The Day of Disaster

A surprising day of disaster may be looming in the near future in those kitchens installed with pre-fabricated granite countertops.

During one of my inspections at a factory in China, I was reviewing the quality of pre-fabricated granite countertops. The tops were cut to standard kitchen widths and had a laminated full bullnose edge detail. I asked for several of the countertops to be pulled out of the crate at random and then place upside down on a table. The bullnose looked beautiful. I took a piece of wood and tapped the back of the bullnose and the laminated granite popped right off.

The bullnose edge detail on these granite tops are laminated in China in order to take advantage of extremely low labor costs. Along with this big savings, come big problems with quality control.

In this article I do not mean to lump all pre-fabricated countertop manufactures into the same concern, but consider the following. The strength of the two-part epoxy that is used to glue the front edge together is dependent on the critical quality control aspects of mixing proportions, setting time, and a trained applicator. Even if quality control is a priority, the factors such as epoxy quality, training of the applicator and even atmospheric conditions are not optimal in low cost factories where humidity is high and experience is low. You also need to consider accountability. Ask yourself, will this manufacture take full responsibility for a long term latent defect such as the epoxy failing years from now.

For those that decided to go with pre-fabricated granite countertops, in the future the bullnose edge might fall off. To make matters worse, the installer might be out of business because this happened on all his jobs. If you decide to use pre-fabricated granite countertops, at least do a physical test of the epoxy strength at bullnose. Don’t judge it by how it beautiful looks!

What you need to know

Are you considering Engineered Stone for your countertops? Do you know all the facts?

Some of the brand names are Caesarstone, Zodiac, Cambria and Silestone. This article is provided for educational purposes so�that homeowners�are informed�before selecting Engineered Stone as their countertop choice. The information below may surprise you.

It doesn�t scratch � or does it?
Yes it does. The polyester resin used to bond the quartz together does scratch. No knowledgeable person should tell you otherwise. Your knife (steel) is harder than polyester so it will scratch it. The promotions emphasize the �natural quartz� in Engineered Stone, which is indeed harder than steel. However, the bonding agent, polyester resin is softer.

The big secret
Well, actually there are two secrets.� Perhaps the biggest secret is not secret at all. It is written right in the Caesarstone literature, “Fabrication Quick Start Guide”. It says, “Slabs must always be stored so that polished faces are not exposed to the sun.� The guide even mentions that the slab can warp!� As explained in the previous paragraph, the bonding agent that holds the quartz together is polyester resin. Polyester resin will discolor after prolonged exposure to sunlight. If you have a window in your kitchen, does this mean you have to consider keeping the blinds closed all day? The fact that sunlight will yellow and discolor polyester resin has been known in the stone industry for decades. So why market a product like this? The only unknown is how much sunlight will it take to�discolor your Engineer Stone countertops and how much discoloration is acceptable to you over time.� Here is a test sample to show you the effects of sunlight on Engineered Stone after 3 months of exposure.�

The second ‘big secret’ is that�although most engineered stone manufactures brag about their�product being 95% quartz or higher,�they do not explain that that is�percentage is measured by�weight,�not by volume.� Recently I was told that the actual volume�of epoxy is close to�25%.� I�do not have the data yet to verify this; however, this would explain the reason for the discoloring�presented above.� Of course quartz is heavier than epoxy so they�use this data to�deceive their audience.���That really bothers me.�

The Warranty
Caesarstone warranties are not transferable when you sell your home. I wonder why? In my opinion, when a manufacture does offer a warranty transfer, it means they are concerned about the longevity of the product. Unlike granite, which has been around for billions of years, manmade Caesarstone is factory produced. Therefore, the manufacture inherits responsibilities for product defects and failure. The sooner the warranty expires, the better for the manufacture. By selling your home, you can inherit the liability for any promotional literature you provided about your Engineer Countertops. This concept is a little difficult to grasp, but be assured that you are exposing yourself as the only �deep pocket� because you have released Caesarstone from liability by selling your home.

Do not confuse the product warranty with the �installation warranty� that comes from the installer. In fact, you now have a potentially shorter �product warranty� than you do an installation warranty! This means that an installer can rightfully tell you that your countertop is no longer under warranty even if the installation warranty is still in effect. Now, you have no warranty at all.

Final words � Read it for yourself
This commentary was intended to avoid presenting bias about other consideration like �natural beauty of natural stone� vs Engineered Stone. While I think that the �big secret� is reason enough to avoid Engineer Stone for esthetic purpose alone, I encourage you to ask for the product warranty and all product literature before choosing an Engineer Stone for your countertops. It speaks for itself but it won�t be provided to you unless you ask for it.

The above comments are the opinions of Tom Cordova and provided for educational purposes only. With over 17 years of experience in the granite industry, Tom Cordova�s opinions are proven to be helpful to homeowners and contractors nationwide.

We have been pricing granite countertops and we have a few concerns…

We are going back & forth about the color. I’m posting the link for you to view some pictures of the area:
Link 1 | Link 2

If you cant see the picture, we have natural maple floors, natural hickory cabinets, stainless steel appliances, wall color is similar to a pumpkin, we have black & red pendant lighting, & the island already has black galaxy tiles on the walls under the countertop.

So we were gonna go with Black Galaxy for the countertops, but we have heard mixed reviews about that color & also we kinda like the look of Spectrolite, we think the blue flecks would pop against the reds & oranges.

Thank you so much for your input on this!

Cori

Hello Cori,

Thank you for the photos. This would be a design stretch to pop Spectrolite above that Black Galaxy tile wall. However, if you are truly crazy for Spectrolite (which I could understand) then I would go it. The wall below the chairs really is another ‘element’ and will be like black sparkly paint to the eye. I really don’t see a conflict here at all. This is just a creative stretch and it will work since you have those other perimeter countertops in Spectrolite as well.

Black Galaxy is a nice granite, just a little Vegas-like on horizontal surfaces.

Thank you for supporting the Rock Blog kids!

Dear Tom,

I’m changing out my boring blue laminate countertops for granite and am struggling on the perfect color. I’ve narrowed down the colors to Golden Leaf, Tropical Brown, and Santa Cecilia Gold. My dilema is that I have brazilian cherry floors, medium brown maple cabinets, and a fireplace (kitchen is open to living and dining rooms)with black tile around it. I also have all stainless steel appliances. I’m hoping to get some expert advice. I’d be happy to send a picture of my kitchen if needed.

Thanks Tom!

Rob

Hi Rob,

Out of the three colors you mentioned, Golden Leaf is by far the best choice. The lightness and brightness and the subtle black will tie in with your fireplace and compliment the dark wood nicely. Santa Cecelia is far too yellow and too cheap looking to mix in with your rich floors and cabinets. Tan Brown is rich and works well with the colors, but it will really make the whole room much darker.

You need to look at Golden Leaf in a nice big chunk in your kitchen. There is a subtle olive green in stone mixed in with the brown/gold. When it is under normal indoor lighting, it looks like jewelry in a very handsome style. This is one of the most underrated granite colors. It is extremely dense (low maintenance) and more beautiful after it is installed then as seen on a computer or in slab yard.

There are other colors to consider such as Mascarello and Twister. Both of these are more exotic but would be stunning in your kitchen.

Let me know if you need a follow up questions. Thank you for supporting the Rock Blog kids!

Tom Cordova

Hello Tom,

I am building a tile roof home, hacienda-Spanish style. My kitchen is medium size and I have dark, probably espresso, large plank wood floors (knotted). I chose oil rubbed bronze for fixtures. The back splash is a lighter natural stone tile with a few 4×4 deco inserts that look old world in color- they look like oil rubbed bronze but with green in them to make it look ionized or aged. It sounds strange but I LOVE this deco insert. I do not know what color to stain my cabinets but, more so, I need help choosing a granite. I wanted to not spend too much. Options I thought about are radically different; multicolor red because it has movement and peacock gold because of the green. I have no direct light but indirect light. Thoughts??

Helena

Aloha Helena,

I believe the finish on those decos you are referring to is verdigris which is a greenish patina that natural happens to non-ferrous metals over a long period of time. This is why it gives an ‘old world’ sort of presence. Anyway, I can see how you like that charm and it would be important to select the right color granite to mix with these and the dark wood tones in the kitchen.

Red is out, unless you go with Red Dragon. In fact that would look sensational. This is a deep old-world red color mixed with thin green/back veins and is perfect if you like red. All other reds are more cultural-Asian than old world.

Green is out period, pretty much. It will just modernize those decos that you love so much. That is not good.

A tone that works very well is dark brown. If you don’t want to spend a lot, I suggest Tan Brown or Autumn Brown granite. These will work well with rubbed bronze and those dark floors. Still, I would suggest spending a little more and going with Red Dragon as mentioned above, or in the direction of Timber Brown, Touareg, or Terra Brazilis. These are browns with a subtle tone of green. Be sure to square of that front edge detail!

Good luck with the long distance remodel. That must be tough! Thank you for supporting the Rock Blog kids!

Tom,

We will be installing Armstrong’s Waverly cabinets in Toffee and wood floors in our kitchen. I was leaning toward a dark granite with green (perhaps peacock, butterfly or pocono) because I thought a brown granite would be boring and “samey” with the cabinets and floor. Do you agree and what do you think of my choices? Also read on gardenweb.com, these dark green granites can have problems with fissures?

Thank you in advance!
Karen

Hello Karen,

The Green Peacock granite is a nice medium/dark green that would go very well with the Armstrong toffee. Assume your kitchen area is not too small, this granite also has beautiful features that would compliment the upscale look of the Waverly design cabinets and crown. I like that combination a lot.

Light browns would really wash out the room but a color like Tan Brown Granite or Café Imperial would look very handsome and would give the kitchen a more subdued elegance as compared to the more ‘BAM’ that Peacock Green would present.

You did not mention your fixtures, appliances and sink color. These cabinets look great with white, cream or stainless. However, don’t go with green granite if you use white or cream. That combination mixed in here will cheapen the décor completely. The Tan Brown Granite with its rich deep red highlights is perfect with white or cream appliances. If you are going with stainless, then the Peacock Green is perfect – no doubt about it.

It is true the some deep greens have fissures. Just inspect the slab and feel if any are open to the touch or longer than a couple inches. This is a feature to embrace and not a defect to worry about. Ask if the slabs were resin filled. Do not select them if they were not resin filled at the overseas factory.

Thank you for supporting the Rock Blog’s World Vision kids!

Hi Tom,

Thanks for providing this service to support a wonderful cause, which I am happy to support.

I have just had a kitchen renovation that is 20X13 space L shaped with Peninsula, lots of natural lighting, Cappucino Villa pattern travertine floors, hazelnut stain Cherry shaker cabinets, and smoky taupe walls. I am stuck on a few things. I choose Giallo Vicenza (more peachy gold tone) for counters. The installer said that my peninsula is 83 in. and his slab is 80 in. so the granite flow will have to change direction at the seam in one spot at the end of the peninsula. Should I care about this?

Also, I really like Vicenza but am wondering if it is too industrial? And are there other suggestions that might fit better or cause this slab direction issue to be minor.

I was thinking of same travertine for backsplash but more simple pattern than my flooring.

I love all of the elements I’ve chosen and think they are continental looking, I could really use some assistance/suggestions at this point because I am out of my design element.

Thanks so much,
Lori

Hello Lori,

Good to hear from you on this topic and I hope you have not moved forward as you described. I know the Giallo Vicenza granite very well. The length of 83″ is not very long for slabs in this granite type so I am a bit surprised that the your countertop can not be made in one piece. Slabs in this granite are almost always over 100″ long.

In addition, the direction of the slab should not be changed at a seam in this granite. Although it is considered a homogeneous type granite pattern, there is a movement in the matrix that must go the same way, unless you are turning 90 degrees.

Most importantly, the color is totally wrong so perhaps that makes my comments above immaterial. The underlying pink tone in Giallo Vicenza would not look that great with Cherry shaker cabinets. There is also a gray tone in this granite that definitely does not work at all. The matrix is right, but the color is more than a bit off.

If you want to stay close to this color and matrix, then I suggest Giallo Veneziano (in the gold tone – not the pink tone). This should be easy to find. Other great granite choices, but a little darker, would be Dakota Mahogany or Carnelian Granite.

Still, I really want to you consider a couple colors that would be more extraordinary like Jabitaca Granite or Taupe Granite which would cleverly pull the arrangement of color and style you have put together. Take a look and let me know!

My very best wishes and thank you for support the Rock Blog’s World Vision kids.

Tom,

We are remodeling a small condo kitchen and would like your advice on choice of granite for counter tops. The cabinets are frameless, Italian design black glass and the appliances are also all black. The floor is a light beige ceramic tile with some veining (sort of marble-ish). We are planning to also use the same granite we select for the two bathroom countertops.

Question: We are considering going with a granite called Silver Pearl (from India?) with a honed finish. We thought that the honed texture and finish would contrast but not compete with the shiny glass cabinets. Do you think we are doing the kitchen justice by using a dark counter top or would you suggest a contrasting color and if so can you please make some suggestions to complement our contemporary cabinets. Also, we don’t know how the honed finish will hold up in a kitchen and bathroom environment. Will it be more prone to staining and is it harder to remove those stains on this finish?

We appreciate your guidance and recommendations.

Brent

Hello Brent,

I am glad you wrote in because your kitchen is screaming for polished Dark Blue Pearl Granite with a straight edge detail. I recommend 3cm solid stock if you can find it. There is just the right amount of black and reflective opal in this granite that will work perfectly with the glass and the black ultra contemporary décor. Beside, it is stunning and contemporary, yet rich and handsome.

Choosing Blue Pearl granite slabs is not straight forward. Most shades are beautiful except there is a light blue/grayish version in the market that is totally wrong. You want the darkest you can find. The deep blue will have just the right amount of color and I would strongly consider running it all the way up the backsplash to the upper cabinets. Tile on the splash will give a classic ‘old world’ contemporary feel over the room, not modern contemporary. Keep that in mind and avoid a tile splash.

Blue pearl is a perfect bathroom granite color as well as you will see. It won’t affect your holiday towel changes either. Lastly, I never recommend hone granite unless you are a total high maintenance neat freak. Many people hate their honed granite because they just can’ty make it look clean.

I hoped that I helped! Thank you for supporting the Rock Blog’s World Vision kids!

Tom,

We are completely remodeling our kitchen and my husband and I (both engineers) do not have an artistic bone in our body and are struggling on granite color choices and are running out of time. We have gone back and forth on cabinet colors and finally decided on a nutmeg glaze cherry by Merillat Masterpiece (doesn’t have that orangy undertone of natural) but isn’t super dark. They will be full overlay raised panel arched. We have a medium size kitchen which will have an L shaped peninsula (no room for an island) and will have stainless appliances and stainless undermount sink. We will have undercabinet lighting and can lights. We are going to go with ceramic tile flooring but are going to pick that out last after the countertop so we can be flexible. Not sure yet if we will do a tile backsplash or full granite. From the granite slabs we have seen we tend to like the flowing veins rather than a uniform pattern but not too busy looking. Some of the patterns almost make you dizzy.

Without having our cabinet on hand we liked the African Ivory, but then when we bought our cabinet in we realized how pink it looked and were afraid it would cast a pepto bismol look on the entire kitchen. My husband isn’t fond of the real yellowy gold undertones. We are just clueless and need help.

Gina

Hello Gina,

Raised panels door fronts in a nutmeg glaze cherry make for a more formal traditional décor. Your floor tile color is critical to send this kitchen into its final direction so think about the formality you want to achieve because the granite will also play a huge part in the total package. I always say, the only thing that can wait, is paint, all else needs to be decided together.

That being said, you’ve got two great ways to go. First, the more formal look with dark large modular tile flooring or mahogany wood looking porcelain tile. Then the granite must be lighter like Arandis (with no pink) or Colonial Cream or Terra Brazilis. Not a bit of pink in the granite countertops will do here. If your kitchen has enough light and can handle even a dark color, then I strongly recommend looking at Taupe and Suede Granite in person. You can go with a large modular Noce travertine for the splash or similar.

The other direction is to lighten the room up and create a more family or ‘lower maintenance’ feeling in the kitchen. To do this you would select an ivory colored large modular tile in either natural travertine or porcelain.
The granite would be more colorful like Mascarello, Sunset Delicatus, Verde Imperial, Juparana Columbo or Juparana Classico. You still want to avoid pink.

For the edge detail, I strongly recommend a Roman OG as seen on www.HomeGranite.com.

I hope that I helped and thank you for supporting the Rock Blog’s kids!

Hi –

With regard to Pompeii granite from Brazil… I saw some comments to the fact (not necessary from your blog) that it is not a true granite, and is also a weak/fractured granite. What are your thoughts on this and how should this effect my decision to use it as a kitchen countertop. Is this anything I should be concerned about, or any special requirements (overhangs) that would be necessary with this granite?

Thanks so much for your insight.

Michelle

Hello Michelle,

I would not be concerned about this granite unless the actual slabs that will be used for your kitchen have open fissures. Feel the entire slab and If that is the case, then simply select other slabs that do not have open fissures.

Pompeii granite is truly beautiful; however, it is considered a ‘Class D’ granite like many other large mineral structured granites. Basically, it has enough quartz mineral content to be considered a granite but the mineral bonding structure is weaker than other tighter (smaller matrix) granite colors that were formed over a slower period of time when the Earth was cooling. This is typical of so called, ‘Exotic granites’. In other words, don’t worry about the granite, just worry about the actually slabs that will be used in your kitchen.

Regarding overhangs, you should be a little more careful because the bonding structure is weaker. Type, ‘overhang’ in my blog’s search box and you will read that overhangs should be supported with corbels or steel angles. I would need more details about your specific situation to comment but if you follow normal overhand support recommendations, then you don’t have to worry.

Be sure to read my ‘Homeowners Checklist‘. I hoped that I have helped!

Thank you for supporting the Rock Blog kids!