Buckingham

Buckingham is generating a big buzz in the countertop industry.  It is one of the standout colors from Cambria's 2011 Summer Collection, Waterstone. 

Buckingham



The Waterstone Collection is the 7th in a series of colors developed by Cambria.  The collection is designed to capture the movement and unpredictable color patterns that are typically found in natural stone.  Cambria's ability to break free from the more consistent patterns typically found in quartz countertops has set them apart from other brands in the industry. 

With the popularity of Cambria continuing to skyrocket, you may have some questions about the product.  Below are some of our most frequently asked questions.  You can also contact one of our sales representatives at Star Granite Interiors with any other questions you have. 

FAQs

Q: What is Cambria?

Cambria is a material comprised of 93% natural quartz that is recombined to create a solid surface. 

Q: What is the difference between Cambria and granite?

Cambria is maintenance free and stain resistant.  The material is virtually non-absorbent and requires no annual maintenance.

Cambria quartz is National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF) Certified for Food Zone and Splash Zone areas.  Thanks to the nonporous surface, there is no concern over bacterial growth in the stone due to absorption. 

Cambria can be up to twice the strength (flexural) of granite and is more resistant to abrasion.

Q: What is the difference between Cambria and other quartz surface brands?

Cambria is the only producer of quartz surfaces in the United States.  All other products are imported. 

Cambria offers just under 100 color options that consumers regularly tell us they prefer over the imported options.

Cambria is not distributed through large home centers such as Home Depot and Lowes.  Cambria is sold only through approved, reputable dealers who share the companies vision for customer driven excellence. 

Spotlight: Black Galaxy

If you are looking for a cost effective granite color that offers a consistent pattern, elegant look, versatile style options, and unmatched durability, Black Galaxy may be just the granite you've been dreaming of. 

The name Black Galaxy is due to the flecks of sparkling bronzite scattered throughout the stark black stone giving it the look of a night sky.  It is quarried in India.  Although the stone is very uniform, the size of the speckles can vary from bundle to bundle, so it is still a good idea to set up a time to look at a few options to make sure you find the right slab for your project. 

Granite and Marble and Quartz- Oh My!

Granite, Quartz, Marble, Travertine, Limestone, Laminate, Stainless Steel, Tile, Polyester and Acrylic Resin, Paper Composite, Concrete, Sandstone, Butcher Block... The possibilities for countertops these days are endless and ever expanding.  With so many options, how do you choose which material is best for you? 

Homeowners have to take into consideration the pros and cons of each surface and determine which will withstand day to day usage and fit their style preferences.  Most often people want to know about heat resistance, staining, upkeep, and durability.  I am posting a video from Consumer Reports that answers a lot of these questions.  Their site is a great reference tool and does a great job of comparing your surface options.  As always, if you have more questions, please call (800) 251-9790 or send us a message!

Selecting a Sink

After completing the daunting task of selecting a material and color for your kitchen countertops, the thought of any more decisions can be exhausting.  Many countertop fabricators have sinks available for you to purchase along with your countertops.  If you find yourself making the decision on your own, check out this step by step process that should help in narrowing down your options considerably.  The sinks pictured in this post are all made by Blanco.  Other name brands we recommend are Kohler, Elkay, and Franke.  There are also countless builder-grade sinks availble for very reasonable prices. 


Decision 1: Undermount or Drop-In?

The most popular installation choice by far is undermount.  On rare occassions, clients come in with a desire to reuse a drop-in sink for economical and sometimes sentimental purposes.  Most stone surface companies charge less for the cutout with a drop in sink because the inner edges do require polishing.  This can save a small amount on your countertops, but for most homeowners, the functionality and fashionable look of the undermount sink tends to make the decision of undermounting a no brainer. 

Decision 2: Material Matters!

Our best selling material is still stainless steel.  It is easy to clean, durable, and fits well with most any design and color scheme one can imagine.  

Showing a steady and rapid increase in popularity is the composite granite sink.  It features a non-porous, easy to clean surface with the look and feel of natural stone.  Silgranit sinks by Blanco are 80% granite.  Along with the fashionable look of composite granite, the composition of the material resists scratches, stains, chips, and heat.  It comes in 7 versatile colors which makes it very easy to match with any surface, adding an extra level of design and sophistication to a kitchen. 

Decision 3: Deciding Design

 

The most important thing to consider when deciding on number of basins and size is functionality.  Consider what you will be using the sink for.  Will you be letting large cookie sheets and pots soak?  If so, a single basin sink may be best for your needs.  Will you be cleaning dishes while preparing food?  If this is the case a double basin sink may work best so that you have an area to put dishes and an area for washing vegetables.  If, like most, you will be doing a little of both, I would consider a double basin offset.  These sinks are becoming quite popular because the large side offers more space for soaking pans and washing large pots while the smaller side still provides enough space for washing your hands or rinsing fruits and vegetables. 

Another factor in this stage of the process is deciding which side to situate the larger basin.  There are several factors to consider when making this desicion: Which side do I want my disposal on?  Would it be best connect to the small or large basin?  As a right/left handed person, which side will be most convenient for me to work?  Would I prefer the large side to be closest to the dishwasher?  All of these things boil down to functionality and preference.  Be sure to talk with your plumber as well to see if they have any input based on your personal setup. 

Hopefully after going through these three steps, you have been able to narrow down your selection considerably.  Stay tuned for an upcoming post on selecting a faucet that is a perfect fit! 

Spotlight: Typhoon Bordeaux

Typhoon Bordeaux has been a really hot color this year.  The stone is quarried in Brazil.  Seeing the variation from slab to slab has been fascinating to say the least.  Because this particular stone varies so much from bundle to bundle, you definitely want to take the time to look at several bundles to make sure you choose the one that is right for your kitchen. 

Cambria Releases New Colors

Cambria is a natural stone surface that is elegant and practical. There is no safer surface for food preparation. If you are building or remodeling your kitchen or bath, you will appreciate the beautiful collection of colors and the exceptional performance that Cambria offers. Star Granite Interiors is an Authorized Cambria Fabricator.  Feel free to comment below this post or contact us directly with any of your Cambria or other quartz surface questions. 

The 2011 Waterstone Collection from Cambria