We are looking into replacing the countertops in our kitchen (thank you Uncle George and Aunt Nancy and everyone else in D.C. for the belated stimulus check ). I have settled on using an engineered / quartz product of some type. A very popular product in my neighborhood seems to be Granite Transformations TrendStone. It's basically a 1/4 thick engineered overlay that you place over your existing countertops. Everyone raves about the Granite Transformations, and it looks essentially like the full 3cm thick quartz products like Zodiaq / Silestone / Viatera, etc. Two things that are bothering me about the product:
1) When they fabricate the TrendStone overlay, there is a small seam at the 90 degree angle at the edge of the countertop (it is two pieces that meet at a right angle - the seem is VERY narrow). I'm not worried about the seal itself, but I noticed it right away in the showroom and the samples I saw. Everyone else seems to downplay it.
2) The Granite Transformation overlay is essentially 20% as thick as the typical quartz surface. I know the original, 13-year old countertops are sitting there reinforcing it, but it still seems less robust.
Price: Essentially the same. The Granite Transformations price with install and undermount sink is about $90 / sq. ft. I found a DuPont Zodiaq color I like and Lowes will do the install with undermount sink for about $95 / sq. ft. (a local countertop / tile shop was going to charge about $140 / sq. ft. for the exact same Zodiaq product ).
Am I missing something about the benefits of the Granite Transformations? Is it just the fact that you don't have to tear up your kitchen to get it? Maybe I'm a little more tolerant of a brief period of kitchen chaos than my neighbors. If I go with the quartz product, I'm planning to do the demo myself on the countertops, so there's a little extra work there for me (but Lowes would do the demo for only $8 sq. ft.)
Other misc info: It's a relatively straight-forward job, not too big in any single section, so slab-size and seams aren't a factor. We are not replacing our cabinets. I will be doing a tile backsplash myself.
TIA.
Man made stone products are uniform, you can even pick a color from a sample. Something you cannot do with natural stone. Natural stone will stain(some worse than others), and has to be sealed periodically, man made does not. Not familiar with that particular product, but it sounds like there is a savings in removing the old top. As for major tops from big box, I would never recommend it. Go to a kitchen specialist. Only solid surface tops can be done with no visible seams, but a good installer will make the seams barely noticeable.
Originally Posted by Just Bill
Man made stone products are uniform, you can even pick a color from a sample. Something you cannot do with natural stone. Natural stone will stain(some worse than others), and has to be sealed periodically, man made does not. Not familiar with that particular product, but it sounds like there is a savings in removing the old top. As for major tops from big box, I would never recommend it. Go to a kitchen specialist. Only solid surface tops can be done with no visible seams, but a good installer will make the seams barely noticeable.
The reasons you specify are why I will choose an engineered product. I have seen references about not going with the big box for this. I guess I'm wondering what spending $50 sq. ft. more (+50% in cost for the exact same install and product) for a local shop gets me. Lowes uses a local company for the install. Due to my layout, I will not have any seams with either engineered product. Thanks for the advice.
I say this because I was a Lowes subcontractor for about 6 mos. I followed several of their experts to 'correct' mistakes where the customers fired the original Lowes contractor. That is why I was only there for 6 mos. I don't/won't do work the way they did. They do not get paid well, so their work is comenserate with the pay.
Thanks for the advice. I have kept looking, and found a locally owned shop that's almost the same price as Lowes. I'll be going with them.
Also, I've really liked the Cambria products, colors and really like their company story. Are there any real differences between the various quartz countertop products, other than colors? Everyone on the sales side tells you their the same. I know they're the same general product, but I'm just wondering about manufacturing quality / durability and if that even varies much.
There are many natural and engineered countertop materials. The fabricator is the key to a successful installation and customer satisfaction. Get references. Go take a look at their work and listen to what real customers have to say about consumer satisfaction.
Natural stone is manufactured by Mother Nature. Engineered products are manufactured by man. These products are products that contain polymers and resins and the dust of natural stone and/or other products.
Whether natural or engineered, the fabricator holds the key to your satisfaction. Mother Nature offers no warranty. Engineered product manufacturers offer warranties, but read the fine print. They do not cover botched installations.
1. Discuss seams with fabricator. There is no such thing as a perfectly invisible seam. Unless you go with an engineered product that offers seamless installation.
2. I know the original, 13-year old countertops are sitting there reinforcing it, but it still seems less robust. This is a legit concern. Most pros will recommend a complete tear out. No one is ever completely satisfied with a quickie. New coverup products are so new that there has not been enough time to collect enough data for statistical analysis. The installation of a new resurfacing material's success is only as good as the substrate on which it was installed.
Another consideration is that you have 13 y.o. cabinets. They may be in great condition, but 13 years is bordering on a dated kitchen. Do you really want to throw good money after bad and install an expensive countertop on existing cabinets? Potential buyers know what's in and what's out. New counter. Old cabinets. The new counter on old cabinets will not woo a buyer.
In addition, if you live in an upscale neighborhood where granite, solid surface, and upscale counters are in demand, then go for it, especially if you plan to sell in the near future. If you live in a neighborhood where plastic laminate is the norm, you will likely get nothing back on return for investment in upscale counter. If planning to live in the house for many years, go for what makes you happy. Consider new cabinets before sinking money in an expensive countertop. If you go for an upscale counter, go with a reputable fabricator.
Thanks for the thoughtful answer, twelve. Lots of good advice. We decided against Granite Transformations - the only benefit I can see is lack of disruption.
We visited a lot of places today, and I think we have found the right installer here in town - locally owned business that does a large volume of engineered countertops and does their own installs. I did see some of their example installations, and did a really nice job of concealing seams (it was a source of pride for them). They are also quite price competitive with the Big Boxes - with options actually came in cheaper than Lowes for the same Zodiaq product.
And we've had the cabinet discussion as well - we plan to be here for another 20+ years and are sticking with the 90s looking red Oak until it comes back into fashion. New hardware and some refinishing will do wonders (I hope).
Install of my quartz tops are done, I did my own backsplash, spruced up my existing cabinets and couldn't be happier with the outcome. Thanks for the help, folks.
What - no pictures????????????????????
Tags: countertop, quartz, granite, transformations, Granite Transformations, solid surface, tops done, 13-year countertops, 13-year countertops sitting, 13-year countertops sitting there, 13-year countertops sitting there reinforcing, barely noticeable
