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Is this an acceptable Quartz seam?

8 years ago

Hello,

New member here but I have been lurking for years! I just had Quartz countertops installed that I bought through Lowes (Allen Roth Vashon). I was not expecting a seam and believe the one I do have it unacceptable. I wanted to get thoughts? Is this within acceptable industry tolerance? I also have an uneven cut near a wall that will now need covered with molding. This kitchen renovation has been a long learning process and I thought the countertop install would be easy and seamless (see what I did there, haha). Any feedback is much appreciated!

Featured Answer

PRO

Joseph Corlett, LLC

8 years ago

Chris:

Fabricators are promised by manufacturers to get 120" out of standard quartz slabs, but can often sneak another inch or so out. Each slab is different. If they promised no seams, that's what they should have delivered; they know how big the slabs and your cabinets are.

Fortunately your seam is large enough to saw apart with a Japanese pull saw:

It is also good that the sides of the seamed pieces appear parallel. This one wouldn't be a difficult do-over. They tried to do a wider particulate-matched seam instead of a tight color-matched one. That works for me for granite that doesn't fit very well, but this should pull together nicely.

It appears they did a small finished return end at your wall, like you would do for a slide-in range opening. Somebody didn't check the print or template. It won't be nearly as conspicuous after it's caulked. Tell them you'll live with it if they redo the seam; it makes you appear reasonable.

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Comments (10)

artemis_ma
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
At some point, any countertop may need a seam, depending on the length of material you want. What is the dimension of your slab? Or intended slab/counter?

I will say that's not a real aesthetic seam.

I'm going quartz in my current build, and I hope to discuss in advance with the fabricators where any seams will have to lie, and what can be done to mitigate their existence. That one looks a little thicker than it needs to be, to me. I've seen my brother's countertops, and I had to really LOOK on PURPOSE to find the seams.
Chris Smith thanked artemis_ma
jennbo
8 years ago
I don't know what industry standard is, but I would be most unhappy with both (chip and seam). Check out this one that belongs to GW User mayflowers. Photo is from this thread: Bad Quartz Seam.
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Please help!!! Is quartz seam acceptable?
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Comments (21)
Diagonal seams are not acceptable. They are the weakest, require much more support, and have the most chance of a color and pattern mismatch because they are the largest possible joinery seam. They have the most chance of shifting as cabinets settle and move, giving you a large area of lippage vs a small one. They also waste the most material, which costs you more with the extra slabs needed, and in general, just look ugly with any stone with directionality. That diagonal is not a good look. At all. . A french miter is always the preferred seam for a corner. Quartz is not natural stone. It has zero predictability in color pattern production. You need to have that expectation on the front end. You will not get a pattern match like bookmatched natural stone. Ever. It's not printed from a pattern like tile. The individual solids colors are mixing as swirl paintings that are different every single time. No manufacturer or fabricator anywhere warrants a seam to be a perfect match, because the product has no predictability. Each slab is individually patterned and colored and is unique, and can not ever be a perfect match. That is a as well done a seam as any Quartz manufacturer would promise. It an acceptable match. It does not fall outside any industry tolerances.
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These days, one can never assume that "professionals" know the proper way to do many things. One always needs to ask first, and yes, we all have tales due to our lack of experience. Sometimes people will ask me why I'm so cynical. I always say I was not born that way but became that way due to bitter experience!
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They used clear adhesive. That's why the seam appears light gray. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. They should have used Integra's Polar White 3080.
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Comments (11)
It's not horrible; the whites are some of the most difficult seam inconspicuously. I'm betting that's not factory color match adhesive. Place a straightedge over the seam please. It shouldn't have a gap and if it rocks, the pieces are out of plane to each other and the bottom of the seamed sides are touching, making it impossible to pull the top of the seam together tightly. The sink can be dropped and the seam sawn apart fairly easily and mess-free; I've done this. Put the pieces on plane, use factory color match adhesive, and pull it together with Gorilla Grips.
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Chris Smith
Original Author
8 years ago
The slab is 10' 1" long. I have now been told the max length for the fabricator is a 10ft slab. I wish I would've been told in advance to discuss placement of the seam as I would've rather cut off an inch and figured something out creatively than had one at all.
Chris Smith
Original Author
8 years ago
Wow Jennbo, I would love to have that seam! Here is mine with pennies for perspective.
PRO
Taylor's Cabinets & Interiors
8 years ago
Seam is fine, and obviously they took some time to blend it. Is it the best seam ever, no. Is it acceptable, yes.

Back up 10 feet or so and take a picture
Chris Smith thanked Taylor's Cabinets & Interiors
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Did they use Gorilla Grips to pull the slabs together? That's what I credit my tight seam to. In my photos of that section of counter, you can barely see the seam. It's a hair's width. No need to draw on polka dots when the seam is tight. That is not making it disappear.
Chris Smith thanked User
User
8 years ago
It is within industry standards.
Chris Smith thanked User
Chris Smith
Original Author
8 years ago
I'm not sure about the use of Gorilla Grips to pull the slabs together as my wife was home during the install. One of the main reasons I went with quartz over granite was because I was told there would be no seam. That is ultimately what I find unacceptable; the expectation versus reality. I am happy though to hear it's within industry acceptable standards...guess those just aren't aligned with mine.
Chris Smith
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, Joseph Corlett, LLC. I will absolutely take your advice and see if I'm successful negiotating a refit.

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