Why quartz at all go look at some awesome real stone in a polished finish close to bullet proof and IMO always nicer looking than plastic.

Hi Oksana
Did you end up using this or learning anything further? I am also interested in it.

I agree with Patricia on this one, especially with black because the the dark granites are super dense and need very little maintenance.

No, not yet..still looking to find slab

I might get the tempal. I read through some of the complaints on here about honed Caesarstone and they seem to mostly be concerned with it not looking pristine after a wipe down - for me personally, it’s not such a concern. I have the sample and I think the texture / coloration is well designed for oily finger prints and other evidence of use - it’s sort of a mottled textured look, I don’t think I will be bothered with how it looks when in service. I do love the look of it, it doesn’t at all look “plastic”. They’ve really stepped up their game with the look of these faux materials.

In regards to the natural stone suggestions - I would love natural stone but I think a dark honed stone will be out of my budget and I believe would have similar drawbacks when compared to any polished surface whether natural or manmade. The dark polished surface look isn’t for me.

We wanted to get dark countertop (quartz) after looking at several different ones (from msi to silestone to ceasarstone) what I have noticed repeatedly is fingerprints, smudges and stains much more visible with darker vs lighter. The reason I am leaning towards black tempal is I have read (and watched their video on YouTube) using new technology with this one, no fingerprints and water dries really fast on it…I also debated between msi soapstone metropolis concrete finish, and empira black but later feels too veiny..

If you like black, what about soapstone? The real soapstone, not a man-made simulacrum.

Jet mist, absolute black, tons of choices at a lower pricepoint for granite. Heck - even leathered uba tuba (1) has a totally different look than polished!

I will check out the cost on the honed granites. I assumed honed is automatically much more expensive.

I love soapstone but am not keen on some of its impractical aspects.

I recently installed granite in a new kitchen and the fabricator had slabs in both polished and leathered finishes, both at the same price. I wouldn't necessarily assumed honed or leathered is more expensive, but you may need to shop at a few places to find the stone you like in the finish you want.

I think you are in a great place, as these granites are less expensive AND are very low maintenance. Jackpot!

How often does that happen?

Rachel (and others): could you post photos of your counters, esp. if they are darker honed granite/leathered (not shiny)? I'm considering the Black Tempal, but am leery of the maintenance. I want LOW maintenance, and not shiny. Thanks!

Sorry, mine is a lighter granite. In my last home I had a darker stone (blue pearl granite) and it was indestructable; very dense and it looked brand new when I sold the house 26 years later. So many people want the lighter stones that are trending now, including me; I was ready for a change. But the dark granite is much more resilient, in my experience.

Thanks!

Sure thing . . . I know I'd go with the granite if I were looking for a darker stone.

Rachel was your dark granite a honed kind?

No, it was polished.

Katerina M..did you put the black tempal in? what has your excperience been with the fingerprints, staining etc? can you share any pix?

all..appreciate the input as I am debating the same thing over black tampal..and concerns over maintainence. any input from your experinece and or pix are greatly appreciated!! thanks