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FutureMrsCaesar
member
NBR: Anyone have granite countertops?
FutureMrsCaesar
member
We are remodeling our kitchen and were basically set on getting granite countertops, but now the more research I do, they sound like a pain. I'm specifically worried about spills and what I'll be able to clean them with. Right now I love the Clorox Anywhere spray, but I don't think I'll be able to use that one them.
So if you have them, or have considered buying them, what are your pros and cons?
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Re: NBR: Anyone have granite countertops?
I saw that too! But I still like the look of them, and some of the other options like concrete countertops are not in our budget. So I'm basically trying to decide between granite or a man-made version of granite.
Have you guys seen the recycles glass countertops? I don't know how the price compares but they're supposedly very green and can look a LOT like natural stone. I think they are mixed with concrete as well.
Sarah - 12/23/2008
Alex - 9/30/2011
"I say embrace the total geek in yourself and just enjoy it. Life is too short to be cool." - Shirley Manson, Garbage
Mine are super easy. I wipe up spills with a wet rag (with dish soap in it if necessary).
I occasionally clean them with windex, as I was instructed by the builder. Thats it!
At some point they'll have to be resealed. I was just told when they start to look "cloudy" to have someone come and reseal them.
Are you looking into engineered stone (i.e., quartz, such as Zodiaq)? That's just about the best performance material you can get, and quite attractive (IMO)...not quite as unique as some granites can be, since it is more monolithic in appearance, but not as industrial in appearance as most solid surfacing (i.e. Corian).
Engineered stone does not need to be resealed, is highly resistant to burning/stains, etc. It's good stuff. Downside is, it's sometimes MORE expensive than granite (depending on the granite).
Thanks ladies...that doesn't sound as bad as the pamphlets were making it out to be.
Good point on the dark color, I wanted a lighter color anyway, so that should help me convince DH not to do black like he wants!
My Etsy Store PIGGY'S PLACE
Yes, I was talking about the engineered stone, CaesarStone and Vangura. Of course the colors we like in that are more expensive than just going with the granite! That's kind of why I was wondering if its worth the extra expense, if granite is hard to care for. My mom has the Vangura in her kitchen and it looks really nice!
we do, and they are very dark so it's pretty hard to see spills unless you're looking from the right angle. i use the clorox natural anywhere spray (green liquid) and it works just fine.
lol--same granite/opposite view
The cracking could be due to that particular stone itself (either a fault in the material, or perhaps cut too thin) or more likely the installation (a finish of any kind is only as good as the material it is applied to).
As for engineered stone, you can also look into Zodiaq and Silestone, they have some great styles (I've got Zodiaq in my bathrooms)...don't know about the cost differences, but maybe they have a style you'll like! I haven't gotten into the recycled glass yet (I do commercial design, so we have different manufacturers/materials we use) but I believe it's made very similar to the quartz...instead of quartz in a resin, it's glass in a resin. Going to have to look that up!
Ditto this except we have dark granite in 2 bathrooms and lighter granite in the kitchen. I love granite and haven't had any problems with staining.
I had marble countertops in my old apartment, which are much more difficult to maintain than granite. I loved them. I loved the way they looked and I had no problem keeping them clean. I used regular cleaners on them and would have had them resealed in a few years (but we moved).
I now have glass countertops. It is a fantastic alternative and I love them, but I do miss the look of my marble countertops. It's a very fresh, modern look.
If you go with granite, make sure you go and pick out the slab. To avoid cracking you shouldn't pick a piece that has any thick "veins."
Personally, I'm not a fan of silestone and corian.
I have black granite and love it, it's beautiful.
I used granite cleaner on it... and I polish it once a week.
It's glowing!
My family owns a granite countertop business. I absolutely LOVE mine
. Granite is wonderful and you can use the Anywhere spray. PM me if you have any questions. There are so many pros to the countertops!
Be sure to get 3cm thickness and find a fabricator that will let you lay out the templates on your slab. Do not buy prefabricated stone.