Granite Countertops or alternatives

[jrmasm]

We put in granite almost 6 years ago. I don't reget it for a second.

The maintenance is kind of a pain. I have to wipe it everyday. Oh wait, you have to do that with every other counter type.

I have never sealed mine because they do not all need sealed. It depends on the stone you have. Some are more porous than others.

 

[allison443]

:

I have never sealed mine because they do not all need sealed. It depends on the stone you have. Some are more porous than others.

Yes, when I was looking at countertop materials, I remember there was a test you could do to see if your granite needed to be sealed. It involved taking a scrap of granite and putting drops of oil, lemon juice, etc. on it to see if it soaks in. Depending on the results you could see if if needed to be sealed.

 

[suejai]

Going back to the radiation topic, from what I read all granite emits radiation but the majority of them emit no more than the background radiation of the planet. However, there are some that emit significantly more. My question is when you are shopping for the granite how do you know which does or doesn't? I don't think my Swiss Army knife has a geiger counter on it I'm not sure that I would take the chance, which is a shame because I think it is beautiful and was looking forward to getting it when we reno our kitchen

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

We did ours with Vetrazzo. http://www.vetrazzo.com/products_intro.html

It's environmentally friendly (and gorgeous) recycled glass with granite-like properties. It's very cutting-edge, and if your house is in any way modern or loft-like, your future real estate agent will dance with joy when she finds out you have it. It looks incredible (they have tons of colors), very strong and shiny and dimensional in the light. We love it.

Is it cheaper than granite?

 

[GeorgeG]

We've talked about getting new counter tops for some time, but haven't settled on a material. I like granite and my wife is thinking of some of the similar, but less expensive materials. There is some issue with some granite emitting radon, but it's usually not enough to be harmful.

One of the places I do gigs at has a concrete bar and it looks impressive. The top is polished to look like granite. I'm not sure if the coloring is mixed in or painted on. I'll have to take a closer look this Friday.

 

[Buckalew11]

Is it cheaper than granite?

I'm sure it is. It is man-made. Granite isn't. Quartz is also man-made.

Lsyorke, again, I love your kitchen. So pretty. I really like your tiled backsplash!!

 

[Explodo]

We're loyal purchasers of Cambria quartz counter tops. They look great, you don;t have to condition them every year...and they don't emit radon (Although that threat is truely overblown)

 

[jrmasm]

I'm sure it is. It is man-made. Granite isn't. Quartz is also man-made.

Actually when we put in granite, Quartz was just as expensive. There was no way in hell that I was paying the same or more for a man made product. And I liked granite better. Quartz has a scaley looked that I didn't care for.

 

[Janet Hill]

We did ours with Vetrazzo. http://www.vetrazzo.com/products_intro.html

It's environmentally friendly (and gorgeous) recycled glass with granite-like properties. It's very cutting-edge, and if your house is in any way modern or loft-like, your future real estate agent will dance with joy when she finds out you have it. It looks incredible (they have tons of colors), very strong and shiny and dimensional in the light. We love it.

I've been looking for this, after seeing it on a home remodel show. If you don't mind, could you tell me the approximate $/sq ft of this.

Also, what type of flooring is that?

Thanks

 

[mumom95]

Is there a green eyed monster smiley? Because if so, I need one right about now. I am so jealous of all of you with granite countertops. I think they are so beautiful, and would love to have them. I would do them now, but at some point I want to totally redo my kitchen (cabinets, flooring, countertops and everything) so I think I'll just wait till I do it all, so everything works well together. But it will be a few years down the road.

If anyone wants to post pics of their kitchens, I love getting ideas from seeing other peoples stuff.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

We did ours with Vetrazzo. http://www.vetrazzo.com/products_intro.html

It's environmentally friendly (and gorgeous) recycled glass with granite-like properties. It's very cutting-edge, and if your house is in any way modern or loft-like, your future real estate agent will dance with joy when she finds out you have it. It looks incredible (they have tons of colors), very strong and shiny and dimensional in the light. We love it.

I LOVE this counter!!! I'm also interested in the cost.

 

[dchi]

We redid our Kitchen last year. We put quartz, silestone in. No need to seal it and I love the shine and sparkle from the quartz. I also like the glass countertop that has been posted. It has the sparkle that my quartz does. Beautiful!

If you do go with either granite or quartz, I recommend undercabinet lighting! We had that installed during the kitchen remodel and it makes the countertop even more beautiful.

 

[Ilivetogo]

Found articles on the granite/radon thing.

FYI

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/25/earlyshow/health/main4292754.shtml

http://www.wbaltv.com/money/16990498/detail.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS216525+03-Apr-2008+BW20080403

 

[Pigeon]

Actually when we put in granite, Quartz was just as expensive. There was no way in hell that I was paying the same or more for a man made product. And I liked granite better. Quartz has a scaley looked that I didn't care for.

Quartz was much more expensive than the mid-range granites when we were redoing our kitchen last summer. That's why I just don't get the appeal. I like the natural, non-uniform look of granite, and the sealing is such a non-issue it's funny, unless you've never wiped down your counter.

 

[ilovepcot]

Losing my mind and my comp is on the fritz. I had posted a link to see another pic of "Dana's Kitchen" but now the link does not work, so disregard this post.

For those really interested in seeing more of "Dana's kitchen", you can do a search on GOOGLE IMAGES by searching for "vetrazzo clear cubic" and probably find the bigger pic that shows more of the kitchen counter area. It's really nice!

 

[Disney Doll]

Sealing granite consists of pouring some of the sealer on a cloth and wiping your counter with it.

It's not really that big of a deal. It's about a 2 minute process, and maybe wait another 3 minutes for it to dry.

 

[kinntj]

Another envious person here that wishes her counters were being redone. DH and I are furniture shopping for the living room, so we have to hold on everything else. The kitchen counters are next in line.

I love granite countertops and hope to get those put in. I do love the glass countertops, very green and shiny!

 

[seven dwarfs]

My parents redid their kitchen last year. They put in granite counter tops. My husband and I would like to redo our kitchen soon and we asked them how they liked it. My parents told us they hated their granite and wished they never bought it. Their color is a dark color not sure if that is part of the problem. Mom says it shows everything and is very hard to keep clean. There are chips in it in several places. Even one by the sink. They both wish they never bought it. I was a little sad for them because they waited a long time for my Mom to be able to have her dream kitchen and the counter top was $$$. I am glad so many others love their counters but just wanted to share my parents experience with you. Mom and Dad said they wished someone had told them of these issues before they bought it. Mom went as far as to say she would rather have Formica!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

We did a full kitchen remodel and I fell in love with a limestone slab... I spent hours looking through rows and rows of granite, but kept getting drawn back to a particular slab of limestone. Its golden/creamy with lots of movement and its very organic looking. I'll take pics of my kitchen if you'd like. Problems with limestone...acid etching.... I had a party and we were making cocktails and sure enough lemon juice was spilled and sat on the countertop for hours.... this etched some lighter areas into the countertop...but I really don't care b/c there is so much going on in the slab, that no one ever notices. It was comparable in price to the mid-range granites.

I'm personally not a fan of the granite tiles, BTW..I think it looks cheap.

 

[crz4mm2]

I could not afford granite.

I did the cheapo man made stuff.....

I love it so far!