CountertopIQ

What to Look for in a Diamond Blade

malley — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:11:51 GMT

I remember the good old days when selecting a blade for cutting stone was fairly simple. There were few choices. You had a blade for granite and one for marble. Pretty simple. Today, with the development of diamond blades the proper selection of a blade for granite, marble, limestone, engineered stone, porcelain, glass etc can be confusing.

My Worst Repair

malley — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:04:13 GMT

More than a decade of experience repairing solid surface countertops has taught me the first order of business is to determine what surface and/or manufacturer you are dealing with. For instance, Wilsonart’s discontinued Solid Surface Veneer product has the appearance of ½ in. thick solid surface, but is 1/8 in. thick. Inadvertently exposing particleboard underlayment could be very troublesome. I pull out a drawer and look at the bottom of the top

Installing Two Wilsonart HD535 bowls

malley — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:09:28 GMT

In the surface fabrication business you can always expect the unexpected, especially when trying a newer product. Such was the case when I sold two Wilsonart HD535 bowls.

LEED Stirs Up Controversy

589host — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Think the fightin’ words are over with November’s presidential elections? Not at the U.S. Green Building Council, where nerves continue to be sharp after some public questioning of its role in green building practices.

Is Engineered Stone Driving The Market Train?

589host — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It’s one of the oldest marketing clichés to find a new angle for an item: a different name, redesigned packaging or an added ingredient, and call it the “Product of the Future” in a must-have-it frenzy. And, almost without fail, it’s forgotten next year.

How Does Your Surface Rate?

589host — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Customers and fabricators often lament the lack of a good, straightforward comparison of countertop surfaces. Sure, everyone’s seen the standard good-and-bad summaries -- and the myths within gaining new life with each mention -- but why can’t anyone rate the materials?

Laminate: Going for Looks

589host — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It’s the classic champagne-on-a-beer-budget dilemma: Deliver the look of natural stone, but avoid running up the cost. Laminate makers are offering some interesting choices, although these alternative surfaces are mainly a matter of appearances.

The Coverings Factor

589host — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

When it comes to countertop surfaces, one U.S. trade show tends to get the most attention: the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Last month, plenty of designers (and the crowd that follows them) made tracks to Chicago for the 2012 edition of the show.

Some Really, REALLY Big Tile

589host — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Bring together tiles and countertops – not backsplashes, but kitchen work areas and vanity surfaces – and it’s often a case of love before the install and remorse long before the next remodel.

A Different Way to Drain

589host — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

With all the surfaces for surfaces for countertops or vanities – and more choices for backsplashes and trim – sinks usually fall into two options: stainless steel in the kitchen and porcelain in the bathroom.

The Richest Mix

589host — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

When it comes to alternatives surfaces, there’s one type of material on the market that’s made of natural stone ... but it isn’t.

It’s not quarried and cut from blocks, although it’s readily available by the slab. Nor is the surface mixed, molded and thermoformed in batches of precise colors – yet it’s man-made.

Poring It On

589host — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Poring It On

589host — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

When making comparisons with stone, manufacturers of alternative surfaces often play the Care Card: Liquids literally roll off our tops with no maintenance required, while granite, marble, limestone et al need sealing at least once a year, if not twice.

Recycled Glass Redux

589host — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Not long ago — five years or so — designers and architects got the message about the latest and greatest in countertops: recycled glass.

The eco-friendly surfaces appeared in snappy layouts in design magazines, and even took a guest-starring role on Living With Ed with an installation in environmental activist Ed Begley Jr.’s home. In terms of product recognition, it easily took the lead as the green pick for residential and commercial countertops.

The Grassy Green of Bamboo

589host — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

If you’re looking to meet the sustainability entry on the punchlist for countertop surfaces, there’s an easy choice to make: Bamboo.

Taking the Weight From Concrete Countertops

589host — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Maybe it’s the weird acronym – GFRC – that makes people think about safety devices or insurance companies instead of countertops. As a material, though, it’s shaping up as a great surface.

GFRC, or glass-fiber reinforced concrete, could change your opinion about using concrete for countertops. It’s strong, weighs far less than standard cast concrete tops, and involves a fabrication process that’s a natural for shops working primarily with stone or wood.

Paper Covers ... A Counter?

589host — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Paper clothes never made the grade, and paper plates are a one-and-done deal. So can anyone be serious about paper countertops?

While it’s not a major movement, you’ll find plenty of converts to the cause in residential kitchens and bathrooms, as well as some commercial work. Paper-composite surfaces are hard-as-nails (if not harder) and offer performance that’s generally comparable to standard countertop materials such as laminate and solid surface.