747 said:
MICHAEL WHO DO YOU THINK MAKES THE BEST SOLID SURFACE COUNTER TOP FOR A KITCHEN? THANKS :
That's impossible to answer. Every surface has pros and cons, I give my customers a 4 page custom created document that explains just about every counter material there is , wood, stainless steel, marble, granite, quartz, corian, laminate, tile, cement ect... It lists the pros and cons of each product. It is often easier to eliminate a product then recommend it to a customer based on their uses of the kitchen, their lifestyle, and most importantly their budget. Counter top materials are almost always dictated 100% by wants and not needs.
747 said:
1. Would you install solid surface in your own kitchen?
Yes and I will be shortly. The surface I install will be decided upon based on a combination of factors, one being the look I need for the house to match the level of neighborhood because I will eventually be selling this house, the second factor will be what I can get installed cost effectively - because I want to maximize ROI in this house balanced with having to live here also, and finally the last factor will be based soley upon the products attributes (as you can see the attributes comes in last).
747 said:
2. Is it possible to get a undermounted sink with solid surface?
Yes, any solid surface can get an undermount. You can even get an undermount with laminate now. It can even be done with granite tile.
747 said:
3. Is it possible to do the back splash walls above counters in matching solid surface or do you think that would look stupid?
It is done all the time, but beware of a 'commercial' look that can result from it. The best results I get are when the backsplash compliments and contrasts the counters. 6x6 tiles set on a diagonal is a very nice back splash combination and will go with any counter top. We jazz it up with listellos and inserts.
747 said:
4. Do you think solid surface is a good choice if a person doesn't want to spend the big money on granite?.
Around here solid surface and granite can some times not be that far apart. A higher priced solid surface and a more comon type granite such as Uba Tuba can be pretty close in price. But normally with solid surface you top out money wise around $80 sq/ft, but granite you can keep going into the unreal with some really, really rare stuff hitting the $180 sq/ft range.
747 said:
I really like granite until i seen the sticker price shock associated with it. I don't want to spend that kind of money. But i think new counter would dress the kitchen up..
The big difference between solid surface which I believe you are referring to as Corian or resin based products is that resin based is man made, the pattern is man made and repeats. Granite is natural, they can't duplicate the beauty of granite with man mane materials yet. The veining and the subtle variations in granite are what makes it so desireable. Corian is plastic, it is generic. However if your tastes are not offended by the man made look of resin or quartz based products then by all means go for it. In Corian I usually tell customers to choose a matte finish. Corian will scratch and the darker or shinier the surface the more the scratches will show. With a matte surface at least you have a fighting chance of it looking good longer. If you want a dark and shiney surface then I would say to stay away from Corian and look at the next level of products that are quartz based.
Let me know if you have more questions or want more details.