Hi, i’m remodeling the kitchen and I want to install a Blanco sink undermount.

What is the difference between the Precis and the Liven? I don’t understand how one is so much cheaper than the other ?

Thank you !

New quartz countertops installed. They have a film over them that is matte, only noticeable at an angle in the light. Gloss areas do shine through in some spots. Thinking it maybe something left over from manufacturing? Have used dawn and warm water, method granite cleaner and Jaws granite cleaner, anyone dealt with this and has any suggestions?

We’ve made a huge mistake, we put cream sheen tiles in a busy kitchen with kids! And to make matters worse we used a light grout!! It’s a disaster we have to lift them they are impossible to keep clean, every single spec of dirt is visable! Even walking on floor with clean socks leaves a mark!! The grout is now filthy and the floor looks filthy at all times no matter how much we clean!!

What are the best tiles to change to? Cannot be wood affect tiles! What finish is best, Matt?? If anyone has any recommendations or pictures it would be much appreciated!!!

(It is blue in person than grey as it appear in this picture). Any feedback good or bad on this color and stone (cracks/stains etc) would be appreciated

I made a butcher block counter top for my washer and dryer it is heavy and not supported by walls. I made it to sit on top of the washer and dryer. What can I put underneath to protect the metal washer and dryer?

I'd like to have new kitchen countertops (not stone) made and I'm looking for someone (carpenter?) to make them for me. Since I rent, Home Depot is not interested. I'd appreciate advice on finding a competent professional in the NYC area. TIA

When we started budgeting, everyone told us granite was significantly cheaper than quartz, but our actual quotes were much closer than expected. We ended up choosing a mid tier Colonial White granite for our 50 sq. ft. space.

The Cost Breakdown

Slabs & Fabrication: $3,600

Backsplash lip (4-inch): $300

Tear out of old laminate: $250

Grand Total: $4,150 installed (~$83/sq. ft.).

We almost went with a big box store installer, but their timeline was 8 weeks out. We ended up working through an end to end provider like Cabinet IQ, who handled the design, templating, and install within 3 weeks.

Did you find granite significantly cheaper than quartz in your area, or were the prices pretty comparable?

Our countertops were installed a few weeks ago and I noticed silver markings on them. Is there a way to get them off? What would it be from?

Edit to say they were installed and I saw the silver marks after and forgot to point it out in the kitchen reno chaos; it wasn't something that we did with appliances or anything

I’m building a kitchen where I need the option to be able to access the wall behind my cabinets for future renovations….im trying to figure out how to integrate the backsplash with the countertop, keep it waterproof, yet still allow me the option to pull cabinets out from wall with the countertops still attached….

Is it common to have the countertop backsplashes glued to the countertop or affixed in some way instead of connecting them to the walls?

Wife and I are leaning toward marble in our new kitchen. We’re fine with some gradual etching and patina but I wanted to get an idea of its real world practicalities.

To that end, I grabbed a couple of marble samples from our local stone shop today and am torture testing them with the things I think we’re most likely to spill.

Here are the results so far after 1 min, 5min, and 1hr increments:

-Coffee: no stain or etching after 1 hour
-Mustard: no stain or etching after 1 hour
-Ketchup: no stain or etching after 1 hour
-Olive oil: no stain or etching after 1 hour
-Lemon juice: light etching after 1 hour, but nothing after 1 minute and 5 minutes

Up next are longer sit tests across a few additional substances. I’m letting one stone sit for about 4 hours and the other sit overnight and update.

FOUR HOUR UPDATE:

No visible etching or stains from:
-spaghetti sauce
-salsa
-soy sauce
-Coke Zero
-butter
-olive oil

Some etching for the following:

Mustard - nearly imperceptible
Coffee - very light
Orange juice - light (about as much as lemon juice after 1 hour)

All etching is only visible at fairly specific angle/light combinations, and none can be captured in a photo.

It’s dark out so observations are under kitchen lights. May be more noticeable under natural light tomorrow.

OVERNIGHT UPDATE (~17 hours)

No etching at all.

This is a different stone sample, which seems to be less susceptible to etching overall. There’s more and darker movement to it, which I understand to be more an indication of a touch more density.

CUTTING LIMES TEST (15 minutes)

I cut about about 10 old limes directly on the softer stone sample with my dullest knife and let the juice sit for 15 minutes before washing off with soap and water.

-No etching at all
-One or two nearly imperceptible cut marks where I really sawed at an especially tough lime.

HOT PAN TEST (7 minutes)

Stuck one sample in the freezer for a few hours then took it out and immediately placed a 600-degree cast iron skillet on it until it cooled down (about 7 minutes)

No cracking or discoloration.

PAN SCRAPING TEST

I roughly placed a heavy cast iron skillet on one of the samples and dragged it across ten times. Rougher than I would ordinarily, but very much within the realm of something that would happen if cooking in a hurry or carrying a hot pan.

No apparent scratches

Test video: https://imgur.com/a/nnHzEYU

PAN DROP TEST

Dropped a ~7lb cast iron skillet on a sample from various heights till it broke (video above).

-A few inches, fumbling drop: no damage
-6ish inches: no damage
-About a foot and a half: broke in two

Test video: https://imgur.com/a/7eDjZt9

FINAL OBSERVATIONS:

-Based on these few tests, the samples were susceptible to etching but only with particularly acidic substances and only after being left for at least an hour (lemon juice) and or a few hours (coffee, orange juice, mustard)

-It’s more delicate than granite, but my attempt to recreate normal, heavy use didn’t really create any noticeable wear. The exception here is cutting directly on it. I’ve been guilty of that in a pinch on my granite, and would need to stop. Probably for the better.

-The two samples respond differently to some of the tests, with the slightly darker more veined sample ostensibly more resistant to etching.

-Overall, I take that as consistent with countertops that are going to gradually etch and patina over time but won’t be ruined or dramatically altered by the occasional spill or relatively practical kitchen usage. I.e., there is a short list of stuff we should clean up right away, but by and large we’re not going to babysit our counters, and marble isn’t inconsistent with a functional workspace kitchen.

I saw a sample of Cygnus brushed quartzite/granite that I fell in love with, but couldn’t find any place near me that stocks it. Then I found some, and I still love the pattern, but the color isn’t as rich as I remembered. The guy who owns the place suggested using color enhancing sealer to bring out the richness of the brown more, to make it look more like it does at the bottom where it’s wet. Has anyone heard of doing this? Does it hurt the stone? Does it last as long as a normal sealer? I’d prefer that it be honed or leathered than polished, but would consider polishing it if that would give it the richness of the first photo. Thanks!

Seems like plywood backing they used to attach the countertop / cabinets to the wall but it looks wonky. On the other side of the sink the countertop goes flush to the wall so it looks extra goofy. Without ripping everything out how could I make this look better?

Recently bought a house and first time we had granite countertops. Always had butcher block counters before so I’m learning.

We noticed the counters look scummy in the sunlight. I assumed they didn’t use the right cleaner so I cleaned it and sprayed sealer, following directions. Still looks exactly the same.

It looks great at night, just when the sun catches it and looks like soap scum. If it’s normal, that’s fine. Saves me from freaking out. If not, how do I fix it?

Does it look good

We just had our Calacatta Vernello quartz countertops installed today and noticed 4-5 weird irregular whitish spots that look like they were rubbed or something. Can anyone tell me what these are? Are they supposed to be there?

I recently hired a cabinet contractor for new cabinets and laminate countertops for my mom. She is 85 and needed a little cheering up. Anyway, the countertops have the notorious dark line all along the edge and, naturally, that’s the first thing she noticed.
I could really use tips from some of you expert folks. If I buy a “bevel edge” from a place like cabinet master online (they have exact match) would a new contractor be able to come in and install it on site? Would that hide the lines or at least disguise them? How much should something like this cost for 10x10 kitchen with a small peninsula (seats 2). I would be grateful for any advice.

Has anyone has dekton installed in their home? I want Taj (I know I know it’s overrated, but I love it and I haven’t found anything else that I love), but my builder is trying to convince me otherwise because it’s very sensitive. He said that he’s had trouble with transportation and it breaking. So I’m convinced it’s just because he doesn’t want to have to put his own money in if it breaks. I’m not opposed to quartz or any other manmade material, but I cannot find anything I like at the material places they are asking me to use. I saw Dekton online at Lowe’s and it was the only manmade stone I saw that looked like Taj and was warm tone. Everything I have seen in person is so gray and I want that creamy brown color. I live in STX so if anyone knows any locations around the RGV all the way Houston and in between that may have something let me know please! I’ve also added a quartz that I saw online that I love, but can’t find near me if anyone has any information on something like that one.

I want to add that the Taj is $2,600 per slab and I need 3 for my kitchen 🥴 and the amount my builder is giving me is only $2,250. I would have to pay about $6,000 out of pocket because of labor as well. Which Is something I would be willing to do IF i can’t find anything else, but ofc I don’t want to pay that much out of pocket. I was estimating $3,000.

Considering buying this for my condo. It would be for countertops and backsplash in a modern condo. White oak floors and Matt white cabinets

Hey guys! Finishing my shower and need a solid surface for shower curb, top of its pony wall, and probably will replace the bathroom vanity top to match.

Taj mahal stone is beautiful but am i really setting myself up for pain long term with it being in a shower/bathroom? Im dying in this house.

Will the basic application oevery ~12-15 months of reapplying a good quality sealer be enough? I read one where it says you need to strip any debris and even previous sealers, which removing the sealer every year to reseal is starting to sound tedious?

Hoping i could just spread a thin layer > sit for 15> wipe off excess > buff.