How To Install a Quartz Countertop

Quartz countertops have surged in popularity in recent years as a durable, low-maintenance alternative to traditional stone surfaces like granite and marble. These engineered stone countertops offer exceptional hardness and stain resistance and a wide range of color options. Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor explores the quartz manufacturing process and demonstrates a quartz countertop installation with expert Danny Puccio.

What Are Quartz Countertops?

Quartz countertops are engineered stone surfaces made from natural ground quartz mixed with resins and pigments. This combination results in a non-porous, highly durable material that requires minimal maintenance and no sealing.

Quartz countertops are composed of approximately 90%–95% ground quartz and 5%–10% resins and pigments. The manufacturing process creates a hard, stone-like slab that’s ready for fabrication and installation.

Preparing for Quartz Countertop Installation

Before installing a new quartz countertop, you have to remove your existing countertop. Here’s how:

1. Turn off the water supply to the sink.
2. Disconnect the water supply lines and drain pipe.
3. Remove the sink by prying it away from the countertop.
4. Use a pry bar to lift and remove the old countertop.

Professional fabricators use a templating process to ensure a perfect fit for your new quartz countertop. This involves creating a form of the counter using wooden Luan strips, hot-gluing the strips together to match the cabinet layout, and scribing the walls to account for any irregularities. The fabricator will measure and record the dimensions on graph paper and use this template to cut the quartz slab.

Installing the Quartz Countertop

The installation process requires careful handling and precise placement of the heavy quartz slabs.

Transportation and Handling

Quartz slabs are extremely heavy, often requiring specialized equipment for safe transport and installation. In the video, Puccio demonstrates the use of wheeled carts with clamps to move slabs safely. Maneuvering the countertop requires a team of at least two people.

Placement and Securing

To install the quartz countertop, the installers will follow the steps below:

1. Apply a bead of silicone along the tops of the cabinets and sink area.
2. Carefully lift and place the countertop onto the cabinets.
3. Adjust the position to ensure proper alignment.
4. Secure the sink using threaded clips inserted at the fabrication shop.
5. Attach the backsplash using silicone adhesive.

Final Steps

After installation, wait 24 hours before placing items on the new countertop to allow the silicone to set properly. Have a plumber connect the sink faucet and drain, and consider hiring an electrician to relocate any poorly placed electrical outlets.

Quartz Countertop Maintenance and Care

Quartz countertops are known for their low maintenance requirements, but proper care will ensure they remain beautiful for years to come. For routine cleaning, use a soft cloth or sponge with mild soap and warm water. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrubbers that could damage the surface. Dry the surface thoroughly to prevent water spots

While quartz is highly resistant to stains and scratches, it’s still important to wipe up spills promptly, especially from acidic substances such as wine or citrus juices. Clean up dried stains using a non-abrasive cleaner designed for quartz surfaces. Use cutting boards to protect the surface from knife marks, and place hot pots and pans on trivets or hot pads to prevent thermal shock.

To keep your quartz countertops looking new in the long run, regularly inspect and reapply silicone around seams and edges to maintain a strong seal.

Quartz Countertop Cost Considerations

The cost of quartz countertops can vary widely depending on factors such as color, pattern, and edge profile. According to Angi, you can expect to pay between $50 and $200 per square foot for materials and between $10 and $30 per square foot for installation, for a total project cost of $1,500 to $8,000.

You can often save money by choosing a standard color and pattern or a simpler edge profile to reduce fabrication costs. As with any home improvement project, we recommend shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple suppliers and installers to get the best price.

Resources

Kevin O’Connor toured the manufacturing facility for Cambria Stone. The slab that was installed at Jenny’s house was also Cambria quartz in the color “Windermere.”

The tools required for installing the quartz, including the hammers and pry bars for removing the old counter, and the silicone to secure the new countertop, can all be found at home centers or on Amazon.

Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Gemini Stone, LLC of Everett, MA.