Anyone know anything about quartz worktops?

lindos90

Alan_M wrote: »

Quartz isn't graded like granite, it's either acceptable or not. I have to say I'm really surprised you've got this problem with a Samsung product, get the supplier in immediately. Samsung made a big song and dance about not getting this product to market until manufacture was absolutely spot on.

I would need to see the white marks to have some idea of what they are.

Thanks Alanm I'll try and take photos for you, but im really rubbish at getting them on here, or doing the photobucket thing! Not even sure if it will even show up in a photo. I'll try though.

Thanks for the responses, I will brace myself and contact the supplier. Im hesitant because the things ive highlighted would have been quite obvious when cutting and installing. The area with the air bubbles is right next to a join, so they MUST have seen it and considered it acceptable.

lindos90

Here we go KM and alanm. Ive tried to take some pictures for you to see, but wobbly as I had to turn the flash off.

The first two are of the white/grey marks, they have not come out too clearly on the photos. first one shows shows two curved marks, both about 3cm long second shows a diagonal line, about 5cm long.

Last four photos show the area which has the air bubbles and increased amount of flecks.

Hope you can see them and can give me your comments.

http://s986.photobucket.com/albums/ae350/hobbitfeet_bucket/?start=all

ginvzt

I can see the marks, and those 'dense' patches do look odd!!! Call the supplier and query this. See what they response is...

Alan_M_2

Not great, the "clusters" of sparkle in the top is not acceptable it is an indication of a poor mix in the batch.

I can't really comment on the other problems without seeing them with a naked eye, the clustered sparkle is enough to request replacement.

The stonemason should not have fabricated material with production errors. Take it up with them.

lindos90

Alan_M wrote: »

The stonemason should not have fabricated material with production errors. Take it up with them.

Yep, thats what I think, they must have seen it when they cut it, which makes me think im going to have a battle on my hands, they obviously think its ok.

Will try the fitter/supplier, and if I have no luck i'll try samsung directly. Its ressuring that you, as a supplier yourself think its not good.

The fustrating thing is, I went to a local company that seemed to offer a proffesional and personal service.

Alan_M_2

Industry standard practice is once the fabricator has manufactured the material it's been deemed acceptable by them - the buck now stops with the fabricator.

However I would also take this up with the supplier as a manufacturing fault.

If the product was supplied and fitted by one company you have one port of call, the buck stops with them.

Good luck.

lindos90

James_Owen wrote: »

Hi, Just saw your pictures, I had exactly the same problem with this "NEW" Samsung material, terrible on scratching, in consistent and loads of pin holes. After doing extensive research, Ive found out that Samsung is releasing B-Grade (sub Standard) material into the UK and allowing the fabricators to work around the flaws, If a bad fabricator does not bother to work around the flaws or misses them, then it leaves us £3K out of pocket and no warranty either. Im taking mine to small claims court, where did you get yours done if you dont mind me asking?

Hi James, Thank you very much for your post!!Very interesting, I would be VERY interested if you can direct me to the information you have found out about 'b' grade samsung, I think I am going to need all the ammo I can get!

So did you get it supplied and fitted by the same company? Were they difficult to deal with? Do I take it from your post that because it was B grade, that it didnt come with a warantee? Is there anything on the markings under the quartz that would identify it as B grade?

Ohh, so many questions! I hope as a first time poster you will actually come back and post more!!

I will PM you where I purchased the quartz from, alittle unsure of posting on the thread incase it accidently comes up on a google and the supplier finds it:o.

I thought that it was only natural materials like granite that were graded, so the idea of 'b' grade quartz is interesting. I initially wondered if it was a 'second' myself.

Alan_M_2

B grade product is not something any of the major manufacturers generally get involved with, at least for public consumption.

I'm surprised Samsung has released product of this nature.

I'd be interested to know where this information came from also.

lindos90

Alan_M wrote: »

B grade product is not something any of the major manufacturers generally get involved with, at least for public consumption.

I'm surprised Samsung has released product of this nature.

I'd be interested to know where this information came from also.

Yes me too Alanm! Im just hoping James will be back, I would very much value a few pointers on where he got his information, Ive been frantically googling b grade, samsung, quartz etc, and have found nothing:(

Alan_M_2

I would be very surprised if Samsung release a product of this quality knowingly, it can be incredibly damaging to their reputation.

What these big boys do sometimes is release a slightly lower quality to commercial suppliers....

For instance, a fit for a new hotel that may be having 650 rooms fitted with TV shelves, bar tops etc that can all be cut from material that are slight seconds as the imperfections are entirely hidden.

However this type of material is very rarely released to suppliers that would allow it for sale for public worktop fitting.