Countertop Suggestions?

10 years ago

Hello! We want to replace our countertops. We have a small kitchen that's open to the dining room (which I've posted about previously and gotten some awesome suggestions). My husband wants granite but I think it might be too formal and it's kind of boring. I want a bright, white quartz. I think the bright white would really brighten our kitchen, especially with the dark lower cabinets. We are doing both the counter top and the bar top. I was leaning towards Cambria Whitney, but read reviews that the Jewel collections can chip more easily. I also worry that I would grow tired of the sparkle. Lastly, it's a lot more expensive than granite! Any advice/suggestions would be great! Thanks!

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PRO

Urbanata/Steve

10 years ago

We sell Granite and Quartz at our Design Showroom. I do not find much price differential between the various grades or price levels of granite versus those of quartz. Cambria in my experience, however, tends to be one of the priciest lines of quartz products. Do not shop a brand when you look for quartz but a look or color as all quartz is essentially manufactured the same, 97% crushed rock and the balance fillers and binders. Quartz is fast gaining the dominate share of the solid surface counter top market at least here in the west as it is stain resistant and unlike granite does not need to be resealed. It also comes in larger slabs for a more seamless look. It also does not have the weakness of the grain pattern or fissures in natural stone.

That said, quartz that has a heavy concentration of "rock" in its surface appearance will tend to chip easier than those that have a tighter small grain or grain-less pattern or are homogeneous. Stay away from quartz that have recycled glass chips or metal chips in them as you will get very tired of the look after a short while and it will date your project just as many granite patterns do and have. A "plainer" looking slab will have longevity whereas a strong pattern will get dated fast. HGTV often likes to use sparkly slabs in their "remakes" because it makes for good TV but in reality not so much. There is much to be said for subtlety.

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Comments (8)

PRO
Cynthia Taylor-Luce
10 years ago
I'd say go for the quartz you love. Get it with an eased edge, which slightly knocks off the square edge. Cambria is a superlative product but certainly question your supplier/installer about any warrantees.
Molly thanked Cynthia Taylor-Luce
PRO
McAdams Remodeling & Design
10 years ago
If you are leaning towards a white countertop quartz will be much easier to maintain than a marble or a white granite. Quartz is less porous so is much more forgiving. It is also better to go with a white quartz that has a little pattern to it since that will help camouflage the seams. It is next o impossible to hide the seams in a solid white quartz even thought the seams are small.
Molly thanked McAdams Remodeling & Design
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Stoneshop
10 years ago
If you want a bright white quartz, have you looked into Caesarstone at all? They have both Blizzard and Pure White which are very nice. In our Cherry Hill, NJ area, Caesarstone has a much more attractive price point than Cambria.
Molly thanked Stoneshop
Molly
Original Author
10 years ago
I was steered towards the Cambria by one of the showrooms we visited but the price has me reconsidering. I'm going to try to go see the Caesarstone in person this week. Thanks!
Evan U.
10 years ago
When it comes to comparing the look of different stones, it can be really hard to simply picture it in your head. I use a visualizer to see what things look like and show it to others to get their perspective.

An awesome tool is over at http://marble.com/visualizer/kitchen_soho
Molly thanked Evan U.
PRO
Cynthia Taylor-Luce
10 years ago
A visualizer would be great when determining different tones (light, medium, dark, etc.) but for comparing different white quartz styles, nothing beats getting actual samples of the products to see side by side. Some companies will get you an extra large sample if you ask--maybe 12" x 12".
Molly thanked Cynthia Taylor-Luce
Molly
Original Author
10 years ago
That's what we did, we brought a couple of bigger samples home to try out. It helped a lot!