Absolute Black granite: absolutely befuddling me

14 years ago

Initially I was going to go with a quartz surface (cambria) but we recently changed our kitchen design and now that we are going to add a few more cabinets I'm thinking I like granite more and more price-wise anyway. So far my favorites are absolute black and galaxy black (I like the shiny bits). My husband and I went out to granite showroom this weekend and we were blown away. There was one granite that looked like a globe (blue, green, brown)--so beautiful and apparently expensive as its grade was not even listed. They happened to have a slab of AB that had been honed. My dh touched it and when we came back 30 minutes later his fingerprints were still visible. Neither one of us is the type of person who mops up the counter everytime we pick up a cup--so I'm thinking honed is probably out of the question, right? I thought the leathered was neat too but think a lot of stuff might end up getting stuck in those crevices. So we decided AB was probably the right direction for us. Here's what's befuddling me: despite what I have read on this forum about sealing AB being superfluous and potentially harmful, two separate granite providers told me that they seal their AB--one of whom is a member of the Marble Institute of America. Help! I am so confused.

Oh, one more thing is it better to use a source that makes its own templates or one who digitalizes the process? Also, what about places that make the curves manually (using a rotor I guess?) versus those use a computer to automatically make the cuts. Sorry so many questions--I just don't want to take anything for granite. (ha, ha)

Jen

Featured Answer

Buehl

14 years ago

AB...I think if you use an enhancer on honed AB the fingerprint issue goes away. As to sealing vs not sealing it, I suggest you get a sample of it unsealed and test it...if water sits on top of it and sort of beads up (i.e., isn't absorbed) then it probably does not need to be sealed.

Kevin (AZStoneConsulting) has said that he's found some ABs that do need sealing...but not all do. To me, anyone who makes a blanket statement that all AB must be sealed either doesn't really know what they're talking about or are lying... (probably the former). There are a lot of people out there that think all stones have to be sealed and that's not the case.

[I admit it, I was one of those who thought all granites had to be sealed...b/f I started actually learning about it. Later, I was pleasantly surprised when my KD mentioned in passing that while most of their granites are sealed, my AB would not be b/c it didn't need it...I already knew that, but it was nice to hear it from her! I did take home a sample to be sure my stone was not dyed and did the other tests while I was at it...it passed all tests with flying colors!]

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread: Stone Information and Advice (& Checklists)

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Comments (9)

pence
14 years ago
I can only speak about the templating. I had both kinds in my house as i used 2 different companies for 2 different areas and I cannot tell a difference -- seams are still tight, overhangs are perfect. I think its dependent on the company more than it is the templating. I've had friends with both kinds of templating and they each had troubles with it too. So again, i think its the person doing the templating that make sthe difference
donho
14 years ago
RbK,

Check for my recent posting on my smudging issues with AB honed and replies. I just had it put in last week and was concerned w/ all the smudging. It looked pretty bad. Bottom line I got was 2 weeks w/ Method Daily Granite cleaner (Target) and I will have a patina of oil built up on the surface and won't see the smudges (or as much).
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november
14 years ago
I posted earlier today on another thread about AB but forgot to say this - for about a week after ours was installed, the fingerprints and smudging were horrible - I have no idea why. I don't think I was even using Method granite cleaner at that point. After about a week or maybe two weeks, things seemed to "even out," with me wiping off the counter like I normally would after cooking or making a mess. It was like it had to get used to being in my house or something. More likely, the installer put something on it that took 2 weeks to wear off...
roulie
14 years ago
If you like the leather finish, please don't rule it out because you think stuff will get stuck. I have Cambrian Black granite with an antique/leather finish. We eat most meals at the island -- and my boys are pretty messy! -- and I do a lot of baking, rolling out directly on the counters, and nothing gets stuck. The texture is more like small dimples than crevices and it's no harder to clean than a perfectly smooth surface. I usually just wipe it with warm soapy water, but sometimes if there is something exceptionally oily (butter or oil spilled) I'll use a spray cleaner. Fingerprints do not show at all.

Plus, there are gorgeous little bits of coppery and silvery flecks, which might appeal to you if you like shiny bits.

I love my counters!!

This shows some of the shiny flecks:

(ps -- i'd rather be knitting too!!)
rather_be_knitting
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the input everyone. Roulie, I love the leathered Cambria. Is it enhanced or sealed? What grade is Cambria Black? My KD gave me a sample of Black Pearl today and I'm kind of on the fence. Just to complicate matters further, he's also getting in a block of AB and Black Galaxy for me to look at. He also told me that he had a recent client get honed AB and they are now having problems with ring marks and regret getting it. I am so confused as to what to do. Both my husband and I really like some of the crazy laminates that are out there (there is even one that mimics soapstone). I'm halfway tempted to just go for a laminate but since we are not planning on being in this house 5-7 yrs from now I need to keep that future buyer in mind (granite is the norm in our neighborhood). What to do.....
rosiew
14 years ago
rather be knitting, you said: "Both my husband and I really like some of the crazy laminates that are out there (there is even one that mimics soapstone). I'm halfway tempted to just go for a laminate but since we are not planning on being in this house 5-7 yrs from now I need to keep that future buyer in mind (granite is the norm in our neighborhood). What to do....."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Others have expressed as you did, but my logical mind says who's to know what the norm is? Prospective buyers won't be seeing many other homes in your neighborhood when looking at yours. Buy what YOU love.

Financial restraints have me getting laminate, and I know I'm going to love it. Looking at Wilsonart Oiled Soapstone and Wilsonart Luna Night (and a bunch of others). Talk about gorgeous! The Luna Night reminds me of the Absolute Black I used as a fireplace surround in my last home.

Happy choosing,
Rosie, Sugar Hill, GA
rather_be_knitting
Original Author
14 years ago
Those are both gorgeous. I especially like the luna night.
rosiew
14 years ago
I have a granddaughter named Luna, so I had to see the Luna Series. Samples hopefully will arrive today.

Keep us informed, k?

Rosie

Absolute Black granite: absolutely befuddling me

Buehl

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Absolute Black granite: absolutely befuddling me

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