[bcekn]

I am looking into all affordable possibilities for my countertops. I was quoted $1200 for laminate at my local building store- eek! I was hoping for a lot less. I have a 10' plus a few inches length of standard countertop broken up by a stove and domsjo sink, and an 8'x4' island.

I did a rough calculation for an IKEA countertop using the price sheet I picked up at the store and it was pretty encouraging- a significant savings. I am wondering if the local manufacturer of the counters that they use at the North York store makes good quality countertops. The sheet refers to picking up the counters at a local manufacturer instead of delivery- anyone know where that might be? Torrus- have you installed any of these? How do they compare?

Thanks!

[dalbrough]

Hi,

I know you mentioned you are looking for laminate but just wanted to tell you about TorontoGranite.com - Toronto Granite Prefabricated Kitchen Vanity Countertops - I did my Moms kitchen with them and they are outstanding and their granite prices are fantastic. I went into his place - gave him the dimensions and about the notches for the domsjo sink and at the time he knew more about that sink than I did.

They delivered it to me in Burlington and we installed it.

You can save money by doing the install yourself as well.

I am not affiliated with them in anyway but just thought I would pass it on.

This is from their site:

TorontoGranite.com is a direct importer of prefabricated granite countertops. We have extremely low overhead, buy in large quantities, and take advantage of low cost overseas fabrication to offer the beauty and warmth of natural granite at substantial savings.
Our countertops come in slabs of 8 ft long and fit standard cabinet widths with a width of 26 inches. They come with a polished edge on three sides, the front and the two sides. The sides and fronts are laminated and are 1-1/2" thick with either a full bullnose finish or a straight edge profile. All of our counters are a full 2 cm thick (3/4") and include a 4" baksplash piece which measures 96"x4"x2cm with the top side polished.
We now also have in stock island pieces measuring 96"x36" with four sides polished. Limited quanity of island pieces are available and not all granite colours are available.
We also offer professional waterjet cutting, polishing, and installation of prefabricated and custom granite countertops. We can also waterjet cut the granite to the exact dimensions of your home so you can install it yourself.

[barryrpf]

Dalbrough:
I was looking at this same site this week (Toronto granite). Very encouraging the prices. I have heard though that cheap granite can have a lot of problems. Your report indicates that this appears good quality stuff.

Their website indicates they only stock granite in 26 inch pieces (about $400-$500 for 8ft lengths, and about $600-$750 for 36 inch material). With a island of a 4ft, requiring a 52 inch or so countertop, how would they do this, can you lie 2 separate pieces side by side with a narrow seam showing? Most photos I see are of nice solid slabs but is this possible?

How are their rates for cutting to accommodate the breaks due to appliances and sinks. Did you just do a butt join in the corner(s)?

I'm riding the fence on granite vs laminate...was firmly in the laminate side due to affordability but with some less expensive options out there, perhaps I can slide over to the granite side. Not sure what it would look like with granite on the countertops (standard 26 inch wide pieces) and a custom made wide laminate island top. Any thoughts folks?


I would have to use a contrasting color (note Adel MB is my overall plan and I don't want to change wood colors between cabinets and island as kitchen will be opened up into the dining room with already different wood color (not changing the dining room as it is not that old and a very nice set with buffet/hutch). However, maybe okay to change countertops between the two, a darker color for the granite on the counters, a lighter color but similar design in a laminate for the island???

[dalbrough]

HI,

what are the dimensions of your island?

Just checked their website and it states:

We now also have in stock island pieces measuring 96"x36" with four sides polished. Limited quanity of island pieces are available and not all granite colours are available

With regards to cut outs - you mentioned you are using a domsjo sink the great thing about this sink it just needs straight cuts and you save a lot of counter space if you are using the double 36" one.

I would suggest you give them a call. They are great to deal with and will answer any question you have and help with the process.

If you go to the testimonials page - mine is the top of page 2 with a photo of the kitchen and the sink.

[barryrpf]

Thanks...I will contact them directly. My planned island if I go the non-raised route would be 36 inches wide but with a 12 inch or so overhang for seating...therefore, I need about a 48 inch-50inch wide top.

If I go a raised bartop route, then I would make the main working area 36 inches wide (allowing me to use their standard island top) but then I need a raised bartop...I think 26 inches is too wide, I would want them to cut it down to 16-18 inches or so. This is why I was resigning myself to laminate, at least on the countertop.

Nice job in the photo...the sink looks great. My wife would like to do the same but with the Adel MB we will be going with, and stainless steel appliances, we think that the white sink will stick out like a sore thumb.

BTW, doesn't it irk you that Ikea Canada charges so much more than IKEA in the states. I did some comparisons between ikea.ca and ikea.com (US) and found cabinets were generally 25% more expensive in Canada. the double domojov sink is $409 Cdn and $310 US. With a dollar that is pretty close to being on par (sometimes higher this past 12 months), not sure why Ikea Canada charges us so much more unlike a lot of other companies that have lowered their Canadian stores to be more in line with dollar values.

[barryrpf]

Dalbrough,
Haven't got a hold of them yet...could you give me an idea of what they charged for the straight cuts?

[torrus]

Originally Posted by bcekn

Torrus- have you installed any of these? How do they compare?

The local GTA supplier is located in Markham and they are an excellent source for laminate countertops. They will deliver throughout the GTA and stand behind their product...I've ordered/installed dozens of their tops.

Depending on the laminate you should be able to get the tops for $600 - $700,
send me a PM if you need further info.

[bcekn]

Thank you, Torrus!

That is just what I wanted to hear. I will head to IKEA this week to price it our properly and go from there. Markham is right next door and we have a truck, so delivery isn't a problem.

As for granite- I'll look into it as well and compare the two. We do have a friend at Dynamic Tile in Woodbridge who will give us a good price too- I have to see him this week for the rest of our tile and I'll ask about odd sizes of leftover countertop, as well as regular stuff. I may also consider granite tile on the island. Thanks!

[bcekn]

Well, I am so thrilled with IKEA's countertop price- it is 1/2 what Rona was asking for the very same thing. And I mean the exact same- laminate supplier and everything, except they wouldn't have cut the notches for the Domsjo like Ikea will.

Thank you for all your help! In a few weeks we will have a no-fuss countertop.

[DulcineaK]

That's the beauty of this site, members helping members save money and time. (and just a whisper that this is all volunteer and the admins rely on donations to keep the lights on. i would ask folks who save money due to the site to contribute a good chunk of the $$ saved so that the services we're providing can continue)