How to Install Quartz Countertops (DIY)
Kitchen
Installation is Easy
DIY Quartz Countertops. Get professional results, no experience necessary.
Quartz Countertops
Engineered in a factory, Quartz countertops are made from ground quartz, polyester resins, and pigments for coloring. The biggest advantage over natural stone products like granite and marble is they never have to be sealed because quartz countertops are nonporous. Installing a quartz countertop is something any DIYer can do themselves. The few specialty tools you’ll need can be purchased for less than the labor cost of a professional install.
Workbench
First thing, build a simple workbench. The design doesn’t much matter as long as it’s sturdy and a little narrower than the quartz slab. This one was made from 2 x 6’s and fastened together with screws.
The Quartz Arrives
Now would be a great time to offer a couple of your strongest friends some beer and pizza to come over and help with the heavy lifting. You can purchase a Quartz slabs that are 26” wide by 108” long with the long edge already polished and 36” by 108” with both long edges already polished. Not only does it save lots of your time polishing, a slabs in these sizes are pretty easy for 2 or 3 people to handle. Another advantage of quartz compared to granite is you can haul it lying flat in the back of a pickup, whereas granite should be transported in a vertical position to reduce the risk of breakage.
Cut the Quartz
Install a diamond blade in your oldest worm drive saw and use a straightedge clamping tool guide to cut the slab to length. You’re going to want the overhang on the side to be approximately the same amount as the overhang on the front of the cabinet that you will be installing it on.
Cut the Quartz
Use the straightedge clamping tool guide to run the saw against. Slow and steady wins the race here. Did I mention that you’ll want to put on your rain gear right about now?
Cut the Quartz
For cuts that are longer than your straightedge, you could clamp a straight piece of wood or a level to the slab. Here we are free handing the cut because it will end up against the back wall where no one will see it anyway. Use a garden hose to trickle water on the blade while making the cut.
Polish the Edge
Polish the edge with a wet polisher/ grinder. Just think of it like sanding a piece of wood, only a whole lot messier. Start with a 50 grit diamond pad and work your way up to 1000, removing the scratches from the previous grit as you go.
Ease the Edge
As you are polishing, ease the top and bottom corners to match the small round over that was put on the front edge at the factory.
Dry Fit the Top
Get your friends to set their beers down and help you pack the countertop into the kitchen. Check to see that the outside edge of the top meets the wall without any gap. We aren’t concerned about any gaps along the wall that will be covered by the backsplash, but nothing is more amateur hour looking than having a gap between the counter and the wall where you can see it. If your walls aren’t square…
Trim the Wall
Use your oscillating tool to cut away the drywall so the countertop can slide far enough to have the front edge touch the wall tightly. It’s much easier to cut the drywall that cutting the quartz after all.
Cut Out for the Sink
The easiest way to cut the hole for a rectangular sink is to start by drilling a hole at each corner with your cordless drill equipped with a 1 3/8” diamond hole saw. Here we’re using a top mount sink so the hole doesn’t have to be pretty. For under mount sinks, the process is the same but you’ll have to spend a fair amount of time grinding and polishing to make the hole look perfect.
Cut Out for the Sink
Use your Skilsaw to cut from hole to hole. Because of the diameter of the 7” diamond blade, the cut will not go all the way through the material at the corners. Take care not to overcut past the hole.
Cut Out for the Sink
Next use an angle grinder to finish the cuts at the corners. The cut line will need to be angled towards to center of the hole so you can make it all the way through. Note: The guard was omitted for clarity- never operate an angle grinder without the guard in place.
Cut Out for the Sink
You’ll end up with something like this. After removing the waste piece, use the angle grinder to nibble away the rest of the material in the corners.
Dry Fit the Top Again
Dry fit the top again and fit the other piece to be seamed.
Check the Seam
Make sure the seam is going to work. Hopefully, your cut was reasonably straight so it looks like this.
Tools and Supplies for the Seam
Two-part epoxy, putty knives, straight razor blades, and some scrap cardboard to mix on.
Mix the Epoxy
Mix the epoxy according to the manufacturer’s directions. 1:1. Add color if needed to match countertop color. Then spread on the two edges to be seamed.
Make the Seam
Push the two pieces together. Any extra epoxy will ooze out the top.
Make the Seam
Use a razor blade to check for alignment. Run the blade across the seam from each direction. If one piece is too low, you’ll feel the corner of the blade catch on it. Use shims to adjust the pieces so they are lined up perfectly front and back.
Make the Seam
Remove some of the excess epoxy with a putty knife and let dry.
Finish the Seam
After the epoxy has dried, use a razor blade to scrape off all of the epoxy, leaving a nearly invisible seam. Now it’s ready for backsplash and the finishing touches.
All Done!
Enjoy your new kitchen! After completing any home project, you may want to spruce up your home décor in some budget-friendly ways. Rebecca, Founder of Restyled Homes teaches some creative ways she has used to transform her properties and those of her clients. It’s well worth checking out her blog.
A Note About Safety
Safety is important. I can’t say it any better than my all-time favorite woodworker/ TV host, Norm Abram, so I’ll just leave you with his famous quote:
“Be sure to read, understand, and follow all the safety rules that come with your power tools. Knowing how to use your power tools properly will greatly reduce the risk of personal injury. And remember this: there is no more important safety rule than to wear these (Norm points to his glasses) — safety glasses.”
-Norm Abram, New Yankee Workshop
Great article! Would you be willing to answer something for me though? What are your thoughts on granite for a kitchen remodel? I’m planning on doing a remodel later this year but I don’t want to spend too much money. Thanks for the post, and I look forward to seeing your reply.
Hi Luna, Granite is a great choice for kitchen countertops. The only downside is they have to be sealed regularly, but often you can find great deals on them. Good luck with your project!
When a person needs all-round durability, quartz countertop is extremely difficult to beat. Quartz is not a natural stone. It is an engineered stone. Countertop installation is the final step that a homeowner can execute while renovating his kitchen. And if you are installing quartz countertops, then make sure the measurements are accurate. Because once the installation has been made, this engineered material can’t be cut back up again.
I like how you mentioned that using shims can help you adjust the pieces so they line up perfectly. My brother told me he wanted to replace his kitchen countertops and he was looking for wich material to go for. Thank you for the tips on how to line up your countertops perfectly, I’m just going to let him know about finding a professional to help him pick the material.
Thanks for detailed tips on installing such complicated countertops. I have a small project at my backyard and instead of hiring some professional to install my countertops I like to do it myself. I truly appreciate your tips.
Hello Steve Wright,
Wonderful article with helpful tips and tricks. Thanks for the useful tips to remodel my kitchen.
Thanks for all of these great instructions. I now have the confidence to tackle my kitchen counters on my own!
Thanks for your installation tips! I am worried that I would mess up on cutting or stabilizing the countertops. I would prefer to hire an installation specialist.
This is great information! We just remodeled our entire kitchen, and the countertops were the only thing we had installed by a professional. We were very nervous about messing the counters up.
Very interesting. It doesn’t seem overly difficult at all! I’ll certainly need to remember for a future kitchen renovation.
You certainly have a lot of great how-to articles here on your site! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge & tips!
Gone are the days when we wouldnt focus on designing of the Kitchen and the materials to be used there. Loved this post and will bookmark
Great tips! The article makes it sound doable!
Hi Steve, This is a great step by step breakdown to installing the quartz countertops. We actually just had ours put in 2 weeks ago:) I showed my husband this and he said this is exactly how they did it! I was wondering if they did they seam right so now I feel good about it. Thanks for sharing this,
I certainly appreciate the detailed descriptions, clear photos and safety reminders. I loved the spot where you say it’s time to get your friends to put down their beers, too. A project like this would need more tools than I have, but I like seeing the right ways for the job to get done.
OMG I am gonna have to file this away for a few years, then show to my husband. He LOVES DIYing (and saving money), and this will be the perfect excuse for him to acquire some new “toys” – PLUS, with your super step-by-step instructions, this is totally something he can handle :).
A great breakdown on how to do this. The final countertop is gorgeous.
Another great DIY guide. The step-by-step set out with pictures makes it all look so easy!
Great presentation with your DIY. Thanks for sharing a step by step guide. We are planning to renovate our kitchen by the end of May and now I’m convinced we can do the countertops!
Thanks for detailed tips. Wonderful article
Like!! Great article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Excellent post. I will be going through some of these issues as well.
I”m curious. Your post doesn’t mention anything about using suction cup style clamps to hold the pieces of quartz together while setting the seam with epoxy. Are clamps necessary or can we just hold them until they start to set, then walk a way? Or should I order seam setters? We just want the quartz seams to be smooth. Thanks for answering!
Hi Kim, Thanks for the question. While clamps will make it easier to line up the seam, they aren’t necessary.
Excellent article. I’m facing a few of these issues
as well.. thanks for the info!
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This is a topic which is close to my heart… I’ve done my countertops myself two times and saved tons of money.
Exactly the info I have been looking for. Thanks!
The countertops look fantastic!
Good article. You make it look like it’s easy enough that even I could install my counters myself.
You are so interesting! I don’t think I have read such a complete guide before. So wonderful to find someone with unique thoughts and tips on how to install quartz counters yourself. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This website is awesome 🙂
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