Posted by
Kathy Ware on Wed, Mar 28, 2012 @ 10:58 AM
Granite and Quartz are popular household countertop materials. However, HanStone Quartz countertops have certain advantages over exotic granite countertops, such as a Limited Lifetime Warranty and no additional sealant costs.
HanStone Quartz countertops also come in a wide variety of colors from basic gray to eye-popping purple, edging options and the cost of quartz countertops is less than that of exotic granite.
About Quartz
While granite slabs come out of the ground as is, quartz countertops are a combination of 93% of the natural quartz found in granite, and a 7% combination of a binding material (resin) and a colorant. The quartz slabs are made into sheets between 2cm and 3cm thick, the same thicknesses as granite slabs.
This combination creates an extremely hard, non-porous surface resulting in a product that is harder than granite. Other stone surfaces like granite require sealing on a regular basis to provide additional wear resistance that matches the durability of a quartz countertop.
HanStone Quartz
HanStone Quartz also resists heat and staining, which means that everyday cooking and spills will not affect the countertop surface. HanStone Quartz cleans up easily with a mild soap and water on a regular basis.
Renowned for its incredible depth and clarity, HanStone Quartz is also manufactured in Ontario, Canada, making it the only quartz made in Canada using some of the highest quality quartz found anywhere in the world.
In addition, HanStone is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) as safe for indoor use for food preparation and consumption. HanStone is also a kosher product, which means that use in homes with certain religious or other beliefs that affect the manner in which food is prepared and eaten can use quartz countertops with peace of mind.
Costs
The HanStone Quartz price ranges between $35.00 to $75.00 per square feet for the material and between $70.00 and $100.00 when installed. This is less than many exotic marble or granite countertops. Since quartz-specific cleaner is not necessary, and there is no need for repeated sealing to protect the countertop from bacteria, this contributes to lower long-term cost of quartz countertops.
In addition, HanStone quartz comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, which means that owners can install HanStone Quartz countertops without worrying, which is a claim that granite installers cannot make.
Please use the link below to download your free informational comparison kit.
Do you already have a quartz countertop in your home? How do you like it? Please let us know in the comment field below.
Posted by
Kathy Ware on Wed, Feb 08, 2012 @ 10:01 AM
Last week I had the pleasure of being part of a small audience at a luncheon with HGTV's own "designer extraordinaire" Antonio Bellatore.
As a distributor of high end quartz and solid surface countertop surfaces, we are always interested in finding out what the next great countertop product will be? What is next year's funky color? Which designs or patterns will be "in" and which ones will be "out"?
Of course, my first question to him was: "What do you believe the next trend will be?"
After a few seconds of silence, he proceeded to explain that the trend is NO TREND.
Advice for Selecting HanStone Quartz Countertops
For Antonio, the 3 key points are:
-
Step out of your comfort zone
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Use colours, materials and accessories that seemingly are not related
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Use your imagination and make it all come together
Using new and unique materials and mixing them up with antiques found in a garage in a coherent way is not for mere mortals like you and I...
More and more designers have an eye for turning boring spaces into works of art by being bold and innovative.
This is my biggest take-away from the session and I believe the most important message our unconventional guest wanted to leave with us: "Go big or go home and forget about trends".
Please take some time to look at HanStone Quartz's newest WOW colors. A beautiful collection of quartz surfacing material made for residential and commercial countertops.
Tell us what your WOW colour would be in the comments box below.
Click here to see the exciting new HanStone Quartz Countertop WOW Collection.
This week’s quote has to come from one of the best business books I have ever read (thanks to Brendan Anderson, an EO buddy for the book).
Doug Tatum’s book No Man’s Land A survival Manual for Growing Midsize Companies is a must read for those of us in companies that are growing rapidly. Regardless of the size of the organization, all companies face similar issues when facing sustained growth. Similar to Good Strategy Bad Strategy (last week’s post) this book is solidly based on the real world experience of identified entrepreneurs. This book nails what we, at LEEZA, have and continue to go through as we transition from a company completely run and controlled by Mark Hanna and me to one with a skilled and professional management team. This book indentifies and forces all of us to give some very serious thought to the challenges and risks we face. I have given this book to a number of friends and they have universally praised it and it is the most quoted amongst us.
As with Good Strategy Bad Strategy there is so much stuff here I am going to be drawing quotes of the week from these books for a while.
These quotes identify one of the most common
“Signs that your company is misaligned with the market:*
Has sales growth stalled?
Do you feel you are losing your competitive advantage?
Have tensions arisen between promises made (sales) and delivery (operations)?
Are quality problems becoming more pressing?
Are customer complaints mounting?
Do you find yourself dealing with ... miscues, (instead of) with high-touch customer relationship building?
Are you becoming bored and frustrated to the point where you are turning to new product development as an escape?
As you peruse your customer portfolio, are you unable to distinguish between “good” customers who will lead you to further growth and “bad” ones who won’t?”
“As entrepreneurs … tend to curl up and become internally focused. One of the most dangerous reactions I have witnessed is the tendency for entrepreneurs to fall back almost exclusively on new product development as a way to recreate the growth experience.”
“Entrepreneurs are by nature creative, innovative people. As they grapple with market misalignment*, they find it tempting to walk away from the hard work of institutionalizing their own ability to make and meet the right customer promises, and instead immerse themselves in the more gratifying work of developing something new from scratch. In the end, though, firms can’t invent their way out of market misalignment. It would be nice if they could, but that’s not how it works. Don’t let boredom with the task of keeping the firm in alignment kill your company.”
*JM note: A summary of Tatum’s definition would be the state when a company has lost perspective on what differentiates it from its competitors and also forgotten what the company is trying to accomplish)
For Tatum’s solutions to these issues you’ll have to wait for future blogs or buy the book.
Simple Process of Installing a Kitchen HanStone Quartz Countertop (Images)
Countertop Decisions!
Ginette Lorrain always dreamed of having a Carrera Marble kitchen countertop, a classic white marble containing grey veins throughout, although she was always the one to warn her clients of the harmful effects of this porous / high maintenance countertop. She was even willing to overlook the fact that marble was neither stain nor scratch resistant.
Wrong Color!
After placing a sample of Carrera Marble in her kitchen, Ginette was disappointed in seeing how washed-out and yellowish it looked surrounded by the white walls and cabinets within her kitchen.
Ginette then thought of installing jet black granite countertop as it was inexpensive, very uniform without veins, giving her the liberty to choose between a matt and polished finish. The matt finish attracted Ginette, although it is less resistant than a polished finish, it must be sealed as it is not stain nor scratch resistant. She also discovered that the color fades, resembling a charcoal gray.
Back to the old drawing board!
FINALLY!!
Ginette met Mark Hanna at LEEZA and was introduced to HanStone Quartz! They walked around the warehouse in hopes of finding "THE ONE" when Mark introduced her to WINTER RIVIERA!
Mark had actually installed WINTER RIVIERA in his kitchen and claimed that the effect is superb! (The following pic features Mark next to the slab of WINTER RIVIERA!)
Ginette fell in love with this product that looks like the natural stone with visible pellets. She was mesmerized by the beautiful color that ranged from black to dark grey through a multitude of shades.
After showing a sample to her loved one, they both agreed that WINTER RIVIERA was it!
(Dominique is preparing the islands and counters by making holes for the installation of the sink & appliances.)
Ginette received her Quartz Countertop!
(It's in the delivery truck on the A-Frame)
The installers removed the heavy slabs from the truck! Watch those toes!
After carefully placing the slab down.
(Namer removed the protective film.)
(Simply adjusting the slab.)
A kitchen full of men! How often do you see that?
SO FAR SO GOOD!
The next post will be the completed kitchen! We'll keep you posted!!!
http://leezadistribution.com/products.php?type=Hanstone
http://www.canalvie.com/blogue-d-inspiration/les-comptoirs-de-cuisine-3335/
Les tranches de quartz HanStone fabriquées au Canada offrent plusieurs avantages que d'autres types de matériaux n’offrent pas. En voici quelques-uns:
Elles sont non-poreuses: HanStone Quartz se distingue des autres types de matériaux pour dessus de comptoirs, en particulier le granit. Non-poreux et ne requiert aucun scellant signifie que les liquides et la moisissure ne se rassembleront pas sous la surface. Les dessus de comptoir en quartz HanStone empêcheront les bactéries de ce loger dans la surface, au contraire de certains autres types de matériaux pour comptoirs tels les granits et marbres. Un dessus de comptoir non-poreux est vital dans votre cuisine à cause des plats humides et des déversements.
Contrairement aux surfaces solides en acrylique et aux stratifiés, le quartz HanStone, fabriqué au Canada, résiste aux éraflures et à la chaleur. Ceci est une caractéristique vitale pour les dessus de comptoirs dans la cuisine, où les couteaux tranchants et les casseroles chaudes sont constamment en usages.
Le quartz HanStone, fabriqué au Canada, est sans entretien: Contrairement au granit et autres types de dessus de comptoirs, un dessus de comptoir en quartz HanStone est sans entretien. Du moment où le dessus de comptoir en quartz HanStone est installé, il sera sans tracas. Il faut simplement la nettoyé avec un nettoyant pour vitres, nettoyant tout-usage, ou tout simplement avec de l’eau légèrement savonneuse.
Le quartz HanStone, fabriqué au Canada, est l'un des meilleurs: Le minéral de quartz vient sous plusieurs formes et tailles, couleurs et niveaux de qualité. Le quartz HanStone fabriqué au Canada est parmi les matériaux d’ingénierie en quartz existant de meilleure qualité. Le minéral de quartz brut utilisé pour fabriquer les tranches de quartz HanStone au Canada est extrait au Québec et en Ontario. Il Le minéral de quartz canadien est extrêmement clair, ce qui ajoutera de la profondeur à votre dessus de comptoir HanStone.
Le quartz HanStone fabriqué au Canada est fabriqué au Canada: Oui! C’est évident! Ce qui est autant évident est qu’en achetant des produits canadiens, comme le quartz HanStone fabriqué au Canada, profitera à l'économie canadienne. Chaque dollar investi dans du quartz HanStone canadien améliore l'économie canadienne. Pourquoi donner votre argent aux autres pays manufacturier quand vous pouvez trouver du quartz HanStone de meilleur qualité dans votre propre cour?
Acheter un dessus de comptoir en quartz HanStone, fabriqué au Canada, a l’avantage d’aider à réduire l'empreinte écologique: En plus de soutenir l'économie canadienne en investissant au Canada, cet avantage est également un que vous ne penseriez pas immédiatement. Vous pouvez faire votre part pour conserver la beauté du Canada et de la Terre entière en achetant le quartz HanStone fabriqué au Canada, diminuant ainsi la l’empreinte écologique du transport international. Diminuer la distance que votre matériel de comptoir doit voyager, réduira les dommages fait à notre planète.
http://leezadistribution.com/products.php?type=Hanstone
http://www.hanwhasurfaces.com/sections/hanstone/collectionsColorSeries/classics.php
Que Ce Que sont Les Surfaces Solides Staron®?
Le produit Staron® est un matériau en feuille composite non poreux. Il est un mélange homogène de matières naturelles, polymères acryliques, produit de remplissage non organique et des pigments.
Que Ce Que Sont Des Avantages d'en avoir un Comptoir Staron®?
- Non Poreux
- Tiède au toucher
- Résiste aux fissures et aux ébréchures
- Sensiblement plus léger que le granite
- Extrêmement Durable (100% acrylique, plus robuste et plus durable que le polyester.
- Facile à entretenir
- Antitache
- Utilisation quotidienne en sourdine. Contrairement au granite, aucun bruit métallique fort lorsque vous placez des verres et des vaisselles sur sa surface.
- Offert avec des éviers intégrés sans joints.
- Uniformité entre des numéros de lots.
- Joints discrets
- Stable aux UV
- Renouvelable
- Garantie de 10 ans
L'humidité affecta-il mon comptoir Staron®?
Les Surfaces Solides Staron® n'étant pas poreuses alors les bactéries n'ont aucun endroit où ils peuvent s'accumuler. Les Surfaces Solides Staron® peuvent être fabriquées en une surface continue, telle qu'un revêtement de comptoir, un dosseret, un évier, procédé qui réduit encore plus les zones où les bactéries peuvent se propager.
Est Ce Que Les Surfaces Solides Staron® résistent à la chaleur?
Oui, les Surfaces Solides Staron® résistent à la chaleur et demeureront stables et intactes à des températures pouvant atteindre 76.7 °C. Cependant, une forte chaleur ou des flammes peuvent endommager la surface. Dans la plupart des cas, ces dommages sont réparables.
Est Ce Que La Surface Solide Staron® se décolorera?
Non. Les résines d'acryliques utilisées dans les Surfaces Solides Staron® résistent aux rayons ultraviolets présents dans la lumière naturelle. Une Surface Solide Staron® ne se décolorera donc pas.
Quel est la Durée d'une Surface Solide Staron®?
Avec le soin et l'entretien appropriés, vos revêtements de comptoirs Surfaces Solides Staron® se conserveront pendant plusieurs années. Les Surfaces Solides Staron® sont reconnues pour être un matériau renouvelable et elles peuvent être remise en état pour leur redonner leur aspect neuf. Les Surfaces Solides Staron® sont appuyées par une garantie restreinte de 10 ans.
http://www.leezadistribution.com/products.php?type=Staron
T 888-850-8838
http://www.staron.com/staron/eng/gallery/kitchen.do
What is Staron® Solid Surface?
Staron® is a non-porous composite sheet material. It is a homogeneous blend of natural materials, acrylic polymers, non-organic fillers and pigments.
Staron® Countertop Benefits
- Non-Porous
- Warm to Touch
- Crack and Chip resistant
- Considerably lighter than Granite
- Extremely Durable (100% Acrylic, stronger, more durable than polyester)
- Easy to Care and maintain
- Stain Resistant
- Quiet during use. (No loud thuds when placing plates or glasses on it unlike Granite or Marble)
- Available with Seamless integrated sinks
- consistency between dye lots
- Seams are inconspicuous
- UV Stable
- Renewable
- 10 year warranty
How will moisture affect my Staron® Countertop?
It won't! Staron® Solid Surfaces are a homogeneous, non-porous material with smooth, impenetrable seams. Unlike, laminate, granite, tile or marble, Staron® Solid Surfaces have no grout lines or ridges to trap dirt, germs or moisture. Staron® Solid Surfaces can be fabricated as ONE continuous surface such as countertop, backsplash and sink in order to cut down on the areas in which bacteria can grow.
Is my Staron® Solid Surface Countertop Heat Resistant?
Yes it is heat resistant and will remain undamaged up to 170° F. A high heat or flame can possibly damage the surface but this can in most cases be repaired without affecting the consistency of the color.
Will the color fade?
No it will not! The resins used in Staron® are resistant to the ultraviolet rays present within natural light so the color will not fade. This is unless you decide to install a Staron® Solid Surface Countertop outside, in which case the direct exposure to the sunlight might cause some colors to fade.
How long will my Staron® Solid Surface Countertop Last?
With proper care and maintenance, your Solid Surface Countertop top will last for many years. Staron® Solid Surfaces are considered a renewable material and can be finished to look like new. It is also backed by a 10 year warranty.
http://www.leezadistribution.com/products.php?type=Staron
T 888-850-8838
http://www.staron.com/staron/eng/gallery/kitchen.do
Il existe plusieurs matériaux de revêtement sur le marché. Certains matériaux, tels que le granite, le marbre et divers types de pierres, sont utilisés à l’état brut. Les surfaces en quartz naturel sont formées d’une combinaison de matériaux naturels et synthétiques qui leurs procurent la beauté et l’aspect de la pierre naturelle.
Granite est une pierre naturelle, durable et dure. Il est composé feldspar, quartz et mica mais le minéral le plus trouvé dans le granite est le quartz. Le quartz et un minéral pur à la structure cristalline. Des traces d’autres minéraux donnent au quartz une variété de couleurs. La cote de dureté Mohs du quartz est de 7, comparativement à celle du granite qui se situe entre 5 et 6.
- Exige d'être scellé : Granite
- Antitache : Quartz
- Résiste aux éraflures : Quartz et Granite
- Résiste à la moisissure : Quartz
- Résiste aux ébréchures et aux fissures : Quartz
- Résiste à la chaleur et aux brulures : Quartz et Granite
- Moins de perte de matériau : Quartz
Voici quelques photos des comptoirs en Quartz:
http://leezadistribution.com/gallery-residential.html
Check out these pictures of a Quartz countertop install in the works. Color - 'Winter Riviera.'
Click on the link for more rich and elegant HanStone colors. http://www.leezadistribution.com/products.php?type=Hanstone
The color company Pantone has selected 'Tangerine Tango' as the color of the year for 2012.
Described as 'a spirited reddish orange,' the colour provides the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.
Popular this year among fashion and cosmetic designers, 'Tangerine Tango' is 'sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive,' explains leatrice eiseman, executive director of the pantone color institute.
'Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, the shade marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.'
http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/category.aspx?ca=88&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eb20111208
http://www.leezadistribution.com/about-us-mission.html