Encore worktops by Bushboard from Jewsons

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Has anyone used an Encore worktop? Any comments on fitting/using them gratefully received

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Meepster

Nope, can't say I have used/fitted them and personally, I wouldn't want to. Heard lots of bad things about them...

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mwilletts wrote: »

Nope, can't say I have used/fitted them and personally, I wouldn't want to. Heard lots of bad things about them...

Thanks for your prompt reply - what kind of things?

sheslookinhot

I had intended using Encore worktop in Aanthracite in my new kitchen. I was put off by advice here and from friemds not to choose black as any markings soon became apparent.

In any case, the price quoted from Jewsons was about £2,100 before fitting so allowing £2,500. My granite worktops were £2,950 including fitting.

Try pricing granite tops. You know you want to.

downshifted

I'm not sure I do want granite actually - and if I did I have been quoted £3175 with upstands and fitting. I don't understand the big deal about granite worksurfaces. I think its just a fashion, and like any other something new will come in

I'll do a search on Encore, I watch this forum regularly and hadn't seen anything

Thanks

sheslookinhot wrote: »

I had intended using Encore worktop in Aanthracite in my new kitchen. I was put off by advice here and from friemds not to choose black as any markings soon became apparent.

In any case, the price quoted from Jewsons was about £2,100 before fitting so allowing £2,500. My granite worktops were £2,950 including fitting.

Try pricing granite tops. You know you want to.

madget_2

I had also intended buying an Encore worktop, but was put off by a visit to my neighbours who have a similar worktop - they say that they would never have one again as it's a nightmare to keep up with the maintenance.

I also sent for some samples and found that it is incredibly easy to scratch. It would have driven me mad.

In the end after trying lots and lots of samples, if I could have afforded it, I would have chosen Silestone - durable and looks great. However, I opted for Duropal after finding their Flash Black to be almost indestructible - and I tested it extremely vigorously! It looks great in the square-edged profile. Everyone who's seen my new kitchen immediately remarks on how much they love it.

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Madget - hello again! I too am thinking Duropal :-) and am off to see Wentworths in Canterbury this afternoon!! many thanks

madget wrote: »

I had also intended buying an Encore worktop, but was put off by a visit to my neighbours who have a similar worktop - they say that they would never have one again as it's a nightmare to keep up with the maintenance.

I also sent for some samples and found that it is incredibly easy to scratch. It would have driven me mad.

In the end after trying lots and lots of samples, if I could have afforded it, I would have chosen Silestone - durable and looks great. However, I opted for Duropal after finding their Flash Black to be almost indestructible - and I tested it extremely vigorously! It looks great in the square-edged profile. Everyone who's seen my new kitchen immediately remarks on how much they love it.

Edinburghlass_2

I wanted black gloss but not constantly buffing it up and went for Omega Riven Noir. It has a textured finish so doesn't show water marks but still with a gloss appearance.

http://www.idsurfaces.co.uk/c-1595-international-decorative-surfaces-riven.aspx

madget_2

downshifted wrote: »

Madget - hello again! I too am thinking Duropal :-) and am off to see Wentworths in Canterbury this afternoon!! many thanks

You're very welcome, downshifted.

Duropal have a good website where you can order whichever samples you like. I'd definitely advise that. Some of the ones I tried did show scratches and hard water marks badly (especially the dark gloss ones). However, others were amazingly resilient. Flash Black, my chosen worktop, stood up to my tests incredibly well - these included trying to cut it with a knife, spilling and leaving various substances on it overnight before cleaning it off, banging heavy pans onto it, etc.

One of the Duropals (I think it was Desert Sand) was also extremely durable and looked fantastic with the edges trimmed with a wide band of thinly striped mixed wood and metal effect. Wish I could find a photo of it. They had it in the Wentworth shop I visited. If my cabinet doors had been a different colour, I would have chosen that for sure.

I have to say that the straight edged "Quadra" profile looks so much better than the normal one - very sleek and contemporary.

Hope your Wentworth visit goes well and that if you choose them, you experience as great a service as I did.

pimento

madget wrote: »

I have to say that the straight edged "Quadra" profile looks so much better than the normal one - very sleek and contemporary.

This is very true.