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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Feedback please on MSI "Q" quartz for my kitchen counters

last year

I planned to use Carrara Breve from MSI "Q" quartz for countertops in my complete kitchen remodel. set for mid-January. MSI was recommended by my kitchen designer and complements new maple cabinetry. MSI Carrara Breve is a mid-range quartz and less expensive than the Cambria quartz I used in a former home so this was appealing for the budget. However, I'm reading comments of MSI "Q" quartz on this forum and it has many poor reviews for quality and durability such as surface pock marks and scratches, etching, staining, yellowing and chipping at the edges. Yikes! Now I'm nervous because I don't want to regret the purchase. I do have time to change my mind and select another brand of quartz. I'm hoping some of you have used or sold MSI for kitchen countertops and will give an honest report of your experience with MSI "Q" countertops.

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PRO

Debbi Washburn

last year

I sell more MSI than Cambria. I have yet to have a customer tell me they hated their top. Everyone seems very happy with them. My top is from SIlestone, it's almost 20 years old and looks the same as it did back then. I might have a chip here and there; I could certainly pay a fabricator to fix them but I've gotten used to them. I do not baby the top at all and I only clean with dish soap and water.

I think you'll be fine

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Comments (6)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Why fake plastic at all? There are 100s of real stones to choose from I have never understood this liking of plastic for a counter .
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
Engineered stone is virtually all the same stuff. Chipping is predominantly an edge profile selection issue.
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Yes you're right! So I had the old Carrara marmi and they were getting a new lot in June that would be whiter so I think that ended up being the difference. They said the company switched manufacturers and the whole lot they had received was the off white tone of marmi. It's identical to the first picture! I had no idea there was a new vs old. Luckily they were very helpful and are allowing me to pick out any quartz from the show room and replace it for $300 whichever I choose. I could have gotten the new marmi but I would have to wait until June when it comes in. This felt like a great option to me though as the higher up quartz was not really in my price range at all. So I am happy with that and I got to look through many different styles of white quartz slabs in the warehouse and bring a few home to decide. They are going to replace the whole thing. Now I just have to choose between Cararra Morro and Calacutta Clara!
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RoyHobbs
last year
@Joseph Corlett, LLC - that may be the case, but when something goes wrong or there is a problem - the customer service with with Cambria is much better than with MSI. If the material is the same from both, I'd choose the one providing the superior customer service.
Susanne Woolley
last year
We had MSI quartz installed in July, the Blanca Statuarietto design. We had our fabricator do an eased edge. We haven’t experienced any chipping at all. I cook a lot and make fresh jams and pickles. I have dripped acidic brines that I couldn’t wipe up for several minutes. I have accidentally sprinkled turmeric that overshot the measuring spoon. I do try to wipe things up reasonably quickly. We use trivets under hot pots, we don’t chop on the quartz, we also use a cloth underneath heavy ceramic bowls and baking dishes. I use only water and a microfiber cloth the clean them. We haven’t had any staining or etching.
Sherry Brighton
last year
I have a small chip on the underside of my pan drawers. I was shocked as I do not keep the cast iron in there, only the stainless. Yes, I bang and clang but I didn't expect a chip. I have Cambria. Should I call them?

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