Hello Mark! Love your very informative video! I see your kitchen in the background. It looks beautiful. Your home looks beautiful. Sort of similar to my home in some sense. LOL. I guess we have great taste! =) .. I was wondering roughly how much ...again ROUGHLY.. would you happen to know approximately or respectively how much a kitchen the size of yours costs to get quarts or granite?? I know it can vary but I would just like to get an idea of the overall price. I have laminate currently. I want solid. I am thinking moving to quarts and have for a long time.
Hello again Mark and again, great video! Just an FYI, North Americans can happily get excellent quality granite from Brazil... so no need to ship from half way around the world (you mentioned the $$$ for this), just from the bottom half (😂).
Sir, you are a very believable and impressive presenter. I love your tone, the absence of exaggeration, and the wealth and depth of your knowledge! Absolutely fantastic! Thank you!!!
I’m a designer for many years. I love my laminate tops. They don’t damage my knives, I don’t worry about hot pots or pans , and it actually releases stains like wine or strawberry/raspberry. No one wants laminate but it’s a fabulous option.
Put plain white quartz countertops in about 20 years ago before they became popular, and love them. They still look brand new. They are easy to clean. No maintenance, Even if it gets a stain you can still get it out.
Thank you for talking honestly about the pros and cons of all 3 countertop types. Laminate is my go-to countertop choice. It gives me a lot more design flexibility since there are far more color and pattern choices compared to granite and quartz. From solid colors to wood styles to stone styles. You even get a choice of the type of surface finish and edge profile. It's also considerably more affordable at 2-3 times less expensive. For typical everyday use, they are perfectly durable. Use a cutting board. Use a potholder under hot pots. Problems solved. As for water intrusion, the fewer seams it has, the better off you are. If your countertop dimensions fit within the laminate sheet dimensions, your fabricator can give you a seamless top. No 45-degree mitered corner cut. It helps elevate the look and eliminate water intrusion issues in the corner of your kitchen.
Let me first say how impressed I am with your content with these counter surfaces and how you give equally valued info to each and you don’t steer anyone away from or frown on a laminate versus a solid surface. It’s all it what one can afford and like you said, what you like.
Thank you for this video. It's refreshing to hear a designer say that it's ok to get laminate countertops. You must have a highly satisfied customer base. 🙂 We're all different, we all have different needs/wants. Thanks for recognizing that and not trying to change anyone's mind. Keep up the great work!! 👍👏
I am British and have sold a number of high end apartmemts in UK , the kitchens all of which had aga installed and granite tops . Our market at the top end would not accept anything else . Thank you for your trends . I think shelves look great . As you say it is up to you . To me people are looking for individuality and style and laminate has neither and never will have , so if you want style you pay for granite. Thank you for your clear and intetesting presentation which is a credit to you .
Is quartz not rising in popularity there in the 'upper middle-class' market? It is now about toe-to-toe with granite in the states, with many opting for quartz now, due to the much wider variety of styles and coloring. Interesting to hear nonetheless.
@kempkennedy3542 I think it's a style choice kennedy. Quartz can be made to a more uniform appearance and thus, blend in more easily. Granite though, especially the stunning pieces, make a statement all their own and command center stage. This means backsplash tiles must chosen carefully so as to not distract, but compliment, the granite countertop. Cabinets and hardware have to also compliment, not compete, with the center stage granite. This takes more discerning an eye to achieve but can present a stunning production. Perhaps the "safe" uniformity of quartz with "standard" cabinets and "functional" hardware is all that is required by "most" kitchens. To each their own. Then, there's the kitchen's that make one slightly gasp... taking in every little intricate and complimentary aspect. Now that's style (that doesn't come with a simple swipe left or right lol). Art Gallery? Eye candy? Las Vegas strip? Standing the test of time and the resale of home will tell all.
I’m putting laminate in the new condo I’m purchasing because I like to change up my style every few years or so. Quartz is beautiful, but I really find most granite to be too “busy” for my aesthetic; both are a serious investment for someone averse to commitment.😉 I installed quality laminate in my previous home and never had any issue with its performance. Further, no one ever came over for dinner and said, “I’m not eating at your house because you have laminate countertops.” 😏My money goes toward quality major appliances.
For your situation it definitely sounds like laminate is by far the best option. I am personally not a fan of any laminate (even the high end ones) as I do see them as looking less refined and not always, but often times cheap. (Disclaimer: I have laminate in my kitchen at this time). I 'personally' greatly prefer a quartz or non-dated granite when I see a kitchen with them installed. But yeah, you cook and I come. And at the end of the day, really not concerned with it all. Just pointing out that "I notice at glance" when I see a nice stone or quartz in a kitchen. Kudos to you for the energy to 'change things out' every few years though... I'm waaayyy too lazy!!!
@@kempkennedy3542 Thanks for your comment! To your points, I have always been someone who likes to change up things in a few years to help settle my mind. I think I have a problem with stagnation or something. 😉 For example, my furniture is neutral beige, but I accessorize with colorful throw pillows to bring in texture and color every season. I don’t buy new pillows every season; I just change out the covers that I absolutely love. With my kitchen, I have LG appliance that are pretty solid to me, but I change out my countertops every 2-3 years because I get tired of the look. Imagine changing out quartz countertops every 2-3 years.😱 The other part of it is that I love to travel, so the money I would spend on quartz countertops can fully fund a short trip to the Caribbean or help pay for one to South America.☺️ Have a good day, night, afternoon, or evening wherever you are in this chaotic but amazing world.☺️
@@ablueslenz Fair points to everything you replied with. And I love travel too!! Though we do differ on interior design ideology I can honestly say that it is awesome that you are doing what works best for you! Happy travels (at least when all this Covid mess ends) :)
I have no idea why this intrigued me enough to watch it since I have no particular use for the information (at 3am no less) but honestly, I’m glad I did. My future kitchen will be better designed for it! Thank you 😊
Mark, Thanks for this down-to-earth video post. At this writing, I have my kitchen remodel nearly complete. In recent weeks as far as countertops go, my wife and I checked out the three options you reviewed in this post. I must say, we could afford the high end offerings, but decided to go with a laminate countertop. As in like you mentioned there are so many options in textures, colors, patterns, etc. In our home (a 70 year old Cape Cod style cottage) we decided to stay with (dare I say it) a wood-look laminate countertop by Wilson Art. Our house has stained wood work through out, and we just wanted to keep the updated kitchen in blend with the rest of the house. We considered butcher block, but did not want to worry with the upkeep. The laminate we chose looks similar to the butcher block style, but without the maintenance. These days so many seem to be trending toward neutral, almost clinical "Dynasty" looking kitchens with no color or warmth, and of that, to each their own. My wife and I are dated people who still like dated looking (though new) stuff, and make no apologies about it. And like you mentioned regarding laminate, if down the road we get tired of looking at it, we can change it up without the parting of the Red Sea so to speak. Peace, and more power to you in your field of work & design. 👍
I designed two kitchens in older houses that we had bought. I had beautiful cabinets, and I used laminate in both kitchens. For one I had a beautiful light blue tweed design and one that looked like fallen, autumn leaves. But my favorite feature in both kitchens was the pull-out bread board. This pull-out doubled my counter space and was perfect at sandwich making time. It is an old fashioned feature, and it is great.
Thanks for the info and starting the discussion! After reading the comments, I'm going to go with granite. Quartz seems to chip and stain more than granite and is harder to repair - which begs to be replaced. I resent planned obsolescence because it's literally so wasteful. I want something that will last and plays nice with the right to repair movement. I'll happily seal granite so it won't end up in the landfill.
use a special quartz/granite cleaner on it ONLY! comet, or brillo, even windex will strip the sealant off. my girlfriend on a strict budget got a slate color laminate counter & its lovely. with white cabinets & some bright copper pots on the wall above & under cabinet lighting, it looks like real slate! i had granite in my first home but chose quartz in my new home because i wanted white with a touch of grey veining & granite didnt have it. im happy with the quartz. its beautiful, shiny & brightens up the kitchen.
When I dropped a heavy pot on the end of the sink granite counter I chip a piece off and it was repaired good as new. My counter is 13 yrs old, use the stone everyday, and still looks new. Most people are choosing quarts so now all the kitchens basically look the same; whereas, granite has more of a unique look on it's own.
Well, I think people are choosing quartz that looks the same. You can get quartz that looks like anything. Some of it is quite stunning. How was it repaired? Just curious? Did they drill it and put a rod in?
@@MTKDofficial No, it was a chip. They filled the broken space with granite material. I can't even tell. If I was starting new I would probably pick quartz too but the granite is too beautiful to replace.
@@MTKDofficial as a stone fabricator I disagree. The natural stones have far more depth and character than quartz. However Cambria does do a decent job of making some granite-like patterns. To the layman a quartz piece might mimic a natural stone, but when you see the natural beauty of a nice piece of stone (i.e. superwhite quartzite, fantasy brown dolomite, titanium Granite) thee is no possibility of recreating that with modern technology to be equally as awesome.
@@corieamundson7270 Hey Corie. Thanks for the input. I do agree it is pretty difficult to match the beauty of natural stone. I don't mean to imply that they are exact matches. They are definitely copies with some better than others.
@@corieamundson7270 I (of course) agree that natural stone has a greater 'depth and character' than quartz. Quartz excels in having so many more colors and variations to more closely match an exact taste though. In addition, there are many overused styles of granite that have a now 'dated' look in homes. So as a future consumer making a decision I am still in debate. As for your mention of quartzite... I fell in love with that natural stone! We broke up after I saw the price though :)
Kitchen Remodeler of 30+ years here - GREAT video! I will add 2 things though - 1) There are really good 15 YEAR Sealers out there now, so it does not have to be a 'seal it every year' thing. 2) You forgot the whole group of Solid Surface tops like Corian, Staron, Hi-Macs, and the like! We do the majority of our tops (roughly 60-90 per year) in Stone, but still do a fair amount in Solid Surface and Laminate too. I have Solid Suraface in my current home as it was going to be a 'long term flip' and the price point in our market falls halfway between laminate and granite. It can also be easily 'renewed' by buffing out scratches.
Hey! Thanks for the comment! I've yet to really dive into solid surface on the channel. I used to deal with both Corian and Staron. It's popularity dwindled quite a bit over the years, but it definitely has it's strong points. Have you ever had yours re-finished? I had it done for a client once. It was quite the job, but turned out really well.
Considering your in the business in most cases it would be more just to make a sale. I was truly impressed with your honesty, very impressed. Not everyone could afford to go with the more expensive. I truly appreciate your honesty.
Over the years I installed an acre of laminate in kitchens I remodeled. Cheap, easy to work with woodworking tools, looks okay. We remodeled our own kitchen a couple years ago and put in Hanstone quartz. Yes pricy, but it’s beautiful and there’s no mistaking it for laminate. Also, we have a 12” overhang on our island which didn’t need support. It would have needed brackets if granite.
Previous home had marble and I absolutely hated it. Everything stained it including water. Just installed quartz in my new home and couldn’t be happier.
We're building a new house, and I was leaning towards quartz because I did my research, and I heard good things about it, and knowing that our kitchen is going to be seriously used; I cook every single meal from scratch. Going to the stone store, I asked the dates person to show me a great countertop for a kitchen that's going to be used a lot. She didn't even ask me about my budget, and took me straight to the quartz. She said, that's the one you want to use. I was sold! Now we have this GORGEOUS!!! Great video!!! 👍👍
I had laminate in previous homes. When I redid my current kitchen I chose solid surface, Silestone, and I really enjoy it. I think quartz would be my stone choice. Thanks for the information.
I've never heard anyone recommend laminate haha that's awesome! now that I'm thinking about it I didn't mind the laminate in my first apartment. We don't all need to be unique and one of a kind some of us want practical, I like it.
I poured Epoxy Resin in the kitchen and two bath and they looked great. I made the bathrooms look like white marble and the kitchen like metallic grey granite. I watched A LOT of How-to videos and practiced on sample boards several times before I did it. Fun to do but not something I would recommend to first time DIY'ers but it is great if you are artistic and willing to work for it.
@@MTKDofficial I sold the property but if it scratches you can easily polish it. I will do it again in the house I'm renovating now. Fun project, you should try it.
Thanks for the informative video. I think quartz is at its best when its patterns imitate marble rather than granite. I’ve seen quartz countertops that are indistinguishable from the comparable marble and the durability of quartz versus marble in a kitchen makes it a superior choice in my view.
Go with quartzite. Hardness like granite, look of marble. We have it and I love looking at it. It has depth you can’t get with quartz. I can’t understand why quartzite isn’t mentioned in this video.
Great information. One more factor to consider when choosing a countertop is the placement of the sink. If the sink is placed under the countertop, the countertop cannot be laminate. This is because the water that splashes up from the sink can seep into the laminate and cause it to warp or delaminate.
What are your thoughts on mixed materials? We have a long L-shaped countertop with sink and cooktop cutouts and an island with a seating area overhang. The island is our primary work area, whereas the counter is mostly landing areas for cooking, sink, and small appliances. We are more interested in the honed finish darker color granites. As you pointed out and we quickly discovered, the Brazilian and exotic granite and quartzite slabs we liked are way more expensive than domestic "boring" stone. It started to get hard to justify spending so much money on the countertops alone. Do we need to consistently use the same slab(s) across all surfaces? Would installing granite only on the island and laminate on the countertops be a big no-no for aesthetics? How does our choice of backsplash (4" vs full to cabinet) and material factor into this decision?
I’m beginning a home renovation in a country property we just purchased. My jumping point for the whole house, I feel, is the surface I choose for the kitchen. I’m having a very hard time deciding on quartz, quartzite, porcelain or my trusty granite. I feel like this kitchen needs a calmer pattern than granite can give, but granite has been a true, easy and reliable friend to me for years. Trying to decipher the info you and other designers give on quartz vs. granite is puzzling to me in this way - you said that you would go with quartz because you don’t want to have to seal granite. Sealing granite is extremely easy; spray on and wipe off. Quartz to me sounds like more work on the day in and day out of not being able to freely throw hot pans on it at whim while I”m cooking. THAT sounds like more work to me every day. Am I missing something?
I like the quietness of laminate, especially in an open plan kitchen. A plate put on quartz or granite makes a sharp noise.. however laminate seems to absorb the sound. I do love the look of the other surfaces.
There doesn't seem to be the perfect surface. I appreciate that fact about my laminate as well. It's also warmer than stone, which a lot of people find a negative about quartz or granite.
We are in the process of building our dream home...I thought I had my heart set on Quartz but changed my mind last minute and went with Granite! (Thunder white) I just love the idea of it being a unique natural stone. I feel it's timeless. Big deal it has to be sealed every so often...well worth it!
Thunder White is an awesome granite color!! I almost chose it and then decided on quartz at the last moment, named Rococco, which has a very marble look. Doesn't have the depth of the thunder white but doesn't feel so busy for me. Anyway, glad you like your choice... it's a beautiful stone!
@@cynthiacole6140 I thought quartz was more likely to stain vs. (keyword: sealed) granite. I'll have to look more into it. I love quartz for its design options. Don't love it for it's seams and lower heat resistance (though the latter is improving year over year in quartz). Still torn here, but glad you have your roadmap.
I have granite. It's beautiful, and I reseal it about once a month just because I love it, but I've never actually noticed that I need to do it... One thing I would add as a great reason to use granite for some people, is of you make pastry on a regular basis. Nothing works better than granite, it's the coldest. I don't know why, but quartz just doesn't keep cool like granite. You need that cool surface for great pastry rolling. Great video!
Quartz all the way for me, I dont want extra maintenance especially in a kitchen. I have a marble top in my bathroom vanity, and yes it’s gorgeous but a nightmare to maintain.
@@colbyrulesmydoggie4839 i have my quartz for years now. Even the one on the island top where we always eat all sorts of food, we do hotpot there too. It also has a griddle built into it. The quartz looks brand new, no stain and no chip And guess what? Our quartz is pure white lol. So you’re wrong.
dude that comment says it all "in all my years of installing counter tops I've only heard of one counter cracking" it's nuts that consumers think about that and "durability" so much. I just got a counter tops and that was like 50% of my decision making process "get quartz because its more durable"... I mean I love the quartz Im just saying your advice is so nice and applicable.
Hi Mark, we are debating between Quartz Vs Granite for our kitchen countertop. Currently we have dark granite kitchen countertop and have no complaints and issues. As part of kitchen remodel, we have to remove existing granite. we thought of going this time with Quartz, however a few suggested they had issues due to placing hot vessels, rice cooker overflow, hot coffee mug, etc and suggested us to go with granite. I also watched your Granite video where even it was cracked due to heat. So can you please suggest whether Quartz Vs Granite? we may not keep extreme hot products but regular ones like hot vessels, rice cooker overflow, coffee mugs.
Installing granite and quartz for years, you’re mostly accurate for the most part. Don’t be scared of the fiberglass mesh on the back. The more expensive the stone the more likely it is to have it. And quartz is not 100% non-porous. It will stain if not cleaned off after a spill. Granite needs to be sealed every 3-5 years once sealed. Don’t be scared of real stone. Also, if a repair is ever needed, granite is easier and a better appearance after repairing. I would never recommend quartz to anyone but, to each their own.
I'm from the Granite Camp too rocky. I'll never forget slowly taking in all the variations of granite in the showroom (huge warehouse actually). As the Rep and I strolled, taking them all in, I stood glued to one in particular and remarked "geez, Nature does some incredible work" (I have no problem telling you that my eyes watered slightly, being moved by it's beauty). The Rep responded to my comment by saying, "I know, sometimes I feel like I'm working in an Art Gallery". That pretty much sums it up for granite in my opinion. Sure granite can be staggeringly expensive but... it can equally be staggeringly beautiful / jaw dropping! My budget happily bought an incredible slab of "belvedere" granite (from Brazil) with gobs here and there of white quartz (I got white thermo-foil cabinets to go with my white appliances) and periodic deposits of a rust coloured stone (that are highlighted with my red oak flooring). I delight going into my kitchen, years later now and it looks as great as day one. Durable counters and easy clean cabinets. Certainly no slaving away in my kitchen... haven.
I have my heart set on granite because I love the beauty of natural stone. Thanks for the tip about looking at the back of the samples. I had read that some granite is more durable than others but it's hard to find specific information on which ones to choose.
Wow, what an excellent explanation full of insight and advice. I have a small galley kitchen with 9' 0" and a 0' 15" countertops. I was quoted $1965 including installation for a quartz top. That includes a 4" backsplash. Now I know why people complain about their kitchen remodels costing upwards of $50K. That seems insane to me, but my meager budget including appliances is $12K.
It all depends where you want to put your money. I did an update on my kitchen for about 2 k. I used resin for the counters after rebulding with MDF for a marble look that was good enough to fool the inspector when I sold it. Painted cabinets since they were in good shape and didn't want the cost of replacing them outright. Also put new trim around the top. Put in a new GIANT sink and nice faucet. For the backsplash I mixed subway and expensive glass tiles for a nice look that extended to the counter, so no extra backspalsh line. I did the work myself. Including tool purchase I spent about 2K and it looked like an entirely different kitchen.
I’m granite fabricator for over 25 years and my opinion is very simple for my own kitchen I will go granite not the man made stuff like quartz to me this is similar to corian back days so like titanic on his maiden voyage, yes it’s very popular at this moment and much easier to work with and I like to work with and make a new kitchen but for my own kitchen I’m going 100% natural material, so solid wood or by product like pressboard? That’s my opinion.
I used porcelain tile and it takes everything you can throw at it. Its tough, stain proof, scratch proof and hot pots can go on it without any issues. After 15 years there is no wear. It would be nice to get it in a solid piece without grout lines though.
Great! Thanks for the info Don. It is available in large slab format. Infinity Surfaces out of Italy make some beautiful stuff. Doing a video about it this Sunday. Good to hear how durable it is!
We’ve had all three. Laminate is cheap. When we were young and less “affluent” it was a go to. Don’t like the shiny finish of granite and dislike the required yearly sealing. Our latest bath remodel we’ve gone with quartz. Low luster, basically zero maintenance and love the modern clean look. 🤷🏻
Almost forgot to say, the best explanation and thank you. The only countertop required is one that has a backsplash. Because all the durability of the flat rocks va is the constant caulking and no protection to your wall. Your materials should be balanced to work together long term. Also, it is extremely heavy for your counters and flooring if you are upstairs. Laminate works well-- like do you want your great grandma's kitchen pattern?
@@davidfortygin5989 cambria it’s not the best stuff they still break specially in the kitchen 90 degree corners, have some of them it’s much safer if the fabricator do join at this area
Great video, very informative. What was not mentioned in regards to quartz and granite is there is frequently minimum size that will be sold. I have renovated (contractors) two small kitchens. Both renos had this "too small" quantity issue.
That's a good point. Some places do have a minimum per/sqft order. Was it purchased through a big box store like Home Depot? Usually if you get the stone from a dedicated supplier you can get any size. In fact there is a company I've dealt with that had a whole program just for small sizes. It's so silly that they would do that, when you can go out and purchase a 30" vanity with a pre-installed quartz countertop.
Kitchens in high density, urban cities like Manhattan have very small kitchens, and those that are being renovated are using natural stone. I'm guessing it is based on the retailer (or the wholesaler who supplies the retailer).
I have Silestone quartz which looks STUNNING but it does stain pretty easily.. which makes no sense if it doesn't absorb liquid? If I don't quickly wipe away any spills, I have to use a really strong cleaner to get the stains out... still feel it's worth it as it actually encourages me to clean as I go, but yeah something to consider.
Thank u am tryna decide on if I should spend the money on my kitchen counter top and your video help me with my decision so I'm go with the granite 💯💯💯💯👋🏿👋🏿💪🏿💪🏿✌🏿
We are remodeling our kitchen and the "wood look" laminate countertops, about 40 years old (!!!), were in surprisingly great shape, even around the drop-in sink! I wouldn't mind laminate, but I REALLY want mirror-like sparkles in my counter, and that's something you can't find in laminate. I'm probably going with Silestone Stellar Snow quartz. My question is, do you think it matters whether you buy from a place like Home Depot or an actual private kitchen design place? Is there a difference in product quality or installation quality? In regards to granite, I think the porosity varies with the stone chosen, and it seems the darker the stone, the less porous it is. I almost went with Blue Pearl (which is fairly dark) so I brought a sample home... I put pizza sauce, red and blue concentrated kool-aid, pineapple juice, permanent ink marker, vegetable oil, and D-Lime on it and let set for 24 hours. The only thing that did any damage to it was the D-Lime. Also, one of the stone workers told me that granite IS repairable. Resealing is just a matter of spraying or wiping on the product, waiting a bit, and wiping it off. If someone has their heart set on granite, I wouldn't let a 10 minute, once a year job of resealing it, be a deterrent.
Hey. In regards to quality questions on Quartz, check this out - ua-cam.com/video/QRVQC3nsADg/v-deo.html The quick answer is, no matter where you buy Silestone (I've installed Stellar Snow for clients, very nice!!) you are getting the exact same quality. However, when it comes to the fabrication and installation aspect, it could vary. The HD in my area use a fabricator called Granitdesign. They are top notch. I've also used them and have been to their facility. They are just as qualified as a local stone yard or maybe even better. So it really depends.
So with you on the sealing of granite being a deal breaker, even if it's just a once a year task. Given the choice of low maintenance and no maintenance, I'll opt for the latter.
I install granite countertops everyday. Quartz ive taken a hammer to break it( it took alot of hits) to break.the darker the granite the stronger. The fiberglass on the back means its weaker.
Our granite countertop cracked behind the faucet where it meets the backsplash. A guy came out and fixed it by filling it in with epoxy and matching the color as close as he could. That lasted for about 2 years when the countertop started cracking even more than the first time and the repairman said it was beyond repair. Okay, so lets replace the countertop in the sink area. After calling around to granite dealers, I found out that an older color of granite is not easy to replace. The granite from the source in Brazil was done and there is not a new source for that particular color. If I had sealed the countertop every year would it not have cracked, maybe. But now I have to replace all the countertops in the kitchen. I'm thinking quart might be the way to go.
Yeah, that's one of the issues with a natural stone and sink cut-outs. Happens a lot. And like you've experienced, it's practically impossible to match an old slab. Unless there was a piece of the original magically lying around somewhere. I've not experienced quartz cracking because of a cut-out. Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's just a different material. plus much easier to match, if needed.
Thanks for this video. I'm new to the stone fabrication industry, working in a showroom and this was the most informative series of facts and info I have heard, thats not just from a quartz supplier sales rep. I feel more educated and ready to better inform and advise customers at my job.
I had a client choose to go with Soapstone, and ordered from one of the last quarries in Virginia. He also chose to have floor tiles of 4 different sizes made at the same quarry, they took longer, but looked great in the end. Anyhoo... The counters got installed and sealed, then allowed to cure for 24 hours. After the dry/cure was done, the GC covered the tops with resin paper and it was announced that NO ONE was allowed to place ANYTHING on the counter tops, so we did not. On the last day of trim out, we removed paper from the tops and in installed the faucet. When the client came home, he removed all of the paper and it was discovered that the Soapstone had a quartz vein that had separated from the Soapstone, and created a large fissure. Client lost it and started throwing blame around. Fortunately, the GC had a camera in the job site that viewed the area in particular and allowed the client access to the footage to sleuth it out for himself. Needless to say, he did review the footage and found that only his family members had placed anything on the covered tops. Finally, they contacted the installers and they came out, explained that this was to be expected due to the stone acclimatizing to the indoor environment. They used an epoxy to reattach the quartz pieces in the fissure and filled in the voids. It was almost imperceptible. But the client still regrets going with Soapstone. It cost an arm & a leg but he keeps talking about replacing it. He's still a client of mine, but refuses to use the GC ever again. Mostly for other reasons (walls not plumb or square, half assed detail work, etc.) I no longer do work with him either, unless a mutual client uses him.
Just remember NO HOT POTS OR PANS on your quartz (it will crack). Also the sealer we use for granite lasts up to 10 years (not everyone uses the ultra premium sealer). Resealing an average sixed kitchen takes 15 minutes and can be done by a child. Very simple. Choose quartz or granite as equals, pick something that you love.
I'm planning a video where I put these materials to the ultimate test. So we can really see how they stand up. Just finished filming one on a mystery surface that comes out tomorrow.
@@MTKDofficial This may be a stupid question but can you use the granite ultra premium sealer lasting 10 years on manufactured quartz to prevent stains and cracks?
I hope that child is wearing a breathing mask, gloves, eye protection and overalls, with drop sheets on the floor and all the windows open, plus an app at the ready on their phone to order in food because you'll need at least 48 hours for that 'hopefully--long- term-durable' surface to cure properly.
@@kathiegifford5112 no, you cannot put sealer on quartz because it voids the warranty. If you don't care about warranty, do as you please. However, because quartz is virtually poreless, it won't do much good. Sealer does not help with cracks...it should be nearly impossible to crack under normal usage anyways. Having staining issues? Try Barkeepers Friend. You can also use Mr Clean magic erasers but they're a little gritty and will take off your top finish over time.
The problem with what the trade calls “granite” is that most of it isn’t granite. This can make quite a big difference in the weight on top of your cabinets. Granites are mainly quartz and feldspar and have densities of 2.6- 2.8 grams/cc while more dense rocks such as gabbros, diorites and peridotite ( usually darker) are much heavier, at 2.9 - 3.3 gym/cc. It may not sound like much but it can be several hundred pounds difference on a big countertop. Many “granites” are metamorphic rocks formed at great pressures and temperatures and are denser. True quartz rock (quartzite) is not so heavy, but qan be brittle and fractured, and sometimes porous.
I have NEVER had to seal my granite countertops in over 10 years and they shine! Many experts say you can seal them every 5-7 years. I purchased precut granite countertops to save money, stuck them on an A frame for transport and cut them with a grinder. Although I have seams, it's fine for me. I also used black galaxy tiles for my washer/dryer push-in. You can be fancy and cheap. I don't trust anything with resin. Why should I pay the same for fake stone as the real stuff? We really do get fooled by corner cutting builders.
Durability for quartz his debatable, I got granite and quartz for my kitchen 6 years ago and the quarts got two chip parts already. My granite still impeccable.
I am a laminate fan - why? I like to lean against the bench top, it's warm to the touch - Granite & quartz are sleek/cold, prone to chip and crack and surprisingly attract water to the edge and over onto cabinet doors. I have seen this issue first hand with solid timber cupboard doors that suffer damage as a consequence.. It doesn't happen with laminate because the overhang tends to be more pronounced. As a relatively less expensive option I considered quartz laminate that is placed on top of an existing laminate surface - the downside of this is if you are replacing appliances or an existing sink you are committed to those cut out dimensions. My bench top replacement is needed because of seam puckering and this will include new appliances & larger sink. Plus it's budget friendly.
Hi, I live in Spain, may be the fabricator standards are different here because granite does not have to be re-sealed. I had mine for 15+ years now and still as new, and I do cook a lot.
Hi! You may be right about that! There are some North American fabricators that will apply a sealer that lasts that long. But it is something you have to ask for and not all of them do it. Thanks for the input.
My elderly mother in law accidentally put two hot dishes on my laminate countertop and by the time time I sprinted over with coasters it already got some bad discolorations. She is used to something else in her country which is more heat-safe. For that reason alone I switched to natural stone (quartzite) so I could just install and forget.
I will use laminate in my kitchen. I have never liked the coldness of stone or the price that goes with it. I use my kitchen to work in not to show off. So I will do me and be happy.
I love it, too, and never plan to change it. Mine is solid white and goes well with my wood cabinets. I have considered painting the cabinets, but would still keep the carefree and - what I consider - timeless laminate.
Mark Tobin Kitchen Design Where would you suggest shopping for laminate? I’m dizzy from trying to weigh out all my options- We were thinking about going with quartz because the prices at Home Depot were so high for laminate but now I’m rethinking that as we are planning to add onto the house later and will end up remodeling the kitchen. Where would you suggest I shop for laminate for a good product selection? I haven’t found something I like yet.
@@escalantekennels Hey Rebecca. Look around to local home improvement stores in your area that have their own "cut shop". (Home Depot have their laminates cut by someone else.). Where ever you go will likely have a special order program. You should be able to order just about any Laminate you want. Of course you're going to pay a little higher price. But if it is stock colours you want, you really just have to look around to all the stores. Try cabinet shops too. There is no better quality with laminate. Everyone has access to the same stuff. Hope that helps.
Being a owner of a stone counter top company the are a couple things that I want to clarify. First is that Quartz warranties are very limited on what they cover and if the company accepts the claim they only provide the material. The homeowners are responsible for the fabrication, installation and all of the other costs for the replacement of the counter tops. 2nd it is much easier to repair granite than Quartz. If u burn your Quartz it has to be replaced. If it chips depending on the color and pattern the repair may be noticeable. If it gets scratched the top polish sheen will not match perfectly to the manufacturers polish. Granite however is much easier to repair chips. Scratches are much easier to polish and match the existing sheen. But if cracked there is nothing you can do. With Quartz if it cracks if installed properly should be covered by warranty but is going to cost you some coin.
You answered most of my concerns about these products which is why I steered away from them. I don’t fault anyone for using them everyone has personal preference. I’m all about LOW maintenance appearance and cleanup so I’m using high gloss ceramic floor tile white with slight traces of gray granite. I’m sure there may be some reluctance by others but if it’s sturdy enough for floor traffic a countertop will be nothing I’m looking forward to it!
Yea, this is why I am not considering tiles for countertops. Grouts are a pain to clean and maintain, especially for kitchen countertops they will get stained from day one.
Thank you sooooo much for your valuable information and advice!! I’m thinking of upgrading my kitchen with minor changes until I could do my major changes (expanding it)! Going laminate is perfect for now since I hope to do my major change in a few years and then buy the more expensive countertops!!! Great video!!!!!
The quartz I found around here are man made. Ground up and mixed with an epoxy. I chose granite. It comes with a 25 year sealant, $35 sq ft. They also made me a cutting board with very nice edges out of the same block. I’ve also fixed chips in granite tops. I cleaned it, blew it out, filled with epoxy. Then used a DA with different grit, ending with 2000. Sealed it and you really have to look for it to see it. I don’t think it would work well on a large crack though.
Thanks so much for all these videos! I have watched many...!! Question - what are your thoughts on glossy vs matte quartz and staining? I have had a few folks recommend against matte because it is more susceptible to staining. Thoughts? (apologies if this is covered somewhere in an existing video)
Overall I’m more of a glossy fan. I think it is better at resisting stains. Though both finishes are non porous. I think polished quartz would have less surface area on the microscopic level and therefor less opportunity for a stain to take hold. This is my opinion.
I have both Quartz (in my bathroom) and Granite (kitchen). What I have found is that the quartz in my bathroom it's getting weird water stains around the sink area, have researched and tried everything to get rid of them, but nothing has worked so far. Also with quartz, to clean the surface you are not supposed to use any bleach product on it...I'm, a bleach fiend, especially in the bathroom...killing germs and all. Now with Granite, you can use bleach products, AND...you do NOT have to reseal it every year, if you get it properly done the sealing lasts 10 years! Also, you can put any hot pot on granite and you don't have to worry about it. With 'some' quartz products (seems like the lighter ones, white etc), people have noticed discoloration on the surface after putting their hot pots or pans on the surface. Also, yes granite is slightly porous, but definitely not as porous as marble and less likely to stain. I have been trying to find out more information regarding the 'grade' of quartz. I have noticed that countertop companies (where I live) do not seem to know what I am talking about in regards to 'grade.' But I have learned that there are 3 levels, builder grade, commercial grade and high end grade. I think that sellers, at least in my area, need to label the quartz they are selling and let the consumer know what grade of quartz they are selling, as I am now thinking that the quartz in my bathroom might be a builders grade and that's why I'm having these water mark issues. Just wondering if you Mark Tobin, have any further information about the grade of quartz countertops?
Hi! I have another video on the channel about the so called "grade" of quartz. Which is a myth. There are pricing tiers based on colour or maybe slab thickness, but not quality. If they are Bretonstone patent slabs, there would not be any quality difference. If they are not Bretonstone patent slabs, then who knows. However, yes, depending on the amount of aggregate and resin combinations in the slabs, they can be susceptible to heat. If you want complete heat proof surface then Dekton is your countertop.
@@MTKDofficial Hello, and thank you for your reply and also for clarifying the 'grade' issue. More about which company makes it then and with what materials. Just checked out Dekton, had never heard of it before and it sounds like another great option. But alas, we have our beautiful black pearl granite installed in our kitchen and we love it! We will have to figure out, down the road what to do with our watermarks on our quartz in our bathroom. At least I know what to look for and look out for. Thank you!
Another story... When I was plumbing for a company that also did hydronic floor heat, we had a client with a massive kitchen and miles of stone tops. We ran low temperature hydronics (72*) on top of the cabinetry (under the future stone) which turned the counter tops into a source for heat. Most installers will not tell you that large format stone acts as a cold radiator.
Cool! I'm not familiar, personally with epoxy, only what I've seen and read. Looks pretty decent from what I can tell. Of course everything has pros and cons. Hope it turns out great!
I have a new video where I test quartz to see if it is scratch, smash and heat resistant. Check it out - ua-cam.com/video/D3PEsEXmtAE/v-deo.html
Granite you can put Hot Pots on...it's stone...it's durable enough. Kitchens are for cooking....cooking requires Heat. Quartz is good for bathrooms.
If Granite gets a stain....just hone it down and reseal it. Life is imperfect.
Hello Mark! Love your very informative video! I see your kitchen in the background. It looks beautiful. Your home looks beautiful. Sort of similar to my home in some sense. LOL. I guess we have great taste! =) .. I was wondering roughly how much ...again ROUGHLY.. would you happen to know approximately or respectively how much a kitchen the size of yours costs to get quarts or granite?? I know it can vary but I would just like to get an idea of the overall price.
I have laminate currently. I want solid. I am thinking moving to quarts and have for a long time.
Hello again Mark and again, great video! Just an FYI, North Americans can happily get excellent quality granite from Brazil... so no need to ship from half way around the world (you mentioned the $$$ for this), just from the bottom half (😂).
Sir, you are a very believable and impressive presenter. I love your tone, the absence of exaggeration, and the wealth and depth of your knowledge! Absolutely fantastic! Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for watching and the encouraging response.
I’m a designer for many years. I love my laminate tops. They don’t damage my knives, I don’t worry about hot pots or pans , and it actually releases stains like wine or strawberry/raspberry. No one wants laminate but it’s a fabulous option.
We have white laminate in our kitchen and it's beautiful, and still looks brand new after 32 years. White is timeless and laminate is very durable.
Put plain white quartz countertops in about 20 years ago before they became popular, and love them.
They still look brand new.
They are easy to clean.
No maintenance,
Even if it gets a stain you can still get it out.
Thank you for talking honestly about the pros and cons of all 3 countertop types. Laminate is my go-to countertop choice. It gives me a lot more design flexibility since there are far more color and pattern choices compared to granite and quartz. From solid colors to wood styles to stone styles. You even get a choice of the type of surface finish and edge profile. It's also considerably more affordable at 2-3 times less expensive. For typical everyday use, they are perfectly durable. Use a cutting board. Use a potholder under hot pots. Problems solved. As for water intrusion, the fewer seams it has, the better off you are. If your countertop dimensions fit within the laminate sheet dimensions, your fabricator can give you a seamless top. No 45-degree mitered corner cut. It helps elevate the look and eliminate water intrusion issues in the corner of your kitchen.
Thanks for the comment. You are right about the almost endless variety of options with laminate. That’s one of the reasons I love it too.
Let me first say how impressed I am with your content with these counter surfaces and how you give equally valued info to each and you don’t steer anyone away from or frown on a laminate versus a solid surface. It’s all it what one can afford and like you said, what you like.
Hey! Thanks for watching and commenting. Yeah, if someone likes and wants laminate, then go for it. For anything in the kitchen for that matter.
Thank you for this video. It's refreshing to hear a designer say that it's ok to get laminate countertops. You must have a highly satisfied customer base. 🙂
We're all different, we all have different needs/wants. Thanks for recognizing that and not trying to change anyone's mind. Keep up the great work!! 👍👏
Thanks so much. There’s enough judgment in the world, we don’t need to be judged on our countertop choice. Lol.
Quartz is the Cubic Zirconium to Natural Stone.
Cool thanks
I am British and have sold a number of high end apartmemts in UK , the kitchens all of which had aga installed and granite tops . Our market at the top end would not accept anything else . Thank you for your trends . I think shelves look great . As you say it is up to you . To me people are looking for individuality and style and laminate has neither and never will have , so if you want style you pay for granite. Thank you for your clear and intetesting presentation which is a credit to you .
Hi Anthony! Thank you for the kind words and input. It is appreciated.
Is quartz not rising in popularity there in the 'upper middle-class' market? It is now about toe-to-toe with granite in the states, with many opting for quartz now, due to the much wider variety of styles and coloring. Interesting to hear nonetheless.
Lol there are many quartz more expensive than most granite.
@kempkennedy3542
I think it's a style choice kennedy. Quartz can be made to a more uniform appearance and thus, blend in more easily. Granite though, especially the stunning pieces, make a statement all their own and command center stage. This means backsplash tiles must chosen carefully so as to not distract, but compliment, the granite countertop. Cabinets and hardware have to also compliment, not compete, with the center stage granite. This takes more discerning an eye to achieve but can present a stunning production.
Perhaps the "safe" uniformity of quartz with "standard" cabinets and "functional" hardware is all that is required by "most" kitchens. To each their own.
Then, there's the kitchen's that make one slightly gasp... taking in every little intricate and complimentary aspect. Now that's style (that doesn't come with a simple swipe left or right lol).
Art Gallery? Eye candy? Las Vegas strip? Standing the test of time and the resale of home will tell all.
I’m putting laminate in the new condo I’m purchasing because I like to change up my style every few years or so. Quartz is beautiful, but I really find most granite to be too “busy” for my aesthetic; both are a serious investment for someone averse to commitment.😉 I installed quality laminate in my previous home and never had any issue with its performance. Further, no one ever came over for dinner and said, “I’m not eating at your house because you have laminate countertops.” 😏My money goes toward quality major appliances.
Smart move! Especially if you like to change it out now and then. I'm all for laminate.
For your situation it definitely sounds like laminate is by far the best option. I am personally not a fan of any laminate (even the high end ones) as I do see them as looking less refined and not always, but often times cheap. (Disclaimer: I have laminate in my kitchen at this time). I 'personally' greatly prefer a quartz or non-dated granite when I see a kitchen with them installed. But yeah, you cook and I come. And at the end of the day, really not concerned with it all. Just pointing out that "I notice at glance" when I see a nice stone or quartz in a kitchen. Kudos to you for the energy to 'change things out' every few years though... I'm waaayyy too lazy!!!
@@kempkennedy3542 Thanks for your comment! To your points, I have always been someone who likes to change up things in a few years to help settle my mind. I think I have a problem with stagnation or something. 😉 For example, my furniture is neutral beige, but I accessorize with colorful throw pillows to bring in texture and color every season. I don’t buy new pillows every season; I just change out the covers that I absolutely love. With my kitchen, I have LG appliance that are pretty solid to me, but I change out my countertops every 2-3 years because I get tired of the look. Imagine changing out quartz countertops every 2-3 years.😱 The other part of it is that I love to travel, so the money I would spend on quartz countertops can fully fund a short trip to the Caribbean or help pay for one to South America.☺️ Have a good day, night, afternoon, or evening wherever you are in this chaotic but amazing world.☺️
@@ablueslenz Fair points to everything you replied with. And I love travel too!! Though we do differ on interior design ideology I can honestly say that it is awesome that you are doing what works best for you! Happy travels (at least when all this Covid mess ends) :)
It depends on what neighborhood you live in also.
I have no idea why this intrigued me enough to watch it since I have no particular use for the information (at 3am no less) but honestly, I’m glad I did. My future kitchen will be better designed for it! Thank you 😊
Ha. Well thank you for watching! Appreciated.
Mark, Thanks for this down-to-earth video post. At this writing, I have my kitchen remodel nearly complete. In recent weeks as far as countertops go, my wife and I checked out the three options you reviewed in this post. I must say, we could afford the high end offerings, but decided to go with a laminate countertop. As in like you mentioned there are so many options in textures, colors, patterns, etc. In our home (a 70 year old Cape Cod style cottage) we decided to stay with (dare I say it) a wood-look laminate countertop by Wilson Art. Our house has stained wood work through out, and we just wanted to keep the updated kitchen in blend with the rest of the house. We considered butcher block, but did not want to worry with the upkeep. The laminate we chose looks similar to the butcher block style, but without the maintenance. These days so many seem to be trending toward neutral, almost clinical "Dynasty" looking kitchens with no color or warmth, and of that, to each their own. My wife and I are dated people who still like dated looking (though new) stuff, and make no apologies about it. And like you mentioned regarding laminate, if down the road we get tired of looking at it, we can change it up without the parting of the Red Sea so to speak. Peace, and more power to you in your field of work & design. 👍
Thanks so much for the comment. I really love some of the wood look laminates. Great choice!
My wife and I close on a new house in a few weeks. It has Quartz countertops throughout. I'm so excited. lol
I’m so jealous. Lol.
Can’t go wrong with quartz.
You probably wouldn’t say that if it had laminate throughout!!
I designed two kitchens in older houses that we had bought. I had beautiful cabinets, and I used laminate in both kitchens. For one I had a beautiful light blue tweed design and one that looked like fallen, autumn leaves. But my favorite feature in both kitchens was the pull-out bread board. This pull-out doubled my counter space and was perfect at sandwich making time. It is an old fashioned feature, and it is great.
Those were a really cool option. Not something I've done in a while but definitely very functional. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the info and starting the discussion! After reading the comments, I'm going to go with granite. Quartz seems to chip and stain more than granite and is harder to repair - which begs to be replaced. I resent planned obsolescence because it's literally so wasteful. I want something that will last and plays nice with the right to repair movement. I'll happily seal granite so it won't end up in the landfill.
Granite is a great choice. I have some other videos where I perform some test and granite is a strong contender for #1
I totally agree. I have granite and plan to keep it at least 30 years or more.
Very clear, very informative. Thank you!
use a special quartz/granite cleaner on it ONLY! comet, or brillo, even windex will strip the sealant off. my girlfriend on a strict budget got a slate color laminate counter & its lovely. with white cabinets & some bright copper pots on the wall above & under cabinet lighting, it looks like real slate!
i had granite in my first home but chose quartz in my new home because i wanted white with a touch of grey veining & granite didnt have it. im happy with the quartz. its beautiful, shiny & brightens up the kitchen.
Lovely. But does she COOK? Sheesh.
When I dropped a heavy pot on the end of the sink granite counter I chip a piece off and it was repaired good as new. My counter is 13 yrs old, use the stone everyday, and still looks new. Most people are choosing quarts so now all the kitchens basically look the same; whereas, granite has more of a unique look on it's own.
Well, I think people are choosing quartz that looks the same. You can get quartz that looks like anything. Some of it is quite stunning. How was it repaired? Just curious? Did they drill it and put a rod in?
@@MTKDofficial No, it was a chip. They filled the broken space with granite material. I can't even tell. If I was starting new I would probably pick quartz too but the granite is too beautiful to replace.
@@MTKDofficial as a stone fabricator I disagree. The natural stones have far more depth and character than quartz. However Cambria does do a decent job of making some granite-like patterns. To the layman a quartz piece might mimic a natural stone, but when you see the natural beauty of a nice piece of stone (i.e. superwhite quartzite, fantasy brown dolomite, titanium Granite) thee is no possibility of recreating that with modern technology to be equally as awesome.
@@corieamundson7270
Hey Corie. Thanks for the input. I do agree it is pretty difficult to match the beauty of natural stone. I don't mean to imply that they are exact matches. They are definitely copies with some better than others.
@@corieamundson7270 I (of course) agree that natural stone has a greater 'depth and character' than quartz. Quartz excels in having so many more colors and variations to more closely match an exact taste though. In addition, there are many overused styles of granite that have a now 'dated' look in homes. So as a future consumer making a decision I am still in debate. As for your mention of quartzite... I fell in love with that natural stone! We broke up after I saw the price though :)
Kitchen Remodeler of 30+ years here - GREAT video!
I will add 2 things though -
1) There are really good 15 YEAR Sealers out there now, so it does not have to be a 'seal it every year' thing.
2) You forgot the whole group of Solid Surface tops like Corian, Staron, Hi-Macs, and the like!
We do the majority of our tops (roughly 60-90 per year) in Stone, but still do a fair amount in Solid Surface and Laminate too. I have Solid Suraface in my current home as it was going to be a 'long term flip' and the price point in our market falls halfway between laminate and granite. It can also be easily 'renewed' by buffing out scratches.
Hey! Thanks for the comment! I've yet to really dive into solid surface on the channel. I used to deal with both Corian and Staron. It's popularity dwindled quite a bit over the years, but it definitely has it's strong points.
Have you ever had yours re-finished? I had it done for a client once. It was quite the job, but turned out really well.
Considering your in the business in most cases it would be more just to make a sale. I was truly impressed with your honesty, very impressed. Not everyone could afford to go with the more expensive. I truly appreciate your honesty.
Thanks for the comment Randy. Appreciated!!
Your very welcome.
Over the years I installed an acre of laminate in kitchens I remodeled. Cheap, easy to work with woodworking tools, looks okay. We remodeled our own kitchen a couple years ago and put in Hanstone quartz. Yes pricy, but it’s beautiful and there’s no mistaking it for laminate. Also, we have a 12” overhang on our island which didn’t need support. It would have needed brackets if granite.
Nice. Hanstone is great. I’m testing it next actually. I have two samples I’m aiming to destroy to see just how good it is.
@@MTKDofficial you got yourself a subscriber!
@@tywebbgolfenthusiast8950 Thank you! I appreciate you letting me know!
Exact tutorial I needed to listen to in order to replace my laminate kitchen counters. Thank you!
Thanks Eddie. Glad the video was helpful!
Previous home had marble and I absolutely hated it. Everything stained it including water. Just installed quartz in my new home and couldn’t be happier.
We're building a new house, and I was leaning towards quartz because I did my research, and I heard good things about it, and knowing that our kitchen is going to be seriously used; I cook every single meal from scratch. Going to the stone store, I asked the dates person to show me a great countertop for a kitchen that's going to be used a lot. She didn't even ask me about my budget, and took me straight to the quartz. She said, that's the one you want to use. I was sold! Now we have this GORGEOUS!!! Great video!!! 👍👍
May I ask what kind you got?
I had laminate in previous homes. When I redid my current kitchen I chose solid surface, Silestone, and I really enjoy it. I think quartz would be my stone choice. Thanks for the information.
silestone is quartz
Silestone is just a quartz brand.
I've never heard anyone recommend laminate haha that's awesome! now that I'm thinking about it I didn't mind the laminate in my first apartment. We don't all need to be unique and one of a kind some of us want practical, I like it.
Haha. thanks Sarah. laminate gets a bad rap, but there are some beautiful laminate countertops out there.
I'm buying my first house and need a full new kitchen, this was really helpful thank you
Thank you for including laminate. Some of us can only afford this option
I poured Epoxy Resin in the kitchen and two bath and they looked great. I made the bathrooms look like white marble and the kitchen like metallic grey granite. I watched A LOT of How-to videos and practiced on sample boards several times before I did it. Fun to do but not something I would recommend to first time DIY'ers but it is great if you are artistic and willing to work for it.
Oh cool! How do you find it stands up to use?
@@MTKDofficial I sold the property but if it scratches you can easily polish it. I will do it again in the house I'm renovating now. Fun project, you should try it.
@@jamespatrick1548 be careful. That’s a very toxic job and it can cause health issues.
@@johnjohng668 the epoxy I used has no toxic fumes.
Thanks for the informative video. I think quartz is at its best when its patterns imitate marble rather than granite. I’ve seen quartz countertops that are indistinguishable from the comparable marble and the durability of quartz versus marble in a kitchen makes it a superior choice in my view.
Love quartz for its versatility in design! Don't love the heavy seam lines. Still debating between it and a 'modern' looking granite. Hmmm...
Go with quartzite. Hardness like granite, look of marble. We have it and I love looking at it. It has depth you can’t get with quartz. I can’t understand why quartzite isn’t mentioned in this video.
Very informative! I choose tile and butcher block :)
Great information. One more factor to consider when choosing a countertop is the placement of the sink. If the sink is placed under the countertop, the countertop cannot be laminate. This is because the water that splashes up from the sink can seep into the laminate and cause it to warp or delaminate.
Actually there is a way to do it with laminate. I didn’t believe it myself until I seen how it was done. It takes someone skilled to do it though.
Love the honesty. Surprised about the laminate recommendation
Thanks Mike. Yeah. Laminate isn’t so bad. It’s pretty tough. Ask Jed about the time one flew out of the back of the truck on us. Haha
What are your thoughts on mixed materials? We have a long L-shaped countertop with sink and cooktop cutouts and an island with a seating area overhang. The island is our primary work area, whereas the counter is mostly landing areas for cooking, sink, and small appliances. We are more interested in the honed finish darker color granites. As you pointed out and we quickly discovered, the Brazilian and exotic granite and quartzite slabs we liked are way more expensive than domestic "boring" stone. It started to get hard to justify spending so much money on the countertops alone.
Do we need to consistently use the same slab(s) across all surfaces? Would installing granite only on the island and laminate on the countertops be a big no-no for aesthetics? How does our choice of backsplash (4" vs full to cabinet) and material factor into this decision?
Nice. I like your style of presentation, clear, concise... learning a lot. Subscribed
Hi! Thanks so much! I really appreciate it.
I’m beginning a home renovation in a country property we just purchased. My jumping point for the whole house, I feel, is the surface I choose for the kitchen. I’m having a very hard time deciding on quartz, quartzite, porcelain or my trusty granite. I feel like this kitchen needs a calmer pattern than granite can give, but granite has been a true, easy and reliable friend to me for years. Trying to decipher the info you and other designers give on quartz vs. granite is puzzling to me in this way - you said that you would go with quartz because you don’t want to have to seal granite. Sealing granite is extremely easy; spray on and wipe off. Quartz to me sounds like more work on the day in and day out of not being able to freely throw hot pans on it at whim while I”m cooking. THAT sounds like more work to me every day. Am I missing something?
I like the quietness of laminate, especially in an open plan kitchen. A plate put on quartz or granite makes a sharp noise.. however laminate seems to absorb the sound. I do love the look of the other surfaces.
There doesn't seem to be the perfect surface. I appreciate that fact about my laminate as well. It's also warmer than stone, which a lot of people find a negative about quartz or granite.
And if you inadvertently drop a bone china cup on a laminate top it tends to bounce not shatter as it would on a hard unforgiving surface.
I will only have quartz., absolutely love it.
Yeah, it is definitely the leading choice for countertop.
Refreshing to see a designer that isn’t pushing the most expensive countertop options! I have laminate and plan to use it again.
Thanks Trina!
You got me at QUARTZ!...Thank you!
Thank you for an unprejudiced comparison of surface materials.
Hey James! Thanks for the view and the comment. Much appreciated.
We are in the process of building our dream home...I thought I had my heart set on Quartz but changed my mind last minute and went with Granite! (Thunder white) I just love the idea of it being a unique natural stone. I feel it's timeless. Big deal it has to be sealed every so often...well worth it!
Granite is a great choice. It feels good, when you feel good about the purchase too. Enjoy!!
Oh my God am confused 😐. Was going for dekton and now Quartz? Granite?
I agree with Mark (again). There’s such little effort required to sealing it. I love the “depth” of natural stone / granite! Timeless
Thunder White is an awesome granite color!! I almost chose it and then decided on quartz at the last moment, named Rococco, which has a very marble look. Doesn't have the depth of the thunder white but doesn't feel so busy for me. Anyway, glad you like your choice... it's a beautiful stone!
I have had both. My current home has granite and I can't wait until I can get rid of it and switch to quartz again.
Cynthia Cole Please explain why.
@@653j521 I feel the quartz is much less likely to get stains.
@@cynthiacole6140 I thought quartz was more likely to stain vs. (keyword: sealed) granite. I'll have to look more into it. I love quartz for its design options. Don't love it for it's seams and lower heat resistance (though the latter is improving year over year in quartz). Still torn here, but glad you have your roadmap.
I have granite. It's beautiful, and I reseal it about once a month just because I love it, but I've never actually noticed that I need to do it...
One thing I would add as a great reason to use granite for some people, is of you make pastry on a regular basis. Nothing works better than granite, it's the coldest. I don't know why, but quartz just doesn't keep cool like granite. You need that cool surface for great pastry rolling.
Great video!
Very cool tip! I just eat pastry lol. thanks for sharing that.
Quartz all the way for me, I dont want extra maintenance especially in a kitchen. I have a marble top in my bathroom vanity, and yes it’s gorgeous but a nightmare to maintain.
@@colbyrulesmydoggie4839 i have my quartz for years now. Even the one on the island top where we always eat all sorts of food, we do hotpot there too. It also has a griddle built into it. The quartz looks brand new, no stain and no chip And guess what? Our quartz is pure white lol. So you’re wrong.
dude that comment says it all "in all my years of installing counter tops I've only heard of one counter cracking" it's nuts that consumers think about that and "durability" so much. I just got a counter tops and that was like 50% of my decision making process "get quartz because its more durable"... I mean I love the quartz Im just saying your advice is so nice and applicable.
Hey! Thanks so much.
Hi Mark, we are debating between Quartz Vs Granite for our kitchen countertop. Currently we have dark granite kitchen countertop and have no complaints and issues. As part of kitchen remodel, we have to remove existing granite. we thought of going this time with Quartz, however a few suggested they had issues due to placing hot vessels, rice cooker overflow, hot coffee mug, etc and suggested us to go with granite. I also watched your Granite video where even it was cracked due to heat. So can you please suggest whether Quartz Vs Granite? we may not keep extreme hot products but regular ones like hot vessels, rice cooker overflow, coffee mugs.
Installing granite and quartz for years, you’re mostly accurate for the most part. Don’t be scared of the fiberglass mesh on the back. The more expensive the stone the more likely it is to have it. And quartz is not 100% non-porous. It will stain if not cleaned off after a spill. Granite needs to be sealed every 3-5 years once sealed. Don’t be scared of real stone. Also, if a repair is ever needed, granite is easier and a better appearance after repairing. I would never recommend quartz to anyone but, to each their own.
Hey. Thanks for commenting! I appreciate it. Being accurate is important and I am always learning, so comments like this are helpful.
Totally agree.
I'm from the Granite Camp too rocky. I'll never forget slowly taking in all the variations of granite in the showroom (huge warehouse actually). As the Rep and I strolled, taking them all in, I stood glued to one in particular and remarked "geez, Nature does some incredible work" (I have no problem telling you that my eyes watered slightly, being moved by it's beauty). The Rep responded to my comment by saying, "I know, sometimes I feel like I'm working in an Art Gallery". That pretty much sums it up for granite in my opinion. Sure granite can be staggeringly expensive but... it can equally be staggeringly beautiful / jaw dropping!
My budget happily bought an incredible slab of "belvedere" granite (from Brazil) with gobs here and there of white quartz (I got white thermo-foil cabinets to go with my white appliances) and periodic deposits of a rust coloured stone (that are highlighted with my red oak flooring). I delight going into my kitchen, years later now and it looks as great as day one. Durable counters and easy clean cabinets. Certainly no slaving away in my kitchen... haven.
I have my heart set on granite because I love the beauty of natural stone. Thanks for the tip about looking at the back of the samples. I had read that some granite is more durable than others but it's hard to find specific information on which ones to choose.
Hey. You're welcome. When in doubt, try and call the fabricator directly. Anything with a lot of veins is generally a little weaker.
Look at quartzite.
Wow, what an excellent explanation full of insight and advice. I have a small galley kitchen with 9' 0" and a 0' 15" countertops. I was quoted $1965 including installation for a quartz top. That includes a 4" backsplash. Now I know why people complain about their kitchen remodels costing upwards of $50K. That seems insane to me, but my meager budget including appliances is $12K.
Hey! Thanks for watching. Agreed, it doesn't take long for things to add up. Hope it goes well!
It all depends where you want to put your money. I did an update on my kitchen for about 2 k. I used resin for the counters after rebulding with MDF for a marble look that was good enough to fool the inspector when I sold it. Painted cabinets since they were in good shape and didn't want the cost of replacing them outright. Also put new trim around the top. Put in a new GIANT sink and nice faucet. For the backsplash I mixed subway and expensive glass tiles for a nice look that extended to the counter, so no extra backspalsh line. I did the work myself. Including tool purchase I spent about 2K and it looked like an entirely different kitchen.
I’m granite fabricator for over 25 years and my opinion is very simple for my own kitchen I will go granite not the man made stuff like quartz to me this is similar to corian back days so like titanic on his maiden voyage, yes it’s very popular at this moment and much easier to work with and I like to work with and make a new kitchen but for my own kitchen I’m going 100% natural material, so solid wood or by product like pressboard? That’s my opinion.
What is your thought on porcelain slabs?
@@MTKDofficial extremely fragile on the corners very easy to chip with glass or other heavy objects specially the thin surface with laminated edges.
I used porcelain tile and it takes everything you can throw at it. Its tough, stain proof, scratch proof and hot pots can go on it without any issues. After 15 years there is no wear. It would be nice to get it in a solid piece without grout lines though.
Great! Thanks for the info Don. It is available in large slab format. Infinity Surfaces out of Italy make some beautiful stuff. Doing a video about it this Sunday. Good to hear how durable it is!
We’ve had all three. Laminate is cheap. When we were young and less “affluent” it was a go to. Don’t like the shiny finish of granite and dislike the required yearly sealing. Our latest bath remodel we’ve gone with quartz. Low luster, basically zero maintenance and love the modern clean look. 🤷🏻
Almost forgot to say, the best explanation and thank you. The only countertop required is one that has a backsplash. Because all the durability of the flat rocks va is the constant caulking and no protection to your wall. Your materials should be balanced to work together long term. Also, it is extremely heavy for your counters and flooring if you are upstairs. Laminate works well-- like do you want your great grandma's kitchen pattern?
Hi Ada! Thanks for your input about the backsplash and your kind words.
I have granite, quartz and marble. Of the three quartz is my least favorite. The beauty of marble and granite being natural is so much more unique.
You probably got yourself a crappy quartz. Get yourself a Cambria :)
Big baller!
@@davidfortygin5989 cambria it’s not the best stuff they still break specially in the kitchen 90 degree corners, have some of them it’s much safer if the fabricator do join at this area
As a kitchen designer I would NEVER put marble in kitchen! It’s much too soft & porous. His info is right on target!
Perfectly said.
Can you comment on Dekton? It’s an advance on quartz apparently. More expensive but completely stain proof, heat proof and indestructible. Thanks
Great video, very informative. What was not mentioned in regards to quartz and granite is there is frequently minimum size that will be sold. I have renovated (contractors) two small kitchens. Both renos had this "too small" quantity issue.
That's a good point. Some places do have a minimum per/sqft order. Was it purchased through a big box store like Home Depot?
Usually if you get the stone from a dedicated supplier you can get any size. In fact there is a company I've dealt with that had a whole program just for small sizes.
It's so silly that they would do that, when you can go out and purchase a 30" vanity with a pre-installed quartz countertop.
Kitchens in high density, urban cities like Manhattan have very small kitchens, and those that are being renovated are using natural stone. I'm guessing it is based on the retailer (or the wholesaler who supplies the retailer).
My granite countertops have been over 10 years old, it still looks great. I clean it with dish soap occasionally, maintenance is very low.
Hey thanks for the comment. I love hearing from people with experience. Appreciate it.
@@MTKDofficial , Which countertop material do like for a rental property?
Try regular quick wax for cars this will make it better looking and protected
@@Tooommmek Cool. I've never heard of that one. Thanks for the tip!
Terrific non bias , informative video, I now have lots to think about 😜
I have Silestone quartz which looks STUNNING but it does stain pretty easily.. which makes no sense if it doesn't absorb liquid? If I don't quickly wipe away any spills, I have to use a really strong cleaner to get the stains out... still feel it's worth it as it actually encourages me to clean as I go, but yeah something to consider.
Hey Mia! Thanks for the info. That is really good to know. And it is strange that it would stain so easily. I wonder if its colour dependent?
Thank u am tryna decide on if I should spend the money on my kitchen counter top and your video help me with my decision so I'm go with the granite 💯💯💯💯👋🏿👋🏿💪🏿💪🏿✌🏿
Hey! Cool, thanks for watching and letting me know.
We are remodeling our kitchen and the "wood look" laminate countertops, about 40 years old (!!!), were in surprisingly great shape, even around the drop-in sink! I wouldn't mind laminate, but I REALLY want mirror-like sparkles in my counter, and that's something you can't find in laminate. I'm probably going with Silestone Stellar Snow quartz. My question is, do you think it matters whether you buy from a place like Home Depot or an actual private kitchen design place? Is there a difference in product quality or installation quality?
In regards to granite, I think the porosity varies with the stone chosen, and it seems the darker the stone, the less porous it is. I almost went with Blue Pearl (which is fairly dark) so I brought a sample home... I put pizza sauce, red and blue concentrated kool-aid, pineapple juice, permanent ink marker, vegetable oil, and D-Lime on it and let set for 24 hours. The only thing that did any damage to it was the D-Lime. Also, one of the stone workers told me that granite IS repairable. Resealing is just a matter of spraying or wiping on the product, waiting a bit, and wiping it off. If someone has their heart set on granite, I wouldn't let a 10 minute, once a year job of resealing it, be a deterrent.
Hey. In regards to quality questions on Quartz, check this out - ua-cam.com/video/QRVQC3nsADg/v-deo.html
The quick answer is, no matter where you buy Silestone (I've installed Stellar Snow for clients, very nice!!) you are getting the exact same quality. However, when it comes to the fabrication and installation aspect, it could vary.
The HD in my area use a fabricator called Granitdesign. They are top notch. I've also used them and have been to their facility. They are just as qualified as a local stone yard or maybe even better. So it really depends.
@@MTKDofficial Thank you! I'll check out that video. Good to know from someone with experience that Stellar Snow is a good one! What area are you in ?
I never thought to ask where the material is coming from. I’ll definitely be asking….but not for cost reasons….
So with you on the sealing of granite being a deal breaker, even if it's just a once a year task. Given the choice of low maintenance and no maintenance, I'll opt for the latter.
I just got granite, and it has a 25 year seal.
If you’re sealing more often that every 10 years, get a better sealant. Period.
Our sealant (for quartzite) is good for 15 years, they say.
Mine has been sealed and I don't have to do it yearly.
I install granite countertops everyday. Quartz ive taken a hammer to break it( it took alot of hits) to break.the darker the granite the stronger. The fiberglass on the back means its weaker.
I went with granite as it is tough and just so beautiful.
Agree with you there! There are some beautiful stones out there!
Our granite countertop cracked behind the faucet where it meets the backsplash. A guy came out and fixed it by filling it in with epoxy and matching the color as close as he could. That lasted for about 2 years when the countertop started cracking even more than the first time and the repairman said it was beyond repair. Okay, so lets replace the countertop in the sink area. After calling around to granite dealers, I found out that an older color of granite is not easy to replace. The granite from the source in Brazil was done and there is not a new source for that particular color. If I had sealed the countertop every year would it not have cracked, maybe. But now I have to replace all the countertops in the kitchen. I'm thinking quart might be the way to go.
Yeah, that's one of the issues with a natural stone and sink cut-outs. Happens a lot. And like you've experienced, it's practically impossible to match an old slab. Unless there was a piece of the original magically lying around somewhere. I've not experienced quartz cracking because of a cut-out. Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's just a different material. plus much easier to match, if needed.
@@MTKDofficial Thanks for the advice.
Will it take a hotter pot?
Does it stain?
Does it hold up under a family for Decades
Quartz: No, not easily, yes
Granite: Yes, not if it's sealed, yes
Thanks for this video. I'm new to the stone fabrication industry, working in a showroom and this was the most informative series of facts and info I have heard, thats not just from a quartz supplier sales rep. I feel more educated and ready to better inform and advise customers at my job.
Hey! Thanks for the comment. I am glad the videos are helpful!!
I love you recommendations and down to earth approach.
I had a client choose to go with Soapstone, and ordered from one of the last quarries in Virginia. He also chose to have floor tiles of 4 different sizes made at the same quarry, they took longer, but looked great in the end. Anyhoo...
The counters got installed and sealed, then allowed to cure for 24 hours. After the dry/cure was done, the GC covered the tops with resin paper and it was announced that NO ONE was allowed to place ANYTHING on the counter tops, so we did not. On the last day of trim out, we removed paper from the tops and in installed the faucet. When the client came home, he removed all of the paper and it was discovered that the Soapstone had a quartz vein that had separated from the Soapstone, and created a large fissure. Client lost it and started throwing blame around. Fortunately, the GC had a camera in the job site that viewed the area in particular and allowed the client access to the footage to sleuth it out for himself. Needless to say, he did review the footage and found that only his family members had placed anything on the covered tops.
Finally, they contacted the installers and they came out, explained that this was to be expected due to the stone acclimatizing to the indoor environment. They used an epoxy to reattach the quartz pieces in the fissure and filled in the voids. It was almost imperceptible. But the client still regrets going with Soapstone. It cost an arm & a leg but he keeps talking about replacing it.
He's still a client of mine, but refuses to use the GC ever again. Mostly for other reasons (walls not plumb or square, half assed detail work, etc.) I no longer do work with him either, unless a mutual client uses him.
Just remember NO HOT POTS OR PANS on your quartz (it will crack). Also the sealer we use for granite lasts up to 10 years (not everyone uses the ultra premium sealer). Resealing an average sixed kitchen takes 15 minutes and can be done by a child. Very simple. Choose quartz or granite as equals, pick something that you love.
I'm planning a video where I put these materials to the ultimate test. So we can really see how they stand up. Just finished filming one on a mystery surface that comes out tomorrow.
@@MTKDofficial This may be a stupid question but can you use the granite ultra premium sealer lasting 10 years on manufactured quartz to prevent stains and cracks?
@@kathiegifford5112 pretty much ANY chemical (such as sealer) will void the manufacturers warranty on most quartzes.
I hope that child is wearing a breathing mask, gloves, eye protection and overalls, with drop sheets on the floor and all the windows open, plus an app at the ready on their phone to order in food because you'll need at least 48 hours for that 'hopefully--long- term-durable' surface to cure properly.
@@kathiegifford5112 no, you cannot put sealer on quartz because it voids the warranty. If you don't care about warranty, do as you please. However, because quartz is virtually poreless, it won't do much good. Sealer does not help with cracks...it should be nearly impossible to crack under normal usage anyways. Having staining issues? Try Barkeepers Friend. You can also use Mr Clean magic erasers but they're a little gritty and will take off your top finish over time.
My friend wallpapered his quartz countertop when he got sick & tired of the colour. Cheaper way to go
sounds durable! lol
Amazing information. I really felt like I learned so much! Thank you Mark!
I really appreciate your comment. Thanks so much for watching. Glad you found the video helpful!
The problem with what the trade calls “granite” is that most of it isn’t granite. This can make quite a big difference in the weight on top of your cabinets. Granites are mainly quartz and feldspar and have densities of 2.6- 2.8 grams/cc while more dense rocks such as gabbros, diorites and peridotite ( usually darker) are much heavier, at 2.9 - 3.3 gym/cc. It may not sound like much but it can be several hundred pounds difference on a big countertop. Many “granites” are metamorphic rocks formed at great pressures and temperatures and are denser. True quartz rock (quartzite) is not so heavy, but qan be brittle and fractured, and sometimes porous.
Very informative. Thank you!
I have NEVER had to seal my granite countertops in over 10 years and they shine! Many experts say you can seal them every 5-7 years. I purchased precut granite countertops to save money, stuck them on an A frame for transport and cut them with a grinder. Although I have seams, it's fine for me. I also used black galaxy tiles for my washer/dryer push-in. You can be fancy and cheap. I don't trust anything with resin. Why should I pay the same for fake stone as the real stuff? We really do get fooled by corner cutting builders.
So you can actually repair laminate to a certain extent. Check out my new video on just that topic.
ua-cam.com/video/T5gp1WV0Sy0/v-deo.html
Quartz for me as well. Sealing a countertop constantly is a deal breaker. I wish the cost wasn’t so much.
15year micro sealer. Baaaam, You're set for 15years and it takes 20-30mins.
Durability for quartz his debatable, I got granite and quartz for my kitchen 6 years ago and the quarts got two chip parts already. My granite still impeccable.
Thank you I just change my mind .
I do counter tops for a living and I have for 20 years. videos are funny
I am a laminate fan - why? I like to lean against the bench top, it's warm to the touch - Granite & quartz are sleek/cold, prone to chip and crack and surprisingly attract water to the edge and over onto cabinet doors. I have seen this issue first hand with solid timber cupboard doors that suffer damage as a consequence.. It doesn't happen with laminate because the overhang tends to be more pronounced.
As a relatively less expensive option I considered quartz laminate that is placed on top of an existing laminate surface - the downside of this is if you are replacing appliances or an existing sink you are committed to those cut out dimensions. My bench top replacement is needed because of seam puckering and this will include new appliances & larger sink. Plus it's budget friendly.
Hi, I live in Spain, may be the fabricator standards are different here because granite does not have to be re-sealed. I had mine for 15+ years now and still as new, and I do cook a lot.
Hi! You may be right about that! There are some North American fabricators that will apply a sealer that lasts that long. But it is something you have to ask for and not all of them do it. Thanks for the input.
How easy is it to clean?
My elderly mother in law accidentally put two hot dishes on my laminate countertop and by the time time I sprinted over with coasters it already got some bad discolorations. She is used to something else in her country which is more heat-safe. For that reason alone I switched to natural stone (quartzite) so I could just install and forget.
Good choice. I bet it looks amazing!
Really enjoyed the video. It has given us a lot to think about.
I will use laminate in my kitchen. I have never liked the coldness of stone or the price that goes with it. I use my kitchen to work in not to show off. So I will do me and be happy.
I'm right with you with the laminate! I love it too.
I love it, too, and never plan to change it. Mine is solid white and goes well with my wood cabinets. I have considered painting the cabinets, but would still keep the carefree and - what I consider - timeless laminate.
Mark Tobin Kitchen Design Where would you suggest shopping for laminate? I’m dizzy from trying to weigh out all my options- We were thinking about going with quartz because the prices at Home Depot were so high for laminate but now I’m rethinking that as we are planning to add onto the house later and will end up remodeling the kitchen. Where would you suggest I shop for laminate for a good product selection? I haven’t found something I like yet.
@@escalantekennels Hey Rebecca. Look around to local home improvement stores in your area that have their own
"cut shop". (Home Depot have their laminates cut by someone else.). Where ever you go will likely have a special order program. You should be able to order just about any Laminate you want. Of course you're going to pay a little higher price. But if it is stock colours you want, you really just have to look around to all the stores. Try cabinet shops too. There is no better quality with laminate. Everyone has access to the same stuff. Hope that helps.
Being a owner of a stone counter top company the are a couple things that I want to clarify. First is that Quartz warranties are very limited on what they cover and if the company accepts the claim they only provide the material. The homeowners are responsible for the fabrication, installation and all of the other costs for the replacement of the counter tops. 2nd it is much easier to repair granite than Quartz. If u burn your Quartz it has to be replaced. If it chips depending on the color and pattern the repair may be noticeable. If it gets scratched the top polish sheen will not match perfectly to the manufacturers polish. Granite however is much easier to repair chips. Scratches are much easier to polish and match the existing sheen. But if cracked there is nothing you can do. With Quartz if it cracks if installed properly should be covered by warranty but is going to cost you some coin.
Hi Isaiah. Thanks for the valuable input. Great to hear this from someone with hands on experience.
I have granite and I love it.
This is an Excellent Video. Mark is a BOSS!
You answered most of my concerns about these products which is why I steered away from them. I don’t fault anyone for using them everyone has personal preference. I’m all about LOW maintenance appearance and cleanup so I’m using high gloss ceramic floor tile white with slight traces of gray granite. I’m sure there may be some reluctance by others but if it’s sturdy enough for floor traffic a countertop will be nothing I’m looking forward to it!
Hey. Thanks for the comment. My only concern with ceramic is the grout. Be diligent with sealing and keeping clean. The tile itself should be fine.
Yea, this is why I am not considering tiles for countertops. Grouts are a pain to clean and maintain, especially for kitchen countertops they will get stained from day one.
Thank you sooooo much for your valuable information and advice!! I’m thinking of upgrading my kitchen with minor changes until I could do my major changes (expanding it)! Going laminate is perfect for now since I hope to do my major change in a few years and then buy the more expensive countertops!!! Great video!!!!!
Hey! Thanks so much for the comment, I am glad the video helped.
I think laminate is a great choice!
Thank you so much for sharing such important and so needed information on countertops. It can be overwhelming due to the cost and decision making.
Definitely a lot to consider. Appreciate the comment.
The quartz I found around here are man made. Ground up and mixed with an epoxy.
I chose granite. It comes with a 25 year sealant, $35 sq ft. They also made me a cutting board with very nice edges out of the same block.
I’ve also fixed chips in granite tops. I cleaned it, blew it out, filled with epoxy. Then used a DA with different grit, ending with 2000. Sealed it and you really have to look for it to see it. I don’t think it would work well on a large crack though.
Hey William
Thanks for the input. That’s a great price and having it pre-sealed is an excellent option.
I got quartz in white and after many years I still no regrets. Still love it
That seems to be the consensus! Thanks for sharing!
I also heard that quartz kinda « fades away « or changes color when exposed to UV light, think of big windows in the kitchen.
In that case you are better off with an ultra compact surface like Dekton. UV resistant. It is something to consider. Thanks
Great info! Thanks
Thanks so much for all these videos! I have watched many...!! Question - what are your thoughts on glossy vs matte quartz and staining? I have had a few folks recommend against matte because it is more susceptible to staining. Thoughts? (apologies if this is covered somewhere in an existing video)
Overall I’m more of a glossy fan. I think it is better at resisting stains. Though both finishes are non porous. I think polished quartz would have less surface area on the microscopic level and therefor less opportunity for a stain to take hold. This is my opinion.
I have both Quartz (in my bathroom) and Granite (kitchen). What I have found is that the quartz in my bathroom it's getting weird water stains around the sink area, have researched and tried everything to get rid of them, but nothing has worked so far. Also with quartz, to clean the surface you are not supposed to use any bleach product on it...I'm, a bleach fiend, especially in the bathroom...killing germs and all. Now with Granite, you can use bleach products, AND...you do NOT have to reseal it every year, if you get it properly done the sealing lasts 10 years! Also, you can put any hot pot on granite and you don't have to worry about it. With 'some' quartz products (seems like the lighter ones, white etc), people have noticed discoloration on the surface after putting their hot pots or pans on the surface. Also, yes granite is slightly porous, but definitely not as porous as marble and less likely to stain. I have been trying to find out more information regarding the 'grade' of quartz. I have noticed that countertop companies (where I live) do not seem to know what I am talking about in regards to 'grade.' But I have learned that there are 3 levels, builder grade, commercial grade and high end grade. I think that sellers, at least in my area, need to label the quartz they are selling and let the consumer know what grade of quartz they are selling, as I am now thinking that the quartz in my bathroom might be a builders grade and that's why I'm having these water mark issues. Just wondering if you Mark Tobin, have any further information about the grade of quartz countertops?
Hi! I have another video on the channel about the so called "grade" of quartz. Which is a myth. There are pricing tiers based on colour or maybe slab thickness, but not quality. If they are Bretonstone patent slabs, there would not be any quality difference. If they are not Bretonstone patent slabs, then who knows. However, yes, depending on the amount of aggregate and resin combinations in the slabs, they can be susceptible to heat. If you want complete heat proof surface then Dekton is your countertop.
@@MTKDofficial Hello, and thank you for your reply and also for clarifying the 'grade' issue. More about which company makes it then and with what materials. Just checked out Dekton, had never heard of it before and it sounds like another great option. But alas, we have our beautiful black pearl granite installed in our kitchen and we love it! We will have to figure out, down the road what to do with our watermarks on our quartz in our bathroom. At least I know what to look for and look out for. Thank you!
Another story...
When I was plumbing for a company that also did hydronic floor heat, we had a client with a massive kitchen and miles of stone tops. We ran low temperature hydronics (72*) on top of the cabinetry (under the future stone) which turned the counter tops into a source for heat. Most installers will not tell you that large format stone acts as a cold radiator.
Yoyr answer is granite?
I'm redoing my countertops with epoxy. Hope it's not a mistake but it's in my budget.
Cool! I'm not familiar, personally with epoxy, only what I've seen and read. Looks pretty decent from what I can tell. Of course everything has pros and cons. Hope it turns out great!