2 CM Stone

We only install 3cm (1 and 1/4" thick) stone, however, we have been asked our opinion of 2 cm (3/4") stone. First, understand that there are three different applications of 2cm stone. First, there is the 2cm with an edge buildup. From the picture, you can see that the build-up lamination lines are fairly obvious. So, this option doesn't look as good. Second option is to apply no lamination to the edge and just use 2cm thickness stone. it looks very thin and cheap and cannot accomodate upgraded edge treatments. Both of these above options require an application of a plywood underlayment prior to stone installation. By the time you pay for this, you could have bought yourself a much more durable 3cm top. Another option would be to purchase 2cm stone with a bullnose already applied. This also requires a plywood underlayment, but would not have a lamnation on the edge. A few years ago we were approached by a gentleman selling this type of stone. It was made in China. He said you could sell it for $45/SF. Since our sister-in-law is a granite fabricator in California and was interested in trying out this stone, we decided to hang back and watch how it went. They used it for a while, but they found that it had limited applications due to the fact that it only came in certain widths. They also found the bullnose to be of low quality and were rejecting many of the slabs they recieved. A few of their clients actually called and said their bullnose fell off and so they had to replace those countertops. You do get what you pay for in the granite business, and we have decided not to install products like this that are so problematic and we encourage you to seek out reputable fabricators who only install 3cm stone.

Caution on Faucets

Sometimes people have ledges made of stone that sit in a window. If you are one of those people and you are buying a faucet, please be sure that the handle doesn't hit the ledge when it is in the open position. It is suprising to see how many people neglect this simple check.

I Cannot Make Judgement Calls

A lady called today to say that she saw how many nice compliments our customers had given us and could she ask me a question about her stone installation done in Georgia, as she felt it had not been done as well as the ones in my pictures. I was sorry I could not help her. If you are having a problem with your fabricator or installer, the best thing to do is follow the normal channels for complaints. Write your fabricator a letter telling them the problems you are having. If your problem involves Silestone, contact Silestone directly following the procedures in your 15 year warranty documentation. Please do not contact me for my opinion on how your countertop should have been installed. For liability reasons, I cannot make judgement calls regarding someone else's work that I can only see in photographs. Even if your job is in St. Louis, I still cannot comment on someone's else's poor workmanship. All I can say is buyer beware. Know your installers experience level and credentials.

Microban

Silestone incorporates Microban protection into the molecular structure of the product during the manufacturing process so it will not wash off or wear away. So, what good is Microban? It provides a proven deterrent to the growth of bacteria. No other quartz surface will have this feature, as Silestone and Microban have signed an exclusive agreement. You can find out more about Microban by visiting their website: http://www.microban.com/

The 15 year granite warranty "situation"

One of the big box stores is launching some new granite colors with a 15 year stain warranty. It's marketing genius at work. The granite colors are actually not new, they are just renamed to discourage consumers from price shopping. A similar practice is used in the mattress industry. But, since granite colors are more distiguishable than mattresses, they aren't fooling anyone but themselves.
I looked on the website that is promoting this new granite and NOWHERE do I find a copy of the warranty. If you want that, you have to call.
My advice to the consumer is to ask to read the warranty before you buy. I have heard it has a long list of exclusions. Your tops won't be replaced. Instead, they only say that they will help you remove the stain via the phone or send out a tech if necessary to try and get it out. But this is only if they have determined that you did not void the warranty. You must follow their explicit care and cleaning guidelines (no windex, for example) or the warranty is void and certain colors are completely exempt. I also found it interesting that coasters are required under every glass or the warranty is void. Who can follow such rules completely? Many of the fabricators in my alliance group have tested these so-called 15 yr sealers and they haven't been able to find that they are superior to anything already out there. Realize and understand that your natural granite needs to be babied and there is no way around that. If that doesn't suit you, then just buy Silestone instead and not have to worry about it.

Seam Locations

Some people think that they can pick their seam locations regardless of the bid amount. And they can. But, it is necessary to realize that it could cost more. Why? Because when we bid a job, we usually bid it the cheapest way. This means we choose the number of seams and their location. If you want to dictate seam location, realize that you may be creating waste that you will most likely pay more for. Also, it is possible that your particular kitchen design will necessitate seam placement in areas that might cause waste, thus increasing your cost per SF. Sometimes it is not evident from a drawing that the seam location we choose is not appropriate. For example, you may have dishwasher placed in a location where a seam would normally go but due to the fact that the dishwasher is there, the seam will have to be relocated which could incur an additional cost. This is why proposals are always preliminary and based on information in the drawing. Alway estimate a little higher to take into consideration unforeseen circumstances such as the above mentioned situation.

Farm Sinks

Usually all the sinks are required to be on site prior to templating, but not installed. UNLESS, you have a farm sink. In which case, you will have to make sure the plumber installs it prior to our arrival for templating. Or make arrangements for us to install when we come to template. Also, it seems that cabinet guys aren't always aware that you have a farm sink. So, babysit your cabinet-maker and if your farm sink doesn't fit, he may have to make cabinet modifications to make it fit. Double-check this because if it's discovered at templating, your templater will have to leave and return at a later date which often incurs a trip charge.

Are my new stone countertops going to be level?

The answer depends entirely on who is completing the work. Many people who are getting new Silestone or granite countertops will assume that they will be installed straight and level and that all installers are basically the same. They are quite disappointed later when they find that their seams are wide and stair-stepped and eggs and oranges roll off the countertop. Ask you installation company what their seam width and rise tolerances are. You may be surprised at what you hear. The "hurry-up" low-priced installer's response to the customer is usually always the same..."that's the best we could do with what we had." Not true. It's only the best they could do because they either weren't experienced enough to do better or simply wouldn't take the extra time.
It is completely possible to get a table-top level installation and nice looking seams for almost all kitchens if all parties involved do their jobs. We insure that the proper steps are taken by both cabinet maker and countertop installer to get the correct end result. We use a propietary checklist designed specifically by us over the years to help the consumer through the process. We also have gthe same person do all our templating and installations.
If you are installing stone over existing cabinets and there is no cabinet maker, then your cabinets are probably NOT level. Why? Because you most likely have laminate and its bendable. It easily hides cabinets that are not level. This is where the experienced installer can make the difference in the final product. He will need to spend extra time shimming and caulking to achieve the desired results.
Tabletop level countertops are not always the norm these days and there are many installers who won't even mention it to you as an option, so take matters into your own hands and insist on superior quality of workmanship and project accountability.

Can you get other quartz products?

Yes, we are certified to install Caeserstone, Zodiaq and Cambria.
The reason that we highly recommend Silestone over others is because we get it for the best price in the quickest amount of time with superior fabrication and quality control from our Silestone supplier and from Silestone's production facility. it's a recipe for success.
There are a few other advantages to Silestone as well. It has the Microban anti-microbial built in, 70 years of experience, and continuing technological advancements. It also has the longest warranty in the industry at 15 years. We have had an occassional warranty situation in our Silestone lifetime and we have been very pleased with the quick response. We believe all the above account for the reason why Silestone continually maintains a large majority of the quartz countertop market share in the St. Louis area.

Chopping Mats

Many stone countertop customers have been happy with the plastic chopping mats (aka flexible cutting sheets) available at Bed, Bath & Beyond. You get two 12" X 15" sheets for about $4 and they last at least 6 months each. They sit on top of the granite or Silestone and allow you to chop without dulling your knives. Because they are made of a flexible plastic, they are not heavy like wood cutting boards and they make it easier to slide chopped ingredients into a pot. They can also be popped into the dishwasher for easy cleaning, but I find that warps them so I just hand wash.
Here is a link to the mats: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&wrn=-2092927711&SKU=11289967

Great Sinks

What makes a great sink? How important is the brand name? We've looked at many sink models and styles and we've found that the Omni brand generic model is made equally as well as the brand name models and costs significantly less. We previously offered Blanco sinks at a discount to our customers, but even with those discounts they were still spending $500-600 for an 18 gauge stainless steel undermount sink. Our new line of Omni sinks have the same composition and structure of the Blanco sinks for 1/2 the price. These are only available to our customers that purchase countertops from us. We are also still carrying Moen Extensa Faucet. It is one of the easiest to install, looks great with big sinks and has a lifetime warranty. Check out our sinks here: http://www.fidnet.com/~mbruno/omni.htm. If you know you don't want a stainless sink and have been thinking of a porcelain or cast iron sink, check out the new Silgranit sinks from Blanco or Moenstone from Moen. These sinks are 80% granite, still lightweight and hold up to staining and scratching far better than the porecelain cast iron sinks. You can find out more information on Blanco sinks by visiting their website.

What Seams are SUPPOSED to look like

The question "What will my seams look like" can be difficult for many fabricators to answer. I have heard that it is an acceptable industry standard to have seams that are 1/8" thick. I would personally find that totally unacceptable in my kitchen. If your installer takes his time and makes sure that your tops go in level and straight and he uses a seam puller and colorized epoxy, you can make seams that look pretty darn good. It requires paying a little extra for shimming work from you installer and a willingness on his/her part to go the extra mile, but it is well worth it. This picture is Silestone Tea Leaf and was actually taken by our customer and sent to my email with the caption...Seam, what Seam? The homeowner was ecstatic at the look. However, it is important to be realistic here as well. If you cabinets are significantly out of level, there is only so much an installer can do. But don't let them use this as an excuse either. Have them show you how out of level your cabinets are when they come to template (with Formica removed, of course). Sometimes it's easier to just cop out and say to the customer that it's the cabinets fault when, really, the installer has 2 more jobs to do that day and doesn't have time to fiddle with yours. Also, if you choose natural granite with swirls and obvious color variations in it, then seams will be more visible due to your choice in granite and not your installers abilities. If it's important to you to have near perfect seams, choose an installer that can show you pictures like this one. Can you find the seam? maybe I should have put an arrow in there...naaa....what's the challenge in that?

Quotes should be Comprehensive

Fabricators will often give you a written quote based on a rough drawing of your kitchen. The rougher your drawing, the rougher the bid. So if you don’t want to end up comparing apples to oranges, make sure that your drawing is correct and has all the measurements. This includes showing all the information discussed on my website: http://www.fidnet.com/~mbruno/st_louis_silestone_drawing.htm

Once you have your bids in hand, make sure that they show the thickness of the stone (2cm or 3cm), the edging type, the sink type, the backsplash, number of faucet holes, and number of outlet holes if needed. Also discuss radius corners and what sizes are included. We include up to a 1" radius or clipped corner at no charge. Check that the bid includes the costs of all plumbing disconnection, reconnection, cooktop connection and reconnection, old countertop removal and haul-away if you need those services. Discuss seam location and whether or not the seams are silicone or epoxy. As you can see, with so many variables involved, it's very important to choose someone to work with that you feel you can trust. Ask for 3 recent references and go check out the jobsites yourself if you have time. Finally, check to see that the installer has the proper workers compensation and liability insurance and will provide a lien waiver upon completion.

Leather Series is the same as honed finish

We've now had the honor of installing a leather series countertop by Silestone. It was difficult to get it to look perfect. The leather series is basically a honed version of the regular series. When granite or Silestone is honed, it's a matte finish, not a shiny finish. The inherent problem with any honed finish is that it isn't quite as carefree as the polished version. From Silestone: "While Silestone Leather is easily maintained, it does require more daily cleaning to maintain an even tone on its surface. Because of the three-dimensional feel of its surface, daily living (such as fingerprints and interaction with cooking utensils) show more on Silestone Leather than on other Silestone products." This is especially true with dark colors of Silestone and honed granite as well. Silestone also recommends the use of a conditioner: "The use of a conditioner is purely temporary and will require either repeat applications to maintain a consistent luster on the surface or thorough cleaning to remove it." We have always been proud of the fact that Silestone is maintenance-free, so if you are still looking for that advantage, we recommend you choose from the regular finish of Silestone and skip the leather (honed)finishes.

3 new colors available in January 2007

Silestone will be introducing three new colors shortly. They will be available for installation around the second week of August. All the new colors have more character and less consistency than previous Silestone colors making them more "natural-looking." They will start out in category D at an introductory price of $69/Sf installed and move into a higher priced category when the introductory period is over. One new color in particular, Giallo Quarry looks very promising. It mimics the color scheme of popular granite colors like Giallo Veneziano and Venetian Gold. You can view all Silestone colors including the new ones on my website at: www.brunobuiltgranite.com

2 week leadtime

It is currently taking about 2 weeks to get Silestone in St. Louis from the time of template to the time of installation. Please be aware that you will be without kitchen counters for that long. Many people take advantage of our special "temporaries" offer. We will remove your old tops, sink and cooktop. Then place everything back after we template. We will also remove it all again when we return with the Silestone and perform the final hookups when the stone is completely installed. This avoids the problems associated with using multiple contractors.

Why we don't template over existing laminate

A potential client called with a few questions. One of her questions was, "My neighbors had their Silestone top installed by (competitor unnamed) and it cracked. We don't want that to happen to us. How do you keep it from happening?"
My answer was...if a Silestone top cracks, it is often due to templating over existing laminate (aka formica) or templating poorly (same thing really). We don't cut corners this way. We take the time and effort necessary to make sure the old tops are removed PRIOR to templating, the templates are checked and double-checked, and the new tops are shimmed if necessary. That way an egg or orange will not roll off. As discussed previously, most cabinets (90%) are not level underneath laminate tops. Sometimes they are 1/4" out of level and sometimes they are so badly out of level (over 1/2") that we require cabinets be pulled and reset. There is no way to know for sure that they are out of level, UNTIL you remove the existing tops. If your new granite tops are over 1/2" out of level and resting on small plastic shims and some person jumps up there, you could have a crack. Besides cracking, there are other disadvantages to templating over existing tops; mainly GAPS, especially if you are not getting a backsplash made of stone. Your tile setter will not appreciate skewed countertops, as he will have a hard time trying to disguise a huge gap with grout. And, last but not least, if you have a free-standing stove, it WILL be level due to the fact you cook with hot water and oil. BUT, what if the countertops are not level. It will be painfully obvious to everyone who looks at your stove. How embarrassing to have someone say, "Look, your countertop is tilted." Lesson learned, choose an installer that templates over bare cabinets and doesn't cut corners by templating over existing laminate.
Michelle Bruno, www.brunobuiltgranite.com

Natural Granite Problems

Natural Granite owners are having more and more problems with their granite as time goes on. I have to say that the blame lies in the granite companies that sell the granite and then don't bother to inform the customer as to how to clean and maintain their stone. The problems range from etching (white film) to water rings to stains that won't go away. Most of the problems are caused by using the wrong cleaning products, leaving spills sit, or not sealing the stone properly. Unfortunately, some of these problems are not easily remedied and some situations may require a stone restoration specialist. These guys are hard to find and they don't come cheap.
Bottom line, no matter what color you have, your natural granite requires a care and maintenance program. Each individual piece of granite has it's own regiment that needs to be followed. The best place to find out about your stone is from the place you bought it. Also, if you check the internet, eventually you will stumble upon the best website out there for granite advice. It is called www.findstone.com. You can search about 9000 advice answers to find out how to resolve your particular problem....if it's resolvable at all. Or you can search for the color of granite you are considering purchasing to see what kinds of problems other people have had with that same color.
If this all sounds too overwhelming to you, consider Silestone quartz. It requires no maintenance or special cleaning products. You can clean it with windex or 409 or soap and water and you never have to seal it. On top of that, you won't find a website that has 9000 requests on how to take care of it. Sounds like a winner to me!

What is countertop rodding?

Silestone has twice the flexural strength of granite and requires no rodding. But if you are getting natural granite, you will want to make sure that your fabricator is taking the extra time and care necessary to rod your countertops. It provides 50% more strength to the stone. Typically, threaded round steel rods are installed underneath the granite at the sink area or other cutout areas because these are the weakest spots. It is sometimes recommended to apply a fiberglass mesh to the bottom of the granite also. It does not guarantee you won't get a crack, but it is the best precaution available. They even make a video for training installers called "Rodding and Repair of granite." Some fabricators cut corners and skip the rodding. Make sure that doesn't happen to you. If you want to learn more about this topic in-depth, check out the Marble Institute of America website at www.marble-institute.com.

Do your new appliances fit?

Many people unknowingly purchase sinks, cooktops, refrigerators and dishwashers that don't fit into their desired spaces. These issues can be avoided by checking dimensions prior to purchase. One thing I've noticed is that sinks are getting bigger and bigger. Some older homes don't have the cabinet space for the sink sizes of today. So, your best bet is to measure and don't assume your sink will fit. Measure the entire cabinet up and down and side to side. Then, get the sink measurements from the manufacturer's website. Same goes for cooktops. Sometimes cabinet modifications can be made so that sinks and cooktops will fit. However, that can be hard to judge without looking at each situation individually. Refrigerators and dishwashers are no exception either. So, check those dimensions before we arrive to template and your job will go much smoother.

Accessibility in your home

Some people are truely unaware of the large size and heavy weight (20# per SF) of their countertop pieces and fail to provide adequate access to their kitchen. It is important to keep in mind that such things as having your driveway paved on the day your countertops are being installed is not a good idea. Also, if you are supposed to have your driveway poured in order to provide access, please make sure it's done before you countertop installers arrive. It is very difficult to manuever large pieces of heavy stone through mud. Also, large pieces of furniture, tight doorways and basement steps are hard to maneuver through. We do occasionally charge for difficult access if steps are so numerous that it takes hours longer to install the job. This seems to be more prevalent in lake homes or waterfront properties which can have upwards of 30 or more steps just to get to the home.

To splash or not to splash...that's a good question

When it comes to backsplash with Silestone or natural granite countertops, you can splash with the same stone you have for the countertop, you can splash with tile or you can paint or wallpaper. The biggest consideration should be water. After all, a splash is called a splash because things splash on it. So, think about where the water is going to go if it collects behind your sink or in other countertop areas. If you are considering a tile-only splash, be aware that water will come in contact with the grout line. This eventually causes fine cracks and will require yearly maintenance with caulking. If you have paint or wallpaper, the caulk will still need to be maintained and your paint or wallpaper will need to be washable. Many people do not like the look of caulk as it begins to wear and just really hate messing with it altogether. If this is the case for you, then I suggest a 4" backsplash of stone or Silestone. The silicone will be placed under the splash to create a water barrier and will not be visibly noticable. The caulk will be placed at the top of the 4" splash, will not be in contact with water and will wear much better. It could be 5 or 10 years before you have to re-caulk that area. You can put tile, wallpaper or paint from the 4" splash up to the countertops and not have to worry about water issues. I have this configuration in my kitchen and have had no problems for over 5 years. We use our kitchen everyday and the caulk above the splash still looks good as new.

Faucet Change After Templating...Not a good idea

Today I added another item to be checked off the checklist that I send to all my customers prior to templating. "Do not change your faucets after templating without notice to your templater." We went to install a natural granite countertop for a remodeled kitchen on Saturday. The customer had originally chosen a one handle pull-out sprayer faucet. When we arrived, they had taken that faucet back and exchanged it for a 4 hole faucet with a separate sprayer and separate handles. Now, the configuration of the sink and the distance from the sink to the splash precluded placing the faucet in the originally chosen location (which was center). The faucet and it's handles had to be placed off center and far to the right of the sink. Is it functional? Yes. Does it look good? Well, my opinion....No. What else could they do? The other option was to run all around town trying to find another faucet while we waited and the clock ticked. So, if you really don't like your faucet choice or for that matter any other appliance, check in with your templater first before making any last minute changes.

Another Tale of Woe

Today one of my customers , James, called to say it would be a little longer than they expected for the cabinets to be finished. Since we, the Silestone countertop installer, cannot template until the cabinets are set, we will have to wait. The interesting part of the story is WHY we have to wait. The carpenter hired to install the cabinets has not been showing up. I asked James where he found this guy and why he thought there was a delay. He said that the guy had done some work for a family member plus the guy had the lowest price of anyone around. He also said that he thought the guy realized that his price was too low and that is why he is not showing up. James mentioned that he was now looking for someone else to finish the job and had consulted an attorney to see what recourse he may have, since he gave the guy 50% down. This is a classic tale I have heard before and the lesson to be learned is that guys who give cheap prices may start out with the best of intentions, but once they realize they are not making any money, they oftentimes abandon the job. It's another case of "Buyer Beware."

Cheap Granite Prices, The Real Story

How many times have you seen a sign or advertisment for granite for $38/SF? One company in particular has parachuted into the St. Louis area and is using this tactic to get people to call them. I had the opportunity to view an estimate of this supposed $38/SF granite and I was not at all surprised to see additional costs for cut-outs, template fees, edging, etc. When it was all said and done, the price was just about the same as mine. The only way they could make it cheaper was to offer a 2cm stone which is NOT the recommended way to install granite anymore. It's glued together and set over plywood. On top of all that, I got a call from a very respected President of a very respected local company who thought he was getting a deal from these guys and it turned out that the preliminary estimate was 50% short of the actual estimate. Now he is fighting to get his deposit back. Moral of the story, trust your instincts. If it sounds too good to be true.....you know the rest....

Do I really have to seal my granite?

Silestone needs no sealing at all since it is 100% non-porous. Granite, on the other hand, requires sealing...or does it? It is a debate that has raged among industry experts for years. The controversy mainly surrounds the dark black granites like Labrador Green, Verde Buttefly and Absolute Black. Some granite experts say that these colors are so dense that they really don't need to be sealed. Other experts say that's crazy and that you are setting yourself up for disaster if you don't seal them. Many suggest what is known as the lemon juice test. You pour a drop of lemon juice or wine on an unsealed piece of stone and see if it makes dark stains. If so, it needs sealing. For lighter colors of stone that have white or cream color in them, you can pretty well plan on sealing the stone at least a couple of times per year. These colors just don't stand up to the lemon juice test very well. Sealing is a precaution, however, it is not a guarantee. So, if this all sounds too complicated for you to mess with, GET SILESTONE and forget about it.

Silestone Ranked #1 Again!

For the third year in a row, a leading consumer magazine which prefers to remain nameless, has ranked Silestone #1 for countertop material. What is most interesting is that Corian and it's other solid-surface counterparts are ranked BELOW Formica-type countertop material overall. The reason is because plastic countertops just do not stand up to testing done for scratching, heat and staining. Since Corian-type countertops COST THE SAME as Silestone countertops (at least here in St. Louis they do) and carry a better degree of durability, it is no wonder we can hardly keep up with demand. It's a no-brainer!

Retired Silestone Colors for St. Louis

Today I learned that 3 colors that are currently offered at Home Depot and through all other St. Louis Silestone dealers, including us, are being retired. They are: Verde Medea, Verde Orion and Agua Zul. Once the current supplies are used up, the colors will be moved to the Special Order Category and will be priced in the area of about $85/SF. These colors have lost popularity and it is not profitable to keep them in stock.

Your Pets...Are they safe?

Ahhh...finally I have to say this. We love your pets. But, when people are working in your house, it is best to keeps your pets out of the way. If they have a tendency to bark incessantly, you may want to take them to a dog sitter. This way, the barking will not affect the concentration of the workers. If you have cats that cannot be outside, consider putting them in a cage for the day so they do not get underfoot or escape. When a worker is moving something large and heavy, they may not notice little Fluffy is in the way. Workers tend to go in and out alot too. So, if your pets have a tendency to run like heck as soon as they get out the door, please make sure they are properly secured when workers are present. I will never forget the time Sal spent half the day searching the neighborhood for a little dog that got out accidentally. Both Sal and dog were nearly run over. So, please practice pet responsibility.

Silestone in 12 X 12 tiles

Many people are unaware that Silestone comes in 12 X 12 tiles. This is especially handy for backsplash designs where you might want to incorporate a design of tile that exactly matches your tops. The tiles could be intermittent or comprise the entire splash. Usually, the grout joints are very tight, about 1/16." Silestone tiles cost about $16.50 each. We can install these tiles when we install the tops.

Can my contractor sign my templates?

Before your Silestone or granite countertop is installed, it must be templated. Templates are cardboard cut-outs of your countertop that are submitted for fabrication. All the cuts are made based on these templates. Every template piece must be personally signed and accepted. If you want your contractor to sign for you, we will have you sign a release stating that you accept his choices. If you don't like his choices, you will have to pay for any mistakes he has made. So, it is best for you to be present at your templating yourself. It wouldn't hurt to have your contractor there also. It is too easy, especially on a complex project, for your contractor to forget to tell us something that you would have remembered. So why take the chance? Your sink reveal, your splash locations, your edging, your radiuses are all being determined by someone who will not be "living" with this kitchen. So, please, do yourself a big favor and be there at templating and for that matter, installation.

Porcelain Sinks

Be aware that porcelain cast-iron sinks are heavy and require extra support to hold them if they are undermounted. This extra support network costs about $150.00 extra. Also, porcelain cast-iron sinks have a tendency to chip and stain. Consider one of the new granite composite sinks. They are 80% granite, come in black, white, neutral and other colors depending on brand. The price is usually around $400-$500 and they are light-weight (despite their granite content) and thus require no additional support. They can usually be undermounted or topmounted, but check before you buy. My favorite is the Blanco Silgranite. It comes in a variety of configurations and can be viewed at www.blancoamerica.com.

perform cabinet modifications, avoid trip charges

Many times when we come to template we request that the contractor and/or cabinet maker return to the jobsite to make cabinet or trim modifications prior to our installation. Many times, they don't show up. So, as a homeowner, try to be informed as to what needs to be done at your jobsite and remind your contractor to perform the work necessary for our successful completion. When the work is not done, we have to do it (for a fee, of course) or we have to return at a later date, which will cost you or your contractor a hefty trip charge.

clips for your sink

If you buy your own sink, save the box it comes with until we have mounted it. Why? Because the instruction manual and the mounting clips are in the box. Yesterday, we had to return to a jobsite and fix a sink install because we had been forced to install it without the clips and had to guess at the proper sink hole dimension. Well, the guess was a little off. And where do you think the sink clips went to? The customer had given the box to a friend to use for moving and the clips and instruction manual were in the box!

24 Hours

Please be advised that it usually takes 24 hours for your countertops to "dry" and no plumbing or electrical is allowed. In fact, it is best to keep all contractors away from the kitchen until the time elapses. The reason is because the epoxy needs to set. If somebody messes with it, it could cause a problem.

Don't plan a party

For some reason, and maybe it's just Murphy's Law, people tend to plan a party around their remodeling. They want to show off their beautiful new kitchen. I can understand that. But, take my advice, don't plan a party around your countertop installation. You never know what will happen. If it gets delayed due to whatever unforeseen circumstance, you will be much more disappointed if you planned a party around it, then if you didn't. So err on the side of caution and wait until it's done before you plan.

Why do some Categories Cost More?

The answer to this question is different for Granite than it is for Silestone. For natural granite, price is based on supply and demand. For Silestone, the size of the quartz is the determining factor. If you look closely at samples, you will see that Category D (most expensive) Silestone has larger pieces of quartz in it. This accounts for the greater price. Also, I have noticed that other geographical areas have different colors in different categories. That is because some colors are more popular in certain areas. But, you will still notice the higher priced colors have the larger quartz pieces. It does not affect the integrity of the stone, however.

leather look

I have just found out that Silestone will be offering a "leather" look to it's Silestone colors. I haven't heard much else about it. But, hopefully, I will have some pricing and availability information soon.

Introduction

I have decided to create this blog to discuss issues and problems that come up in the daily business of installing granite and Silestone countertops. If you are from another state, please be advised that your state may have a different method of installation, different pricing and different colors available. If you have questions, please contact an installer in your state. I cannot usually answer questions or solve problems for you if you are not in my distribution area which is Missouri and Eastern IL.