Who supplies B&Q granite work surfaces?

Alan_M_2

Yes Brian buys from us occasionally although I understand he moved much more towards the man made products such as Corian type materials so it's been some time since He's been to see us.

I've never actually seen any of his work - but he has a good reputation with people I've spoken to.

Shaanbles

Alan_M wrote: »

Yes Brian buys from us occasionally although I understand he moved much more towards the man made products such as Corian type materials so it's been some time since He's been to see us.

I've never actually seen any of his work - but he has a good reputation with people I've spoken to.

I'll mention you and see if I can get a discount

Karins

when I had my kitchen fitted recently the kitchen guy recommended Wharf

http://simpleworktops.co.uk/

I ended up going for granite in the end but he thought these were good quality

confused57

ALAN M
Hope you don't mind me picking your brains but I have just had granite worktops fitted (well almost cos the cut out for my hob was in the wrong place and that is being sorted!) That's not really the problem - genuine mistake on the part of the men that measured it)

What is bothering me is that in a few places there are small 'pits' - they look like something has been dropped on them - most are VERY small but one is about 12 mm x 8 mm. Also in places, in certain lights it looks as though it has been scratched. Am I being 'picky' or is this unacceptable.

Thanks in advance for any comments you might make (even if it is that I'm a picky so-and-so.

Alan_M_2

Some granites are naturally pitted, the most common is Star Galaxy.

As a result this particular stone is often "epoxy polished".

That means during the polishing process a clear epxoy resin (like araldite) is polished into the surface of the stone to fill in the natural pits in the surface and enhance the finished product.

It's not unusual to have fine pits in the surface of the stone, it's natural after all. However 12mm x 8mm is a little beyond acceptable.

That surface imperfection doesn't particularly mean the stone is poor quality as often a premium product might have a tiny imperfection in one place, we get a percentage of them in stock.

What we tend to do is select out these pieces to be used where a sink or hob will be cutting out the offending piece of material.

So this isn't a material problem, it's a selection and manufacture issue. If it's an eyesore and bothering you then it's reasonable to take this up with the installer. The degree of minor surface pitting is more dependant on the stone type than quality. I'd be unhappy that a large blemish had been deemed acceptable and included in the top knowingly.

Yes stone is a natural product, there will be blemishes, but we choose where to use these stones to disguise, hide or remove anything that will be considered unacceptable (i.e. by using that piece where there is a sink etc).

Doozergirl

Cleaned the kitchen back at "home" today ready to move back into and the B&Q Quartz worktop has cracked From the edge of the worktop where it's worst, you can see and feel it going all the way round to the underside and across the top of the worktop for 20-30cm until it disappears. So I knew it was inferior stuff and now I definitely know!

I have no idea how it's happened. House has been empty since January, I'm certain it wasn't cracked before then as you can clearly feel it and I'm a stickler for getting any stuck on bits off. The thermostat temperature has been set on 12 degrees, it can't have been the cold could it? But I'm wondering if it's something like the removal men knocking it with the washing machine on the way out? Neither of us can remember dropping anything on it and we never put hot stuff on it; it's halfway across the 60cm polished edge, by the utility area doorway so there's not much stuff going in and out coming out of there usually. It doesn't look like an impact mark, just a simple crack that's appeared.

Repair or replacement? Presumably it's now liable to continue to crack. I'm fed up because we were just talking about building a new extension which would possibly mean replacing that worktop anyway in the re-jig. But that won't be for a while.

confused57

Thank you very much for your speedy reply. I am not sure what to do really. When we pointed the blemishes out to our kitchen supplier (who organised the granite) he didn't seem overly concerned. I think I might have another word. Thanks again.

confused57

Hello,

Update on my 'pitted' granite worktops. My kitchen supplier (who organised the granite people) is going to have a word with the granite supplier and hopefully someone will come out and take a look. When I mentioned the polishing and clear epoxy resin he shook his head and said it's not that and that it was just that it's a natural product. I have been extremely satisfied with my kitchen supplier and trust him and don't really think he would try to fob me off. We'll see what happens next!

Alan_M_2

Which granite are we talking about?

Also having re read my reply I realise there are things I'm explaining that are clear in my head that I may need to include more detail.

When I explain about the epoxy polishing, this isn't something the stonemasons would do - this is actually at the point of manufacture of the raw material back in India, China, Italy etc... You'd be surprised how many stone masons are unaware of this never mind kitchen retailers.

However, your explanation has tied in with a lot of feedback I'm getting from my customers that quartz is taking over from granite in volumes. You simply don't have the "It's a natural product" conversation - quartz is acceptable or it isn't - interesting trend.

Alan_M_2

Doozergirl wrote: »

Cleaned the kitchen back at "home" today ready to move back into and the B&Q Quartz worktop has cracked From the edge of the worktop where it's worst, you can see and feel it going all the way round to the underside and across the top of the worktop for 20-30cm until it disappears. So I knew it was inferior stuff and now I definitely know!

I have no idea how it's happened. House has been empty since January, I'm certain it wasn't cracked before then as you can clearly feel it and I'm a stickler for getting any stuck on bits off. The thermostat temperature has been set on 12 degrees, it can't have been the cold could it? But I'm wondering if it's something like the removal men knocking it with the washing machine on the way out? Neither of us can remember dropping anything on it and we never put hot stuff on it; it's halfway across the 60cm polished edge, by the utility area doorway so there's not much stuff going in and out coming out of there usually. It doesn't look like an impact mark, just a simple crack that's appeared.

Repair or replacement? Presumably it's now liable to continue to crack. I'm fed up because we were just talking about building a new extension which would possibly mean replacing that worktop anyway in the re-jig. But that won't be for a while.

Is this 30mm solid quartz Doozer or the 12mm laminated on MDF stuff?

Is the crack near a cut out/join or has it just appeared in the middle of a top?