what's price of solid surface vs granite?

altec · Postby **altec** » February 3rd, 2014, 6:57 pm

Going to do the kitchen and was wondering what's the price of these per foot installed?

RIPEBREDFRUIT · Postby **RIPEBREDFRUIT** » February 4th, 2014, 8:33 am

Just remember Granite is semi-porous and you have to Re-seal it annually.

So if you like leaving drinks around your counter and you don't mind some slight water marks in your counter top- go for the granite.

originalbling · Postby **originalbling** » February 4th, 2014, 9:07 am

There is also quartz which is non porous but heavy no rass.

solid surface is around $3,500 for a sheet while granite is about $1,000 or more less.

have some quotes around for installation, will update with prices later.

Strugglerzinc · Postby **Strugglerzinc** » February 4th, 2014, 2:37 pm

RIPEBREDFRUIT wrote:Just remember Granite is semi-porous and you have to Re-seal it annually.

So if you like leaving drinks around your counter and you don't mind some slight water marks in your counter top- go for the granite.

X 1000

Stains rather easily

Bareback · Postby **Bareback** » February 4th, 2014, 2:49 pm

OP, solid surface is quite durable. Depending on your budget it is a very worthy solution.

FYI - username is the name of an actual company in TT.

teems1 · Postby **teems1** » February 4th, 2014, 2:49 pm

originalbling wrote:There is also quartz which is non porous but heavy no rass.

solid surface is around $3,500 for a sheet while granite is about $1,000 or more less.

have some quotes around for installation, will update with prices later.

$3,500 seems rather steep.

Last year I bought 1 sheet (12' x 3' i think) for $2,200 from Maraj Woodworking.

mitch1980 · Postby **mitch1980** » February 4th, 2014, 3:15 pm

I used both Solid surface and granite in my home last year

Granite cost $2200 per sheet 9ft with bull-nose finish
Solid surface cost $2100 per sheet 10-12 ft...

Solid surface cannot take the jamming of granite ...easily scratched

I only used it because my wife wanted a flowing curved counter....or else i would have used granite all the way.

Granite still has a better finish as compared to Solid surface...

i would not go to the extent and say i regret solid surface but i wont use it again

wickedbreed · Postby **wickedbreed** » February 4th, 2014, 3:15 pm

in before somebody tell op to cover a concrete counter top with linoleum...

SPIKES · Postby **SPIKES** » February 4th, 2014, 3:33 pm

counters

originalbling · Postby **originalbling** » February 4th, 2014, 3:36 pm

lol @ linoleum

maharaj solid surface price is $2,400 +vat for a 8'x30" sheet.
fiberpol has 12'x30" from $3,450
bhags is $3,200 vat inc for a 12'x30" sheet

mdc-um also carries it and installed is $380+vat per sq ft.

granite is about $375/sq ft installed.

anybody used quartz or has any experience with it?

Mr. Cheese · Postby **Mr. Cheese** » February 4th, 2014, 4:06 pm

Granite is natural stone...might have hairline cracks within it. Care must be taken. Cost to cut the granite is very steep (cut-outs for sink or even sizing to custom fit kitchen spaces). The cost of cutting and sizing may almost be the price of the slab of granite itself

Solid surface is durable and the cost to install is much much cheaper since it is easy to work with. It is very durable and repairable. Scratches and digs can be "buffed out" or if in the event the counter is damaged, it can be easily repaired and polished.

The choice in selecting the type of counter surface should be weighed... price, durability, repairability & maintainability

X2 · Postby X2 » February 5th, 2014, 9:06 am

Solid surface is normally cheaper than Granite, but Granite comes in different 'grades'... alot of the cheapest grade sells in TnT so you will see some granite cheaper than solid surface. Price of solid surface depends on brand, quality and size of the pattern... larger and darker SS patterns tend to cost more.

Granite does not repair easily and requires annual maintenance... it's also not bacteria resistant. Most all solid surface is bacteria resistant (moreso than Granite) and SS can be repaired if scratched or cracked.... proper installers can also joint SS in a seamless, almost invisible manner, whereas Granite cannot...you will clearly see all seams an joints with Granite.

SS is superior in my opinion from all points... Granite does typically look more natural and expensive if that's your desire... however there are some brands of SS that offer spectacular patterns... including translucents !

wickedbreed · Postby **wickedbreed** » February 5th, 2014, 9:51 am

What is people opinion on tiled countertops?

X2 · Postby X2 » February 5th, 2014, 1:43 pm

Looks decent, but the grout is a breeding ground for bacteria as well... plus expensive !

wickedbreed · Postby **wickedbreed** » February 5th, 2014, 2:03 pm

X2 wrote:Looks decent, but the grout is a breeding ground for bacteria as well... plus expensive !

Is it more expensive than granite? just curious if its cheaper to granite than tile. I guess the grout can be cleaned and disinfected regularly so it wouldn't be a breeding ground...

pugboy · Postby **pugboy** » February 5th, 2014, 7:43 pm

We used quartz from young sing.
It is basically a composite material like terrazo.
Happy with it, it is perfectly smooth unlike some granite.

The installer is equally important. Also the cupboards should be sturdy and well mounted and level.
There is a guy in st helena who is very experienced, a little pricey but you pay for the experience.
He also has his own material.

sc@rf@ce · Postby **sc@rf@ce** » February 5th, 2014, 8:54 pm

pugboy wrote:We used quartz from young sing.
It is basically a composite material like terrazo.
Happy with it, it is perfectly smooth unlike some granite.

The installer is equally important. Also the cupboards should be sturdy and well mounted and level.
There is a guy in st helena who is very experienced, a little pricey but you pay for the experience.
He also has his own material.

contact #

madman_devin · Postby **madman_devin** » February 5th, 2014, 10:22 pm

^^^ Youngsingh has very limited colours, we did 3 of our kitchens with quartz from carpenters edge. They carry cambria USA brand.

Check their website some really nice stuff.

pugboy · Postby **pugboy** » February 6th, 2014, 7:08 am

689-5742
Andy Ragoo

you should check prices first then go by him and see what he has in his yard,
he has high quality stuff in his yard.
A good installer will charge close to the price of material but at least you know they don't mess it up irreversibly

sc@rf@ce wrote:
pugboy wrote:We used quartz from young sing.
It is basically a composite material like terrazo.
Happy with it, it is perfectly smooth unlike some granite.

The installer is equally important. Also the cupboards should be sturdy and well mounted and level.
There is a guy in st helena who is very experienced, a little pricey but you pay for the experience.
He also has his own material.

contact #

noshownogo · Postby **noshownogo** » February 6th, 2014, 7:57 am

Good info, subscribed

liverpooltrini · Postby **liverpooltrini** » February 6th, 2014, 9:50 am

I went most places for granite and found Tile Warehouse in Limehead Road, Chaguanas to have the best prices.
Usually $300-$1000 less than most places however they only have about 15 different colors.

3stagevtec · Postby **3stagevtec** » February 14th, 2014, 6:02 pm

I went tile warehouse and saw their 9' granite sheets.. prices varied from 3000 to 3500 iirc.

Now looking to do my kitchen counter tops as well. Got quoted $3000 to install + delivery of 2 granite sheets..