any links I can refer to check what type of marble quartz I have at home?

go for quartz. My current house it's been 8 years, but my quartz countertop still look like new after cleaning with diluted vinegar.

Anyone using Sapphire Quartz top? Can share some photo?

you need the best granite sealer for that
you can find here https://www.trustedhints.com/best-granite-sealers/

Just want to share the prices for Quartz after doing some extensive research for over a month;

Quartz

1) QQ Quartz (Quality Quartz)
Imported from China, Quartz mix with glass, Mirror chips effect, Price around RM180-190/FR

2) Jess Stone
OEM from Canada, Quartz mix with natural crystal stone, Price around RM200-380/FR - Depends on which series

3) Caesarstone
Israel brand, Imported from Singapore, Price around RM400-600/FR

4) Silestone
Spain brand, Imported from Spain, Price RM750-1000++/FR - Depends on the colour

However this morning a shop quoted me Silestone prices below RM300/foot run.

Wah. must have spent a lot of time and effort...

So which one have you decided on?

Quartz but I want a marble design quartz but it seems that there are a lot of types;
-compress marble sold as quartz (usually below RM150/foot run)
-quartz with some mixture on top (usually below RM150/foot run)
-Malaysian quartz (around 200/foot run)
-China quartz (1 shop claimed that it is from the biggest supplier in the world so it can't be bad but it is just not tested) (just below RM300/foot run)
-Imported quartz from Europe etc. (tested) (just below RM300/foot run)

And now 1 shop is selling Silestone for below RM300/foot run when the supplier in Malaysia is selling for RM750/foot run and above.

Headache
Don't know what is true and what is not...

Even for kitchen cabinet, it ranges from RM9k-18+k for the same thing (Legend being 17k and the 18+k is a smaller shop).

This post has been edited by barca96: Oct 15 2019, 10:25 AM

True or not, once done, you are the only person know what material it is. In general, people only know it is tile, marble and acrylic. Furthermore, people that comes to your house will not go to the kitchen and and do assessment on material used, fake or not. Most likely that happened when you just moved in into new house and want to show to friends

For kitchen cabinet, the module is standard, else the accessories will not fit. The material is same MDF board. The cabinet makers buy from factories and the standard are basically the same. More expensive or cheaper is more on the brand name and self acclaimed expertise

Too many choices.

I've had two people ask me what countertop is it as they have not heard of it before. They just wanted to know what material is it made of and characteristics of that engineered stone. They didn't ask me where is it from...

Usually they go, 'this isn't solid surface right?'

Marble design Quartz= best of both worlds. Aesthetic with no maintenance...

If your quartz countertop is more than 9-10ft, might want to check with them how many cuts are there and where they plan to join it.

This post has been edited by glasgowkitchen: Oct 15 2019, 02:36 PM

Anyone can recommend me a good n reasonably priced carpenter to do a 10ft by 3ft quartz island counter top in JB?

i've been searching for mable design quartz since day 1.
only last week I learned that there are differences.
there is compress marble, quartz mix with resin and quartz. in that order.
compress marble can be as low as RM110/foot run. But it is similar level to solid surface.

My wet kitchen is a concrete counter overlayed with tiles and have used for the last 14 years. Some of the times are falling off.

I'm thinking of upgrading this wet kitchen but have some questions that need expert inputs:

1. Is solid surface suitable for wet kitchen?
2. Can quartz be overlayed on concrete counter?
3. Any recommended kitchen cabinet contractor that can do solid surface or quartz kitchen?
4. With the change to solid surface/quartz, do I need to change the sink as well?

This post has been edited by jutamind: Oct 16 2019, 09:14 PM

Solid surface = is it like a piece of homogeneous plastic?

This post has been edited by ceo684: Oct 17 2019, 12:58 PM

1. Is solid surface suitable for wet kitchen?
Depends on how you use it… If you are careful with heat and stain, should be okay….

Heat resistance: Solid surface 100 °C, Quartz 204 °C
But if solid surface does scorch, can sand it to remove the discolouration.

Stain resistance: Solid surface is less stain resistant compared to quartz. Both quartz and solid surface are stain resistant but not stain proof.

2. Can quartz be overlayed on concrete counter?
Yes.

4. With the change to solid surface/quartz, do I need to change the sink as well?
If you are just removing the tiles and putting let’s say quartz on top, then don’t need to change sink provided that it isn’t damaged in the process. An undermount sink will be in between the tiles and concrete structure with plaster in between…
Better check with your kitchen cabinet contractor.

Huh. I thought quartz countertop is quartz mixed with resin.

Similar level as in quality or pricing?

yeah there are 3 levels... according to 1 shop.. everywhere else they explained that there are 2 types only..
besides that for quartz there is Msia made, China made and ang moh made..

Icic. Interesting but a bit confusing
All da best choosing your countertop! Keep me updated...

First time I heard there are 3 levels of quartz countertops. Country of origin doesn't constitute to levels. That's nonsense.
The so called quartz tops are made from x% of natural quartz and y% of bonding resin. That's all. There is no right percentage but if the quartz % composition is high and lesser % good quality bonding resin is used it will be generally more expensive (eg.Silestone). Silestone also includes antibacterial agent in the mix and you can even prepare food on your countertop safely.

Quartz countertops content % can range from 60+ to 90%+

Granite is entirely natural 100% stone. So look will be the best but need maintenance and also can trap bacteria if not care of properly

This post has been edited by blancpain4470: Oct 20 2019, 11:09 AM

Do u mind sharing the shops that u went to survey?

I have a quartz countertop which my ID installed, but that day a few drops of pineapple juice drop on the quartz top, and now there is a few dots marked on it. Im wondering why is it so sensitive?? Anybody else face similar issue?

Not on my Silestone. I have spilled things far worse than pineapple juice on the countertop. Not all quartz stones are created equal. It all depends on the % of the quartz and the bonding material used. Don't expect generic china brands will have great bonding materials and high quartz content (I.e >90%).