How to Choose the Perfect Quartz Countertop Colors for ...

We talk a lot about quartz in these parts — then again, we are Bad Lizard Granite & Quartz for a reason. Quartz countertops come in a wide range of color options and patterns. From sleek and modern to a more natural appeal, it can be challenging to make the best decision. What’s best for me? What’s my style? Is it for a kitchen or bathroom? Read on to get our best tips for choosing the perfect quartz countertop colors for your home. 

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WHAT IS QUARTZ? 

Quartz countertops are a form of engineered stone composed of ground-up stone particles bound with resins. As a result, quartz comes in a wide range of colors that natural stones may not have. In addition, because it is engineered, quartz is a highly durable and hardy surface material. Another excellent factor about quartz is its antimicrobial material, which means it won’t hold germs, odors, and even stains. Learn more about quartz by reading our related blog, Our Complete Guide to Choosing Quartz Kitchen Countertops.

CHOOSING THE PERFECT QUARTZ COUNTERTOP COLORS

Some of the most popular quartz countertop colors come in neutral shades like white, black, beige, gray, and brown — but if neutrals are not your thing, quartz comes in many fun colors too! 

You may be feeling a little overwhelmed at the prospect of choosing the right colors for your new quartz countertops. But bear with us for a second — it’s easier than you think. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

• What’s the mood of your room? What are you trying to convey? The motif of your space will be a key differentiating factor when choosing a quartz countertop color. 
• Think about the colors of your floors, walls, and cabinets. You’ll want to choose a countertop color that draws out the best in everything — this will leave your kitchen with a nice pop. 
• Seek to complement your countertops with the space rather than distract from them. 

If you are struggling to find the perfect quartz countertop colors for your home, let one of our team members walk you through our indoor showroom, the largest in West Virginia! Viewing slabs in person is an excellent opportunity to learn more about what you love. In addition, it is always better to view slabs in person to grasp the color and pattern throughout the slab, which is sometimes difficult to determine when evaluating a small sample.

THINK ABOUT LIGHTING WHEN CHOOSING QUARTZ COUNTERTOP COLORS

Lighting can make or break a project. Too dark? It may be hard to see everything. Too bright? You might lose the colorful hues of the room. 

Lighting can be broken down into warm and cool tones. These tones affect color, which means your quartz countertops may take a different shade under natural light during the day and artificial light during the night. Having a sample in hand can help finalize your decision. 

WAIT TO ACCESSORIZE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

Your style influences everything, not the least of which is color. Naturally, you might be tempted to add your accessories to the project early, but it should be the last step you take. 

The danger in accessorizing early is that you allow your present taste to determine your long-term color scheme. As the years go by and seasons change, so will your style. Picking the colors first in a neutral environment will allow your taste to grow with it. 

CHOOSING THE PERFECT QUARTZ COUNTERTOP COLORS | BAD LIZARD GRANITE & QUARTZ

You’ve done the research. You’ve picked the samples. You’re ready to implement your kitchen renovation ideas –– but you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed. Don’t worry. 

Our Bad Lizard Granite & Quartz team is here to help make your dream a reality. When it comes to countertop fabrication and marble installation, we’re some of the best in West Virginia.

Call us at 304-472-6483 or contact us online today if you have any questions. 

Buying quartz countertops in Chicago whittles down to aesthetic and price, but what, exactly, determines cost? Size, labor, color, and grade are responsible for the final buying price. Quartz grade is determined by the slab’s thickness, colors, resin, and minerals it contains. Picking a decent grade delivers longevity, ensuring your countertop withstands everyday wear and tear.

We advise our clients to familiarize themselves with different grades of quartz countertops before purchasing so they understand how it impacts durability and stone appearance. Let’s review the main factors used by consumers and professionals that help them make savvy countertop choices that become valuable returns on investment.

Different Grades of Quartz

When it comes to different grades of quartz, there is the first choice, commercial-grade, and second choice. These grades of quartz determine overall cost, durability, aesthetics and impact your home’s overall value.

FIRST CHOICE

• Rich and vibrant coloring with minimal veins;

• Smooth finish that’s sometimes mistaken for marble;

• Virtually flawless, with a unique sparkle;

• Expensive, but incredibly durable and beautiful;

• Typically consists of 7-8% resin;

• Costs between $80 to over $100 per square foot;

COMMERCIAL GRADE QUARTZ

• Used in hotels, restaurants, bars, and other service industry applications;

• Best mix between quality and price;

• Costs between $60-$80 per square foot;

• Contains between 8-11% resin;

• Not as flawless as the first choice, but difficult to detect flaws within commercial applications;

SECOND CHOICE

• Basic, builder’s grade material;

• Lacks luster and is duller than first choice and commercial grade quartz;

  The company is the world’s best Custom Artificial Quartz Stone supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

• Commonly used in prefab models;

• Used for entry-level projects;

• Contains more than 12% resin;

• Costs between $50-$60 per square foot;

Assessing the Quality of Quartz Countertops

If you know what to look for, several visual tell-tale signs can alert you to low-quality quartz. Take heed of the following when examining slabs of quartz counters you might buy.

CONSISTENT COLOR THROUGHOUT THE SLAB’S SURFACE

Decent quality quartz is consistent in color within and across slabs. For kitchens requiring more than one slab, this is a prerequisite. While quartz patterns do vary intentionally, the base color or dye lot and movement patterns within a slab or piece should be more or less the same.

Natural quartz crystals are mined and then ground into an aggregate that’s fused with resin binders under intense heat and pressure to form a solid slab.

Reputable quartz brands like Caesertsone and MSI Q Quartz manufacture slabs according to specific formulas to ensure superior consistency. Lower-end quartz manufacturers may have less precise mixing procedures or testing rounds, leading to garish color differentiation.

Choosing name-brand quartz that comes with a warranty and hiring a reputable fabricator prevents the purchase of low-grade quartz. Experienced fabricators have the finesse and foresight to lay out similar pieces that, when seamed, display little difference.

BODY COLOR & AGGREGATE SETTING

Veins, patches, splatters, and any other patterns and textures should seep through the slab’s body, i.e., travel all the way to the bottom. Slabs with surface-deep patterns are problematic and will make waterfall edges and undermount sink cutouts look tacky. Don’t buy a countertop slab where the color fades or disappears halfway through the edge.

The aggregate setting is also important to examine. Aggregate refers to the crushed material that forms patterns in the quartz. A good quartz slab, like Calacatta Flutter quartz, will exhibit consistent aggregate distribution. In the best quartz countertops, aggregate can be fine or chunky, so long as it’s evenly distributed with the slab.

Poorly distributed aggregate may cause pits and pockets, weight and density imbalances within a slab, increasing fragility and the risk of chips and cracks in your kitchen countertops.

A visual inspection will quickly reveal whether a quartz slab is uniform in color and thickness and has a homogeneous crystalline texture. It goes without saying: you shouldn’t just order from a catalog- always view the slab in person before buying.

RESIN QUALITY

High grades of quartz countertops contain over 90% compacted quartz with minimal premium-grade polymer materials and resins. The combination of these materials produces non-porous, color-consistent slabs during the manufacturing process when compared to other natural stones like granite or marble. On the contrary, poor-quality countertops exhibit resin pooling.

Slabs with gross inconsistencies are sometimes subject to resin pooling that mars the counter’s surface. Poorer resins may also be manufactured from sub-par materials and unknown chemicals that are unhealthy. Good resins last for decades and carry certifications. If your supplier can’t tell you much about the resins or doesn’t provide a warranty, that should be a warning sign.

Consistent Polish of Quartz Countertop

When examining quartz slabs at eye level, the polish should possess a consistent shine. Whether a counter is polished, honed or brushed, etc., the surface should be smooth. A counter with a blotchy shine is a sign of inexperienced surface polishing, the use of polishing pads long past their “use-by-date” or cheap resin.

A quality manufacturer will always test a slab’s shine with a gloss meter as a final quality check. Quartz that isn’t polished properly may be porous in areas and risk damage after use. Not all quartz manufacturers are equal. Quality fabricators take pride in their workmanship and won’t risk stocking or installing poorly polished slabs.

HOW TO CHECK THE QUARTZ QUALITY ON A SAMPLE

It can be challenging to discern the quality of quartz countertops with the naked eye. Below are some fool proof methods to ensure you select a decent grade of engineered stone.

EXAMINE THE SAMPLE

Examine the appearance of the white quartz slab to ensure there are no defects such as cracks, chips, scratches, stains, watermarks, or impurities. Quartz levels of thickness should be uniform throughout the stone. You can also do a pen test by making a small mark on the slab. If it wipes off quickly, then the sample is stain resistant.

SCRATCH IT

Scratching quartz with a steel knife is one way to test hardiness. The blade will produce a black line on a good quartz slab, whereas, on inferior quartz, it will leave a white line. If you’re doing a scientific test using the Mohs hardness scale, then quartz, like granite, should rank around 7.

BURN THE SAMPLE

Quartz can withstand heat up to 300 °C. Resin binders in inferior slabs will melt and cause the slab to bend, change color, or become charred. This simple test can be done with a lighter or light cigarette. Fire may leave a black, sooty residue, but on genuine quartz, this can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

APPLY ACID

To test its quality, you can also drop dilute hydrochloric acid, lemon juice, or white grape vinegar onto a quartz sample. High-quality quartz crystals won’t bubble or react to any of the above ingredients. If dark spots develop, this indicates your quartz has a high porosity level and won’t be suitable as a worktop surface.

WHAT GRADE OF QUARTZ COUNTERTOP IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

When it comes to quartz countertops, the heat resistance varies depending on the grade. It’s important to exercise caution by not placing hot pots directly on the quartz surface and using a trivet or hot pad instead.

Lower-grade of quartz countertops is more susceptible to dull, hazy spots and scratches during food prep. If you’re someone who tends to be careless while cooking, it’s best to opt for a higher-grade stone as they are more durable and require less maintenance.

For those who may not have the time or inclination to maintain their countertop regularly, a higher grade would be the better option for new quartz countertops as they can last longer without needing sealing or care.

While a lower-grade quartz countertop can work well in the bathroom where there is minimal exposure to heat from items like curling irons, it’s recommended to choose a higher-grade stone for the kitchen where they need to withstand high temperatures and frequent use.

Conclusion

Quartz is a popular countertop material due to its resilience, durability, and limited porosity when compared to other natural stones like granite or marble. Aside from these qualities, quartz requires almost zero maintenance and comes in an astonishing array of colors and varieties. Homeowners tend to like it because, as a manufactured countertop, its patterning is more uniform, and seams are less visible,

If you want to know what to know about quartz countertops, then you’ve come to the right place. At Granite Selection, we have many years of experience fabricating and selling high-quality quartz countertops and are always happy to offer advice to our clients about which quartz suits their needs best. Why not start by getting a free quartz countertop quote for your project?

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