Solid Surface - doable or too costly?

se99jmk

Hi

We're currently sorting out a new kitchen through B&Q, but are trying to cut corners where we can (tee hee).

The final step for us is the counter - currently they have quoted us for a laminate counter (butterum etched), about £1500 not including fitting.

We would love to go with a solid surface, but not sure if it's possible.. ideally:
- better quality surface
- low / no maintenance, easy to repair / difficult to scratch
- we have a curved edge in the kitchen which can work with laminate, but I think is far from ideal

The current quote is about 9m worth of laminate - how much more would we need to budget to go with a better counter?

Unfortunately it won't le me post a link to the B&Q floorplan :-(

Leif

That sounds very expensive for a laminate surface. I paid not that much more for quartz, maybe 5m worth including fitting.

keystone

What do you mean by a solid surface? Treewood or granite or what? If its something like granite then make sure that the kitchen carcasses are man enough to carry the weight.

If you can't lnk to the B&Q programme to share your kitchen plan take a screenshot, save as an image file, upload to Imageshack or similar, follow the instructions and then post the forum code link it gives you back here. However your post count says this forum will prevent you linking it. Just delete the http:// bit before submitting your post. One of us can put it back and then make the link.

Cheers

keystone

Leif wrote: »

That sounds very expensive for a laminate surface. I paid not that much more for quartz, maybe 5m worth including fitting.

Its the curves which are challenging and so up the price.

Cheers

se99jmk

Hi Keystone - Thank you.
Well, we're looking for low maintenance and I think solid wood would be more upkeep than we would actually do.. Ideally I guess something like Earthstone or Silestone? (I think that's hat they're called)

3w.dropbox.com/sh/tpsr8r2sweoezxo/oIz5ESo5tF

se99jmk

keystone wrote: »

Its the curves which are challenging and so up the price.

We have only got one curved surface planned, so it would be easy enough to drop that (originally there we're two next to the internal door).
We'd like to keep if possible, but if dropping it makes a nice solid surface counter affordable, then so be it!

se99jmk

hmm, may have read the quote wrong, could 3 x 3m worth of counter.. never was good with figures ;-p

keystone

CLICKYfor the plan.

Earthstone are acrylic workstops and don't have the wow factor for the price IMO. Silestone are one of the leading quartz worktop producers.

Cheers

Edit: That curve won't be cheap however you do it and if in quartz or granite would have to be done offsite and delivered ready made. Without being rude I think you could do better than that from a design perspective but I ain't much good at that so one of our kitchen designer colleagues will be along soon and can have a boo at it for you. Probably get you a better design, with better quality kitchen units and match or beat B&Q prices too boot.

se99jmk

Thanks Keystone! and good to know about Earthstone vs. Silestone..

Silestone sounds like the one to go for..

se99jmk

Wow - that's a hugely better quote!! Definitely makes me want to get another price for the counter.. And hopefully Silestone (or similar) may be achievable after all ;-p

James_Lahey

keystone wrote: »

Without being rude I think you could do better than that from a design perspective but I ain't much good at that so one of our kitchen designer colleagues will be along soon and can have a boo at it for you. Probably get you a better design, with better quality kitchen units and match or beat B&Q prices too boot..

Agreed with this - let a few experts here suggest better designs and shop around for a better deal. Hopefully you can save enough for a nice stone worktop - as a carpenter I'd never recommend wood tops (unless you are after that "rustic" cottage feel and willing to sand/re-oil them every few months.)

edit - please move that vase of flowers from the design - it won't work irl.