Staron Solid Surface - looks like quartz?!?
So, I'm trying hard to nail down both layout and material choices while my partner focuses on hiring help so we can finally move forward with ordering and force momentum to move our prolonged DYI'ing to a conclusion. I met with a designer on Friday to see the bamboo in person (I think I liked it, but I'm nervous) and we put together some samples.
I brought home what I thought was 2 quartz samples and 1 solid surface. However, today when I sat down to research the first pick in counter samples, called Staron Confetti, I realized it is actually a glossy solid surface material and NOT a quartz. (The quartz sample is chipped and scratched, by the way) It appears this material is manufactured by Samsung?
My first impression of this sample is extremely positive. I like the idea of an affordable alternative to quartz in my modest home in my modest neighborhood. It also feels less cold than the quartz, which is a consideration in an Alaska clime. And...solid surface has the ability to allow a little cove at our backsplash window if the counter isn't dead on for the backsplash window or we want a little protection there. Not to mention the fact that we are going to have a funky U with that bump out and solid surface can be seamless. Those seem like rather big pluses, but I've never heard of this product - and just saw mention that solid surface could be glossy for the first time via a comment by Trebucket I came across this weekend.
Does anyone know anything about this product? Are there problems with it or areas of concern I should know about? Is there known problems with going glossy on solid surface counters? Does it make it difficult to buff or sand when there are scratches if there's a glossy finish instead of matte?
Comments (8)
steph2000
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Are all brands of solid surface countertops equal?
Comments (3)We got the Corian (Rain Cloud) and really like it. We got it through Ikea when it was marked down (40% off if you bought your kitchen there). It was an offer we could not refuse. We like it for the same reasons you stated. The pattern, Rain Cloud, was only available in Corian and was the only one that would have truly worked in our kitchen. I'd shop around for price and see if you can get a deal elsewhere on it. You don't have to get everything from the same place. It also can't hurt to ask about upcoming sales and if they can give you a discount on it somehow. I find even the big boxes have discretion and a manager can knock off 10% if they choose to.......See MoreAm I hallucinating...again? Onyx looking solid surface
Comments (18)Onyx is gorgeous, and in a kitchen it's to die for...really to die for. It can be used in a kitchen as counters, but you just have to know it's not as hard as a granite or marble. (I saw a beautiful soft yellow kitchen with honey onyx...I was going to buy the house....horrible place....just to be in that kitchen). Honey is typically a stronger onyx than others because of it's pattern. The more you see the look of geodite style pattern, the more fragile it is. That said, I've seen in it a high traffic bathroom. Yes it's scratched (it was on a backlit floor) but you don't really see that when you're walking on it. On counters it can scratch, and it's probably better used in a bath than in a kitchen, but if you can live with a few scratches...it's fine in either if it's a strong onyx. I'm doing a countertop in honey onyx in my master suite, and I may use some in a dining room. I just adore the stuff. It's expensive, but it varies significantly in price. Honey onyx is probably up there with a high end granite. Other colors...Turquoise etc., they're VERY expensive. I wanted geodite in browns...OUCH OUCH OUCH (I passed) heh heh...See MoreXpost- would black soapstone look weird with white solid surface?
Comments (12)I say yes too. You are getting what you want for the perimeter now, and in the future it won't be that difficult to replace the island counter with marble. Or, you might just love what you get now and call it a day. There are lovely "white" granites out there. When I was visiting a granite yard, I thought I was touching marble. it wasn't. It was man made! I have not seen this anywhere but it could be a good alternative because it will not stain and etch like marble....See MoreQuestion for white Corian/solid surface owners.
Comments (80)Am planning a bathroom makeover that will include replacing a small vanity top made of cultured marble. Does Corian offer integrated sinks in a different color than the vanity top? I know Swanstone does, but their color choices are very limited. For the counter I like Corian's Gray Onyx and Silver Birch and would love to do a white sink....See Moresteph2000
9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
PROJoseph Corlett, LLC
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoIn about two hours, I'm going to refinish two separate solid surface countertops, so I have some familiarity with this. The gloss level of solid surface is determined by how high of a grit I continue to in my progression. On today's refinishes, I may start with an 80 or 120, depending on how beat up the tops are. I start with a used paper first, because if you're not a spotless cleaner, your top crud will clog my paper. I'll go to 240, 320, and 400. I may finish with a red Scotch Brite pad or a 500 Abralon, depending on color, particulate, matte or semi-gloss. I may go to a gray Scotch Brite, which is about 800. It's very seat-of-the-pants and "artsy". I've got 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 Abralon in my arsenal along with MB 20 granite polish, which will all make solid surface look like a car in a showroom.
This is a picture of a Corian Nocturne (solid black) making a transition to a lower LG Hy-Macs Cork top on a lanai pass-through I did last week. I stopped at 500 Abralon for both. (I recycled the granite about a year ago.)
Topical products like Countertop Magic do a great job of making water bead on countertops and add gloss, but don't remove scratches which can only be done mechanically.
The more glossy the surface, the more perfect the solid surface seams have to be. The adhesive polishes more quickly making a glossy line the higher the sheen.
One of the biggest advantages of solid surface is making ultra sanitary cove corners nearly seamlessly.
You can have a seamed undermount stainless steel sink with solid surface. I've had a single bowl "D" shape in my kitchen for almost 3 years and my wife and I love it. Try the Karran Edge E-540 for a super quality large single bowl.
steph2000 thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC- PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
Here's the top I refinished today. The top picture is a 500 Abralon, the bottom pic shows the only the corner with a 1000 for contrast.steph2000 thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
Joseph Corlett, LLC