How To Avoid Low-Quality Quartz Countertops?
Quartz countertops are great for the kitchen. They’re durable, strong, and look similar, if not better, than marble. But there are many grades of quartz countertops that are available, and here is everything you need to know about not selecting a cheaper and low-quality quartz.
There’s A Lot Of Veining
This is the first sign that you need to look out for if you don’t want to get duped by a low-quality quartz countertop. There are several qualities of quartz available and while it is still quartz, there are certain differences in each of the grades that can set each apart.
Quartz has considerable veining, but what’s not normal is that every inch on the surface is covered in veining. Also, the veining on good-quality quartz is thick and thin, so it’s very sporadic and discontinuous, but in low-quality quartz, the surface has a very cartoon-like veining and it doesn’t look natural at all.
So, if you’re on the lookout for good quality quartz, then you need to look at the veining and decide on that factor, because it makes all of the difference when you look at it, in the end. Avoid countertops with too much veining, so much so that the color looks muddy and there is no break from the dark patterns on the surface.
There’s More Resin
Resin-to-material ratio matters a lot when you’re trying to avoid low-quality quartz countertops. In low-quality quartz countertops, the resin amount is a lot more than the actual raw material, like pulverized rocks and silica. This gives the rock a more plastic-like feel and it looks cheap.
Resin also makes the countertops look and feel hard to the touch and that might sound like it’s a good thing, but it’s not. It’s going to lead to the countertops breaking quickly, under the impact of force. So, if you’re out buying quartz countertops, the composition label will somewhat give away whether it’s high quality or low quality.
If you’re skeptical looking at the label, then just look at the material in general. It will look very plastic-y and it just won’t have that luster that quartz usually has. So, always keep an eye out for these telltale signs, because you’ll save yourself and your wallet.
There’s No Shine
Another thing that’s a dead giveaway that quartz countertops are low quality is the fact that the stone is not shiny at all. This doesn’t mean that it’s honed or matte in finish. Those are completely different from quartz countertops not being shiny at all. Even in matte and honed countertop finishes, there is a bit of a sheen to it, that gives the countertops a beautiful look, but the same can’t be said for low-quality countertops.
There is no shine at all because the material doesn’t reflect light off, making it glisten in the sunlight or under your kitchen lights. It will look flat and just overall unpleasant. So, if you don’t want to waste your money on low-quality countertops, then keep this detail in mind, because it makes all of the difference in how your kitchen looks after the slabs are installed.
Inconsistency In Color
When comparing a low and high-quality quartz countertop slab side by side, you’ll be able to tell which slab has consistent color throughout and which doesn’t as much. This is important to go over too, because you don’t want to get countertops that are blotchy in appearance and don’t have a consistent color throughout. This can be a hard thing to look for, but you will see the difference clear as day if you look at two slabs side by side.
There will be muddiness in the low-quality slab and it won’t be as stark as the high-quality one. So, if you don’t want to decorate your kitchen with low-quality quartz countertops, then keep this detail in mind. This is because even though you might think that doesn’t matter once you get the slabs installed, the difference would be clear and then it will be too late.
Moreover, after seeing many patterns if you don’t find high-quality quartz or don’t like the colors and patterns quartz has to offer, then you can also check out granite countertops Durham NC.
It Will Be Brittle
Quartz is generally a really strong material and it doesn’t chip, however, that’s the case with high-quality countertops. Low-quality quartz countertops, however, aren’t so great and strong when it comes to durability. This boils down to the fact that it contains more resin than actual material and if you think about it, resin isn’t the best when it comes to strength and will affect the durability of the countertop.
So, comparing a material that’s made out of pulverized rocks and stones and one that majorly consists of resin, you will see the difference and it won’t be pretty. So, it’s better to go for something that will last long, rather than getting something that’s cheap.
It Is Inexpensive
This one probably is a no-brainer, but if you’re seeing too low prices on new quartz countertops and they’re strikingly similar to the real thing chances are that it’s going to be low quality. Real and good quality quartz will speak volumes and your wallet can vouch for that. However, lower quality quartz slabs, because they’re used in entry-level projects and for crafting things, are inexpensive and you can get them for as low as $20 for a 1×1 foot slab.
You might be tempted to take advantage of this too-good-to-be-true deal, but it will only leave you disappointed in the end. So, be smart and spend a little more to get the real and high-quality thing rather than getting your hands on a low-quality slab that just won’t look and feel the same. It all comes down to the price tag in the end.
The Design Will Appear Inconsistent
When looking at low-quality quartz countertops, the slabs can also give away the fact that they’re low quality. When you see the cross-section of the slab, there won’t be any design or pattern on it.
Usually, with high-quality quartz countertops, the design and color are embedded in the slab too and it can be seen from the cross-section. However, when you look at a low-quality quartz countertop slab, the cross-section is comically plain with no trace of design. This is something that you can pinpoint from the get-go and classify as low-quality quartz.
It Will Stain
Last but not least, low-quality quartz countertops are not completely non-porous. They will have pores on the surface and since resin doesn’t necessarily help with keeping the slabs waterproof, you will see that the countertops will stain like there’s no tomorrow.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way for you to identify that the quartz is porous before buying it because no one has microscopic vision. It’s something that you’ll have to deal with if you have bought it and are using it in your kitchen, so it’s better to be careful.
Conclusion
Low-quality quartz countertops won’t look amazing at all and even though they might be cheap and you can get tempted to buy them, it doesn’t mean that they will do a good job. So, make an effort to find high-quality quartz countertops. It can be overwhelming for someone who’s buying quartz countertops for the first time. However, if you give it some time and let it sink it, you will find that the countertop replacement Raleigh NC process is also interesting and exciting.