How to Install a Quartz CountertopSelect and order the Quartz. With so many options to consider, choosing a quartz countertop for your kitchen won't be easy. You can start with 2-3 inches of adhesive on the corners of the cabinet and work slowly around the cabinet. To ensure that the quartz is securely attached, separate each adhesive bead between 6 and 12 inches.
Don't wait for the adhesive to dry to remove the painter's tape, as it will be more difficult. It's one thing to draw a picture of the kitchen cabinets and quite another to take a physical template. A stencil is made of many strips of wood placed around the perimeter of the counter area and glued together. Notes on edges, sink cutout, sink size, overhang, backsplash, curves, and any other personalized information will help complete your countertop.
If you use an undercounter sink, it will attach to the underside of your quartz countertop with clips and epoxy, and will be held in place with a clamp while the epoxy cures. This will take approximately 24 hours. The drain pipe and pipes in your sink cannot be connected until the cure has finished, as this will weaken the joint. So, while you'll want to use your countertop and sink right away, have your plumber come the day after the countertop has been installed to make sure it's properly connected.
Quartz countertops are heavy and not all cabinets are strong enough to hold them. In addition, you may have unsupported areas, such as desks or overhangs, that may need some form of support. If your cabinets can't support the weight of quartz, plywood or backboard under the countertop can be used to help. If you are going to have an unsupported section of 12 inches or more, you may consider brackets, a steel plate bolted to the cabinet under the quartz, or some other form of support to prevent it from sagging or cracking over time.
The two most important things in a quartz countertop installation are to prepare the cabinet under it and bring the counter to the cabinet. The cabinet must be extremely robust and ready to receive the weight. Reinforcement and solid wood construction is strongly recommended. Ideally, the countertop will be the precise shape and size you want, but if you need to cut it, you'll need a wet saw.
Eye and breathing protection should be used. Because quartz is placed in a resinous matrix, you need to be careful when polishing; if it gets too hot, it can melt or char. The silicone seal may be less important than usual because the weight of the countertop will hold the sink in place with an airtight seal. According to reports from the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association, quartz is the most popular countertop material among designers and homeowners.
A visit to a kitchen showroom today will show you a dazzling array of quartz countertop designs and patterns that remarkably mimic real marble and other natural stones. Kevin O'Connor, host of Ask This Old House, learns how quartz countertops are made and then helps install one in a homeowner's kitchen. Investing in a quartz countertop may seem like a big step, but it's an important part of completing your new kitchen design.
