So I haven't even started yet and I'm already behind. Trying to figure out how to organize and where to get going are difficult in themselves. To add to that neither one of us have been very motivated. A twelve hour work day including commute isn't helpful. And hey, it's playoff season. How's that for a lame excuse?
I'll tell you a little counter top story. I have been tossing around the idea of Granite, Quartz, laminate and Eco (recycled glass) www.ecobycosentino.com. I had been leaning toward the Eco or Quartz depending on the prices and the pattern available. We had taken some samples home and I had settled on a light gray Quartz which looked a lot like concrete but had a lot of white highlights to it.
We spoke with a few vendors at the Home Show in February and received different opinions from all of them. Some liked Granite, some liked Quartz, the only recycled glass recommended was the Eco as it is in a corn based resin. I believe the others are either glass based or concrete based. And of course no one likes laminate except the guy selling it. The things which seemed to be common amongst all of the proffesionals were that the quartz requires no maintenance but is not indestructabe which you are sort of led to believe and is very hard to repair. The granite is easier to repair but requires maintenance with special products.
I started looking a little closer at the laminate. We went to a countertop place in town that wanted somewhere around $85.00 a linear foot installed for there laminate. A little steep since there is some granite you can pick up for $50.00 a square foot, although at what quality and looks I don't know. I did however find a very nice sample similar to the quartz I had originally chosen. I really loved the idea of the Eco but I am thinking it is very expensive for our 1970's half duplex in Smalltown that we may not stay in for long. Perhaps I will put that in our next home. Besides if I get tired of the laminate I could change it and still be better off (just kiddin').
Off to Lowes I went to get a price. They quoted approximately 39.00 a linear foot. I'm thinking Wow! cheap. One thing I did learn from the laminate guy at the home show was that it looks great in a thicker height so I ask the salesperson if they can supply it thicker than standard and without the little piece that runs up the backsplash. We are tiling the backsplash and I want a cleaner line. He tells me he will have to put a call in to his supplier and get back to me. Should know by the end or the day and will call me. Great! off I go.
So no call. I wait a week or two, I can't recall. The next time I was in the store I dropped by and reminded him of our conversation as I had thought perhaps he had misplaced my number. He tells me he hasn't yet heard from his supplier. He will call as soon as he does. Dissapointed off I go. About 5 or 6 weeks later off I go to Lowes and ask what is happening. The salesman is not very nice at all. They have not gotten an answer, he is waiting for other quotes as well. Does not appolize. Says there is some issue that is being dealt with and basically I will get a call when they have an answer.
Well, I am sorry but if this is any indication of the service we will receive I think we'll stop before we start.
Off to Home Depot. They have the same product. It is 21.00 a square foot installed standard height. I am now waiting for the cost of the higher countertop without the backsplash piece. Two weeks and counting.
Good thing we haven't started the kitchen yet.
Off to procrastinate in the garden.
Hmmm....maybe I'll write about that.
Brenda
