Most countertop disappointment starts the same way: a decision made from a 4-inch
sample chip. A full quartz slab is roughly 138 by 79 inches – what you see in a swatch is
less than one percent of the surface that ends up in your kitchen. This walkthrough covers
exactly how to pick a slab in person at a warehouse like White
Matte in Norcross, GA, so the countertop that gets installed is the one you approved.
Step 1: Shortlist colors before you drive
Browse the quartz collection and
porcelain collection online and pick 3-5 candidates. Then check
live inventory to confirm which of them are physically on
the floor. Calling ahead (+1 470-551-2092) means your shortlisted slabs are pulled and
stood upright before you arrive.
Step 2: Bring the room with you
Slabs never live alone. Bring a cabinet door or drawer front, a flooring sample or
photo, backsplash tile if it is already chosen, and paint swatches. Hold each against
the standing slab at arm’s length – undertone clashes that are invisible in isolation
show up instantly next to the real cabinet color.
Step 3: Judge the slab in the right light
Walk the slab from both ends and view it from a low angle. Polished surfaces reveal
waviness and pin-holes at an angle; matte and honed finishes shift color more under warm
light. If your kitchen has warm LED lighting, judge under similar light rather than under
cool warehouse fixtures – near a daylight opening if possible.
Step 4: Read the whole sheet, not the middle
Veining density usually changes across a slab. Check the corners and edges – that is
where sink cutouts and seams tend to fall. If the design depends on dramatic movement,
decide which region of the slab should land on the island, and tell the fabricator.
Step 5: Check lot numbers when you need more than one slab
A typical kitchen with an island needs two or three slabs. Color and vein tone can
shift subtly between production lots, so ask that all your slabs come from the same lot,
and view them side by side. For waterfall edges or bookmatched islands, confirm the pair
is sequential.
Step 6: Tag the exact slabs
This is the step that protects you. At White Matte the slabs you choose are physically
tagged with your name and held for your project – the fabricator receives those exact
sheets, not “the same color from the back row”. Photograph the slab faces and the tag
before you leave; the photos become your acceptance reference on install day.
Step 7: Release to your fabricator
Give your fabricator the tag references and your slab photos, and agree on seam
placement and vein direction before cutting – our
seam
placement guide covers what to ask for. Delivery from the
Norcross dock to metro-Atlanta shops can be
arranged at purchase.
Frequently asked questions
How long does slab selection take in person?
Plan 45-60 minutes for a shortlist of 3-5 colors. Viewing pulled slabs, comparing
against cabinet samples and tagging usually fits comfortably in an hour.
Can I put a slab on hold while I decide?
Yes – tagged slabs are held for your project while approvals are finalized. Ask about
hold windows when you tag; trade accounts get extended holds.
What if the veining I tagged looks different after fabrication?
Keep the photos you took at tagging. Because the fabricator receives the exact tagged
sheets, the installed surface should match your photos – cutting changes the layout, not
the material. Agreeing on vein direction before cutting prevents nearly all surprises.
Do I need my fabricator with me at the warehouse?
No, but it helps for complex layouts. Most homeowners visit alone, tag their slabs and
have the fabricator pick up later; fabricators visit our dock daily.