How to Cut a Quartz Countertop

Quartz countertops are a combination of quartz and resin, and tends to be easier to maintain than marble or natural stone because it is difficult to stain and doesn't require any sealant. [1] Installing quartz can be challenging, but cutting it can be a breeze if you have the right tools. Due to the fact that the dust created by cutting quartz is toxic, you'll want to work in a well-ventilated area and wear a respirator and protective eyewear.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Measuring the Countertop and Marking Your Cuts

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  1. Use a retractable measuring tape to measure the length and width of your countertop. Draw out your surface on a piece of paper and label the length of each side so that you have a reference while cutting the quartz. Use the metal lip at the end of your measuring tape to attach it to the edge of your cabinets if you're working alone. [2]
    • It doesn't matter if your drawing is to scale or not. The important thing is that the measurements are correct so that you can easily reference them when you're cutting your quartz.
  2. Most quartz countertops don't line up flush with the cabinets. Typically, there's a small section of quartz that extends past the edge of your cabinets or table. The average distance for an overhang is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), but you can choose to add between 1–6 inches (2.5–15.2 cm). [3]
    • The maximum length allowed for an overhang on a kitchen island or extended section of countertop is 12 inches (30 cm). Anything bigger than that is structurally unsound. [4]

    Tip: If you want your countertop to be flush with a stove or refrigerator, don't add overhang measurements to the sides where you'll insert an appliance.

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  3. You need your sink to rest directly above the water lines underneath your countertop. Measure the dimension of your sink, and draw lines on the top of your cabinet to indicate where your sink will go. This way, you'll be able to check if the sinkhole in your quartz matches the opening in your cabinets before affixing it. Add these measurements to your illustration. [5]
    • Some sinks come with a template that you can outline on your countertop to help you cut. [6]
    • When you're installing your sink, you'll rest it in on top of a fitted hole that you'll cut out for it, so don't measure the very edge of your sink. Instead, measure 2 inches (5.1 cm) past the edge to give you room to access the sink slots. [7]
  4. 4
    Make a template for more precise cuts. Take strips of balsa wood or rigid cardboard and lay them along the edges of your existing countertop. Be sure to line up the edges precisely. Then, hot glue the strips together to create a template. [8]
  5. A cutting table capable of handling a lot of weight is preferable, but you can also set up sawhorses as well. You're going to want to mark the underside of the quartz slab so that there are no visible markings left on the top of the surface. [10]

    Tip: Quartz is incredibly heavy. Make sure that a sawhorse can handle the weight before putting your precious countertop on top of it.

  6. Lay your template on top of your quartz slab, then carefully and slowly trace along the line with a grease marker. [11] However, it doesn't hurt to double-check your measurements after you trace the lines,even if you used a template.
    • When you measure out the section for your sink, mark your lines 0.5–1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) closer to the center of the sink. You'll need some extra space to smooth your edges and you don't want to risk cutting too much off to begin with.
    • You want to measure out every section of your countertop before cutting. This way you'll be able to visually inspect whether you've made an incorrect measurement and double-check your length and width before you permanently remove sections of quartz.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Your Circular Saw for Straight Cuts

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  1. The dust created when you cut quartz is toxic, and can damage your lungs and eyes if you're exposed to it. Wear a respirator and airtight protective eyewear when you're about to cut your quartz. Work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors.
  2. Attach a diamond saw blade to your circular saw . A continuous diamond saw blade will give you the cleanest cuts. If you're going to use a saw blade with slots, they should be extremely narrow. [12] If you need to switch your blade out, release the arbor nut in the center of your circular saw, and twist it until it's loose. Carefully remove it and slip your new blade over the arbor nut and tighten it in place. [13]
    • You may need to remove a blade guard before placing your new blade over the arbor nut.
  3. Use a leveler or framing square if you have one. Place your straight edge next to a line that you plan to cut and attach it to your quartz using clamps. Place the edge of your circular saw's base plate along the straight edge to see if your grease marking line aligns with your saw's guiding line. If it doesn't, adjust your straight edge accordingly. [14]
    • Make your longest cut first so that you have a much smaller piece of quartz to work with. This will make the remaining portion of you slab easier to move and brace.

    Tip: On most circular saws, the distance from the guiding line to the edge is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). Keep this in mind when you set up your straight edge for the first time.

  4. You want your blade to go all the way through the bottom of the quartz. Lift the blade guard and use the lever next to your saw's handle to adjust the blade so that it sticks out roughly 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) past the bottom of your slab. Lock your blade guard in place and rest the base plate on top of the quartz near the area you're cutting. [15]
  5. Put both hands on the top handles of your circular saw, and line up the guiding line on the base plate with your grease marker line. Pull the trigger on your circular saw and wait for it to reach full speed before pushing it forward slightly. [16]
    • Keep your straight edge on the right side of your circular saw's handle. This will ensure that your saw doesn't go sliding away from the guiding line when you apply pressure to it.
  6. Let the saw do most of the work. It will naturally move forward as it cuts, so you shouldn't be pushing very hard. If your saw blade begins to kickback or smoke, release the trigger on your saw and wait 1-2 minutes for you saw blade to cool off. [17]
    • Smoke is more likely to occur if you're using a dry saw. A wet saw is going to prevent heat from building up, but you're unlikely to have a wet saw laying around your workshop. Consider renting a wet saw if you want to avoid a smoking blade.

    Warning: The dust that will fly off from your circular saw is toxic, and you should avoid it as much as possible.

  7. The straight edge and circular saw will work for every straight cut that you have to make. Repeat this process until you've cut through every straight line on your slab of quartz.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Drop-Cutting Your Sink Space

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  1. Set up your plunge saw's guide rail on top of your guiding line. You can affix the guide rail to the quartz with clamps if you'd like, but a plunge saw guide rail is usually designed to rest on its own. Your guide rail will have an opening in the middle for you to see your grease markings. [18]
    • If you have a sink with curved edges, you won't be able to use the plunge saw for the entire job. Instead, use painter's tape and wrap it around the edges where you're going to cut, and then set up your guide rail to cut a square out of the middle of your sink's outline.
    • A plunge saw is also known as a track saw.
  2. There is a slot or marker on the side of your plunge saw where your blade ends in the back. Release your blade all the way up so that it isn't sticking out through your base plate, and line up the corner of the sink with this line. [19]
    • You'll usually have about a 1 inch (2.5 cm) margin of error. A lot of sinks don't have form-fitting lips that you need to cut perfectly into.
  3. The guide rail that comes with your plunge saw has groves in it for you to insert the plunge saw. After you've lined up your guide rail with the grease marking, put your saw on top of the guide rail and lock it into place if it has a locking mechanism. [20]
  4. Put both hands on the handles on top of your saw, and slowly lower the blade into your quartz. Guide the saw forward slowly as you cut and stop once you've reached the corner where your next side begins. Repeat this process for each side of the sink. [21]
    • If your sink is circular or round, you'll still want to cut a square out in the center. This will make working away the rest of the material easier because you'll have room to maneuver your quartz grinder.

    Warning: When you've made all four cuts, you'll have a big chunk of quartz falling out. Either put a pillow down or have a flat work surface set up so that your quartz doesn't crush your feet or damage the floor when it drops.

  5. Use a diamond blade and wear your protective gear when working with an angle grinder. [22] Hold it with both hands and slowly work through the excess pieces by keeping your grinder flat and parallel to the inside edge of your sink. [23]
    • Using a grinder can be difficult if you've never done it before. Practice on a spare piece of quartz that you don't plan on using to get used to how it feels.
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The Takeaway: Cutting a Quartz Countertop

Use a grease marker and straight edge to mark your cut and attach a diamond saw blade to a circular saw. Adjust the blade to cut through the quartz and line it up with the guiding line. Pull the trigger to start cutting and gently guide the saw to the end of the guiding line.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I make sure my cuts are precise?
    Andrew Peters
    Architecture & Construction Specialist
    Andrew Peters is an Architecture and Construction Specialist and a Principal at Peters Design-Build, a full service architecture and construction firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 20 years of experience, Andrew specializes in sustainable and holistic design and building practices. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-Accredited Professional. He served as Project Manager for the international-award-winning “Refract House,” Team California’s entry in the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, a project featured in over 600 online and print articles.
    Andrew Peters
    Architecture & Construction Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If you have an existing counter top or plywood substrate, lay strips of balsa wood or rigid cardboard so they exactly follow the edges. Then, glue the edges together with hot glue. Once the glue is dried, lift up the template, lay it on top of your quartz slab, and carefully trace around the outside.
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      Things You'll Need

      Measuring and Marking Your Cuts

      • Respirator
      • Protective eyewear
      • Grease marker
      • Retractable measuring tape

      Using Your Circular Saw

      • Leveler or straight edge
      • Clamps
      • Diamond saw blade
      • Circular saw

      Drop-Cutting Your Sink Space

      • Straight edge
      • Painter's tape (optional)
      • Plunge saw
      • Angle grinder

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/quartz-countertops/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/PJ4GHkKyfnM?t=21
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/PJ4GHkKyfnM?t=21
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/PJ4GHkKyfnM?t=21
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/PJ4GHkKyfnM?t=44
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/EO9cAlBltfI?t=52
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/PJ4GHkKyfnM?t=77
      8. ↑ Andrew Peters. Architecture & Construction Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 November 2020.
      9. ↑ Andrew Peters. Architecture & Construction Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 November 2020.
      1. ↑ https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-cut-a-solid-surface-countertop
      2. ↑ Andrew Peters. Architecture & Construction Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 November 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315928960_Cutting_with_diamond_saw_blades_non-metallic_materials
      4. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-change-circular-saw-blade
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/uIt4i8g7ZAc?t=86
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/XlXId-YhEv0?t=29
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/XlXId-YhEv0?t=46
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/XlXId-YhEv0?t=46
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/WNzuBa_9PSI?t=50
      10. ↑ https://youtu.be/WNzuBa_9PSI?t=57
      11. ↑ https://youtu.be/RIz9R6Ps48E?t=75
      12. ↑ https://youtu.be/WNzuBa_9PSI?t=109
      13. ↑ https://youtu.be/tRunDjL7URQ?t=144
      14. ↑ https://youtu.be/X8i7Ga1UqEE?t=602

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