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Design Dilemma Kitchens

Comparison of quartz quality and MSI recommendation

last year

I have been following many of your insightful posts and comments, Thank you all in advance for your expertise. I am fairly new for asking design, construction advice since my husband took care of all the construction projects in a home that we have lived in 40 years. Sadly, he passed away a year ago and now I am moving into a townhome. I am in the process of researching quartz countertops for my new kitchen. I have Cambria now and love it, no issues. I plan to do a 4 by 9 ft island, and have chosen Cambria Inverness Frost in Matte for that area. My other quartz selection that I have chosen based on the unique color and looks awesome with my Cambria selection is Q Premium Natural Quartz from MSI (Fossil Brown). I really want something to be good quality and also concerned about it being somewhat green certified and non toxic materials since it will be around food prep and main kitchen area. I am really drawn to this color so I am hoping it will stand up to my expectations however I am anxious to hear all your opinions on the MSI quartz selection. I have read in comments about this quartz that it may or may not be the quality of Cambria however, I thought your advice would be best. Thank you. I appreciate your help on this.

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PRO

Joseph Corlett, LLC

last year

Johnson, please substantiate your claims. Virtually all engineered stone comes from the same handfull of plants around the world and it's all 66% quartz and 33% resin. Breton, schmeton.

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Comments (7)

K R
last year
For what it’s worth, I have Cambria in my kitchen and MSI at my bar. Both have held up fine but I use my kitchen a lot and our bar only gets use every couple weeks or so. Cambria has come out to fix a couple of chips, that were 100% my fault (dropped a cast iron pot) for free, and it looks perfect. It is a lifetime warranty…he said it even switches over to a new owner. MSI does not offer anything like that and the product is made in China. Cambria is a USA company. I like their product and service so much I am putting only Cambria in my new house, I don’t think you cannot beat that warranty.
karencrawford thanked K R
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Sorry it is all plastic fake stone why not just get real stone and of course they are all the same material .
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The article is also wrong about engineered stone composition: "Around 93 percent mineral content. The high degree of mineral content gives quartz its distinctive look and feel. By contrast, solid surface's 66 percent mineral and 33 percent polymer content lends a silky, soapy feeling to the material." Engineered stone is 66% quartz and 33% resin; no debate. The estone manufacturers 93% number is by weight, not by volume, which is completely meaningless.
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If the cost was the same I could see your argument. But I think the reason why not is pretty clear.
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PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
We sell a lot of MSI and have not had any issues. They are certified - Greengard, NSF, Kosher.

I do not personally have an MSI top but have complete confidence when selling them. Any small chips that happen over time can usually be repaired - but it is typically the fabricator who installed the top that handles that - so check what they offer for services for that.

Good luck!
Elaine _M
last year
Patricia Colwell Consulting what color name in real stone have you found that looks good in a white kitchen. When I remodeled my kitchen at home I had Supreme White installed with off white cabinets. I cannot find a simple white granite or quartzite that I love. Even the Supreme White has so many black spots in it. I would love to have a beautiful stone with less movement. Any suggestions? Now it seems like everyone is going with quartz. I am remodeling the kitchen in a condo at the beach I bought last year. Thank you!
acdclosgatos
last year
last modified: last year
Here is an article that explains quartz countertops, how 1 patent is licensed to multiple companies, quartz is NOT made by one manufacturer & how it is "green":

https://www.thespruce.com/facts-about-quartz-countertops-1821233
acdclosgatos
last year
Porcelain is more green, it can be recycled, & it has less maintenance requirements:

https://www.maxspacestoneworks.com/pros-cons-porcelain-countertops/

https://midwesttile.com/porcelain-countertops-are-the-cutting-edge-trend/

https://www.countertopspecialty.com/porcelain-countertops-pros-cons.html

Colors & options:

https://www.sapienstone.com/

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