Choosing the right length quartz countertop for your kitchen or bathroom remodel can be a difficult decision. Quartz countertops come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations to fit any space. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to determine the perfect quartz countertop length for your next remodeling project.
How Long Are Standard Quartz Countertops?
The most common lengths for quartz slabs are 118 inches, 130 inches and 144 inches long. However, quartz countertop slabs can range anywhere from 55 inches up to 160 inches in length. Here’s a quick overview of the standard sizes:
- 55 inches – The shortest quartz slabs, best for small spaces like wet bars or laundry rooms.
- 118 inches – 10 feet long, can cover most standard kitchen countertop spans.
- 130 inches – At nearly 11 feet, a popular medium-large size.
- 144 inches – The longest common size at 12 feet, ideal for large kitchen islands.
- 160 inches – At over 13 feet long, these jumbo slabs are used for very large surfaces.
Quartz countertop slabs are typically cut to order based on your exact measurements. Your installer will seam together multiple slabs as needed to create the full length run.
It’s best to overestimate your length by a few inches to allow room for adjustments during installation. Extra length can be trimmed off.
How to Determine the Right Quartz Countertop Length
When deciding what length quartz countertops you need, the key factors to consider are:
Measure Exact Room Dimensions
Take detailed measurements of the full length of the countertop area. For L-shaped counters, measure each section separately. Include inside and outside corners.
Round measurements up to the nearest inch. Having extra length is better than coming up short.
Account for Seams and Joints
With quartz, seams will likely be needed for any run over 10 feet. Plan for at least 1 seam for 118 inch slabs and 2 seams for 144 inch slabs.
Minimize seams in high visibility areas like directly in front of the kitchen sink. Have seams near corners or appliance breaks whenever possible.
Also account for extra space needed for joints between slabs. Your installer will need a gap of around 1/16 inch between each slab.
Add Support for Overhangs
If your design includes any overhangs for waterfall or ledge effects, make sure to factor in this additional length.
Overhangs longer than 6 inches will require added support like corbels or brackets underneath. Don’t overhang more than 12 inches.
Include Backsplashes and Side Splashes
The length needs to extend vertically for any backsplashes or side splashes. Standard backsplash height is 4 inches.
Full height backsplashes extending to bottom of upper cabinets are also popular. Make sure you measure exactly how high you want the quartz to extend.
Consider Thickness of Material
Standard quartz thickness is 3 cm (1.2 inches). Thicker options like 4 cm or 5 cm add more depth.
Account for the thickness when measuring inside corners or any tight fit spaces.
Leave Room for Final Trimming
It’s nearly impossible to get perfectly precise measurements. Leave an extra 1-2 inches of length for your installer to fine tune during template making and installation.
The excess can be trimmed and removed after the countertop is securely in place. It’s much easier to remove extra than to fill in gaps!
How Long Can Quartz Countertops Span Without Support?
For standard 3 cm thick quartz, the maximum overhang without requiring extra support is around 6 inches. Anything over this will need corbels, brackets or other reinforcement.
Here are the general span capabilities based on thickness:
- 3 cm (1.2 inch) – Can span up to 24-26 inches safely.
- 4 cm (1.5 inch) – Can span 30-32 inches without support.
- 5 cm (2 inch) – Can extend up to 36-38 inches unsupported.
Proper installation is also key. Seams should be fully supported underneath. Keep overhangs and spans as short as functionally possible for stability.
Quartz remains remarkably strong across these distances. But excessive unsupported spans can lead to cracking or collapse under heavy impact or weight.
What is the Standard Depth for a Quartz Countertop?
The typical quartz countertop depth is 25 1/2 inches. This provides a comfortable surface area while leaving suitable clearance underneath for most base cabinets.
Here are some variations on standard depth dimensions:
- 24 inch depth – Great for bathroom vanities or other tight spaces.
- 26 inch depth – Adds some extra room while working well with most bases.
- 30 inch depth – Provides expansive workspace but may crowd standard base cabinets.
- Bar height – Usually 10-12 inches deep for drink/dining bars.
- Desk height – Around 20-22 inches works well when using quartz for a desk surface.
Be sure to measure your existing base cabinets or confirm the specs on any new cabinetry. The countertop depth should leave at least 1/4 inch of space behind to allow opening and closing doors and drawers.
How Much Overhang Should Quartz Countertops Have?
The ideal quartz countertop overhang is 1-1/2 inches beyond the edge of the base cabinets. This standard overhang gives you sufficient room to easily open drawers and doors below.
For other applications, follow these overhang guidelines:
- Kitchen island – Overhang 1-1/2 to 2 inches around entire perimeter.
- Bar/banquette – Overhang 10-12 inches for seating space. Add corbels for support.
- Desk – Overhang 1 inch to sit flush with front edge.
- Vanity – Overhang 1/2 to 1 inch beyond the cabinet face.
Take care not to exceed 6 inches of overhang without adding reinforcement underneath. Too much unsupported overhang can lead to cracking long-term.
How Thick Should Quartz Countertops Be?
The standard quartz countertop thickness is 3 cm or 1.2 inches. This provides an ideal combination of sleek profile and structural integrity for most applications.
Here’s an overview of available thicknesses and when to use them:
3cm (1.2”)
- The most popular and affordable option for kitchens and baths.
- Suitable for nearly all residential uses.
- Provides durability while keeping a slim profile.
4cm (1.5”)
- A thicker and more substantial feel underhand.
- Recommended for heavy usage areas like kitchen islands.
- Better supports longer spans if you desire bigger overhangs.
5cm (2”)
- Maximum durability for heavy daily use.
- Ideal for commercial installations.
- Allows very large overhangs exceeding 12 inches.
- Adds cost and weight over 3cm.
In most cases, a standard 3cm thickness offers the ideal look and performance for quartz countertops in your home. Only go thicker if you have an extended overhang or using quartz in a high-traffic commercial setting.
How Much Do Quartz Countertops Cost Per Linear Foot?
On average, expect to pay $40-$100 per linear foot for installed quartz countertops. The price varies based on the quality of the stone, edge profiles, thickness, and local labor costs.
Here is an overview of typical installed per foot pricing:
- Low-end – $40-$60 per linear foot
- Mid-range – $70-$90 per linear foot
- High-end – $100-$150 per linear foot
- Commercial grade – $200+ per linear foot
Be sure to get an itemized estimate from quartz fabricators based on your specific project requirements. Exact costs depend on the quartz material, edge details, cutouts needed, and installation factors.
Luxury brands like Caesarstone and Silestone are on the higher end of the range, while budget options like MSI Quartz start lower. Shopping sales can help save on popular name brand quartz.
What Size Quartz Countertops Work Best in Kitchens?
For most kitchens, a combination of 118 inch and 144 inch quartz slabs creates a seamless countertop run. Here are some common configurations:
Galley Kitchens
- For galley kitchens under 12 feet long, a single 118 inch slab should suffice.
- Allow 2 inches extra length for seams and overhangs just in case.
- For lengths over 12 feet, use 1 x 144 inch slab with 1 seam.
L-Shaped Kitchens
- Use 118 inch slabs for lengths under 10 feet.
- For 10-16 feet, do 1 x 118 inch and 1 x 144 inch slab.
- For extra long L-shapes over 16 feet, use 2 x 144 inch slabs.
- Minimize seams in high traffic zones like near the sink.
U-Shaped Kitchens
- For small to medium U-shapes, mix 118 inch and 144 inch slabs.
- For larger U-shaped kitchens, use all 144 inch slabs for fewer seams.
- Place seams near inside corners and appliance breaks rather than highly visible middles of runs.
Islands
- Small islands may only need a single 55 inch slab.
- Most kitchen islands are best around 96 inches long. Use 1 x 118 inch slab.
- For larger islands up to 144 inches, use a single 144 inch quartz piece.
How Long Can a Quartz Kitchen Countertop Be in One Piece?
With advances in quartz manufacturing, slabs are now available up to 160 inches (over 13 feet) long. This allows large sections to be cut from a single piece.
Here are the maximum recommended lengths for one-piece quartz countertops by thickness:
- 3cm – Up to 118 inches (10 feet).
- 4 cm – Up to 130 inches (11 feet).
- 5cm – Up to 144 inches (12 feet).
Anything beyond these spans in one solid piece risks eventual cracking or warping under pressure. For longer runs, plan on a seam to join two pieces together.
Proper installation is also critical. Keep overhangs conservative and add reinforcement for oversized spans. Get professional measurements and fabrication for best results.
How Wide Can Quartz Countertops Be?
Quartz slabs typically come in widths between 55” and 65”. This allows enough width to create standard 25”-26” deep countertops in most cases.
For surfaces wider than 65”, you would need to seam together multiple pieces side-by-side. This is rarely needed in residential kitchens.
In bathrooms, widths are commonly 12”, 24”, 30” or 48” depending on the vanity size. Just one slab can accommodate all standard vanity widths.
For desks and tabletops, quartz pieces can be cut to any custom width desired, within the limits of the slab dimensions.
Bottom line – quartz width limitations are rarely an issue for indoor use. Only very unusual large island or peninsula designs might require seaming quartz pieces horizontally.
Tips for Measuring Quartz Countertops Precisely
Getting highly accurate measurements is crucial to getting perfectly fitted quartz countertops. Here are some tips:
- Use a steel measuring tape and measure to 1/8th inch precision.
- Measure multiple times and have someone double check your numbers.
- Note down all measurements, don’t rely on memory.
- Account for uneven walls – they may not be perfectly straight.
- Include interior corners and inside edges of cabinetry.
- Measure from the wall to front edge to get depth.
- For height, measure from cabinet top to bottom of backsplash.
- Take photos of the space from multiple angles to consult later.
- Have an experienced professional do the final template measurements.
With quartz, it’s always better to have a little extra that can be cut down later. Leaving things a bit long during templating provides flexibility.
How Much Overhang is Needed for Supporting a Quartz Peninsula?
For quartz peninsulas, an overhang of 10-12 inches on each side is ideal for seating space. Be sure to add strong supports underneath to prevent sagging.
Here are some best practices:
- Use a 5cm thick slab for maximum strength.
- Install corbels, brackets or legs spaced every 24 inches.
- Ensure overhang is fully supported, not just front edge.
- Keep overhang under 14” for 3cm thickness and 20” for 5cm.
- Get corbel/support advice from your quartz fabricator.
- Avoid framing above peninsula with walls to limit weight.
With proper reinforcement, even longer overhangs are possible, but keep it as minimal as practical. Anything over 12” will depend greatly on thickness and construction of the specific quartz slab.
How to Measure for Quartz Backsplash
When measuring for a quartz backsplash, decide first on the height you desire. Standard is 4 inches tall, but you can go up to the bottom of wall cabinets for a full backsplash.
Once you settle on the backsplash height:
- Measure from countertop up the wall to desired height.
- For solid surface backsplash, measure only the length needed.
- To do a backsplash separate from the counter, measure the entire perimeter length.
- Add overhangs of 1/2 inch on each end.
- For corners, measure both inside and outside edges.
- Deduct for any sections blocked by cabinets, mirrors etc.
Having the backsplash fabricated from the same slab as the countertop yields a perfect color match. This integrated approach also costs less than doing backsplash separate.
How Much Quartz Do I Need for Standard Kitchen Spaces?
On average, expect to need 25-50 square feet of quartz for a typical residential kitchen remodel. Here’s a rough estimate for some standard kitchen sizes:
- Tiny/galley kitchen – 15-25 sq ft
- Small/one-wall kitchen – 25-35 sq ft
- Medium kitchen – 35-45 sq ft
- Large open kitchen – 45-55 sq ft
- Extra-large luxury kitchen – 60+ sq ft
Islands, full backsplashes, thicker material, and non-standard shapes can increase quartz square footage needed.
Be sure to precisely measure each section like countertops, islands, backsplashes, etc and tally the total square footage required. Leave at least 5% extra as a buffer.
Having your measurements done professionally by a fabricator helps ensure you order sufficient quartz.
Key Takeaways:
- Carefully measure the full length and depth of all countertops required. Leave extra room for adjustments.
- Standard sizes for quartz slabs are 118”, 130”, 144” long. Use multiple pieces for longer spans.
- Support is needed for overhangs exceeding 6 inches. Limit unsupported spans to 24-36 inches based on thickness.
- Popular countertop depth is 25.5 inches. Height is 1.2 or 1.5 inch thickness.
- Island overhangs are typically 1.5-2”. Backsplashes need 1/2-1”overhang.
- Cost per linear foot is $40-$100 installed based on quality. Get an itemized estimate.
- For optimal stability, keep quartz pieces under 10 feet long without seams.
- Carefully measure corners, uneven walls, and inside cabinet edges too.
By following these guidelines, you can determine the perfect quartz countertop sizing that will maximize both form and function in your kitchen or bath. Taking time to measure correctly will ensure you get a beautiful, seamless installation.