We offer a large selection of colorful laminates by popular manufactures like Wilsonart and Formica. When laminates were first discovered, it was the greatest product ever invented. It was durable, colorful, plentiful, and inexpensive. Today, with other products to choose from, it isn’t as popular. It is almost half the expense of pricey stone, and is still as colorful and durable as it was 30 years ago.
We also offer fabricated solid surfaces which include Corian, Formica and Avonite. Corian was the leader and first made by Dupont using a blend of polyester and acrylic. It is still a leader in the solid surface industry. For anyone who is looking for a specific color, you will find what you are looking for in this arena. Since the color goes all the way through the product, it can be easily sanded and buffed back to it’s original state if it is scratched, chipped or stained. It is less expensive than granite and is non porous which means it is hygienic, and has little or no maintenance. It is close in price to a lower priced granite. Avonite, another solid surface material, has several selections in their product line which lends itself to under lit lumination. This trendy material is slight pricier than the regular material.
Another natural stone gaining popularity is Quartzite. Quartzite, like granite, is a very hard, dense stone. It resists heat and hard to stain. Quartzite is made from sandstone and quartz together under extreme heat and pressure. The empty grains of sandstone are filled with quartz. The process actually makes quartzite harder than quartz. The downside of quartzite is the slab you choose may have some etching. When shopping for your slab, carefully look at it from all angles. If the slab has etching, it will be obvious in certain lights. It is a natural characteristic of quartzite and does not effect the durability of the stone. It is only a downside if you don’t like the look. The market for different colors and design for counter top material has spun a new breed of quartzite. If you find a piece of quartzite that has an awestruck design with magnificent color, you may not be looking at the natural state of the stone. These slabs of unusual colors may have been color enhanced . Your sales person should be able to tell you whether they have been altered. This process is new and my thoughts on it is, it’s a high price to pay if it begins to fade in 5 years. If you find one of these hybrids and want to take the chance on it, get some kind of a guarantee in writing.
Many people ask us which material, granite or quartz is best for counter top material. They are both excellent materials, if they both were weighed on a Mohs scale of hardness (10), with 10 being the hardest, granite measures between 6 -6.5; whereas quartzite measures around 7. I feel that since the counter top makes up a large part of the finished look of your new kitchen or bath, that choosing the right design and color would be my first decision. Then choose the one that offers what you want. The difference in cost in the materials in either slabs or tiles will be reflected through the availability of colors and location.