Kitchen Countertops, Counter Top Solid Surface, Quartz, Resin & Glass Options--a comprehensive list
Solid Surface Countertops---Man-made
Corian Solid Surface is distributed and sold by DuPont worldwide. The new Corian Select Series features 20 popular Corian colors at lower prices. Select retailers will be featuring up to 27 colors in this special collection. Corian was created for a lifetime of easy care. Because the solid beauty of Corian goes all the way through, Corian surfaces are completely renewable. You can remove minor cuts and scratches. There are three types of countertop finishes: matte/satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss*. Most countertops are finished with a matte/satin finish. All sinks have a matte/satin finish. Soapy water, ammonia based cleaners or commercially available solid surface cleaners will remove most dirt and residue from all types of finishes. With over 100 colors and varying hues some colors may appear to require more frequent cleaning to maintain a uniform finish. Darker colors tend to require more attention than lighter colors. Over time through care and use your countertop will acquire a patina, changing the appearance of the finish. You may restore the look of the original finish by following the Dupont Corian refurbishing guidelines. The Illumination Series includes five new icy tones that allow much more light to pass through than other Corian® colors. www.dupont.com/corian
Compac Marmol & Quartz-- This Spanish company offers its website in five languages. Compac is a major international company. Compac Marmol & Quartz is the leading company in Spain specializing in the manufacture and distribution of agglomerate marble products. They have provided material for projects in France, the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, and the Samsung buildings in Korea. They have plants in both Spain and Portugal. Compac Marmol & Quartz offers two products: Technological Marble and Technological Quartz, which are marketed under two brands: Marmol Compac (95% marble plus orthophalic polyester resin.) Marmol Compac Antibacterial is a special product for specific applications with properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria. Quartz Compac is an elegant product of exceptional hardness and resistance to impact is ideal both for areas that have to withstand intense foot traffic as well as for kitchen environments. Its minimal absorption, ease of cleaning and low maintenance make it a highly recommendable choice for bathroom counter tops or kitchen counters, as it is extremely resistant to abrasion, acids, oils. www.compacmq.com
SwanStone is a great product at a great price. I personally have a SwanStone sink in my kitchen. I got it at Home Depot and was really happy to find a cool colored, speckled finish, solid sink that was almost an exact match to my Formica and at a price I could afford. I have used that sink for about 3 yrs now, and it is totally carefree and never looks dirty !!! So in future home additions, I will see if I can afford SwanStone solid surface countertops. I am a happy customer. SwanStone makes what they call Everyday Plus Countertops & Sinks for the Kitchen. It’s the simplest way to put the beauty of Swanstone in your kitchen. Backed by their 10-year limited warranty, you get durability and seamless edges. Countertops are available with matching sinks in a variety of solid and granite colors. And at a price so affordable, you’ll forget all about laminate countertops. Swanstone offers Custom Countertops & Sinks for the Kitchen in an amazing combination of endless design options and real practicality. The solid surface of Swanstone gives you the flexibility to choose the size, shape, color and even the decorative edge treatment you’ll find in your dream kitchen, not to mention the durability to resist stains, scratches and extreme heat.
FireSlate--Fire slate is a synthetic product that is made from concrete, sand, water, fillers and a ton of pressure. It doesn't' have any veining like natural stone but it weighs less. It comes in custom edge shapes and several colors. This product is heat resistant but requires regular treatments of finish oil to resist stains. Consisting solely of Portland cement, silica sand, water, and fillers, formed under 400 tons of pressure, steam- and air-cured, Fireslate is a man-made material. Like slate and other natural stone, Fireslateis dark, rich, and has a solid depth of character. But unlike slate and other natural stone, it has no veins or strata to delaminate. It handles heat and weighs 40 percent less than natural stone. Even with its natural ingredients and stone-like beauty, Fireslate costs less than the plastic design materials on the market.www.fireslate.com
Formica Corporation now offers an exquisite yet durable, high-polish, stain-resistant natural quartz surface, Formica Stone Natural Quartz Surfacing is a new material for kitchen countertops. It not only offers the elegant look and durability of granite and it's virtually maintenance free. Nonporous so there's nowhere for bacteria to hide. More heat resistant than solid surfacing and high-pressure laminate. Formica Stone never requires sealing, buffing or polishing. Formica Stone contains 93% quartz - the 4th hardest mineral in nature. The high quartz content creates a superior surfacing material with remarkable flexural strength, preventing much of the chipping, cracking and breakage that can be common with other natural stone surfaces. Formica Stone Natural Quartz Surfacing lets you have the look of granite, with exceptional durability. It's not only scratch resistant, but more impact resistant too. Available in12 warm natural stone and rich jewel colors. Formica Stoneis consistent in color and texture from slab to slab. Plus, Formica Stone has a 10-year warranty. Formica Corporation is a huge global company with over 100 years experience designing and manufacturing surface materials.
Formica® Solid Surfacing is manufactured in two formats ready for fabrication. www.formica.com
Natural Stone Countertops
There are several different types of natural stone available for solid surface countertops, walls like shower walls, or flooring.
Granite is an a type of real rock called igneous rock, which means it was once molten and it formed as it cooled deep within the earth. Different minerals within granite typically appear as small specks and flecks throughout the stone, creating the salt and pepper look. Other types of granite may have veining similar to marble. Granite is extremely hard and durable, and is practically scratchproof. It can be highly polished and shiny or finished in a variety of other ways. Granite countertops are easily cleaned because of its low porosity. Granite is available in a wide range of colors.
Quartz--Unlike granite, you never have to seal or polish quartz countertops.
Soapstone--Soapstone countertops in your kitchen are a natural, non-porous material, which means it won't stain and isn't affected by chemicals, acids, temperatures, etc but is is darkened by mineral oil. For this reason, some people pre-treat soapstone with mineral oil.
Pyrolave is enameled lava rock. This is a natural rock that has had an additional heat treatment finish applied. Read more below.
Marble--an age old counter top material. Some people say it stains too easily or is too soft for a good conter topmaterial, but others dissagree.
Gem Surfaces--I have found a source for fabulous gemstone countertops--I adore the Amazonite blues and really plan to look into this product for our next counter top project. The colors and fossilized shapes in these slabs are incredible. www.gemsurfaces.com
Do It Yourself Granite Countertops - is a supplier of discount wholesale double-bullnosed granite countertops, finished backsplash and tiles in a new modular system. The website is a rather rough and tumble place but there might be bargains there.They are a direct importer and supplier so that of various granite stone. They say that almost any kitchen or bath countertop can be constructed just like the pros without any expensive fabrication. Do it Yourself Granite has developed a number of tools for their customers like the Seamstone kit and the kwik-korner jig that make the job of installing easier and better. They will do undermount sink holes for you and reinforce them with steel. Also they do custom bullnosing for smaller islands and special corners. You will need is an a circular saw and grinder and our product. You could install double-bullnosed 3/4" slab granite countertops in your kitchen or bath for less than half of the price than even the warehouses charge according to their website. Because they sell mostly to novices and homeowners, Do It Yourself gives you the personal advice and service you will need. Looks heavy and tricky to me--but hey--esp. for a small job, I think I'd give them a try. They were featured on a DIY Network show--they have links to the DIY Network web pages. Their website loads slowly--BTW.
www.doityourselfgranite.com
CAMBRIA - Natural stone quartz countertops
Cambria is a natural stone quartz surface that can be used for kitchen countertops, bathroom shower surrounds, vanities and more. Cambria is both elegant, practical. Cambria is virtually non-absorbent, greatly reducing the potential for bacterial growth. Unlike granite, you never have to seal or polish Cambria and it comes with a 10-year limited warranty. It is completely non-porous and will not absorb food and liquids like granite can. And best of all, it is maintenance-free. Cambria introduces the Quarry Collection with the look and feel of granite and the high performance of quartz. Cambria is the only producer of quartz solid surfaces in the USA. Generally, Cambria prices are comparable to granite and other high-end countertop options. www.cambriausa.com
Silestone natural quartz stone countertops-- WOW!!! The natural quartz in Silestone delivers a distinctive depth, brilliant clarity, glimmering radiance and cool, solid feel unique to natural stones. Because it is non-porous, Silestone’s polished surface doesn't’t need to be sealed. Granite, marble and limestone, on the other hand, must be sealed on installation and resealed regularly to prevent staining. Silestone offers benefits that outperform other surfaces, such as scratch and scorch resistance that can't be matched by plastic or solid surfaces, and resistance to stains that can't be matched by even sealed granite or marble. Silestone can be used in virtually any indoor surfacing application, including kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, tub and shower surrounds, backsplashes, floors, walls, wet bars, tabletops, desktops, fireplace surrounds, and more. SileStone has widespread availability, and with over 48 colors available in the U.S., and virtually unlimited edge designs to choose from. In North America, Silestone is available through approximately 3,500 retailers including all EXPO Design Center stores, Home Depot locations, e-counters.com, as well as a variety of kitchen and bath retailers, cabinet shops, tile/flooring outlets, designers’ showrooms, architectural firms, builders. Only three other natural minerals — diamond, sapphire and topaz – are harder than quartz, making Silestone naturally scratch-resistant. Quartz is a seven in strength on Mohs Hardness Scale (diamond is a 10). Silestone requires very little maintenance. Simply wipe your Silestone surface with soap and warm water on a regular basis to maintain its beauty and shine. www.silestone.com or www.silestoneusa.com
You can actually order these incredible Silestone countertops online !! www.e-counters.com