Delirium and Seaweed

JennerLynner · 04-24-2008, 02:20 AM

We are looking to install 50sq ft of granite countertops in our kitchen. The two stones we are particularly drawn to are Delirium and Seaweed.

The Delirium has a lot of green in it, also gold, browns and grey. I can not find any information on this stone. Is it a good strong choice? I haven't been able to get a sample to test with lemon juice and oil but it should be availble soon. Any advice?

The Seaweed is also a lovely choice without as much movement as the other. But again I can't find any information about it.

They are obviously not the most common stones but surely there is information somewhere. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places.

Any assistance would be greatly appreaciated. It's a lot of money and I don't like fliing blind.

Thanks,
Jennifer

Huligar · 04-24-2008, 02:29 AM

is this the Delirium stone

And is this the Seaweed granite

hoboal · 04-24-2008, 02:38 AM

Hi Jennifer, And welcome to the a NSRA. As you notice in the above post ,you've came to the right place for anwsers about your Granite counter-Tops .

Hobo

Topshop · 04-24-2008, 11:17 AM

Jennifer,

I have fabricated Seaweed. It is a soft sandy type of granite. That means that it will obsord liquids if not sealed properly. Being a dark stone like it is most spills (stains) will not be seen easily. Just be sure to test the sealer on your seaweed regularly and it should be fine.

As for the delirium, I have seen it but not fabricated it. It looks to be a good stone but some stones with a grain structure like that can have hidden fissures which can pop out during fabrication or installation. If it is fabricated, installed and leveled properly you should have no problems with it. Again, just test the sealer every few months.

Be sure to select a reputable fabricator and you should be fine with either stone. I would be sure to have either stone installed with at least a beveled edge or larger profile to avoid chipping in the future, especially the seaweed as it is a softer stone.

To test the sealer use a water drop test. Drip a small puddle of water on the tops in a more used area like near the sink - let it sit for about 5 minutes - wipe the water off and if the stone has darkened - you need another application of sealer - if not you are good to go. Before the installer leaves your home do that test - if the stone darkens make them seal it properly before they leave or make them come back and do it right.

Good luck and enjoy your natural stone.

Huligar · 04-24-2008, 12:23 PM

Just to add to what Topshop already said, have your fabricator polish any edge that is close to your cook top, they may claim that you do not need to do that seen that the edge will never be seen. As that is true, with stones like the Delirium, they like to draw oil and water at the un-polish edge, this is just a precaution but one you should not take likely.

JennerLynner · 04-24-2008, 05:20 PM

Thank you for all the information you listed. The picture of the seaweed is close but with more golden green than blue green. However the picture of the delirium is way different. The stone was mostly green, also a golden green with brown flecks and milky white veins running through it. I don't know if that makes a difference.

Another consideration is that our island will have and 11" overhang. We planned on bracing it with the metal L bracket thingys (pardon my ignoance, I don't know what they're called) about every 3 feet. If the stone is sandy or prone to fissures does that make it an ill fitting match.

Thanks Again, Jennifer

Also, due to the obvious importance of good fabricator, how do I figure out if mine is good.

Thanks, Jennifer

I had thought that granite was non-porus. Is that only after a sealer. Another stone that we have considered is Baltic Brown. Will this stone have the same problems? We have 3 small children who are prone to spills that will grow up and become teenagers that a prone to spills. So stone absorption is a big consideration for us.

Thanks, Jennifer

Topshop · 04-24-2008, 07:51 PM

Delirium is the type of stone which is very inconsistant throughout a slab and from lot to lot. Sea weed is a more consistant type of stone. I just fabricated a Baltic Brown job a few weeks ago and the slabs I got were great. It is a hard stone, good to work with.

As a general rule of thumb the longest unsupported overhang you should have is 10" so a bracket at 11" is a good idea. If the metal brackets do not have a gusset at an angle for strength in them and are only flat steel bent at an angle they are useless. Be sure they are supported with a gusset or don't even bother. I prefer wood ones myself for asthetic porposes but it is your home not mine.

To find out if a fabricator is good just ask him to show you one of his seams. Any good fabricator would be proud to show you a seam that you cannot feel and barely see from 5' away or closer. Don't settle for industry standard. Also ask him if he top polishes - if he doesn't know what you mean or tells you that is not possible - send him packing.

Many sandy type of stones are great stones it only means that they are sedimentary instead of ignious. The sedimentary stones just seem to obsorb liquids sometimes.

cheesedog · 04-25-2008, 06:09 AM

both of those stones are igneous. limestone is sedimentary.

Topshop · 04-25-2008, 11:19 AM

I'm not so sure about that - delirium is definately igneous but I think seaweed is sedimentary - look at the structure of it. It is a typical India sandy grained type of stone. Yes, it does have a crystaline partical but they seem to be bonded like a sedimentary - like cashmere white or sahara beige type of stone.

JennerLynner · 04-25-2008, 12:12 PM

Thanks for all the information you have given us alot to think about. Jennifer