you read, bear in mind that Bedrock Quartz is a leading provider of high-quality stone countertops in Utah. Quartz is one of the materials we offer in our showrooms.
Color and Pattern Consistency
A hallmark of quartz countertops is visual consistency. Because quartz is engineered by combining quartz minerals with resins and dyes, a high-quality countertop should be fairly consistent in both color and pattern. In other words, a quality product will exhibit a uniform appearance.
A lack of consistency could indicate that a slab was manufactured too quickly. It could also indicate a lack of engineering and design skills. The more inconsistent colors and patterns are, the more reason to be concerned.
Surface Deep Patterns
Quartz countertops are often designed with veining patterns to give them the look of natural stone. Lower quality products may display surface-deep patterns rather than veining that permeates the entire slab. How would you know? By looking at the outside edges.
Surface-deep patterns will not travel through the entire slab. You can look on the underside and see that they aren’t there. On the other hand, patterns that have been worked through the entire slab will show up on both surfaces.
Pits and Other Blemishes
There should be no pits, fissures, or other blemishes in a quartz countertop. Remember that quartz is an engineered material made with specialized equipment. The surface of a quartz slab should be flat and smooth.
Quartz countertops with visible blemishes are likely low-quality products. If you notice pits, pockets, or uneven densities throughout a slab, be cautious.
The Quality of the Finish
Quartz countertops are engineered to have a clear and glossy finish. A countertop’s finish offers both aesthetic value and surface protection. Therefore, a high-quality product will have a superior finish. A low-quality product may exhibit a blotchy or dull finish that suggests low-quality materials or a substandard polishing job.
Weight and Thickness
You can tell a lot about a quartz countertop’s quality by examining its weight and thickness. For example, a slab that seems unusually light could be a lower quality product. A general rule says that quartz slabs of the same size should be roughly the same weight. So if one slab seems much lighter than another, the lighter slab could be of lower quality.
As far as thickness is concerned, it should be uniform across an entire quartz slam. Inconsistent thickness is a telltale sign of poor manufacturing practices. If the variations are significant enough, you could be looking at a slab that will not hold up as long as it should.
Feel Free to Ask Questions
Here at Bedrock Quartz, we want every customer to be 100% satisfied with our products and installation. As such, we encourage you to feel free to ask anything at all about product quality. In fact, ask any questions that pop into your mind. We take great pride in the quality of our materials and craftsmanship. We want you to take great pride in your kitchen once installation is complete.
