Countertop suggestions needed

[Nonbryan]

We have just some plain ole' builder grade stuff in our kitchen and bathrooms and we are thinkig about upgrading. Is it worth the investment? Any opinions on granite vs. silestone vs. other products out there?

 

[hollisdude]

We chose granite. We looked at Corian, Silestone, and about 2-3 other synthetics. There's just something about having 400 million year old rock for a place to eat and hang. Pricewise, I think they're all pretty competitive too. The advantage to non-granite is you match to color easier. With granite, it's probably more time consuming to find the right piece of rock.

One warning on granite ... you do have to seal it and you never want to let grease or red wine get on it for too long.

 

[jimmyjazz]

I wouldn't even consider upgrading to anything but natural stone (granite, marble, etc.). It's ubiquitous at this point. And no "granite tiles", either. Pay the $50/sf (minimum) to get the real thing.

The only alternatives I would consider are concrete and soapstone, and they have their pros & cons.

 

[AustinBat]

According to the TV home shows, granite is out and composite quartz (silestone, etc.) is in.

I remodeled my kitchen last April, and had wooden countertops installed. There is a company in Dripping Springs - DeVoss Woodworking .(www.devoswoodworking.com). There wasn't a granite that would look good in my kitchen, and I wan't crazy about any others.

I love them! They are walnut, and have been very easy to take care of. They are sealed with a great sealant that doesn't show (they don't look shellacked -sp?) and water can stand on them for a long time without doing anything to them. I was told that the only beach would permanently harm them - anything else could be sanded out. The owner said you could even take a casserole out of the oven and set it on the wood without harming it, but I haven't tried that

I think the cost is comparable to other surfaces, but I like that it is different from everyone else's!

 

[coopntex]

Built my house in 99 and went with corian. It looks nice and all but i should have went with granite.

 

[brntorng]

Granite. Virtually indestructible, attractive, and authentic. Would never use anything else. Period.

Personally, I wouldn't trust the home shows on TV since the products they promote are almost certainly from advertisers. Nothing wrong with that, just something to keep in mind when making a decision.

 

[1990txgirl]

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[alden]

Most people like granite. I think it's kinda

, but it's good if you're gonna sell your house.

I think I'll do something more interesting, like stainless steel or wood.

 

[Alum03]

Larry Ellison put only onyx countertops in his $200 million yatch. If its good enough for Larry Ellison, its good enough for me.

 

[big_fat_horn]

I like Silestone. While not a natural product, it has it's benefits that in my mind make it superior to granite. It is primarily made of quartz bonded with polymers under heat and pressure. It has no natural voids or micro cracks like granite could have. It has consistent color and look from one peice to the next, so when you look at a sample n the showroom, you know exactly what you will get. With granite, you may get a slab that is darker or lighter or has vastly different grain or pattern than what you saw in the showrrom. Silestone is manufactured with Microban incorporated into it, so it is an effective antimicrobal surface. It has a long warranty, while most granite has none. ( Home Depot carries Stonemark Granite which does have a warranty.) Like granite, you can put a hot skillet directly on it and cut on it. Unlike granite though, you NEVER have to seal it, just clean with soap and water. Over the last 7 years, my sales specialists have sold more Silestone by about a two to one margin in both stores I have worked in.

 

[ScoPro]

We put in Venetian Gold granite tiles for our kitchen makeover last fall - mainly because the wife likes the diamond pattern design it was installed with.

I wanted to get the Silestone myself, but hey - the $6.80 sq/ft (+ installation) tile choice she made was not unpleasing to me.

It looks great - a helluva lot better than the old white laminate..

Sealing the tile to start and then once a year ain't much of a chore.

 

[bedeviledegg]

I agree with alden -- I think granite has become one of those "luxuries" that everyone now has.

Plus, I don't like the loud ring you hear when you are setting a plate on granite.

 

[jimmyjazz]

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[hollisdude]

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[random horn]

What about recycled glass product like this stuff?

it looks pretty cool

 

[AustinBat]

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[ScoPro]

As somebody here said, in 10 or 15 years he'd like to own a business that tears out the outdated granite countertops and tired old stainless steel appliances.....and replaces them with the hip new retro metallic formica countertops and avocado green or coppertone appliances.

 

[sawbonz]

When we redid our kitchen at our old house, we used Cambria. It is a natural quartz product, not synthetic. It is much harder than granite and the surface is much smoother, so it is safe to use as a food prep surface even for raw meat/poultry. Granite has microscopic pits which bacteria can get into and hide. Also has to be reconditioned periodically. IMO the Cambria looks better than granite as well.

Our new house has granite countertops made from slab, if (when) we redo this kitchen we will go with the Cambria.

 

[NBMisha]

When picking granite, don't pick in the showroom, go to the warehouse or yard and pick the actual slabs to be used. Only way to keep from being surprised.

 

[Endust]

granite is already dated. in a year, it will be right up there with saltillo tile.

 

[AustinBat]

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[XYZ]

What's a fair price per square ft for installed mid-grade granite? I was quoted $60 including removing the old laminate. Thanks.

 

[LazyEngineer]

This place has it for $40 / sq ft installed.

Quality Stone of Austin