In light of the current uncertainty in the market regarding the price and availability of quartz, we decided we should reach out with a statement that shares our thoughts and feelings with you.
As many of you already know, there are tariffs set to take effect that will greatly increase the cost of any quartz imported from China. Cambria has argued that the import of Chinese quartz has been unfair for American businesses. Cambria’s president says that he is merely seeking to level the playing field for his company. We feel that rather than leveling the playing field, this will deal a huge blow to the industry as a whole.
In the past, we reached out to Cambria’s headquarters and expressed an interest in fabricating their product. We were told that they already worked with someone else in our area and they weren’t interested in working with us. Luckily we are able to carry a variety of other quartz lines because it seems Cambria isn’t interested in us or our clients. We do our best to accommodate all of our clients, but we fear we will not be able to do so if quartz prices continue to increase.
We are not talking about a small increase in prices. In case you have not already heard, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced on Wednesday the preliminary antidumping (AD) determination on quartz surface products from China. The AD preliminary duty rates are very high, ranging from 242%‑ 342% depending on the supplier. The AD duty will be imposed on quartz surface products from China in addition to (1) the 34.4% countervailing duty (CVD) rate (or higher for certain exporters), and (2) the 10% Section 301 tariff (scheduled to increase to 25% at the end of 2018)—both of these taxes were imposed back in September.
We feel that we have finally reached a point where quartz products have become affordable for the average consumer. With these duty rates, quartz will once again be out of reach for many of our clients. A lot of the quartz that replicates marbles are going to be effected, which is unfortunate because this is the look many of our clients are looking for. Unfortunately many of the other lines do not carry quality marble imitations including Cambria. We strongly feel that Cambria’s insistence on these outrageous tariffs will be harmful not only for us but for our customers. This may be good for Cambria’s bottom line, but the industry as a whole is going to suffer. We do not want to see our clients and our fellow businesses harmed by increasing prices.
The following quartz lines that we carry will be effected: Q-Stone, Daltile, Corian Quartz, Aurea Stone, Zeal, Colorquartz.
The following quartz lines will NOT be effected: Caesarstone, Silestone,
To hear more about it check out this interview with MS International.
Here at Italian Marble & Granite in Buffalo we offer a wide variety of Quartz products. Many of the colors look alike, however some manufactures are beginning to come up with great marble alternatives. People want quartz for many reasons. Such as the consistency of the stone, durability, and ability to now look like marble.
Many quartz products have consistent colors. They are a solid color, have some speckles, or have sparkle going through out them. However, some are beginning to have some movement going through them.
The durability of quartz is also a huge leading factor in the decision to purchase it. Quartz products are not porous and do not need to be sealed, which is why many medical professionals are putting it in their offices. But also many homeowners are beginning to put it in their homes due to lack of maintenance. As a side note though the quartz products are not heat resistant which is why their warranty will be voided in used on fireplaces.
Lastly building off of the durability component of quartz, many quartz products are beginning to look similar to marbles. This is a huge selling factor for us. Many people love the look of the white marbles. Now many of the quartz companies are beginning to come up with stones that looks like Statuario marble and Calacatta marble. These natural marbles are beautiful but the maintenance can be overwhelming. They are porous, can etch, and need to be sealed frequently.
At Italian Marble and Granite we offer six different brands, Caesarstone, Hanstone, Zodiaq, Q-Stone, Daltile, and Silestone. Come in and check them out, we have something for every price point!
Choosing the right countertop edge profile can feel overwhelming, especially when different stones have different requirements. At Italian Marble & Granite, our team helps Buffalo NY homeowners navigate this decision every day. Here are the three factors we always consider: 1. The Type of Stone Stone characteristics should drive your edge selection. Quartz (engineered stone) can accommodate almost any edge profile — with one exception. A rockface finish, which has a rough, chiseled appearance, is not recommended for quartz as most manufacturers will void the warranty if it’s used. For natural stones like granite and marble, we look at how the stone behaves during fabrication. Some granites and marbles are more prone to chipping, which means sharp-pointed profiles like an ogee may not be the right choice. Stones with a “sugary” texture are also poor candidates for a rockface edge — the risk of breakage during fabrication is simply too high. 2. The Feel of the Room Edge profiles carry a design personality. A bevel edge reads as clean and contemporary. An ogee or ogee stepback has a formal, furniture-like quality that works well in traditional kitchens. The right edge reinforces the overall design intent of the space. 3. Budget At IM&G we have four standard edge profiles included in our pricing. Built-up edges, ogees, and bullnoses require additional labor and are priced accordingly. Your sales person will walk you through what’s standard and what carries an upcharge before you commit.
The edge profile is one of the last decisions in a countertop project — but it shouldn’t be an afterthought. Make sure your fabricator reviews the characteristics of your specific stone and helps match the edge to both the material and your room. That’s part of what we do at every consultation.
If you have extra time this weekend, I know not all of us do, check out this section of the Caesarstone website. It gives you the opportunity to design a kitchen using some of their stones. I think it is a great way to help people visualize their dream kitchen. It also gives you the ability to get creative and get some ideas for your own home. If you are not interested in remodeling or building it is a great way to preoccupy yourself.
Caesarstone has come out with 5 great new colors. These new colors are intended to duplicated what nature has created, marble. As mentioned multiple times on this blog, marble is a beautiful surface. But it requires attention and is hard to maintain. Although it does look beautiful it can be destroyed within a matter of years due to the staining and scratching. Caesarstone noticed that the their clients desired the natural beauty of marble and they set out to make a product which will hopefully satisfy their desire for marble. Below are pictures of the 5 new colors and a poll. We would greatly appreciate it if you could participate in it. We want to know if you think these new colors can be used as an option for marble. The new Caesarstone colors will not stain or scratch, therefore it might be a better option for many people. Let us know what you think! Do you think these stones look like marble??
**These pictures have been taken from Caesarstone.com**
Below is a video that details our production process here at Italian Marble & Granite. Before this technology, which is shown in the video, we used cardboard templates and cut granite by hand. Technology has definitely changed for the better!
