New Counter Tops: Thinking quartz?

[zumbergc]

I was wondering what people who have gotten new quartz counter tops. What do you think of them. We have laminant right now. So, why do like it more than granite, or corian counter tops you may have previously had.

How is the care of this surface? Special cleaners? What stupid thing did you do that may have ruined, scratched, or messed up the surface? Just want to make sure that me or my DH won't mess them up.

Right now we are thinking lowes for the removal of old counter tops, and then install the new. Can people share their experience with how long they went with counter tops? DO they rip them out one day, and then next day, put the new in?

I'm guessing that meant no sink, since we want an under the sink mount one.

Thanks for your tips,
Connie

 

[lurkernj]

I have Zodiac countertops made from quartz. One major factor for me is that they are indestructable. I never use a cutting board and have put pans on it right from the oven. I have had them for 6 years and they still look like brand new. Definitely can't do this with corian. I think granite would hold up, but back when we were investigating countertops, granite needed to be "treated" once a year and I wanted something maintenance free, I assume this is still the case. The zodiac was more expensive than corian, but less than granite too (don't know if that is still the case).

 

[KigerKat]

DH and I just replaced our Corian counters this summer with granite. I saw some quartz counters that looked really nice, but I also heard that they can stain, get scratched and can be damaged by heat. I like how I can take a pot off the stove and not worry about having a trivet or towel on the counter before I set it down.

The cost for both was about the same, it just really depends on if you want a uniform look or a natural stone look. There are some great granites out there that have a more uniform pattern if that's what you want. DH and I went for an exotic pattern called Golden Crystal that has so much character and depth in all the different colors.

Don't just limit yourself to what Home Depot and Lowe's have to offer. Go to a granite warehouse and see the many different patterns available. A lot of these places will also carry a large number of marble and quartz as well, so you can definitely do some comparison there. And don't be shy to ask for samples to take home and look at in your kitchen's light and see how the colors go with your cabinets.

One tip that could be viewed as either a pro or a con...If you get a pattern with a lot of dark colors, it will show finger prints and dirt very easily and you'll always be wiping down your counters. Lighter colors and patterns can hide fingerprints and dirt - so sometimes I can't tell if I missed cleaning part of the counter!

 

[KigerKat]

I have Zodiac countertops made from quartz. One major factor for me is that they are indestructable. I never use a cutting board and have put pans on it right from the oven. I have had them for 6 years and they still look like brand new. Definitely can't do this with corian. I think granite would hold up, but back when we were investigating countertops, granite needed to be "treated" once a year and I wanted something maintenance free, I assume this is still the case. The zodiac was more expensive than corian, but less than granite too (don't know if that is still the case).

We were given a bottle of sealant to use once a year on our granite - you use it just as you would if you were giving your counters a good cleaning and it takes about 10 minutes.

 

[allison443]

I have quartz counters-Silestone brand. We put them in four years ago in our kitchen remodel. We have the color "mahogany" which is a dark brown, and our cabinets are cream colored.
The silestone is absolutely fantastic. I use soap and water or windex to clean it. You don't have to seal it, like you do with some granites. My dh has a bad habit of cutting things directly on the counter and the silestone does not scratch. Nothing has stained it in four years. I don't usually put hot things directly on the counter, just out of habit, but once in while I will and it's fine.

I totally love my Silestone and that was one of the best decisions I made in the kitchen. I also love the undermount sink-just sweep crumbs right into the sink!

 

[kittymarcy]

I have Zodiac countertops made from quartz. One major factor for me is that they are indestructable. .

Me too - and I agree. These countertops look amazing, are zero-maintenance, and hold up well.

 

[lurkernj]

"DH and I just replaced our Corian counters this summer with granite. I saw some quartz counters that looked really nice, but I also heard that they can stain, get scratched and can be damaged by heat. "

Just want to say that my quartz counters have had easter egg dye, Koolaid mix, nail polish (and remover) and have not stained. I also have chisled baking chocolate with a knife and "stabbed" the counter...the knife tip broke off but the counter was unmarked. When I bake cookies, I put the pans right on the counter to remove the cookies and don't use a wire rack for the cookies either, they go right on the counter. So no stains, scratches, or heat marks!

 

[JennSaint]

We put Cambria quartz counters in when we built our house 3 years ago. I have it in my kitchen and bathrooms and love it!!

 

[kldmom2000]

DH owns a small solid surface fabrication/installation countertop company. They get a lot of referrals from small kitchen dealers and they have an amazing reputation and get a lot of work via word of mouth.

Right now the hot stuff is indeed quartz. They are not doing very much corian anymore and the focus has been mostly on silestone, cambria, and zodiaq. They do get some granite jobs as well... but quartz is the biggie around here.

I'm not sure how other countertop installation companies may work, but the way he does it is they go out and template the counterop over the existing one. Your countertop stays put until installation which would be approx. 2 weeks out (they have to order the material, get it fabricated, mount the sink, etc..... ). On installation day, they remove the old countertop and install the new one within a matter of hours. They ask that you have a licensed plumber present to disconnect/reconnect the plumbing as they are certified installers, but not plumbers and are not insured to mess with the plumbing.

Any reputable countertop fabricator/installer should work this way....

Good luck in your decision!!!!

 

[zumbergc]

Ok, good. I'm glad its not easy to ruin the quartz, sometimes DH forgets or is in a hurry. I would hate to spend all that money, and in one second ruined.

Anyone have anymore installation experience.

THanks

Connie

 

[Mrs D]

Just wanted to add that we have had our Hanstone quartz counter tops for a year and love them. I use antibacterial wipes on them most often out of ease. I also use any spray cleaner and a paper towel on them. And when I want them really shiny and perfect I use windex after.
I don't cut on them or put pans from range/stove on them, they are very heat resistant but not guaranteed to be heat proof.
I chose it over granite because I prefer an more uniform appearance. The cost was about the same as granite.

 

[KandiB47]

I have quartz counters-Silestone brand. We put them in four years ago in our kitchen remodel. We have the color "mahogany" which is a dark brown, and our cabinets are cream colored.
The silestone is absolutely fantastic. I use soap and water or windex to clean it. You don't have to seal it, like you do with some granites. My dh has a bad habit of cutting things directly on the counter and the silestone does not scratch. Nothing has stained it in four years. I don't usually put hot things directly on the counter, just out of habit, but once in while I will and it's fine.

I totally love my Silestone and that was one of the best decisions I made in the kitchen. I also love the undermount sink-just sweep crumbs right into the sink!

I also have Silestone and agree with everything posted above. I love my Silestone. I got a basic beige pattern for $49/sq ft. That was cheaper than the granite or Corian I priced (I bought the counter top from a website!) . I've only had the counter tops for 6 months but there is not a mark to be found and we are hard on our counter top.

Silestone is something like 96% quartz and 4% filler/glue. It's man made.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We just bought a house with granite counter tops, does anyone know if they can be damaged by heat or can I take things right out of the oven and place it on the counter?

 

[readingteacher]

We have lamainate counters that look like red/ black granite and then my back splashes are black/little red specks granite tile in the opposite design. and my bar has the granite tile in it as well and my fireplace. Most people who come in can't tell. I saw this look at a Parade of Homes a couple of years ago and put it in my house b/c I liked it so well.

 

[EMom]

Just wanted to add that we have had our Hanstone quartz counter tops for a year and love them. I use antibacterial wipes on them most often out of ease. I also use any spray cleaner and a paper towel on them. And when I want them really shiny and perfect I use windex after.
I don't cut on them or put pans from range/stove on them, they are very heat resistant but not guaranteed to be heat proof.
I chose it over granite because I prefer an more uniform appearance. The cost was about the same as granite.

This is a big consideration.....Appearance. Some people want uniformity, consistency and predictability and quartz provides that. I loathed those things and wanted granite because that would allow me to go to a granite yard, select my own slabs and get those with as much flow and variety as I wanted. And I wanted a LOT. I chose an exotic granite that is not seen very often. If you look at one area and then look one foot away, it looks like an entirely different granite. Move down another foot and it's yet another granite, etc. I love that! But some people would hate it.

You can get granites that are very uniform, if uniformity is what you prefer. Then you have to weigh the pros and cons of granite vs. quartz and there is no clear winner. Again, your pro may be my con. It's a very individual choice. I always hear, "You have to treat granite once a year," but that is such a crock. You pour a thin sealant on it and rub it in. It's done. It takes a few minutes, tops. No biggie. It's like wiping off a counter and we do that all the time. Easy peasy. So that shouldn't deter you.

 

[DebMcDonald]

We went with home depot when we had new countertops installed in our old house. We took them out ourselves and it wasn't bad at all. We went with Corian with a built in sink. When they arrived our countertop was off and I had a new one in about two hours. I absolutely loved that countertop. We have since moved and I currently have laminate, because we just could afford several thousands extra for something nicer.

 

[kbkids]

We've got quartz as well - and I LOVE IT!!!! We're got a Cambria pattern, but there was a Silestone one that was running a pretty close 2nd when we were choosing. Like others have said, it's pretty much indestructable. I don't ever use a cutting board either. Set pots and pans directly on it. Red koolaid sat for a day on my island because my child spilled it on their way out the door and didn't bother to clean it up, and I didn't get home until about 8 hours later - wiped right up!!

My issue with granite was just not knowing what the pattern would actually look like until it got there - with quartz, I knew exactly, very uniform pattern.

We've got it in our kitchen and master bath, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!!