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42 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | November 2015 Product Trend Report in Holstein, IA sees wood grain looks, whether laminate or a solid wood countertop, being used. She says that wood grain laminates paired with VT Indus- tries' pencil edge look like solid wood, but ofer better perfor- mance because they will not stain and scratch like natural wood. PRACTICAL CONCERNS Countertops are more than just a "pretty face" – they are work surfaces that must be durable and practical, and ofer all the features that make the space functional and efcient. "People want livable, low-maintenance products that are non-porous, stain resistant and scratch resistant," says Karen Schakarov, v.p./marketing at Caesarstone US in Van Nuys, CA. Additionally, features that add value are in demand, such as removable cutting boards or drain racks cut directly into coun- tertops, she says. "Durability is a primary consideration for homeowners who are embarking on a project intended to add value to their home," says Marquez. "These homeowners want to be sure that the products they are investing in are going to withstand the test of time, and that the materials will create a kitchen environment that is easy to live and entertain in without worrying about scratching or staining." Paradiso says that while the look of marble is the one de- sign everyone is looking for, marble is a sensitive product that tends to stain and break easily, making it a difcult material for countertop applications. "Quartz has performance advantages that has made it the perfect substitute alternative for marble and fueled the overall demand for marble-inspired patterns such as HanStone's Cascina Collection," he says. He adds that thinner, lighter countertops are being used and, until recently, it was very difcult to deliver full natural stone slabs cut to these thin specifcations. This had manufac- tured stone suppliers ofering textures, veins and colors that imitate the natural stone choices. However, he says, "Tech- nological breakthroughs are now allowing companies like Polycor to produce 1 cm natural stone slabs by strengthening them with a carbon-fber mesh backing. This provides design- ers with features that did not exist before – increased spans between supports, reduced loads, less need for substructures and cost savings." The popularity of painted white and gray cabinetry allows homeowners to use wood looks on the surfaces without compet- ing with the cabinets, adds Chmiel. "Oxidized and weathered woods with silver-gray undertones are up and coming in resi- dential applications, since they work well with the new grays and neutrals. These woods are matte fnished with a smooth hand, and warm to the touch," she says. Trisha Schmitt, v.p./Corporate Marketing at VT Industries Anti-scratch satin glass counter- tops from Studio G3 Glass feature a special coating that allows the glass to withstand tough condi- tions, according to the company. The matte fnish can be virtually any solid, metallic or pearl shade, and the frm can match any desired color. Circle No. 262 on Product Card KRION is a new solid surface material from Porcelanosa that is smooth to the touch like natural stone but can be molded like a plastic. The solid surface is freproof, and has a high resistance to chemicals, steam and light, according to the frm. Circle No. 264 on Product Card The Marbella Pencil Edge from VT Industries is shown here on Wilsonart's Old Mill Oak laminate countertop. The Marbella edge features a 1/8" radius for a modern, clean look. Circle No. 270 on Product Card Rynone Manufacturing Corp. ofers Prism Quartz in a range of shades. The 2 cm quartz surfacing works for kitchen countertops and bath vanities. Circle No. 263 on Product Card Vicostone ofers a number of Calacatta marble-inspired surfaces, including the Calacatta Borghini. The stone showcases Calacatta's long grey veins on an of-white background, with bold and dynamic movements across the whole surface. Manufac- tured with Breton technology using techniques unique to Vicostone, the quartz surface is low maintenance, durable and resistant to chemical agents and scratches. Circle No. 267 on Product Card Antolini Luigi & Spa showcases this Black Cosmic countertop with A Zerobact. A Zerobact enhances this natural stone from Italy by pre- venting the growth of bacteria and mold, according to the company. Circle No. 266 on Product Card Zinc Countertops from VMZINC-US provide a clean, seasoned and modern look to breakfast bars, bathroom vanities and more. Employing zinc's natural malleability, countertop edges can be molded into virtually any decorative shape. The countertops form an oxidized residue that keeps the surface sanitary for daily use, and can be polished and cleaned with mild soap and water. Circle No. 269 on Product Card Formica Corp. has introduced four additions to its 180fx laminate line, which imitates the natural detail of stone and wood. The patterns include Strata Olympico, a gloss marble fnish with contrasting white and gray stripes; Marbled Cappuccino, a gloss fnish of chocolate brown, cream, white and black; Ferro Grafte, a gloss, brown-gray marble fnish with subtle swirls and bold white veins, and Wide Planked Walnut in the new Natural Grain fnish (shown). Circle No. 268 on Product Card Kurv Edges by Kuehn Bevel ofer laminate countertops a design element that softens and blends a seamless look for any laminate countertop color. Kurv Edges can mimic the look of conventional stone countertops with the use of today's laminate stone patterns ofered by all laminate manufac- turers. Picture is Formica's Golden Mascarello with Kuehn Bevel's Kurv-2 Edge. Circle No. 265 on Product Card