Quartz is one of several types of stone used for countertops in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas of a house that need a tough, durable surface. Unlike granite or marble, quartz countertops are not solid stone. Quartz crystals are ground into particles which then are bonded into a solid sheet with a resin binder. The color, size and uniformity of shape of the crystals determine the final finish for the slab, which then is smoothed and polished. Countertops are cut to your specified size and finished with edges by a manufacturer using special tools to cut the hard quartz.
Step 1
Edge a quartz countertop according to its use. Choose one of about two dozen options, ranging from square to multiple angles, depending on the location and use of the countertop and its conformity to the décor of the room. Use a a simple "eased" edge with the top slightly rounded for a kitchen, for instance, but an ogee style with several slopes on the edge for a more ornate bathroom.
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Step 2
Pick edges with rounded or beveled tops for area where falling objects or things being moved could bump against the quartz and chip a square corner. Use a bullnose or cushion pattern in a kitchen where pots and pans may bang the edges. Compare full bullnose, which is rounded on both top and bottom, with half-bullnose and cushion edges which are rounded on the top but have a square bottom.
Step 3
Reserve exotic edges for decorative purposes, such as fireplace mantles or window sills which are less subject to accidental damage; quartz countertops are rugged, but sharp edges can chip. Use more exotic edges, such as a triple waterfall with three rounded surfaces from top to bottom, with thicker tops with more space for design. Avoid square or sharp corners on edges that people may accidentally bump.
Tip
Study design books at countertop suppliers to choose an edge. Some suppliers will provide small test pieces that you can use to make a final edge decision.
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