Another worktop question! Quartz / Composite stone... 26 April 2011 at 9:23AM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 15 replies 10.7K views

Newbie2saving

Hi all,

Ok I've decided to change the worktops in my new house. The kitchen is fairly new and the previous owners had high end laminate and full height laminate splashbacks. I have always wanted grantie tops, but after speaking to a few people I've been advised to go down the composite stone / quartz route. Saw a couple of Silestone tops (black) I liked at the weekend, do I have any other options on the back of recommendations? Want to get the best product / look possible.

Anybody got the sparkly type? Not sure to go for this or more of a matt finish???

Thanks.

Greatgimp

Bought the Bushboard Elite black sparkle and it was a disaster - needed constant polishing and the streaks made by the cloth is impossible to get out. I wouldn't consider a black sparkle again.

Newbie2saving

Greatgimp wrote: »

Bought the Bushboard Elite black sparkle and it was a disaster - needed constant polishing and the streaks made by the cloth is impossible to get out. I wouldn't consider a black sparkle again.

This is my worry, but think a black matt may be even worse! I am kinda stuck with black as the units are cream and the cooker is black (a large range type one) and as I'm colour averse I can't think of anything else which would go. I would normally have chosen brown worktops. It's an awful lot of money to spend, want it right.

Anyone else?

majjie

Do you mean Bushboard Encore, Greatgimp? If so, it's an acrylic solid surface - it's not a quartz composite. And it's the solid surface material that is prone to marking - nothing to do with the sparkly bits.

You won't get the same problems with marking - if you go for quartz - although any mainly black surface will show smears.

Silestone is about the best quartz composite you can get - although it's not the cheapest!

Have you looked at Silestone's "Mountain Series" Newbie2saving? Something like Mountain Mist could go with all your existing colours and a mottled finish shows the marks least. If you really like the sparkles, though, they won't affect how easy the surface is to keep clean - not with Silestone.

Majjie

Newbie2saving

Thanks for the post. Just had a peek at the full range of colours on the silestone website - oh too much choice!!!! I do like the one you suggested majjie, thanks for that. It's such a big outlay I want to get it right. I wonder if a supplier would lend me the samples so I could put them against my actual kitchen units and cooker, might be the best option...

Alan_M_2

Silestone is Quartz, it is the market leader for Quartz and only available in 3000 x 1400mm slabs, expect quotes in the region of 40% more than granite. Basically unless you have an absolute minimum of £3500 budget for worktops only - forget Silestone but look at other brands.

For black colours there isn't a huge amount to choose between granite and Quartz - it's really personal taste. For light colours Quartz wins hands down simply due to substantially reduced absorbancy levels.

I've just spent the last 3 days in a quartz factory in Shanghai getting colours made up and checking quality and production - there's as lot of nonsence written about Quartz so I think it's about time I wrote a thread for that like I did with the granite.

As a rule of thumb though - a honed surface, particualrly in a dark colour is going to be a shocker to live with, no matter what material - granite, quartz or any of the resin products.

Innys

Alan_M wrote: »

As a rule of thumb though - a honed surface, particualrly in a dark colour is going to be a shocker to live with, no matter what material - granite, quartz or any of the resin products.

Erm..........please excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by a "honed surface"? Do you mean a kitchen worktop?

If so, that's not really what I wanted to hear on the day I paid my 50% deposit for my black granite worktop......

Alan_M_2

Take a look at this:-

http://www.atstone.co.uk/honed.htm

It's a description of surface finish, not colour.

Innys

Alan_M wrote: »

Take a look at this:-

http://www.atstone.co.uk/honed.htm

It's a description of surface finish, not colour.

Phew, that's a relief! I've gone for a polished finish.

majjie

Alan_M wrote: »

I've just spent the last 3 days in a quartz factory in Shanghai getting colours made up and checking quality and production ...

Hi Alan (sorry Newbie2saving - slight hijack - and yes a local supplier should be willing to lend you a couple of samples!),

There's quite a lot of cheaper quartz being offered from China - how many Breton machines do you reckon they have there now? Or is any of it being made an alternative way? Just curious.

Majjie

Shaanbles

Alan_M wrote: »

For light colours Quartz wins hands down simply due to substantially reduced absorbancy levels.
.

Any recommendations for suppliers of light coloured quartz in the Reading area in Berkshire? Am beginning to lean towards Quartz rather than Corian simply down to price.