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Inexpensive solid white worktop ?

17 replies

minipie · 26/07/2019 14:19

Hi all

Looking for a worktop for my new utility room. I was going to go with wood but don’t think it will go with my mock wood flooring.

So I’m now looking for a not too pricey solid white worktop - it needs to be solid rather than laminate as I’m having an undermount sink.

I know of quartz (unistone silestone etc) but that is pretty expensive. Corian I imagine is also expensive though I don’t actually know.

Are there cheaper options out there? I’m not looking for a beautiful marble type style, just white, either plain or maybe with some small flecks in.

Any ideas welcome thanks. If you have a recommended supplier too even better Smile

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minipie · 26/07/2019 14:44

Kind of replying to my own thread but just found out about Minerva and Maia. Are these much cheaper than quartz? Downsides...?

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Hullabaloo31 · 26/07/2019 14:49

Our minerva quote was more than quartz!

WorrisomeHeart · 26/07/2019 15:21

Apollo Slabtech is an option although not as cheap as I anticipated it being! Wickes have it in their kitchen range.

minipie · 26/07/2019 16:03

Oh wow, Minerva not that cheap then it seems...! I’ll look at the Apollo thanks

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NuffingChora · 26/07/2019 16:55

Depending how long the piece you need is, it might be worth going round a couple of stone/quartz supplier yards to see if they have an offcut which might fit? Saves you having to buy the whole slab.

minipie · 26/07/2019 17:53

That’s a good idea thanks. I need about 1.7m so about half a slab I think... so might not be lucky but you never know! Cabinets are white and floor is wood ish so any kind of white based stone would go really.

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minipie · 26/07/2019 17:54

1.7m x 0.6m that is

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soakedat3 · 26/07/2019 18:23

It also depends on the minerva you want. Plain white is cheaper than marble look for example. I can't justify it in utility but am having it in kitchen.

minipie · 26/07/2019 19:11

Ok thanks! Sounds like I’d better have a look at the specific types and get some quotes. I’d love to get lucky and get a cheapish quartz offcut...

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flirtygirl · 27/07/2019 10:04

Loads of suppliers on ebay that do 2 or 3m deals. They offer a few whites, usually granite and some quartz. Some offer fitting and some you need to find your own fitter. A stone mason can fit.

PigletJohn · 27/07/2019 10:14

Why must you have an undermount sink?

242Mummy · 27/07/2019 13:48

Have a look at Tristone - looks and feels exactly the same as Corian but much cheaper.

minipie · 28/07/2019 00:30

Thanks for the suggestions!

PigletJohn I’d like an undermount sink because I want to be able to cover the sink up when I’m not using it to make a bigger worksurface. I don’t think I’ll need the sink that often. Ideally I’d get a cover made from the sink cut out itself and then it would fit in pretty seamlessly (with a hole to pull it out of course). However if that’s not possible I could us a wooden board instead, or a rollamat, depending on what I can find the right sort of size. Obviously I’ll need to leave a bit of the sink lip showing for the cover to rest on. If this is a silly idea please say!

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soakedat3 · 28/07/2019 16:50

I wanted an undermount belfast sink for my utility but couldn't find a cheap way to get a worktop for it. :( They look lovely (to me) and are deep enough to wash small dogs and wellies.

ViserionTheDragon · 28/07/2019 16:52

I would say look at the cheaper quartz brands. Unistone and Silestone are indeed way overpriced. We have a Cimstone worktop and it looks expensive, and half the price of a similar Silestone colourway.

minipie · 28/07/2019 18:30

Interesting, I’ve never heard of Cimstone, I wonder how much of the extra cost of Silestone etc is marketing... Where did you get yours from Viserion please?

Tristone looks promising too, I have sent a quote request to them so let’s see.

I will check out ebay too... although I would prefer something I can see in the flesh first, either at a local yard with offcuts or get a sample - just to check it isn’t the wrong white to go with my cabinets. (Bit pickier than I first thought!)

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ViserionTheDragon · 28/07/2019 22:36

Many suppliers have told me that Silestone and Caesarstone are the worst culprits for large markups. I asked my kitchen supplier to source it in the end so they could manage the installation and deal with QC issues if any arose. However, before that I got quotes from MKW Surfaces (they have a broad catchment area, I think) and Pure Quartz (does London and Kent). Both had good reviews and were the cheapest out of the dozens of companies I emailed.

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