Another worktop question! Quartz / Composite stone...

Newbie2saving

Alan_M wrote: »

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.

Alan M, thanks for the information, really interesting. I like the matt finishes, I'm not an overly bling person, but now I've read the link you provided it's made me reconsider. My budget is changing by the day!!! Decisions, decisions!!!

Newbie2saving

majjie wrote: »

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

Majjie

No problem, interesting discussion along the same lines so I'm happy to read all the info provided!

Alan_M_2

majjie wrote: »

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

There are a lot of factories there now, very few have bought branded Breton Machines. The Chinese are very good at reverse engineering, so they buy a Breton, dismantle it, then reverse engineer it, improve it and set up their own production lines. They then sell these machines to other companies.

There is only one way to manufacture quartz that I'm aware of. Well, I've yet to visit a factory that has a different process.

What you have to do as a buyer is spend time with the producer explaining to them what level of quality os required for the market you're supplying.

For instance, the biggest market for Chinese quartz suppliers is currently thier domestic market, then Middle East and Asia, followed closely by America.

All of these markets accept a variety of different qualities.

The made in China tag is not something American's are uncomfortable about, they simply view China as the worlds factory.

Now the UK are a different market altogether. The expectation of quality is sky high, so you need to get across to the producer what is required and fact you're prepared to pay for it. That's why I spend time and money flying there and back to check colours and production runs. It's not glamourous, trust me.

When you do find a good factory, their production quality is as good (if not actually better) than any of the well known brand names.

Newbie2saving

Been to kitchen supplier today and I'm getting a quote from Silestone and Ceaser Stone, haven't decided on colour just yet! Will see what the difference is before making a decision, if anyone has any experience of these two products would appreciate it...

Alan_M_2

Have a chat with these people:-

http://bespokesurfaces.co.uk/default.aspx

They specialise in all the man made branded product and will give you an impartial view point on all of them. Plus a quote if you're interested.