composite worktops and underslung sinks

[dedee]

We are about to have a new fitted kitchen and we have agreed on a quartz composite stone worktop, probably Silestone.
We also, maybe, probably, will have a ceramic underslung sink as we like all the characteristics of the existing one except colour!

I'd be interested to have some usability comments on the composite worktop. My research suggests less maintenance than all but the most expensive granite without the need to reseal. However our kitchen fitter seems to think composite does need resealing "every couple of years or so".
How does the high gloss surface hold up to daily wear and tear? We use trivets now so heat is not my concern but can minor scratches or smears appear?

I'd also be interested to have any comments on underslung sinks, ceramic or otherwise. Can the joins ever be as watertight as a conventional inset sink? My guess this may depend on the all important fitting and as my fitter admits to not have installed a ceramic underslung sink to a composite worktop I am a bit concerned.

cheers


Andy


Andy

 

[Oryxdesign]

We are about to have a new fitted kitchen and we have agreed on a quartz composite stone worktop, probably Silestone.
We also, maybe, probably, will have a ceramic underslung sink as we like all the characteristics of the existing one except colour!

I've never done a ceramic under mount sink but I have done plenty of stainless steel ones. Generally the stone fitters like to make the hole for the sink smaller than the actual sink so that you have an overlap and can't see the gap between the stone and the sink, this leaves a join you can't see to clean (unless you lay on the worktop with your head in the sink). My preference is to get them to cut it to fit the sink exactly but I guess with a ceramic you wont have that option. Some folks like to have the sink hole slightly bigger than the sink so you see some of the edge of the sink, this means you see the join but you can clean it.

I'd be interested to have some usability comments on the composite worktop. My research suggests less maintenance than all but the most expensive granite without the need to reseal. However our kitchen fitter seems to think composite does need resealing "every couple of years or so".

The oldest one I have fitted is about 3-4 years old and it looks the same as it did when it went in. It's never been sealed or resealed as it's Silestone which shouldn't be sealed.

How does the high gloss surface hold up to daily wear and tear? We use trivets now so heat is not my concern but can minor scratches or smears appear?

I think Silestone is the most heatproof composite, you can certainly pull the roast out of the oven and put it straight on top, or a pan, I'm sure if you try to burn it you will but I have used it a lot and I haven't had any customers complain. Corian is definately not at all heatproof by the way, or as hardwearing. All the tops I have used so far have been white or very light colours, I haven't seen any scratches at all but I'm not sure if that is because the white colours are more forgiving.

I'd also be interested to have any comments on underslung sinks, ceramic or otherwise. Can the joins ever be as watertight as a conventional inset sink? My guess this may depend on the all important fitting and as my fitter admits to not have installed a ceramic underslung sink to a composite worktop I am a bit concerned.

The stainless ones I have used have been fine, I would need to see the design of the ceramic to make a guess.

If you really aren't worried heat resistance there is another product to consider. It is called Apollo SlabTec it is being marketed by Hafele but I'm sure with some research you could find the manufacturer. It's a bit more like Corian than Silestone being made from quartz and polyester, not a shard wearing but if you scratch it it is easily polished. It can be machined with normal woodworking tools, hand and power, so you could possibly fit it yourself. Perhaps most interesting for you is that you can buy it with integral sinks.

cheers


Andy


Andy

Hope all that helps a bit Simon

 

[wizer]

#i love the word underslung...

 

[dedee]

Simon,
very interesting thank you. It gives me some ideas for specific questions to ask about the fitting of the sink. The ceramic ones tend to come with a 2% margin on dimensions due to their "hand made properties". So I am a bit concerned about the neatness of the fit.

Do you know the hardest part of choosing a kitchen is deciding on the colours? Thankfully that is not my department.

Cheers


Andy