Earthstone

[Majjie]

I wrote a lengthy blog about solid surface worktops nearly two years ago now ... which attracts a slow stream of people complaining about their tops.

The moral of the Clints, I think, is make sure you have a good fitter, avoid pure white worktops of any sort ... and black worktops, if they're a solid surface.

Corian actually say that their dark colours are not suitable for heavy use areas such as worktops ... but not everyone seems to have read the warning!

I very rarely specify solid surface worktops. Every now and again I think I really should pay more attention to them ... but I get put off by the small print ... don't use them with hobs that have wok burners at the edge, for instance ... or don't pour boiling water into the sink without running the cold tap! What's the point of a kitchen worktop that isn't very heat resistant? Encore I think might be the best (certainly for temperature resistance).

My worktop of choice would normally be quartz (budget permitting ... and not pure white!).

Majjie

[Guest]

Thanks folks for your time on this, knowledge I'm getting is great, moral is do more research in advance, & choose your fitter with care

So I gather that use of a glass splash back/ upstand is OK then behind a gas hob? They are heat resistant? And if we use the glass in conjunction with the Earthstone upstand then make sure theres a 2 mm gap - expansion i presume? Or possibly use the glass upstand all the way round instead of the Earthstone one.

Showing my ignorance how do Quartz worktops such as Apollo joint - is it bonded or like laminate?

And Majjie - yes they do keep the small print not only small, but also more 'inconspicuous' than the joints you get in the stuff.

I did say to 'she who must be obeyed' at the time that mebbe i should've had a go at fitting - we'd have had laminate for starters as i know my limitations, and the hob cut out would have been per the fitting guide Not that I want to do any of you folks who know what they're doing out of a job I hasten to add!!

There's a number of issues with the fitting at present (well 35 on my list ) but I won't bore you with them - once I've a resolution from the Company then I'll maybe come back and give you a laugh.

Meanwhile any other thoughts advice etc on worktops and upstands welcome.

[Majjie]

I like glass splashbacks and I'd normally use them without the worktop upstand - just have that butting up to each side ... but that's largely because (as someone said previously, I think) ... you can then use a standard one, instead of getting one made specially.

I think a glass splashback should be made of toughened glass - but suppliers of them vary. Some use toughened glass for splashbacks and upstands; some use toughened glass just for the splashback behind the hob ... and some don't use toughened glass at all. Perhaps the guys here have an opinion?

The guys will be able to tell you much more about joining quartz than me (I'm just an irritating designer lurking here!) ... but it's treated like granite. Pieces just butt up to each other with a 2mm, or so, gap which is filled with silicon/resin ... whatever.

Majjie

[marc1106]

Guest if you register then i can PM you the number of a local firm(to me) who i use for glass splashbacks/upstand and worktops, who also colour them to your specs!

[Semrots]

Thanks Marc1106 - now registered. I didn't before as not being in the trade!

[Guest]

hi all im fitting my own kitchen but have earthstone worktops but for the love of god cannott find anyone who can fit them for me ???

can anyone please point me in the right direction cheers craig

[PREM]

where are you craig?
go into a wickes magnet etc and ask who does the solid surface jobs, and could you have there no.

[kitkat]

KK 150mm of clearance either side of the hob is a gas reg your right, but the OP was saying that his upstand continues through behind the hob against the MIs, also when installing gas hobs 99% of MIs state that the hob should be no closer than 50mm to the wall behind it! and any gassafe/corgi man will tell you that MIs overide regs!

..........did u know that new legislation due to come into force in oct/nov ref kitchens with no opening to outside air will require the hob to be hardwired to the extractor so both come on together and a minium requirement in litres per second imposed on the extract. ?? only theres about 400 flats down my way , all rented, that are going to be getting ar on their next annual and possible an id depending on who is writing them .

[Guest]

Does anyone know of a fitter in the SE London area who can fit Earthstone. I have already tried B&Q and Wickes. Please help as am currently surviving in half finished kitchen!