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burtnyks

2 Quartz Questions

6 years ago

I’ve recently starting planning some kitchen upgrades and visited a few local stores. One of the stores is really pushing Envi Surfaces brand. I haven’t been able to find a lot of info on it. I’m used to hearing about Silestone, MSI, Caesarstone...... The salesmen made it sound like Envi was the greatest thing ever for the price and he doesn’t even carry Silestone (which is a brand I was looking at). Has anyone heard of this brand? He also went into a big lecture about how they only purchase first runs of the material, not like other stores that buy 2nd and 3rd runs. Is that something I even need to be concerned with or more of a sales tactic? I just want to be sure when I’m doing price/quality comparisons that I’m looking at apples to apples.

Comments (18)

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Beware of salespeople who push a certain product too hard. It could be he's getting sales incentives from the manufacturer based on how much he sells.


    I have not heard of Envi, which, of course, doesn't necessarily make it a bad product. Do some research on the brand. Where is it manufactured? Are there reviews?


    Meanwhile, good, reputable counter top suppliers/fabricators carry several lines of product. Go with showrooms that have multiple brands.

    burtnyks thanked Sabrina Alfin Interiors
  • 6 years ago

    This link has good info on what to consider when choosing quartz: https://www.thespruce.com/quartz-countertop-brands-comparison-guide-4122337

    burtnyks thanked Sammie J
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    @User What are questions to ask regarding fabrication? I’ve read reviews on several companies and checked things like Next Door for referrals. The only major concern I have is how the seaming is done because I will have a seam based on the overall length of my main kitchen counter. Most companies will bring you in so that if it’s manageable I can pick the portion for my island and see final layout in CAD. I don’t really know what else is important to ask.

  • 6 years ago

    @User I have been to the stores but definitely not asking those kinds of questions. Thank you! That gives me a much better idea on how to drive the discussion.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    That is the best list of questions for fabricators I’ve ever seen. Needs to be saved somewhere or pinned.

    Unfortunately, the reality is that if you ask all those questions you are likely to have one or both of these outcomes: the fabricator will say he doesn’t have most of the answers to them, and/or the fabricator - if he is good and in demand - will view you as too much trouble and not take the job. Sad but true. Perhaps pick a few of the questions you feel are most important and just ask those.

    This is even moreso for Quartz which confoundingly does not have the same customary steps with the client as stone fabrication has - in particular being present at the template layout.

  • 6 years ago

    So apparently it’s under Lakeside Surfaces and I did find reviews on Houzz so I feel a little better. It’s a local company in my state which might not be a bad thing vs the bigger companies.

  • 6 years ago

    Has anyone used ENVI quartz?

  • 6 years ago

    @chris2000kc I’m in MI and it’s a smaller company here called Dwyer Marble and Stone. I heard its good quality. I had never heard of it but found it in 2 stores now.

  • 5 years ago

    I also just had Envi installed in Michigan. Looks good so far.

  • 4 years ago

    I think the post with the list of good questions to ask quartz fabricators got deleted or lost somehow? Is it possible someone might remember what they were roughly? I'm very interested since I'm starting my kitchen remodel.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    You need to vet the fabricator's reputation. That's all.

  • 4 years ago

    Ah, thank you.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    I am a fabricator. "Go with showrooms that have multiple brands." and "You need to vet the fabricator's reputation." do these two things well and you will have a good outcome.

  • 3 years ago

    I am also looking at new countertops and am considering one from Envi. I too cannot find much on it. Looks like the warranty is only 15 years. Big purchase for me, so I want to make sure I am getting something quality. (French Lace is the style I am considering)

    Any recent advice/feedback on this brand? thanks in advance

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I am a fabricator. From Sammie J's link: "Edge profiles are built into the slab at the factory, not formed by the fabricator." This is completely incorrect. Edge profiles are generated by the fabricator during the finishing process. A given fabricator will have a variety of edge profile options for the customer although some shops that focus on price might only offer 1 or 2 options. Other than this error the info provided in the link was good.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    The article is also wrong about engineered stone composition:


    "Around 93 percent mineral content. The high degree of mineral content gives quartz its distinctive look and feel. By contrast, solid surface's 66 percent mineral and 33 percent polymer content lends a silky, soapy feeling to the material."


    Engineered stone is 66% quartz and 33% resin; no debate. The estone manufacturers 93% number is by weight, not by volume, which is completely meaningless.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Joe; you are correct, of course; I missed that point. From the customers perspective the important point is that the percentage by volume is also the percentage by square inch of surface. Hence the 33% resin by weight is also 33% resin of the surface.