Buying new kitchen counter tops. Any INGOers in the biz?

[Six Shooter Steve]

Is it hard to cut the miter perfectly? The stock tops I see at Lowes could get me what I need for like $150 but I would have to make the sink and miter cuts myself. The quote for Custom was $450 and that was with "B" series laminate and no installation. I have no problem doing the work, I just want to do it cost-effectively.

It's a pretty difficult task to do with out the proper tools. We use a free standing miter saw with a 16" blade to cut ours, so it's pretty simple. I would imagine using a circular saw would result in pretty much a disaster. Then you would have to route out the the spaces for the miter bolts that cinch together the miter durring assembly. Sink C/O wouldn't be a problem it's pretty DIY friendly.

 

[VUPDblue]

That's enough info for me to decide to go the custom route.

 

[Six Shooter Steve]

Just a word of wisdom here, make sure you wait to measure till after you install the cabinets. Then measure again lol especially for your sink C/O. It's no fun spending hard earned money then having to spend it again when the sink is off. We see this multiple times every day.

 

[VUPDblue]

Good call. I planned on doing the cabinets first already but that makes even more sense. Lowe's said its a three week turnaround on the order so I suppose I can tolerate the old tops on the new cabinets for a while.

 

[Gluemanz28]

Yeah the extra 2 mils is a big dif in longevity of the top, and if you get any of the fancier edge profiles the laminate postforms and adheres considerably better.

Steve is telling you correct information.
Horizontal Grade is generally in the .05 mil range depending on manufacturer
Vertical Grade is 40% thinner than standard grade coming in at .030 mil

Vertical grade is not as durable and has less wearability. It will also telegraph imperfections in the wood.

The company I work for Was the sole owner of Wilsonart but sold 51% of the company.

I have been in the business for 26 years

 

[perry]

Since we're talking countertops.. mom is in the market for new countertops in her kitchen. She went to Lowes to look at granite and I think she's changed her mind to quartz. Good? Bad?

And she wants the same material on the backsplash all the way up to the cabinet, instead of small glass tiles like she was thinking of before. I've never seen that look before, but in my mind's eye it doesn't sound too hot.

 

[bobbittle]

Since we're talking countertops.. mom is in the market for new countertops in her kitchen. She went to Lowes to look at granite and I think she's changed her mind to quartz. Good? Bad?

And she wants the same material on the backsplash all the way up to the cabinet, instead of small glass tiles like she was thinking of before. I've never seen that look before, but in my mind's eye it doesn't sound too hot.

It's dang near apples vs apples. I like quartz, maybe more than granite. It doesn't need to be sealed which (in my mind) is a huge plus.

I've seen the granite backsplash done before. Not my cup of tea, but to each their own.

 

[Induz]

Tagging for interest

 

[rw02kr43]

This is a very interesting thread. Thanks for starting it OP. We're looking for a good price on stone countertops. Does anyone here know of any good prices on those?

thanks
Jason

 

[IndyGunworks]

I got mine from menards, installed them myself. I am very very happy with them. Sink is a granite sink from lowes. Lowes and home depot use the same sink cutout, menards is a bit larger, so when ordering make sure you pick the right cut out. Even though my countertops are from menards they have the cutout to fit a sink from home depot.

 

[VUPDblue]

I also have a granite sink. I bought the sink like three or four years ago knowing that a remodel was coming and I got it cheap from a mom and pop place that was closing it's doors. I'm excited about fitting it into the plan finally!

I just stopped by Lowes to pick up a doorstop to replace a broken one. They had a few backsplash tile mosaics on clearance and one just happened to be the exact one I have been eyeballing for my new kitchen. Regular price-$12.99 each. Clearance price-$3.98! I'd say that was a score!!!

 

[nsolimini]

I am about to order the countertops too, but I am going solid surface. Glad to know Lowes (which seemed like the best choice) is a good choice for me to go with. I was told that the price they quote me will inculde install and cut outs. for my sink.