Quartz countertops are beautiful and easy to clean. They're a good choice for both kitchens and bathrooms. Some types of quartz countertops can even be used outdoors. They come in a variety of colors and styles so you can get the perfect look for your home. Installing your new countertops only takes a few days and it might be possible to do the work in a single day. Here are some of the steps involved in quartz counter installation.
Prepare for the Countertop Installation
If you're renovating your kitchen, you'll probably want to have all the flooring, walls, new cabinet installation, plumbing, and electrical work done so the new countertop slab can go on last. The old countertop needs to be removed, and if you have a new sink already installed, it needs to be disconnected temporarily.
Have a Template Made and the Slab Cut
The quartz counter installation contractor creates a template or pattern for cutting the quartz slab using wood strips. The template works like a pattern that's placed on a quartz slab to guide the saw.
In addition to making a template, the installer takes careful and exact measurements so once cutting starts on the slab, the slab is made into the exact size needed to fit on your counters and around the sink in a single piece if possible. If you have a large countertop, slabs of quartz can be seamed together if needed.
Get the Slab Cut and Delivered
Once you've chosen the slab you want to make your countertops from, the contractor places it flat on a table with the pattern or template on top. Then, they use a wet saw to cut the slab to the right length and width. They also make a cutout for the sink.
When that job is finished, the slab is ready to be delivered. A quartz countertop slab is heavy, so the contractor may attach wheels temporarily that allow the crew to roll the slab into your home. The wheels can then be removed without harming the quartz.
Have the New Slab Installed
Since the slab was custom-cut to the specifications of your counters and sink, all the contractor has to do is slide it in place on top of your counters. Then the contractor goes around the edges with adhesive to seal the countertop to the top of the cabinets below. The weight of the countertops and the seal made with the adhesive is enough to hold the slab in place. The adhesive is also used to hold the backsplash against the wall.
The final step is to hook up the sink, but your installer might advise you to wait until the next day so the adhesive has time to set before you start using the new countertops.