Has anyone used Viatera Lumina quartz countertop? Looking for photos
Sarah Wright
2 years ago
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HU-121864582
2 years agoHU-121864582
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If anyone is looking for a warm, beautiful quartz countertop . .
Comments (13)"He told me quartz was harder and more heat resistant than granite, and maintenance free. " this is completely inaccurate. All the quartz material are approx 30% resin. The resin is very soft and much more easily scratched relative to any granite. Natural stone has DRAMATICALLY superior heat resistance when compared to quartz. In fact, EVERY single quartz manufacturer specifically excludes damage from heat in their warranty. The resin is easily damaged by heat. In a fab shop sometimes quartz materials are bent simply by heating a quartz part in a bath of boiling water. Yes, the resin matrix in quartz countertops will soften up enough to bend it just with boiling water. regarding maintenance - a typical granite should be sealed annually although many do not even need that. Sealing is no more work than a good cleaning which you should be doing anyway. There are natural stones like Marble and Limestone that are much softer and take more maintenance relative to quartz. Once the quartz manufacturers figure out how to accurately duplicate the look of these materials they'll have something. This may be unattainable as quartz tops simply will not polish to the same level as natural stone because 30% of the surface is resin (think "plastic"). On a gloss meter a typical granite or marble will give a reading of "75" while "55" is the best you'll ever see on a quartz. This difference is perceived by the eye as a difference in the "depth" of the shine. Put a tile of black quartz right next to a tile of BLack Absolute granite and the difference is obvious. The dyes used in quartz countertops are not stable in the presence of UV light. We have already replaced kitchens that faded in areas with lots of natural light. Dark colored quartz slabs will noticably fade in as little as a few weeks if left outside. FInally; regarding the long term prospects for the desirability of quartz tops consider the following: 1. the most successful colors of quartz are those that most closely mimic a naturally occurring stone. 2. quartz slabs are far more energy intensive than stone. The resin in quartz slabs is petrochemical based and the production of the slabs is quite energy intensive. Once the slabs have been cooked they have to be polished just like stone slabs. 3. somehow quartz slabs are more "green" than natural stone? this is ludicrous when you consider that the quartz is still mined and shipped across oceans just like slabs. Eventually the buying public will see past the marketing hype and realize that manufactured slabs can't possibly be more green than actual natural stone. (scrap or recycled countertops are also recycled into gravel for roads)...See MoreHas anyone ever used MSI Q Stellar White as a kitchen counter?
Comments (14)Oh no the sparkle is definitely very subtle. In the 9x13 sample I have there are only a few of those sparkly flecks so its not very noticeable really unless the light hits it right. It’s not at all like those other “sparkle” quartzes. I had my heart set on it was so sad when I discovered it’s more off-white 😢 the Stonemark I assume is the same as the MSI Perla White (I feel like stonemark and msi must be the same company?) and I considered that too but up close it was just too cloudy looking, imo....See MoreAnyone use Tenax sealer on quartz counters?
Comments (16)R S Any sealer will harm the quartz surface it simply does not bind. Here are two photos from different jobs where we have had to repair the damage form sealers or color enhancers.... This is why they do not work.....! The cloudiness in the photo above is attempting to clean the surface and because the sealers do not bind or set, they are then impregnated with the cleaning compound. Which causes them to set. The issue is why they used it in the first place. They had etched the surface from using products like Gumption, BKF and Mould and Scum remover as most of the off the shelf cleaners including Green, Organic and Earth choice etc are all caustic. Meaning they have Sodium Salts in them and therefore have a high pH level. These will damage any stone or surface overtime... so it is not isolated to quartz. Formica is satin finish or matte, and why it will not show the damage but formica is basically cardboard that is printed and heat treated and attached to a timber or mdf substrate. Again my question would be WHY not if I can use it! Use the correct cleaner and you will be fine.... just remember that the likes of Caesarstone and they are not the only ones... Actually void their own warranties by recommending products that are outside the the pH levels or are solvents, harsh chemicals or abrasives. All of which void any manufacturers warranties. If push come to shove, they have left themselves liable for having the stone replaced at their expense. As what they are recommending on one hand , voids the warranty in the other. You have hit the nail on the head, why we would only recommend four major manufactures and you have named one. Note we have NOT NAMED any in this thread! ...........Forgive me...... I thought I heard a murmur from the gallery! Just in case the gallery forgot! [https://www.houzz.com/discussions/engineered-stone-heat-crack-dsvw-vd~5072157[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/engineered-stone-heat-crack-dsvw-vd~5072157)...See MoreHas anyone used MSI Calacatta Botanica Quartz for kitchen countertops?
Comments (21)Our painter has done many homes' cabinets. They use a semi-gloss and it looks great. Just not sure how long-lasting it will be. (We will probably sell in 5 years.). The veining on the Botanica is pretty light. The older version of it - when it was made in China - was much darker....See Moreliahaley
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