It seems like every month there is a distributor coming into the showroom with the quartz line they are taking on. 
I don't see one really taking the lead and outselling the others.

Which quartz material is really taking off in your area?

Linda

Which ever one the busiest fabricator is doing.

Its Staron around here cause that is the main line the closest fabricator to me does.

Linda:

I've sold a fair amount of Cambria because I like the colors. They really have a knack for it.

I've got some Chinese quartz samples and they are just tacky. Sparkley.

I'd keep an eye on the Cheesemakers.

 

Joe

Hanstone and Lg Viatera for me....but I havent seen anything WOW than the sparklers...other than that I cant tell the difference at this time

Cambria, because of a better color selection.

Anyone seen Okite line of veined product? Zodiaq has added it to their line in the last year, but you can purchase it from Okite also. Much of Zodiq is made by Okite. I like Cambria, but know that they basically have no warranty. They feel if they ship it to you and you can fabricate it, then its not a faulty material. They do have good colors, but, still have some problems with color consistency. Samples and sheets many times are not even close to matching.

Basically all (with exception of China) quartz is made the same and of equal quality.

I do agree it typically comes down to availability and serice....but doesn't everything in the end.

Are you getting good support from your distributors of Quartz?

 

We buy direct and inventory about 2500 - 3000 slabs. When we do have to deal with distributors its always a 'Joy" cough cough... :)... we stock more than all the distributors combined... Any using Engineered Marble? We use it for vanities and bath surrounds, but not kitchens.

Wags,

Which brands are made in China? 

Linda

 

Wags we have been repairing cracks in Quartz tops, some large ones at times. Have you seen much cracking ?

Lexmar is one that I believe is made in china, im sure there are others but im not aware of them. Not really a major problem with cracking, but we educate the customers pretty, and we don't over sell it. I think that's the biggest problem, especially at the box stores, they say its bullet proof. We all know nothing is bullet proof. Any particular brand Karl ?

Wags, no I would not say that it is from any 1 brand, and its not from customer abuse, its looks to be more so from the current way that Quartz is being Fabed.

Karl,

What are the most common fabrication errors you are seeing? 
Linda

Karl,

Where and how are the crack areas showing up the most?

The company I work for has been doing quartz since 1996. They were the first in Az. At the peak they were doing 45 to 50 kitchens a day, so they have great knowledge and great fabricators, and very few problems. We also do more 4 cm (built up) than 3 cm. Are your problems more with built up tops or 3 cm tops? Any pictures?

One thing I will say, is that the quartz industry is doing a lousy job of educating architects and fabricators. Most must feel its " the same as stone". Which may be their downfall, ive seen a lot of lousy stone fabrications also. I was at an architect today and they knew almost nothing about ES. I spend an hour just talking to them about all the products, ES , Laminate, SS , Stone etc....They get called on by no one with quartz, and no one with much knowledge on the other products.

I know Cambria stuck a deal with WilsonArt to work specifications for them, ive not seen it. But I did hear that WilsonArt may start selling Cambria through their distribution system, not sure if it may be under their name or the Cambria name.. Be interesting to see IF this is true and how it pans out. Silestone has elimanated all their specificaition reps. LG is just buiding their Specification team nationwide which will help greatly. Whomever does the better job of educating the A & D market will certainly be the company to watch for the future.

Karl, I would be interested in seeing any pics of typical problems you have encounted... would love toget our folks to chime in on what is happening.

I think Staron is doing a pretty good job getting their name out with their line of quartz products.  Hopefully they add to their color line soon to round out the offering.

Hi Linda,

More companies  than  Lexmar make E stone in China. Quality varies from grotesque to great.

Theres also a producer in Nam (Vietnam), and another one working on introducing it in Vietnam.  Thats all I can really say

B Rgds,

Lenny

Linda:

I've gotten some samples from these guys:

http://www.xmsunwise.com/new.html

Their ad copy is atrocious. Spelling errors, no bullit points, etc,. If I ever sell anything in another country, I'm going to have a local read my stuff first. Using "Artificial Surfaces" to describe quartz does not help sell it.

Remember the old slogan "Coke adds life!"? After Coke went to China they found out the literal translation in Chinese is "Coke brings your ancestors back from the dead."

Joe

Joe,

Check out their site again.  They actually spell artificial - "Artifical".  Sounds kinda funny to me.

Karl,

What are the most common fabrication errors you are seeing? 
Linda
 
Linda its not so much that we are seeing Fab Errors, its more so that some added steps could be done. Think about how Solid Surface was Fabed it the first several years compaired to how it is done today. Many things have changed as we all learned what Fab / Install  techniques would build a better product.


Karl,

Where and how are the crack areas showing up the most?

Reuben, We are seeing Cracks at .... Cook Top and Sink Cut Outs, Starting where Edge Build up is butted together and then traveling into the deck, Coming off of Seams in a horizontal direction, at Inside Corners and a few other spots.


Karl, I would be interested in seeing any pics of typical problems you have encounted... would love toget our folks to chime in on what is happening.

Wags, yes we do, and we track all problem types in our Data Base, hit me up with an email and I will send some to you.  karlc@backtoperfection.com