Author
Esley Fleitas
Founder & Master Fabricator, Griffin Quartz
Esley is the co-owner, founder and master fabricator of Griffin Quartz, a family-owned countertop company in Boca Raton.
He has spent 20+ years working with stone, fabricating and installing everything from quartz to marble, across thousands of projects in his career.
- 20+ years working with stone
- Thousands of projects
- Speaks English and Spanish
Articles
Guides by Esley
Installation & Process
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Quartz Countertop Overhang and Support
How far a quartz countertop can overhang without support, when you need corbels, brackets or steel, and how deep a seating overhang should be.
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Quartz Countertop Seams
Why most quartz kitchens have seams, where fabricators place them, how tight a good seam should be and how to judge one on installation day.
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Quartz Slab Sizes
Standard, jumbo and super jumbo quartz slab sizes by brand, what a slab weighs and how slab size affects seams and how many slabs your kitchen needs.
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Installing Quartz on Existing Cabinets
Can you put new quartz on old cabinets? The checks that decide it: structure, level, depth, the sink base and what happens when the old tops come off.
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Countertop Removal and Replacement
What happens when old countertops come out: how granite, tile and laminate are removed, what can be damaged, who handles plumbing and disposal.
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How Long Countertop Installation Takes
Typical time ranges for each step of a quartz countertop project, how long you will be without a sink and the things that most often stretch the schedule.
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Countertop Templating
What happens at a countertop template appointment, laser and physical templates, what must be installed first and the decisions to make before it.
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What to Expect on Installation Day
A homeowner's guide to countertop installation day: prep the night before, the order of work, what to check at the walkthrough and the first 24 hours after.
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Quartz Countertop Installation: What to Expect from Start to Finish
Planning a kitchen countertop replacement? What to expect during professional quartz installation, from template to final reveal.
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Granite Fabricators Near Me: How to Choose the Right One
Top granite fabricators in South Florida. What to look for in a fabricator and why Griffin Quartz is the #1 choice.
Cost & Pricing
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Granite Countertops Cost: What Actually Drives the Price
What drives granite countertops cost: slab grade and rarity, slab yield, thickness, finish, edges, cutouts, sealing and job access, and how it compares with quartz.
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Cost to Replace Kitchen Countertops: What Changes the Price
The cost to replace kitchen countertops depends on more than the new material: tear-out, plumbing, cooktops, backsplash, cabinet condition and building rules.
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Quartz Countertop Installation Cost: What the Labor Covers
Quartz countertop installation cost covers templating, fabrication, edges, cutouts, seams, delivery and the install itself. Here is what drives each part.
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How Much Do Quartz Countertops Cost in South Florida?
Everything you need to know about quartz countertop pricing and budgeting.
Materials
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Is Quartz Heat Resistant? What the Manufacturers Actually Say
Quartz is heat resistant but not heat proof. What the major quartz manufacturers say about hot pans, slow cookers, air fryers, trivets and heat damage under warranty.
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Quartz vs Marble Countertops: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Quartz vs marble compared on etching, staining, sealing, heat, appearance and cost, with advice on where each works best in South Florida homes.
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Corian vs Quartz Countertops: How Solid Surface and Quartz Compare
Corian vs quartz compared: acrylic solid surface against engineered quartz on scratches, heat, repairs, seams, integrated sinks and cost, plus what Corian Quartz is.
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Quartz Silica Safety: What Homeowners Should Know
Why quartz silica dust is a hazard for stone workers, what the OSHA respirable crystalline silica standard requires, what manufacturers say about installed countertops, and what homeowners should avoid.
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The Complete Guide to Quartz Countertops: Everything You Need to Know
Everything about quartz countertops: how they are made, pros and cons, costs, brands, colors, maintenance, and South Florida considerations.
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Quartz vs Quartzite: What Is the Difference and Which Should You Choose?
The definitive comparison of quartz and quartzite countertops: durability, cost, maintenance, and which is best for South Florida homes.
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Quartz vs Granite vs Marble: Which Countertop Material Is Best?
Key differences between quartz vs granite countertops. Compare durability, cost, maintenance and appearance.
Quartz Brands
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Quartz Countertop Warranties: What Each Brand Covers
Quartz countertop warranty terms from Cambria, Silestone, Caesarstone and MSI compared: length, transfers, registration deadlines and what is not covered.
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Cambria vs Silestone: How the Two Quartz Brands Compare
Cambria vs Silestone side by side: what each is made of, where it is made, finishes, thicknesses, warranty terms and care.
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Cambria vs Caesarstone: Which Quartz Brand Fits Your Home?
Cambria vs Caesarstone compared on where they are made, designs, thickness, warranty terms, outdoor products and care.
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Silestone vs Caesarstone: Differences That Matter
Silestone vs Caesarstone compared on materials and silica, colors, finishes, warranty rules and outdoor options.
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Is MSI Quartz Good? What a Fabricator Looks At
An honest look at MSI Q quartz: where it is made, colors, certifications, heat guidance and warranty rules, including rentals.
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Best Quartz Countertop Brands: Cambria, Silestone, Caesarstone and More
Best quartz countertops from Cambria, Silestone, Caesarstone, MSI and Hanstone. Brand reviews, pricing and pros/cons.
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The Ultimate Guide to the Most Realistic Quartz Countertops
Most realistic quartz countertops that look like marble. Compare Silestone, Cambria, Caesarstone and MSI.
Design
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White Quartz Countertops: How to Pick the Right White
How to choose white quartz countertops: the four kinds of white, undertones, stain and heat care, and white colors to see by brand.
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Waterfall Countertops: What to Know Before You Build One
What a waterfall countertop is, single vs double waterfall islands, how the mitered joint and vein matching work, and what drives cost.
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Quartz Backsplash: Full-Height, Standard and Behind the Range
Quartz backsplash options: full-height slab, 4-inch splash and range walls, matching the countertop, outlets, heat and what drives cost.
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Quartz Countertop Colors: Your Complete Selection Guide
Stunning quartz countertop colors from white to black. Find quartz that looks like marble for your South Florida home.
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Quartz Countertop Edge Profiles: The Complete Guide
Countertop edge profiles from eased to waterfall. Which quartz countertop edges work best for your kitchen.
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Choosing the Right Countertop Thickness: A Complete Guide
Standard countertop thickness options for kitchens and bathrooms. Compare 2cm vs 3cm quartz, granite and marble.
Care & Repair
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How to Fix a Chip in a Quartz Countertop (and When to Call a Pro)
How to fix a chip in a quartz countertop: DIY repair kit steps, warranty cautions from the manufacturers, and when a small chip needs a pro.
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How to Remove Stains from Quartz Countertops, Stain by Stain
How to remove stains from quartz countertops by stain type, following the Cambria, Caesarstone and Silestone care guides, and when a stain is really damage.
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How to Polish Quartz Countertops and Bring Back the Shine
How to polish quartz countertops: why the manufacturers say quartz never needs polish or sealer, how to restore shine, and what to do about dull spots.
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Cutting or Drilling Quartz Countertops After Installation
Drilling quartz countertops or cutting them in place after installation: the cracking, silica and warranty risks, and how a professional handles it.
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How to Clean Quartz Countertops: The Complete Care Guide
How to clean quartz countertops the right way. Expert tips on daily care, stain removal and the best cleaner products.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Clean and Polish Onyx Countertops
How to clean and polish onyx countertops. Step-by-step guide on sealing, daily care and professional polishing.
South Florida Living
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Hurricane Season Countertop Installation in South Florida
Hurricane season countertop installation in South Florida: how the June 1 to November 30 season affects scheduling, condo work and new countertops.
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Condo Countertop Approval Checklist for South Florida Buildings
A step-by-step condo countertop approval checklist: association rules, alteration requests, certificates of insurance, elevator reservations, work hours and plumbing.
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Quartz in South Florida Sun and Humidity: Does Quartz Fade in Sunlight?
Does quartz fade in sunlight? What the manufacturers say about UV, sunny windows, lanais, humidity and salt air for quartz in South Florida homes.
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Fort Lauderdale Condo Kitchen Renovations: Complete Guide
Navigate HOA requirements and maximize space in your Fort Lauderdale condo renovation.
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Outdoor Kitchen Countertops for Fort Lauderdale Pool Areas
Create the perfect outdoor entertaining space with weather-resistant countertops.
Free estimate
Talk to Esley’s team about your project
Call us Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, or request a free quote. You can see slabs at the Englert Arts showroom in Boca Raton, where our fabrication partner cuts and finishes our countertops.
