| Archive News |
|
Dated 13/11/08 Development Within The Granite Guild |
The Granite Guild web site and all other marketing resources have now been acquired by World of Worktops Ltd. World of Worktops Ltd already own a large presence within the internet environment including Low Cost Worktops, Granite SM, Wowtops & Economy Worktops. |
World of Worktops have a unique relationship with a quartz manufacturer called Cimstone and are one of the only companies in the UK that sells Cimstone quartz worktops on a retail and wholesale basis. |
Cimstone quartz is a Turkish manufacturer which makes quartz worktops on a Breton SPA machine and as such produces large volumes that are sold in over 30 countries around the world. They have recently opened a new factory in Ismir at the cost of over $50,000,000.00 so it is safe to assume that are future is more than safe. |
Cimstone is owned by the AKG which is also a Turkish company that has been involved in engineering for well over 50 years. |
They also have sole distribution rights to Omega Diamond products in the Uk which will benefit our customers as we can now offer a one day installation service that is second to none. The reason behind this is because the onsite tools that are provided for them by Omega are all water cooled and portable. The finish of the edges and cut outs are unique as they are completed onsite using the famous Blue Ripper rail saws. |
|
Dated 15/05/08 Is Quartz better than Granite? |
Quartz worktops are certainly more durable and harder than granite, the hardness of a stone is measured on the MOH scale. A diamond (the hardest substance known to man) is at the top measuring 10, the average household brick comes in at about 2, granite measures 5 (absolute black) and quartz shows a very respectable 7. |
Quartz worktops are made in a similar way to MDF. Quartz is mined and then ground down and mixed with a resin and allowed to rest, once dried the material is incredibly durable and easy to work with. It can be cut and polished the same way as granite and also can include under mounted sinks and drainer grooves. All Camford Quartz worktops are manufactured overseas using Breton Spa machines which allows the use of Breton resin which is probably the best resin available in the world. Using Breton resin in the production of our worktops ensures that each slab is 99.99% identical to one another and also makes the slab completely non porous, this means that our customers can enjoy owning light coloured worktops that will not stain and will be an exact colour match however large their kitchen is. |
Also built into the resin is a UV filter which prevents our worktops from being bleached by natural sun light. |
When shopping around for your quartz worktops please ensure that you only choose a worktop that has been produced on a Breton Spa machine. If a company is unfamiliar with the name Breton Spa then the chances are that their stones are not made the same way and they will stain and bleach with sunlight. |
We have the lowest cost Breton Spa quartz worktops currently in the UK, so don't delay order your worktops today! |
|
Dated 28/01/08 Will Quartz Worktops Dominate The Granite Industry? |
Since the end of December 2007 when we introduced quartz worktops our telephone lines have been ringing off the hook with enquiries. The question is not will quartz worktops take over from granite worktops as the Uk's premier luxury worktop but when. Our quartz worktop sales are currently out selling granite worktops 4 to 1. With no signs of letting up! With this in mind we have extended our sale for quartz £185 per linear meter and reduced are promoting the grey mirror quartz at only £147 per linear meter. |
The reason why quartz worktops are so popular is that all top quality quartz worktops are non porous and completely maintenance free and there is a wide range of lighter colours. Quartz worktops are approximately 96% quartz and 4% resin which makes them extremely tough customers and more durable than granite. Cutting and processing quartz worktops is easier and yields a lower wastage factor than it's granite competitor so many factories prefer to work with it. |
All customers must however check the quality of the quartz before making their purchase as their is a vast quantity of quartz worktops being imported from China, Emirates and other such countries which is not the same quality as well known brands such as Caeserstone, Luxor, Zodiaq, Camford and SileStone. Problems facing potential quartz customer's who purchase a cheaper quality quartz range from staining (due to poor quality resins) and bleaching by sunlight. Although customer's may seem like they are getting a good deal buy purchasing a lower grade quartz worktops but as the old saying goes "if you buy cheap you buy twice!" |
Quartz worktops certainly have the edge on granite when used on contemporary or modern kitchens as quartz is a modern product. The edge profile best suit to quartz worktops is 'Aris' which is a flat fronted profile with a slight chamfer to the top edge. This provides the clean lines look and lends itself to virtually all modern kitchens. |
If you still have any doubts or questions about quartz worktops please feel free to give us a call on 0845 465 0564 |
|
Dated 28/12/2007 Introduction of Quartz Worktops |
|
Since the end of October 2007 Stargate granite has become increasingly difficult to source and what has been appearing on the market has been incredibly poor in quality. To this end we have now decided to start selling quartz worktops as well as granite worktops. Our selection of quartz worktops include both standard and mirror finishes and the black mirror quartz provides an excellent alternative to Stargate and Star Galaxy granite. The choice of granite over quartz for use as a worktop has always been favourable mainly due to the increase in cost of quartz however, our quartz worktops are all under £185 per linear meter which makes it even cheaper then some of our granites. |
As with granite worktops there are various types, colours and qualities of quartz worktops available on the market today. Please be aware of this and check the the manufacturing procedures as well or you may find that what you bought may not be as good a bargain as you may think. |
Only the very best manufacturers use what is known as a Britone Line processing factory. These top manufacturers include the likes of Caeserstone, Silestone, Compaq, Luxore, Camford Quartz and Zodiaq. Britone is a company that manufactures the equipment to make quartz stone and their standards are exceptionally high, consequently companies that use this equipment can produce quartz stone that is 99.99% identical to all batches and is completely stain resistant and incredibly durable. Lesser companies have recently been importing quartz from China, India and other European countries that are not produced using the Britone Line equipment and as a result the majority of quartz stones available today is not of sufficient standard for domestic use. If in doubt ask them if they know what the Britone Line is or acquire a small sample and conduct your own tests using oil, wine, vinegar etc. Poor quality quartz samples will change colour with prolonged exposure to sunlight and will stain if oil, wine or vinegar is spilt on it. |
Quartz worktops are certainly harder than granite worktops and are definitely more user friendly as there is no need for sealing. Also they are less prone to damage during transit and installation as they do not have natural fissures and pitting as granite has. |
For more information about our quartz worktops please view our quartz ranges which can be found under the stone colours button in the main menu or give us a call and we will be more than happy to answer any and all questions for you. |
|
Dated 28/10/07 - Granite Colours |
|
Every week we receive a number of requests for a quotation in a particular granite colour to be used as worktops. When we ask the customer about the colour of their kitchen and what colours the fixtures and fittings are we normally point them in different direction towards to granite which will better suit them. At The Granite Guild we provide a superior service to most granite worktop companies because we actually care how your finished kitchen will look. |
A prime example is when a customer requests Star Galaxy granite when they actually require Star Gate instead. This is because Star Galaxy granite has a gold / copper fleck to it whereas Star Gate granite has a silver fleck which when used along side stainless steel, brushed steel, nickel or pewter the silver fleck picks out the tones better. |
When selecting a granite colour to be used as worktops it is advisable to study the door and the other fixtures in the room such as cabinet handles, appliances and plug sockets as a clash of colours can easily be avoidable at this stage. Dark woods used for kitchen cabinet doors often have a darker tone to the wood grain and can be harmonized with a dark or black granite worktop. |
Granites that have a long swirling pattern such as Juparana Colombo and Ivory Brown are normally best used when in long lengths and not with joins such as an 'L' or 'C' shaped kitchen as the pattern clashes (using vertical and horizontal swirls). |
| |
Dated 07/10/07 - Helpful Service |
|
Since the birth of The Granite Guild our aim has always been to satisfy customers with a well priced top quality product backed up with an unrivalled level of service. To date we have continued to achieve this and received many letters and emails from satisfied customers thanking The Granite Guild for it's helpful service. |
One of the reasons why so many customers place their order with The Granite Guild is our in depth knowledge not only of granite but of kitchens in general. When customers call and request a quotation one of the first things we do is to find out what style of kitchen they have or have just bought, by knowing this we are in a good position to help guide our customers when choosing granite colours, edge profiles and suitability of upstands and splash backs. |
The importance of your granite colour is paramount to the overall look of your kitchen as the worktop is certainly the most visible component of it. A good example of this is when numerous customers request a quote for Star Galaxy granite for their worktops when in fact they require Stargate granite instead. The colour of Star Galaxy granite is black with a gold / bronze reflective fleck which does look stunning but when put next to a stainless steel hob, splash back and sink the colours clash (as I am sure most of you would agree you would never wear a gold ring next to a silver one on the hand). A better choice would be Stargate as it has a silver fleck that picks up the stainless steel items in your room such as handles, sinks and hobs. |
Today the choice of many customers kitchens is a high gloss finish to fully extend the clean lines look and to really give the appearance of a slick modern style (for more information on high gloss kitchens please visit our archive page and read the article high gloss kitchens). Most high gloss kitchens consist of a flat door which can be complimented by an 'Aris' square edge profile. |
The Aris edge is completely flat with the top and bottom edges beveled at a 45 degree angle. This is also known as a chamfered edge finish. The bevel effect causes a flat look which reflects the flatness of the door or can also be used to enhance the styling of a shaker style door as the streamlined finish mimics the top beam of the shaker frame. |
If you intent is to create a modern style or look in your new kitchen it is important to consider whether or not you choose upstands or splashbacks. An upstand is a 20mm section of granite that is fitted vertically to the back of the granite against the wall. They are normally no greater in height than 100mm. The inclusion of an upstand can add to the streamlined effect of your granite worktops as they provide a good base to start tiling from and they could also hide a multitude of sins if your walls are not as straight as they should be. |
Splash backs on the other hand are nothing more than taller upstands and they are usually fitted between the top of the worktops right up to the under side of the wall cabinets. It has also been known as cladding. This look is quite a traditional look and should not really be employed when trying to create a modern looking kitchen. If your intent is to have splash backs it is recommended that you choose a lighter coloured granite as dark colours could make a room feel small or dark if there is a lack of natural light in the room. |
When choosing your granite worktops please consider the above as by using these tips you finished look could be so much better. |
| |
Dated 01/10/07 - High Gloss Kitchens |
| |
In recent months many customers have asked about high gloss kitchens, what types are there available, which are the best finishes and how long will it be before they look out of date. |
High gloss kitchen have been around in the UK for nearly 20 years they where first introduced by some of the big German kitchen manufacturers who spotted a trend in Europe. At first they were not well received as the look was just a little too contemporary for the British market however over a few years the public mellowed and excepted the finish helped along by the price being lowered. |
Although the older formica style had been around since the seventies the new vinyl wrapped texture presented its own problems such as showing every hand print. The manufacturing process has been greatly improved over the years. |
Today there are 3 distinct different types of gloss doors solid acrylic, vinyl wrapped and lacquered. The solid acrylic are made by a single solid piece of material resembling a high gloss plastic, to date there is only one company which has successfully refined its process and sells it on a bespoke basis, so you can have it made in any size or shape. The vinyl wrapped system is more widely used and is available in a host of colours and manufactured by many companies. The construction of a vinyl door is simple a section of MDF or MFC is used to as a based and a thin membrane is stretched and heat sealed to the surface. The membrane is similar to a cling film and it is this that gives the texture and sheen to the door. The downside to this method is that the membrane can be punctured by a dog or a cat by scratching and once ruptured the door is fit only for the bin. The lacquered type door is by far the most durable and best. Layers of paint are applied to the door to build up the texture and finish similar to a car door. This process looks the finest and as you can imagine is the most expensive method. |
Typically the lacquered finished doors are applied to flat or slab door styles only due to the manufacturing process. |
Gloss colours such as white, cream and latte are a safe bet as these will stay around for many years and will still not date. More fashion dictated colours such as black, red, pink etc look nice now but could easily date and become unfashionable in a short time. The reason for manufacturers pushing these colours is due to consumer demand and keeping pace with the continent. It should be noted that customers living in continental Europe often change their kitchen every 5 or 6 years compared to England where consumers change kitchens only every 10 years or more.
Any style of high gloss kitchen will be enhanced by granite worktops as the sheen they both have harmonize and really lift the ambience of the room.
|
