Your Questions About Quartz Countertops

crystal power answers:

I sell countertops for a major Chicago company. The 4 major brands of quartz produce countertops that are essentially identical in physical properties with the exception of color and grain. So , , , let price, appearance and warranty guide your decision. Of course, the reliability and experience of the fabricator is important, too. And, yes, quartz is a great choice for countertops.

crystal power answers:

IKEA DOES have quartz. Prices vary, but generally are lower than Home Depot or Lowes. Every location has a different counter-top company they deal with. Check out your local IKEA, where you can get a price list and see some samples. There’s also a kitchen sale going on right now, so you may be able to get an even better deal.

crystal power answers:

It looks like it has black in it to me-or maybe a dark Grey which would match. Have you seen an actual sample? If not it’s hard to judge. I would really want a sample before I committed.
One thing that comes to me though is you have picked out a dark color, have black appliances and white cabinets. That sounds a little to contrasting to me. I think if you go with this you are going to want to paint you cabinets a soft light color using one of the light colors in the counter top. Good Luck! I am sure it will turn out great!

crystal power answers:

Goo Gone. Sold at any hardware store. If that doesn’t work, pick up the citrus spray scent product from “California Scents” that smells like orange or citrus. I like the orange. I swear a quick spray or two takes goo right off, and doesn’t ruin stuff, AND makes things smell nice for a while!

Don’t worry you haven’t ruined it. Whatever you do, DO NOT USE GOOF OFF for this particular situation. It may be too strong and ruin the finish on your countertops. But tape glue sure won’t ruin them.

crystal power answers:

Cost should be relatively close depending on the granite colors available. Quartz or Engineered stone countertops have a tighter price range (appx. Low $60′s to low $80′s in my area of the country). You can definately get granite in that same range but because of all the different types of granite you can find granite prices that are easily double to triple that. Most countertop dealers have a core group of granites that are used in kitchens and baths and they usually price out mid $50′s to mid $90′s.
They are both great kitchen countertops. Silestone or Quartz countertops are going to be more consistent in color and composition. The new “permanent sealers” that have hit the market in the last year have helped bring granite back in to the ballgame for many customers. The down falls of granite have been;
1-Porosity, this was a deal breaker for a lot of people because of the maintenance of keeping it sealed (and still possibly staining it) and the worry about bacteria growth. The new sealers have hopefully addressed this.
2-Inconsistency, granite is a natural product that was formed millions of years ago. Color and pattern can vary greatly from slab to slab, which is why you should try to view your slabs if you choose granite. For a lot of people this is a positive not a negative. Many people are drawn to the unique beauty available in granite.
3-Compostition, granite is again a natural product that is mined from the earth it has fault lines and inclusions that can make it more prone to breaking or chipping. Usually this is more of a concern for the fabricator who is handling the material, once it is installed on level cabinets it is more stable.
What I see installed in 90% of new stone countertops is undermount stainless steel. I personally have one of the stone composite sinks, I love it. Cast iron is not as popular due to it’s unforgiving surface (don’t drop a glass or dish in one) and the potential to wear through the enamel. It does have a very loyal following for the people who want it. Undermount versus self rimming? I like undermount you don’t have to worry about the gunk collecting rim.
I hope this helps