I think I need more info. Why were the seams put there when at the sink is the ideal place for at least one. Did you ask for some bookmatching? Remeber these slabs are m,an made so never going to be like a real stone where slabs are cut from one place so apt to be able to be bookmatched sometimes.How mant slabs wer oredered and whaere is the template and layout you signed off on.

Hi Patricia, I didn’t know that I should have signed off on the template and layout. It was not told nor shown to me.

The sink does have a seam and that is perfect and the pattern flows. It was either three or four slabs ordered. I have to look at my notes and don’t have it with me at the moment.

Here is the pic of the seam at the sink

I would like to know if and how this can be fixed.

Usually there is a signoff that shows how the slab will be cut / laid out and you sign off. If not, the fabricator will lay out and install in the most 'efficient' way possible - leading to more seams and less matching.

Also - though - once you get to an end of a slab - you can't match quartz end to end like you can stone cut from a block so the layout process may be different.

You may be stuck here - esp if it's a $X/sq foot deal - this is how folks price that way.

Honestly - once your kitchen is done - I don't think you will notice this - the veining is not super contrasting, so it won't be obvious once there is other stuff going on (backsplash / things on the counter) . Right now, 100% of your focus is on this area - when in reality it's 10% of the total and won't jump out at anyone.

" Usually there is a signoff that shows how the slab will be cut / laid out and you sign off. If not, the fabricator will lay out and install in the most 'efficient' way possible - leading to more seams and less matching. "

@just_janni, I believe most fabricators do not do that with quartz, being man made there really are no natural fissures or features.

If you are willing to buy more slabs, at an additional cost, then maybe the seams can be improved. Those seams are the product of meeting a budget by trying to use minimal material as the first criteria, rather than the quality of the seams being the first criteria, and the job costing double. So, if you would have paid double for the job, go ahead and contact them to buy the additional slabs needed, and pay for the extra labor.

Thanks everyone. I reached out to the installer and he is coming by to discuss. We are also going to go over seam placement of the backsplash, now that I know it is an option.

@DeWayne - the OP said she bought 3 or 4 slabs. Given the size of the kitchen pictured, that is not ”trying to use minimal material as the first criteria”. Stop always blaming the homeowner in your posts.

To the OP - we see on this forum many, many posts on this same topic of the Quartz pattern not flowing across the seam. Most look much more glaring than yours. I think you’ll get used to it once the kitchen is fully set up and lived in. I don’t see how that section can be made to flow perfectly without having to start over from scratch. Even if they brought in a new slab, it is unlikely to match across the seam since Quartz slabs are not made that way except for a few specific patterns that can be ordered grain matched. You would have had to know that ahead of time, and those patterns would be more costly. Most people do not opt for them, and are fine with a slight mismatch.

There is a school of thought that the perfection seen in design magazines and Instagram (often photoshopped) have created unrealistic expectations for homeowners.

Wait, are you doing the backsplash in the same quartz?

If you are and you aren't happy now with mismatched seam patterns, then things will get even more busy and mismatched when you add a full backsplash.

You might want to consider going with a tile backsplash and not using the quartz.

@chispa sigh! it is full backsplash.

Engineered stone can't be bookmatched? Apparently the Chinese never got the memo:

Felicia:

You fabricator did make a huge mistake in setting customer expectations; the seams are fine. Tight and good adhesive color match. He's not a magician, nor did he pick a surface with movement.

Excellent sink choice.

Pay your balance and change your perspective please; that costs you nothing.

Cambria offers bookmatching in a few different designs.

Cambria Bookmatching

OP....sorry they didn't have you sign off on the template/layout. Any decent fabricator should have sent it to you for approval. I'd be upset as well, but yours doesn't look as bad as others I have seen on this site. Did you have 3 or 4 slabs for just the counters or for counters and backsplashes? Joseph is correct in that the seams do look really good. Doesn't help you feel any better about it not looking as you expected it to. Once you start using your kitchen and get items on the counters, you will notice it less and less. Good luck with the backsplashes!!

When the backsplash is in, that seam will be far less conspicuous. It's a gorgeous quartz!

@Lynn Lou thank you. it is 4 slabs for the countertops including the island. Backsplash not included.

All of these responses are great, even the ones that were kinda mean. I do feel a little better. I just have to get use to it.

Seaming is a discussion you have at the time of slab purchase, template, AND before a final cut and polish.

A man made product, regardless of number of slabs is rarely perfect in all places for all seams.

You are between two FIXED walls on the cook wall, which may also dictate a seam or even two, just for transportation and the install issue. There are corner turns.......

Get VERY clear details now.....not post install.