Testimonials

  
Countertop Material Choices (from least expensive to most expensive)
Laminate / Solid Surface / Granite

Laminate
  
Q: What is laminate, how is it fabricated into countertops?
A: The best known brand name of laminate is FORMICA brand laminate, however, at Arrow Kitchens we also source Wilsonart and Pionite brand laminates. Laminates have been around for the better part of 30 years now, and consist of several layers of heated and compressed paper. The top layer is what we see as the color or pattern that becomes your countertop. Today's variety of laminate patterns and colors number in the hundreds and even thousands between our three brands offered.

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Q: What is the life expectancy of a laminate countertop?
A: With the correct usage and maintenance, laminate countertops can last many years. If longevity is the goal, it is essential to utilize cutting boards or trivets in the course of food preparation.

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Q: What customization techniques exist for laminate countertops?
A:  The most popular type of customization for laminate countertops is to implement a custom edge treatment. These edge treatments can either be the addition of a decorative wood edge that is stained to compliment the chosen cabinetry, or a decorative laminate edge. The most popular type of decorative laminate edge is a beveled edge, using the same color laminate on all three surfaces.

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Q: What is the cost impact of adding custom edges to laminate countertops?
A: The cost impact in most cases for the average kitchen might fall within the $200-$400 range, depending on the lineal footage of edge treatment required.

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Solid Surface
  
Q: What is a solid surface countertop, how many companies make solid surface products?
A: The best known brand name is CORIAN by DuPont, and they are the only solid surface product that also has no affiliation with a laminate company. Most of the laminate companies have responded to the popularity of CORIAN by introducing their own versions of a solid surface material. Formica offers SURELL, Wilsonart offers GIBRALTAR. Between the various solid surface companies, again  there are hundreds of colors to consider. Please see the links page for more solid surface products that are currently offered at Arrow Kitchens.

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Q: Do solid surface materials offer greater durability than laminates?
A: Yes. Solid surface materials offer a vastly different degree of durability and have more user friendly maintenance practices. Most solid surface products come with warranty periods that average 10 years in duration.

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Q: Any other features that are considered desirable?
A: A huge selling feature has been the ability to utilize integral sinks. Integral sinks are made of the same material as the counter surface, are available in solid colors, and are fused in place beneath the surface material creating the appearance of being molded into the countertop. This option eliminates the typical sink rim that protrudes up above the deck of the countertop, and makes for easier usage and cleanup.

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Q: Any other advantages?
A: Arrow Kitchens is a certified fabricator of Wilsonart GIBRALTAR and countertops, making it unnecessary to utilize and outside fabricator as most other kitchen companies must do. Therefore, there is one less company in the "food chain", the savings from which is passed along to you, the consumer.

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Granite

Q: How many varieties of granite are available?
A: There are literally hundreds of varieties available in America, many of which are not domestically harvested. These various varieties provide vast choices in color content and texture.  

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Q: Most people believe granite products to be cost prohibitive. How can this cost be justified as an expenditure worth considering?
A: Granite or other natural products are NOT for everyone. Granite is generally perceived as a “high end” and highly stylized sort of product offering. But most people don’t realize that granite is an extremely tough and durable product, so tough in fact, that the harvesting and fabrication of granite requires very special cutting and polishing tools.

Blocks of granite are literally blasted out of the earth and cut into slabs by diamond tipped ganged water saws. Each block may take several days to cut into the slabs that eventually become countertops. Then you have the final cutting, grinding and polishing to give granite the luster expected as part of the finished product.

Cost is determined by several factors, the first of which is “supply and demand.” Some varieties are more plentiful than others. The second factor is “point of origin.” Granite that is harvested in North America is less expensive to get to market than granite from Europe or South America due to transportation issues. The third factor is cost of fabrication. The more intricate the shapes and details, the more expensive the end cost.

Finally, there is no substitute for the look and function of Granite