Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Jun 21, 2012 9:44 pm Hi, I hope someone can help me with this one. We are owner builders and currently in the process of choosing a cabinet maker, and the exact design of the kitchen. The biggest choice is with the island bench and the finished material. The bench is 3.560 long but we do not want a join. We found a stonemason who can cut slabs of granite that would allow us to have 3.400, this is acceptable. I have been told by one cabinet maker that granite is best and reconstituted stone can only be approx 3.100 so to do any longer than that would need a join, not happening ! But another cabinet maker has said that granite is weaker and reconstituted stone is much better and he can get slabs 3.340, but he is yet to produce a quote. Can anyone tell me is granite stronger or weaker than reconstituted, and can you ger the recon stuff bigger than 3.100 ?? Any other suggestions would help too please. Cheers Brett Site Cut 17.02.12 Slab poured 29.03.12 Frame up 23.04.12 Roof on 10.05.12 Lock up 18.07.12 Moved in 26.10.12 252 days or 36 weeks to complete. Re: Reconstituted stone Vs Granite 2Jun 22, 2012 11:00 am What style of bench are you having? I vaguely remember someone saying something about granite not being able to do as big an overhang as reconstituted stone. This may be somethng you want to check for yourself. Reconstituted stone may have greater stain resistance, but who would leave red wine on a 'stone' top for hours anyway? Re: Reconstituted stone Vs Granite 3Jun 22, 2012 7:19 pm Reconstituted stone is generally always 3.040 X 1.440 anything bigger would need a join. Granite varies in size so you need to choose the colour you want before you can say how big it is. A bench that long is less likely to be able to be done in one piece using granite or recon. Whether one is stronger than the other it's pretty much either. There is more maintenance with natural stone, but reconstituted stone lacks the character natural stone has. Do a lot of research.. Where abouts are you? (Which state?) Re: Reconstituted stone Vs Granite 4Jun 22, 2012 9:44 pm We are in Pakenham, Victoria. The bench is an island bench 1100 wide and as planned 3560 long. I am really annoyed that we didn't do enough research when we first had the plans drawn to take this into account, but we didn't and that's that, now we just have to deal with it. I spoke to the cabinet maker today and he told me that Quantum Quartz will do 3260 without a join (not 3340, my mistake). Its 300mm shorter than the plan but i can live with that. The newest issue is weather to waterfall the ends or not ??? Around $1500-2000 for waterfall ends and when we are already over budget with no signs of pulling back its a tough call. We are going to have a cupboard at each end of the bench on the non kitchen facing side to help support the benchtop but i just think it would look better with the waterfall ends, but the budget.... i dont know Dazed and confused !! Site Cut 17.02.12 Slab poured 29.03.12 Frame up 23.04.12 Roof on 10.05.12 Lock up 18.07.12 Moved in 26.10.12 252 days or 36 weeks to complete. Re: Reconstituted stone Vs Granite 5Jun 22, 2012 10:28 pm There is NO quantum quartz that comes at that length. We are a huge manufacturer of Quantum in Victoria and I know no reconstituted stone comes that long. What colour are you referring to? Re: Reconstituted stone Vs Granite 6Jun 23, 2012 1:05 pm Just a couple of thoughts: Have you checked out many kitchens that have joins? A good quality job make it very hard to notice joins, of course some colours are better than others at disguising joins. Nina Marie has posted kitchen pics on her thread with close ups of her join and it is almost invisible. Have you considered doing a step up/down in your bench height? or even a cutting board at one end? Check out the pics in the Hampton Style house on Grand Designs http://www.lifestyle.com.au/granddesign ... house.aspx Could a concrete benchtop be an option to consider??? Re: Reconstituted stone Vs Granite 7Jun 23, 2012 11:58 pm @Lemi_82 It was the cabinet maker who told me it comes in that length and he didn't mention any specific colors. There is really nothing that stands out, Sahara in the deluxe range would be the only one I'd consider. @Rocketship Ive seen too many bad and really bad joins to take the chance. Have discussed the the step down idea but its just not the look we want. The chopping board does look good, but its just not our style. I have not given a thought to concrete, but i dont know that it would suit the color scheme we have in mind. Thank you both for your comments, your feedback is appreciated. Brett Site Cut 17.02.12 Slab poured 29.03.12 Frame up 23.04.12 Roof on 10.05.12 Lock up 18.07.12 Moved in 26.10.12 252 days or 36 weeks to complete. Re: Reconstituted stone Vs Granite 8Jun 24, 2012 11:14 am Well Sahara is a deluxe colour that comes in 20mm thickness 3040 X 1440 I know you can buy jumbo slabs of some certain colours. Off the top of my head Sahara isn't one of them, and even if it was the size is about 3.1 X 1.5 or 1.6 Good luck! 0 9796 Dear Members I have to decide the Facade column size. My custom builder standard is 350mm with rendering, but i asked for 470mm plus stone or tiles and yet to get… 0 7492 Hi, planning on using the attached stone pieces in my bathroom. I want to remove stains and gloss seal. Can I get some advice on best way to remove stains and best… 0 6700 |