I hear ya! So frustrating since it's such a huge investment! I read in one of the posts that Barkeepers Friend will take out the stains. You could only use on the honed or silk of course since it would scratch the polished. Seems like all of the slabs have some sort of cons....quartz is fake looking and you can't set hot pans on it (seems crazy to put this in a kitchen), granite can stain too and I can't find any with big veining (Alpinus or Patagonia is really interesting - very bold choice though), marble (my absolute fav) stains and etches, quartzite is limited in color and no really white backgrounds. Since they all have problems, I wonder if I should just go with my love, marble. Sigh!

Shannon Dyson, we went through that same weigh-the-cons with different materials about four years ago and decided on silk Neolith Calacatta. There was only one Calacatta available at the time, but I've seen that they keep bringing out more designs and now I'm tempted to go to a stoyeyard just to look. :)

We're 95% really happy with it, the only con being that the mitered edge is sharp and we've taken a couple of small chips out of it. They've been fixed, but I can still see them since I know where they are. There were some strange, very even marks on the surface too (manufacture, transport or fabrication?) and they had to come back and buff those off which changed the sheen in a couple of spots, but that seems to have gone away over time as I can't find them now. The 95% happy part: it doesn't look fake like quartz does, and I'm SO GLAD that it doesn't stain and is easy to clean. We're not particularly careful, so there's regularly coffee, wine bottle rings, olive oil, smushed berries, beet skins, lemon juice, and dregs of lots of other staining and etching stuff that gets on it, and what doesn't wipe right up comes out with BKF. I can't speak for everyone (of course), but I'm happy with our Neolith and would for sure consider if we were moving or remodeling again.

Shannon, I also spent a good time going back and forth on what is the right fit for our future kitchen. My Alpinus countertops should be installed in late June / early July. Yes, it was a very bold choice of granite, but seriously I was so drawn to those slabs that once I found them, nothing else compared in person.

@Shannon Dyson If your first love is marble and next choice Neolith, I would go for marble since the pros and cons somewhat even out between the two surfaces in my opinion. Marble is a lifestyle choice due to being a little extra careful with it, but so many people just love it. If you take care of it right, it can be amazing. Also look into a Stoneguard coating that would make marble bulletproof. Even without Stoneguard, you can do regular sealing and occasional resurfacing and have yourself a magnificent kitchen with real marble. Some marbles are more durable than others, particularly the marbles with a higher dolomite content like Danby.

lucky998877 PLEASE! post pics when you get them installed. I would love to see them!!! They are so striking and unique! Probably no one else in your neighborhood will have them.

AvataWalt I seriously appreciate you responding!! Not many people come back to tell their story after a few years of use. I think the chipping would be ok with me. I've dealt with quartz chipping - big chips too! And you're right, once the chip is fixed, only you know it's there. I love to hear about your countertops not staining as my husband is the cook and a BBQ master so there is BBQ sauce everywhere! Lol! Your experience is swaying me!!! :)

Belaria Great advice on the Stoneguard!! I just watched the youtube video and it's pretty incredible. I think the marble slabs and fabrication is better priced than Neolith as well. I'm going to research prices on Stoneguard. Decision, decisions!

@Shannon Dyson A lot of people with marble use trays for heavy work to protect the surface. You could lay out a countertop covering for the barbecue work and then stow it away when not in use. Something large like a Silpat comes to mind, but you could also use a large butcher block for that or inset an end-grain butcher block somewhere in the design for heavier work. Stoneguard runs about $25.00 per square foot. It's not cheap, but it works. The one drawback with Stoneguard is that it reduces the temperature resistance of the countertop, so you need to keep hot pots away from it. It can also look a little plasticy. Don't be afraid of real marble with a regular liquid sealant and occasional resurfacing. And also educate the family on keeping stain-producing things on trays or wiped up immediately.

Shannon, you could probably get samples of different materials and give them a try with barbecue sauce. I did that with Neolith (no barbecue though--I didn't think of it!): Neolith Torture. Not to make it sound like we're total slobs, but I'm happy with not having to clean up immediately. If I leave stuff for a bit, a green scrubby will usually work, and, if not BKF has never failed. Part of me does pine for marble since it's natural and unique and beautiful, but, as you said, every material has it's pros and cons.

We originally planned on getting Neolith, but at the last minute pulled the rip cord and revised that decision. We now have stainless steel countertops and are very happy with the decision. Works beautifully for the overall design.

If that is too modern for you, then a more traditional natural material is soapstone. It handles abuse much better than almost any other stone. But it is a "living" surface. It will show that it is being used. In that way, it is similar to our stainless surfaces.

I’ve had mine installed for a month. Love it.

vic bab that looks great. can i ask what brand of cabinets you chose? my sister is doing a reno and looking for inset cabinets.

Fieldstone Charlene

Vic Bab, which neolith is this? Thanks!

Neolith Calacatta honed

@Vic Bab, That is stunning!

Thank you!

These reviews and conversations definitely have me staying away from Neolith/Dekton countertops. I'm thinking of going with Azerocnlean marble instead. The Azerocare treatment is supposed to reduce the etching and staining on the marble significantly.

https://www.antolini.com/en/azerocare

Aaron Wilson better do your homework. Theres been many people dissatisfied with Azerocare. Read through this entire thread:

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5295365/azerocare-sealer-on-countertops-any-experience-or-feedback#n=173

@Aaron Wilson Stoneguard is a better choice than Azerocare if you want a protective coating.

I am sad to have to join the conversation, but our Neolith countertops were to be installed this week and one shattered during fabrication. As stated above, getting warranty support failed immediately, with Neolith declining any responsibility for their product. I add my voice to those who have not yet made a purchase -stay away from this product.

Monica:

Without knowing the circumstances, it is impossible to say if the Neolith shattered spontaneously or through fabricator error.

The Neolith rep came out to check the fabricators settings before the cutting commenced. It was a certified installer. Just visited other slab yards this weekend and saw their Neolith marked down steeply and learned of similar stories.

Monica, Just to better understand, the fabricator broke the slab during fabrication. How would that impact you besides a small delay? I would assume they would get a new slab and finish fabrication followed by installation. This has happened to us numerous times and there is really no reason to talk to the customer unless the material is purchased by the customer rather than the fabricator.

Andy, good to see you here.

Sintered fabricators need to buy, comprehend, and follow Roberto Colonatti's recently published fabrication manual. He's the best in the world.

Just talked to installer for a Neolith install and they said we have to pay for 2 extra slabs in case one cracks. Is this my responsibility? I asked what if they don't crack and he said I have 2 slabs to keep. ??! I this normal?

No, that is bizarre. I paid for exactly what I needed for my kitchen. Go get it from a different reputable place.

The slab retailer Allure Natural Stone in Dallas, Texas, sells insurance on porcelain and some of its other more fragile slabs. That way, if it is destroyed during fabrication, transportation or installation, you do have some recourse without having to had purchased excess material at the outset.

Are you purchasing the slabs yourself or is the fabricator/installer buying them?

Hello everyone. We have just had a neolith worktop and sink installed in our kitchen. After using the sink a handful of times a big chip on the edge of the sink broke off - the rest of the edge looks vulnerable to further chipping as it is looking scraggy. Neolith have put the blame on us saying something must have impacted with the edge - it didn't. Wish i had read the above posts before installing. Had it installed partly due to it's purported durability.

@ivygray Maybe @Joseph Corlett, LLC can advise you on replacing just the sink. Post a photo of the situation if you would like more help, please.

Only have this one picture and we are not there at the moment. Any advise welcomed. Many thanks

iveygray:

It may be possible to replace your sink with something larger. If so, that would eliminate the chips. Pictures please.

@ivygray Your picture didn't post. Please try again and wait until the picture turns from a lighter or gray color to full color before you hit submit. Thanks.

When you are able, we will need more photos of the place where that chip came from to truly advise. Also, please provide a full view of the entire sink and surrounding cabinetry so Joseph can see how it is all installed. It is possible as he said for you to get a larger stainless steel sink to install and cut back the damaged edges.

Never waste your time, energy, or money on this product. We installed it in our home a few years ago and the wasted so many slabs as they kept breaking despite following their recommended handling and installation procedures. We go no support from the manufacturer or the distributor. Now, a few years later the product is popping of the floors and walls and cracking.

But this countertop neolith is very thin which i think should not be the right size for countertop! this size is for backsplash and not for countertop.i spent 10K euro for this but surely the countertop is thicker.. please note! never ever install it yourself! you need to

hire a professional installer that will give you a guarantee of repair in case they damage during installation. the kitchen also is not perfect siZe in every angle to buy it like ”DIY” installation. requires professional people as this not cost peanut! it is expensive than marble (in my country)..

lastly never ever buy Neolith that is polished/glass like.. they are many disadvantages. take Silk instead.

i also recommend Over The top Sink/basin instead of Under the Top.. reason behind this; the Under the top got the neolith exposure to ”bang” of dishes, plates, cooking pans during washing.

We installed 6mm neolith on walls and floors of our primary bathroom. We have not even moved in yet and it is already cracked. Nothing was dropped on it, these cracks have come from the corners. We spent $60k on the installation/materials and have to replace it all. Now comes the lawsuits. DO NOT BUY NEOLITH.

K.H, so very sorry to hear this. Thank you though, for voicing your experience. No doubt you will help someone else. Hope you get adequate compensation.

K.H.:

I'm betting on fabrication/installation error in your situation.

Vic Bab do you mind sharing what color white cabinets you used with yours? so pretty!

Poppy can I get your contact info to talk to you about this? We got Neolith countertop for our kitchen and it has chipped in multiple places and I am so unhappy about our choice. I would love to see if there was resolution to your case and if you have a contact for me at Neolith? Thanks!

Jennifer:

Post a picture of your chips please.

Sad to see so many negative comments. Was very excited about ordering neolith for backsplash but looks to be a disaster.

Tough.

Would you still do it only for the kitchen backsplash ?

We will do Ceasprstone for counters. So that should be reliable?

It would be less likely to chip and crack as a backsplash than as a countertop. Caesarstone doesn't get rave reviews here, but it's the same stuff as all the other engineered stones.

I imagine as a custom table top this would be a disaster?

We’re considering using this as a table top for a pedastal base. thoughts?

Joanna:

It depends upon how the table is constructed. This stuff needs a substrate bonded to the bottom. Figure out the details and you'll probably be fine. Send for Roberto Colonatti's fabrication manual please.

Do NOT buy this product! It’s beautiful but HORRIBLE quality and cracks just sitting there with no use (dangerous cracks that can cut you like broken glass) and chips with the tiniest pump of a cup or anything. It’s expensive and does not live up to anything they advertise. Not sure how they can falsely advertise a product as being so durable when it’s, in fact, the least durable countertop I’ve ever encountered—real or manmade. I’m not sure why they don’t fix this product and make it with more ground stone and epoxy/binders than glass. Who makes glass countertops and thinks it’s a good idea? See photos.

It's ceramic not quartz.

There is no resin or epoxy in any of it. Think of it as a ceramic tile -- only, unlike regular floor tiles, this one is quite oversized. And just as with floor tiles, where the manufacturer can choose different processes and different raw materials, there is some amount of skill and decision making that goes into making ceramic countertops.