A quartz slab is a nice and elegant addition to your countertops and sinks. The varying colors and patterns can complement the overall theme and design of your kitchen or bathroom. Quartz is also a very hard and durable material. It can sustain heavy and prolonged abuse and can stay looking brand new with little maintenance. Its non-porous characteristic makes it easy to clean and maintain compared to other natural stones.
One common complaint of quartz countertop owners is the break or difference in the patterns due to seams. These can be unsightly and very distracting.
Quartz is a natural stone that comes from quarries. It is a very hard material that is only two notches below the hardest material, diamond. To preserve its quality and to maintain the integrity of the surface, quartz needs to be cut at specific areas. Although most quartz slabs are engineered, it is still very difficult to find slabs big enough to fit an entire countertop or sink. Manufacturers often need to piece together multiple pieces of stone for one countertop. This is why seams are common when you purchase quartz for your counters and sinks. All hope is not lost though, with some creativity and a few handy skills, seams can be made to look nice or even concealed.
Like what we already know, quartz is made of natural stone with different weaves and patterns. Each pattern unique and sometimes varying patterns can exist within a single stone. This means that one piece of stone can look worlds apart from another one cut just centimeters away. With this in mind, a countertop can look really seamless or topsy turvy depending on the attention given to its assembly.
One best practice of reducing seam visibility is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Work with your builder or the manufacturer and get involved in the process of choosing your stone. After all, you are the one who is going to have to live with the thing. Matching patterns that are closely similar or work together well can make for a beautiful quartz countertop or sink. It can even make the seams virtually unnoticeable.
The countertop can be considered the centerpiece of the kitchen. It is in prominent display and the choice of color and design can influence the overall look of the space. This is why a lot of designers and homeowners choose to grace their countertops with natural stone slabs. The elegant design and patterns add aesthetic value that is hard to substitute.
However, sometimes things just don’t go as planned. Despite spending hours on research and comparing different suppliers, the natural characteristic of quartz stones makes it very hard to obtain the perfect piece.
The most common problem is uneven seams. Although not really a safety threat, it can be unsightly and uninspiring. It might even cause you to doubt your choice of having quartz as a countertop.
Luckily uneven seams can be remedied. The usual solution is to correct the uneven seam by filling it with epoxy or resin. It is best to use quartz repair kits that are formulated for quartz or recommended by your manufacturer.
First, you will need to outline the area to be filled with painter’s tape. This allows the filler to be concentrated only on the area to be fixed. It also saves you from unnecessary cleaning or polishing after the job is done.
Next, apply the filler in between the painter’s tape. Make sure to place an ample amount as you are treating an uneven surface. For vertical surfaces, a resin with higher viscosity should be used to prevent it from running off downwards. Work the filler into the gaps using a putty knife. Also, use it to scrape off any excess.
You will then remove the painter’s tape and allow the filler to set overnight or up to 24 hours. Make sure the area remains undisturbed while the filler is setting. Keep pets and children out.
Bad seams can be very unsightly. Obvious gaps and sudden breaks in the patterns of the stone can be distracting at the very least. They seldom are a health and safety threat but over time they can create an environment that has the potential to be.
Uneven seams at the kitchen sink can actually accumulate standing water and food residue. Hard water stains can build up over time and harden making them very hard to remove. It also gives your sink a very dated and worn-out look. The sugars in the food residue can encourage bacterial and fungal growth.
You can always even out these surfaces by buffing or filling the gaps like mentioned above. If unable to do so yet, use a soft-bristled plastic brush and soapy water to clean them off.
You won’t spot a single seam on this fantastic Bianco Pepper quartz countertop. Take a look and see for yourself.
Prevention is better than finding a cure. As a builder or a homeowner, it is always ideal to be involved in the selection and inspection of your new countertops and sinks. Done well, these assets can add a significant amount of aesthetic value to your space. Similarly, sloppy jobs can easily take away from the quality of the job.
Too many imperfections on your current quartz countertops may be a frustrating task to take on yourself. In this case, we recommend replacing your countertops with something new and fresh, such as white quartz. Doing so can help modernize your space and reduces the need for DIY repairs.
Whether you need help selecting the right quartz slab for your kitchen countertops or you want to redo the quartz countertops in your bathroom, our team at Granite Selection is your go-to choice. We are a leading supplier of high-quality natural stone material. With over 14,000 slabs in stock, you are sure to find the ideal pattern and material to suit your needs. We’re located in Elk Grove Village and we service a 70-mile radius. Please call us at (888) 906 3317 for your natural stone supply needs.
Look up our collection of quartz countertops and pick the best one! And if you need professional advice, our experts will be delighted to help you out.
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