Quartz countertops are well-known for their beauty, but also durability and low maintenance. They come in a bunch of styles and colors, which make them one of the most wanted material for kitchens and bathrooms.
Usually, people choose the material for their beauty and other factors, like color, style, shape, and size, but, many people don’t realize that quartz’s thickness also plays into the decision, and knowing which one is the right choice for your project it’s super important, just like the right type of color and style.
If you don’t know how thick are quartz countertops and how to choose the ideal thickness for your project, read more about it below!
How thick are quartz countertops?
There are three grades of quartz thickness, which are ultra-thin ¼ to ½ inch, thin ~¾ inches, and thick 1 ¼ inch.
Which one is the best?
For a variety of reasons, thinner quartz pieces are more affordable: they are not only easy to install, but also easy to fabricate. At the same time, the lack of thickness exposes them to some disadvantages, like the necessity for additional support and fragility.
Usually, thinner quartz pieces are ideal to be installed vertically, since they are more fragile, a lot of people use these pieces in decoration, like fireplace surrounds, wall coverings, backsplashes, and bathroom ornaments.
On the other hand, the thicker quartz pieces cost more, but they are also more durable, resistant, and can add a touch of sophistication to the kitchen or bathroom.
The standard thickness for countertops is usually around 1 ¼” and regardless of the stone you choose (quartz or granite), the thicker ones are considered more elegant.
For obvious reasons, thicker and heavier quartz countertops cost more, but they come with a lot of benefits, such as durability, low maintenance, and great support for kitchen cabinets.
How to choose the best quartz countertop for my project?
Resilience
Thicker quartz countertops are stronger and, of course, can support more weight. If you are a heavy user of your kitchen and you need that extra support, thicker is, by far, the best choice. But, if you intend to use the quartz slab in areas of the kitchen where there is not a lot of activity, thinner slabs can work just fine.
Heaviness
For obvious reasons, thicker quartz slabs are heavier, so you need to put that into consideration as well, as result, the installation will be trickier.
You also have to take into consideration the kind of weight that your home can carry. For example, older houses are more predisposed to wear and tear, in this case, installing heavy and thick quartz (or any kind of heavy stone) is not recommended.
Cost
When talking about costs, there is the short and the long term cost. The initial price of thinner slabs is lower, but since they are more fragile and susceptible to break, you might need to take extra care which can add up to your handling costs, and you also need to buy and install extra support materials.
If they do break, it will cost even more since you’re gonna need to replace them.
But, cost-wise, it is up to you to choose which one you prefer, after all, the budget and how you intend to use a quartz slab are huge factors that play into consideration.
Space
Quartz countertops can be installed in several spaces and depending on the area you want to use, thicker or thinner pieces are recommended.
If you’re choosing quartz for your kitchen, the recommendation is to use a 1 ¼” slab.
On the other hand, if you want quartz countertops in your bathroom, you can consider using a thinner slab since you’re not going to put that much load on it.
Count on professionals to help you out!
If you’re having trouble with deciding which quartz is the best choice for your project and you live around Sarasota in Florida, you can count on our help. Just reach out to us and our stone and quartz experts will be happy to assist you!
