Dekton is Cosentino’s ultracompact surface: a blend of the raw materials used in glass, porcelain and quartz surfaces, pressed under very high pressure and fired at high temperature. The result is harder, more heat-tolerant and more UV-stable than quartz, and those are the reasons people choose it. The same density makes it less forgiving to fabricate. Dekton is brittle under the saw and at its edges, so details that matter on any countertop job, such as cutout corners, edge profiles and seam placement, matter more.
This page explains what changes when the material is Dekton, what to decide before you ask for a quote, and how a Dekton job runs from templating to installation.
What changes when the material is Dekton
Cutout corners
The inside corners of sink and cooktop cutouts have to be rounded and cut slowly. A square inside corner concentrates stress, and that corner is where a crack starts, sometimes long after installation day. The strip of stone left between a cutout and the front edge, the backsplash or a seam also has to be wide enough to carry its load, which is one reason sink and cooktop models need to be confirmed before templating.
Edges
Dekton resists scratching very well, but a hard knock from a heavy pot can chip a sharp edge more readily than it would on quartz. A slightly eased edge, with the corner softened, holds up better in a busy kitchen than a crisp square profile.
Pattern on the surface, not through the body
On many Dekton colours, the pattern sits on the surface and doesn’t run all the way through the slab. Cut a profile into the edge, or leave the edge of an undermount sink cutout exposed, and you see the body colour underneath. That’s why mitred edges are common on Dekton: the patterned face is wrapped around the corner instead of being cut through. For the colour you’re considering, ask what a finished edge and an exposed sink cutout will actually look like.
Flat support
A rigid, brittle slab doesn’t tolerate an uneven base. Cabinets need to be level and the countertop fully supported, because a slab that rocks on high spots can crack under load. Older cabinets are usually shimmed before templating.
Decisions to make before you get a quote
Thickness
Dekton is made in 4, 8, 12, 20 and 30 mm. For kitchen countertops, 12, 20 and 30 mm are the realistic choices. 12 mm gives a very thin, minimal edge (we cover it in detail in our guide to 12 mm Dekton countertops), while 20 and 30 mm can be mitred along the front to look thicker. Thinner slabs need support sooner, over dishwashers and at seating overhangs, so thickness also affects how the cabinets are prepared.
Finish
Finishes vary by colour, typically a matte or a polished surface, with textured options on some colours. Light matte colours can show grey marks from pots and metal utensils. They usually clean off, but it’s worth knowing before you choose.
Edge profile
Decide between an eased square edge, a mitred edge and the other options before quotes are compared, because edge work changes fabrication time and price. Our page on countertop edge profiles shows what each one looks like.
Sink, cooktop and faucet
Have the sink model and mounting style, the cooktop spec sheet, and the number and position of faucet, soap dispenser or filter holes ready before templating. With Dekton, changing a sink after the cutout is made is rarely a small fix.
Seams and slab size
Most Dekton colours come in slabs of roughly 126 by 56 inches, a little longer than a standard quartz slab. That helps on long perimeter runs. An island deeper than the slab is wide still needs a seam, and large L- and U-shaped layouts are usually seamed anyway, because one long, narrow piece of Dekton is fragile to move.
On veined colours, the seam layout is a design decision. The veining can often be carried across a joint, but only when the layout is planned before cutting. Waterfall islands work the same way: for the pattern to run over the mitred corner and down the side, the side panel is cut from the same slab, right next to the top, which affects how much material you need. In open-concept homes, it usually makes sense to plan the island first, since it’s the piece people see from everywhere, and fit the perimeter runs around it.
You should see the seam layout after templating, marked on a drawing or on photos of your slab, and approve it before fabrication starts.
From templating to installation
- Cabinets installed, fastened and level, including end panels, island supports and any brackets for overhangs.
- Templating. On-site measurement, with sink, cooktop and faucet details confirmed.
- Layout and seam approval.
- Fabrication: cutting, cutouts with rounded corners, edge work and finishing.
- Installation and walk-through.
For typical timing at each stage, see our breakdown of fabrication lead times in Toronto.
Condos
Many buildings require an elevator booking, a certificate of insurance (COI) and WSIB clearance before a crew can start, and some restrict working hours. Measure the elevator, the hallway turns and the door into the unit early. Long, thin Dekton pieces have to be carried flat or on a frame, and if a piece can’t make a turn, the layout needs a seam planned for it.
Comparing Dekton quotes
Two quotes can look similar until you line up what each one includes. Check that every quote names:
- the Dekton colour, finish and thickness
- the edge profile, including whether a mitred edge is included or extra
- each cutout, listed separately
- the number of seams
- any backsplash or full-height panels
- delivery, installation, and removal and disposal of old countertops
- access costs for condos or difficult stairs
- whether HST is included or added
Reconnecting the sink, faucet and cooktop is plumbing, gas or electrical work and is often outside a countertop quote, so confirm who handles it.
Two warranties, not one
Cosentino’s product warranty covers the Dekton material, with its own terms and, in many cases, a registration step. Keep your invoice and confirm how registration works for your slab. The fabricator’s workmanship warranty covers the cutting and installation: cutouts, seams and fit. Ours is 12 months and is written into the contract. To see how brand warranties compare, read which countertop brand has the best warranty in Canada.
Dekton at Countertop Pro
We have been fabricating and installing countertops in the GTA since 2007, and Cosentino, the maker of Dekton, is one of the brands we carry. Dekton jobs are cut in our own shop at 103 The East Mall in Etobicoke, on CNC equipment, and installed by our own crew. The same company handles templating, the seam layout, fabrication and installation, so when you call after the job, you’re calling the people who did the work.
For condo projects, we provide the COI and WSIB documentation buildings ask for.
We work with homeowners, designers, contractors and builders across the GTA, and take on projects within a few hours’ drive of Etobicoke. You can start with a sketch, a drawing or a set of measurements. We’ll review it and send a quote, and templating confirms the final dimensions before anything is cut. You can see how a job moves through our shop on our in-house fabrication page.
Send your drawings or measurements for a Dekton quote, or call (416) 733-5555 to talk through your project.
Powered by HomeStars
Questions we often get about Dekton
Can I put hot pans on Dekton?
Dekton handles heat far better than quartz, and a hot pot set down briefly won’t scorch it the way it can scorch quartz. We still suggest a trivet for very hot cast iron or anything left sitting for a long time, mainly to protect the seams, since the adhesive in a joint is less heat-tolerant than the stone around it.
Can Dekton be used outdoors?
Yes. Dekton is UV-stable, so colours don’t fade in sun, and it absorbs almost no water, which matters through Ontario freeze-thaw cycles. If you’re planning an outdoor kitchen, see our page on outdoor kitchens and BBQ counters.
How does Dekton compare with porcelain, Neolith or quartz?
Dekton, Neolith and porcelain slabs belong to the same broad family of sintered surfaces and share many fabrication rules; quartz is a resin-bound material that is easier to cut and edge but less heat-tolerant. Our comparisons of Dekton, porcelain and Neolith and of Dekton and Silestone go through the trade-offs.
Can you quote before measuring?
Yes. A drawing or a set of measurements, along with your sink and cooktop models, is enough for a working quote. Templating then confirms the final dimensions before anything is cut.