Quartz slabs are manufactured to ensure that the once-in-a-lifetime investment that you are about to make for your home’s interior is worth it. Unfortunately, there are sellers out there trying to deceive their consumers with substandard Worst Quartz Brands that may be chipped, poorly polished, have inconsistent patterns, and much more.
Thus, it is important for you to recognize such manufacturers and stay away from them.
How to do that?
You need to keep certain key aspects in mind like resin quality, visual inconsistency and much more. Let us know more about the same and save you from making a huge mistake. Here we will help you find out which quartz brands to avoid in the USA
- Are Cheap Quartz Brands Any Good?
- How To Identify a Not so Good Quartz Brand?
- Some Online Reviews of Popular Brands in USA
- Why is it Essential to Avoid Bad Brands?
- What's the worst that could happen with cheaper quartz?
- How to Save Money but still Use a Good Quartz Brand?
- Grades of Quartz Slabs
- What is the Benefit of Obtaining a Service Warranty for Quartz Slabs?
- NSF Certification for Quartz Slabs
- Get More Help!
Are Cheap Quartz Brands Any Good?
With the increase in the number of Quartz sellers worldwide, it is important to realise that not all Quartz brands may be reliable. Some are trying to sell substandard Quartz in the name of premium products solely for commercial gain.
Thus, it is imperative to be aware of the distinction between a good Quartz brand and a bad one in order to make an informed decision.
This article will help you understand the key aspects of checking the quality of quartz slabs so that you can make informed decisions.
How To Identify a Not so Good Quartz Brand?
Before getting into the specifics, the most essential aspect when it comes to Quartz slabs is to thoroughly examine the final Quartz slabs that have been delivered to you.
There are several decisions that can be made based on such an analysis, which can never be done with the help of the samples shown to you.
The key aspects to keep in mind include: Check for VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds:
Look for NSF or food safety ratings of the brands.
1. Visual Defects
Visual defects are frequently linked to inferior products, which is common among Quartz sellers nowadays, whether due to a substandard manufacturing procedure or a higher percentage of resin. To prevent disappointment, it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive slab analysis before purchasing.
Inspect your quartz slab thoroughly upon its arrival and verify that your supplier has a reliable return policy in case of any issues. Check for flaws like cracks, chips, scratches, stains, watermarks, or contaminants by examining the quartz slab’s appearance.
2. No Warranty
Cheap Quartz sellers do not include a manufacturer’s warranty with their products and can easily deceive their customers by providing them with substandard-grade quartz.
Is that something you are willing to risk with a long-term financial commitment that occupies a prominent spot in the interior of your home? It is best to avoid such quartz brands at all costs.
A warranty issued by a reputable manufacturer will assure you that you will receive assistance in the event of an issue. When purchasing a quartz countertop, it is imperative to verify this information.
3. Thickness Inconsistency
The thickness of the quartz is supposed to be consistent throughout the stone. Quartz slabs are typically available in 1.5cm, 2cm, or 3cm thicknesses. First, ascertain the slab’s intended purpose and then determine the necessary thickness.
To evaluate the uniformity of thickness, one might calculate the standard deviation. This statistical technique can infer the degree of deviation from the average thickness. When the standard deviation is minimal, the data appear to be closely concentrated around the mean, indicating a constant thickness.
4. Reviews From Other Customers/References
Examine several quartz brands that are highly regarded and can provide you with high-quality products. To be sure you choose a dependable seller, review various producers and customer comments about them.
A reputed manufacturer will not only have primarily positive reviews but will also be open to feedback to incorporate such changes into their products. It would be advised to purchase Quartz from such brands.
5. Resin Quality Check
Superior-quality quartz countertops are composed of over 90% compacted quartz and only a tiny amount of premium-grade polymer materials and resins.
Combining these materials results in non-porous, color-consistent slabs during manufacturing compared to other natural stones such as marble or granite. Conversely, countertops of inferior quality usually have a higher resin composition.
6. Polish Quality Check
The polish should exhibit a consistent lustre when examining eye-level quartz slabs. A counter’s surface should be smooth, regardless of whether it is polished, honed, or brushed.
A counter with a blotchy lustre indicates low quality surface polishing, the use of polishing equipment that are beyond their “use-by-date,” or the use of inexpensive raw materials.
A high-quality manufacturer will consistently evaluate a slab’s sheen using a gloss meter as a final quality assessment.
Note: Quartz not finished adequately may be porous in certain areas and susceptible to damage after use.
Inconsistency in Colour
Decent-quality quartz remains uniform in colour both within and between slabs. This is a precondition for kitchens demanding more than one slab.
Note: Although quartz patterns are intentionally varied, the primary colour or dye lot and movement patterns within a slab or piece should be relatively consistent.
To guarantee exceptional consistency, quartz slabs are manufactured by reputable manufacturers using precise measurements and robotic equipment. The color differentiation may be present due to less precise mixing procedures or poor testing cycles from lower-end quartz manufacturers.
Some Online Reviews of Popular Brands in USA
We have accumulated some popular and commonly occurring reviews from across the web for you:
Chinese Quartz brands
Many consumers have voiced concerns about the quality of quartz countertops manufactured in China. Issues such as visual inconsistencies between slabs and poor chemical safety standards have been highlighted.
Radianz
Customers have noted problems with scratching and staining, suggesting that the quality does not match that of higher-end brands.
Daltile
Customers expressed dissatisfaction with specific Daltile collections, with issues relating to staining and smudges which are hard to remove
Cristo
A user reported significant issues with staining on their Cristro quartz countertop. Despite using recommended cleaning methods, stains from red wine and tea persisted.
Sodostone
Some users have reported that their Sodostone quartz slabs had numerous specks, making it appear poorly manufactured and unattractive
Q Quartz
Some users noted issues with inconsistent color and pattern, leading to dissatisfaction with the final product compared to what was expected.
Foshan Monica Quartz
This brand has been criticized for low-quality products and lack of proper certification, raising concerns about safety
These observations are based on the reviews given by their very own clients and customers.
Why is it Essential to Avoid Bad Brands?
You need to avoid such bad Quartz brands at any cost for several reasons, the most important ones being:
Once in a Lifetime purchase
Purchasing quartz slabs for your home is a decision you will take once or max twice, making it highly crucial and thoughtful. You cannot mess this up by moving forward with any other brand only to realise that the Quartz Slab, which has already been installed in your home, isn’t as helpful as you thought. Instead, it stains easily, has multiple cracks, and develops blotches.
Expensive
Getting Quartz Slabs is an expensive deal and requires a substantial financial commitment. You do not want to risk this investment by choosing a substandard Quartz selling brand. Installing quartz slabs requires financing; however, reinstalling them by removing the existing quartz slabs is a more expensive deal that must be avoided at all costs.
Installation Costs & Time
Choosing the right Quartz slab that matches your interior’s aesthetics and compliments your home’s lighting and other fixtures requires a lot of time and effort.
You will not want to put all this effort into a cheap Quartz seller only to realise that the final product installed at your home differs from the sample.
What’s the worst that could happen with cheaper quartz?
If you still choose to move forward with a substandard Quartz brand, several major and minor issues can occur. Some of them may include:
Minor issues:
- Small pits and chips on the Quartz Slabs
- Minor colour inconsistencies
- Minor differences in patterns as compared to the sample
Major issues:
- Bad resin quality, leading to the bending/warping of Quartz Slabs
- Major thickness inconsistency, making Quartz slabs uneven
- Significant cracks and other internal damages force you to reinstall new slabs.
How to Save Money but still Use a Good Quartz Brand?
Choosing the ideal Quartz Brand can definitely help you save loads of money. It’s a wise and informed investment towards building your perfect home. There are several aspects you must consider to assess the Quartz quality.
An ideal brand will tick all of the boxes when it comes to Quartz quality. To know more about what these criteria are, read our article on the same!
Grades of Quartz Slabs
Quartz is classified into three grades: commercial grade, first choice, and second choice. Each grade’s cost, durability, and elegance influence the home’s overall value.
First Grade
- The colours are vibrant and opulent, with minimal veining.
- The surface is flawless and resembles marble.
- Presents a distinctive gleam and is in immaculate condition.
- Although costly, it has the potential to endure for an extended period.
- Resin is present in the range of 7 to 8%.
Commercial Grade
- Designed for use in larger quantities where budget is often a constraint. .
- Although not always as flawless as the first choice, commercial-grade defects are exceedingly challenging to locate.
- The optimal price-to-quality ratio.
- Consists of 8 to 11% resin.
Second Grade
- Basic, low-grade material.
- Quartz is inferior to commercial grade, and the first choice
- Frequently employed in prefabricated models/ where the defects can be cut out from the slabs.
- Consists of over 12% resin.
What is the Benefit of Obtaining a Service Warranty for Quartz Slabs?
Due to quartz countertops’ durability, most manufacturers provide warranties against manufacturing process damage. Choosing can be challenging because of numerous factors and alternatives.
One exceptional condition to evaluate before purchasing quartz countertops is the manufacturer’s warranty policy. The warranty guarantees that you are buying a high-quality product, and you can generate an alarm if there are manufacturing defects. Quartz countertops that are accompanied by a warranty are more durable than those that are not.
NSF Certification for Quartz Slabs
Quartz countertops are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
The most exceptional quartz countertops are NSF-certified, which indicates that they have undergone testing and satisfy the most stringent industry standards for public health protection. The gold standard for food safety is NSF certification, which guarantees that our countertops are safe for direct contact with all food varieties.
These countertops are constructed from a non-porous material that prevents the proliferation of surface fungi or bacteria. This renders them optimal for use in kitchens and other environments where food is prepared. NSF certification is a valuable assurance that these countertops are safe for your family and home.
Get More Help!
The selection of high-quality quartz countertops can be an overwhelming experience; however, it becomes manageable when the process is simplified and easy to comprehend. It is also advisable to seek the advice of professionals at all times.
Purchase the top quality quartz slabs by following the above guidelines and tips!