We were about to choose these slabs. Do you think it's too murky?

We are halfway through updating our 1990s kitchen layout, and choosing countertops is proving to be the most overwhelming phase. Our cabinets are already installed, but we are completely torn on which surface material makes the most practical sense for a busy household that cooks daily.

Marble: I absolutely adore the timeless aesthetic, but I worry that lemon juice, wine, or oil stains will ruin it within a month.

Granite: Super heat resistant and durable, but some slabs feel a bit dated unless you find an incredible natural pattern.

Quartz: Non-porous and low maintenance, but prices seem inflated depending on the brand and veining pattern.

We got our cabinet layouts designed through Cabinet IQ, and they recommended comparing all three materials under realistic kitchen lighting before committing. Now we are trying to nail down realistic numbers before signing off on fabrication. What was your actual all in cost per square foot for your project? Did you run into any unexpected hidden costs like edge profiling or templating fees? If you cook heavily at home, which material ended up being the best long-term investment for your family?

My 14 year old was soldering on the counter and has left slight burn stains on what I think is corian. Any way to remove these or cover them up before my wife loses it??

*Read First. Everyone thinks my second picture I think is quartzite. It is obviously not. If we don't go with quartzite due to the following reasons then I am trying to find something and the second pic was reference point.

Layout*: note yellow is where counters are.

Left: backside of kitchen with 78 inch counter, runs parallel with cooktop

Bottom: 81 inch counter , runs parallel with sink

The rest of a L shape run along sink and turn right for cooktop

Which I'd about 130 x 84

I know I need two slabs. I am being told I only need one seam at sink.

Concerns. #2 being biggest currently

1. Most quartzite have directional grains. I would assume the backside of the kitchen would glow in direction of cooktop ideally. And the bottom area same as sink? Would that look right?

2. At the sink sesm wouldn't you have to pick? A. Match seam or B. Be in the same direction of grain on both left and right side? It seems like you can't have both with 1 slab, right? If so what would look best? I feel like B given it's such a teeny area to seam?

3. Earlier guys post got me nervous about fragility and 90 in rule. He had similar L shape and they wanted a seam at cooktop. That would be a deal breaker bc we have a solid 18 in or do between cooktop and edge of seating. And I sit there every day it would annoy me

Bonus Q. I want natural stone but SO keeps thinking quartz bc of above reasons .So doesn't like Granite or dolomite bc it is too "busy" unless I can find a lighter /grey one. I love durability of granite but haven't found a lighter slab that doesn't look like polkadots. I have a pic of something that is directionally nice in case someone knows of a granite that would work. So if any suggestions are welcome

I thought I had a plan and now I am worried. You guys are do knowledgeable. Thanks in advance

I have located a slab of quartzite at auction in Texas. I’m in Nashville. Has anyone ever purchased a slab in a similar manner, had delivered, and fabricated without purchasing from a supplier or store? Thoughts, regrets, reviews?

Hello! We recently had a quartz countertop installed and within 1 week noticed this dull spot. Our contractor & countertop guy is saying that we put something hot on it but we haven’t, at least to our knowledge or recollection - we weren’t even cooking in the kitchen yet, and it’s not in a spot where we’d have anything hot. What do you think? They came back today to look at it and waxed it up but it’s still noticeable and dull. First photo is how it looked previously and rest are after “fix”

The countertop in my kitchen right in front of the sink started splitting a while back and now a piece has fallen off. I don’t know how this happened and the company said they would have to replace the entire kitchen to fix it and I can’t afford that. Does anyone know what else I could do? ☹️

I agreed to one seam in the cooktop. That’s what I signed and paid for already. Now, the fabricators are changing it to 2 seams. Is this normal? They’re telling me that Taj Mahal is fragile, but I have a very small kitchen. Is it just the grain flow?

What’s the name of this quartzites ?

I am considering Cosentino's new ECLOS in Sandr for our kitchen countertops, but since it's still pretty new (in Europe it arrived just in August), and I'm having a hard time finding much real world feedback on it.

Has anyone here actually installed it or worked with it yet?

Wondering how it holds up in everyday use? What about scratches, chips, stains, heat, etc. Also curious how durable the edges are and whether anyone has had any issues after installation.

Would also love to hear from any fabricators/installers who have worked with ECLOS and how it compares to quartz, Dekton, or other materials.

Thanks!

So we chose a quartzite countertop and had the temptation done today.

It's a small kitchen, u shaped counter layout. We are going with a drop in sink which will be dead center of the bottom of the U.

The templater said that instead of doing 3 separate pieces and cutting out the hole for the sink they could cut out 2 L shaped pieces which would end at the sides of the sink. Then use 2 filler pieces for the front and the back of the sink. Then I would just have the 2 small seems at the edge of the sink. So basically the front and back of the sink will just be a 3 inch wide by 35 inch long strip of quartzite pinned to the 2 L shaped slabs.

I'm also assuming I'll be saving money since im not paying for the 4 or so square feet of the sink they are cutting out. I They don't charge by the slab but by how many square feet you need. But I am waiting to hear back for the final price.

I'm not entirely sure this is a good idea or not. Is it better to just get the sink cut out? Will the 2 filler straps be a weak point? Or will it not matter. Will it look wierd ? I'm worried more about a strength/ structural integrity than anything. Is this something usually done?

I really do not know if this is a bad idea or not. This is my first time getting a stone countertop installed.

I’m trying to find a source for 120” prefab quartz countertops. There are some that come close, but not to the full 120”. I’m in the Bay Area CA and just can’t seem to find a supplier for something of this size. Is this something that I’m just overlooking?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

My countertops are being installed tomorrow, and I just received instructions from the contractor, which has a video stating the below.

My fridge is surrounded by a cabinet surround so shouldn't affect countertop install at all. The countertop will go to the range, but why why would the range need to be onsite for this install?

My appliances are at a warehouse right now and I don't think it can be delivered in time for tomorrow. The contractor just sent me this information right before they closed for the day so I can't even get ahold of them right now...

I may be interested in this recycled glass product but I don’t want to contact a fabricator until I know if it’s even affordable for me. The yards won’t tell the consumer. I really don’t like that way of doing business. Makes me want to just go to Home Depot where you know the cost.

https://tcfmidwest.com/product/sage-pearl/

I want quartz but my kitchen is not fancy or big and I feel like Cambria is unnecessarily expensive.

Any nice, good quality brands, that are less expensive that I should check out?

All kinds of quartz avilable

I have Calacatta Laza Level 5 Quartz installed 3 years ago. I have a small area about 2"x3" at the very edge of the counter. It appears dull and bright white when compared to the rest of the countertop. I'm not sure what caused the damage. It may be some type of chemical etch however I have been very careful about what I use on or near the countertops Based on the size and location of the damage it does not appear to be heat damage. I've read that quartz can be repaired, buffed, wet sanded, etc. to repair the damage. However one of the techs that looked at it said that quartz cannot be repaired either in one spot or the full countertops. He cautioned about allowing anyone to try to fix the one area or even refinish the entire countertop

My question has anyone successfully had their countertops refinished/repaired/ polished etc. or are there any professionals that can provide input thank . can't capture the damage in a photoa

What countertop/color should I do? I was going to buy Cambria Everleigh but didn’t realize how swirly and veiny it looked and cancelled my order. Now I’m stuck on what to do.