light or dark granite..pro's & con's
Comments (14)
ccoombs1
15 years agoI like lighter granite. I was all set to get Giallo Ornamental because I wanted something light and then I found my dream granite, delicatus. It has the same tones as Giallo Ornamental, it's just much busier. The only disadvantage I see to this granite is it's sometimes difficult to see spills, crumbs and spilled food on it. Seriously, it does not show a thing!! I have to run my hands over it to make sure it's clean. Everything blends in so well. Dark patterned granite is pretty much the same. I don't think it's the shade (dark or light) so much I think any solid colored granite would be harder to keep clean although dark is probably a little harder.
jan_jan
15 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (3)We use the solar powered lights simply to light the front sidewalk and a couple places in the backyard like one near the pond and one near a walkway from the patio to the driveway. It is just enough so we can see the path if we're out there at night. I like the solar lights because they are inexpensive (we usually get them at Big Lots or Target) and no need to run any wires. The only cost involved is the purchase of the solar lights since they rely on the sun for energy. The only thing to watch out for is not to put them where a weedeater can hit them. We have plenty of geckos, toads and other night creatures that feed off any bugs that might be attracted to the lights. We also leave our front porch lights on all night, but that is just to deter any burglars. We use CFL bulbs in those lights to keep the costs down. They last for a long time....See MoreHome Depot or Lowes--Granite. Pros/Cons?
Comments (23)Timely topic, as I'm right in middle of granite installation now w/HD. I paid back in early Feb, but had delays with new cabinets till now. HD still honored the promo pricing I had at the time of purchase ("D" level granite for "C" level price, plus free undermount sink.) I thought their price was good...I did some research and it seemed in line competitively with what others were quoting....not ridiculously low or high. Someone who works at HD once said they often negotiate really good prices from fabricators since they represent so much volume to a local shop...and if you catch them during a promo, they can offer some pretty decent values, even with their middleman markup. Not saying their price is always best, but wouldn't count them out right off the bat. They definitely let me choose slabs - in fact, they stressed that I must do so to make sure I got what I wanted. Local fabricator they subcontract to has been in business 20 years and granite yard is one of the largest in the nation. Doesn't mean my experience still may not go horribly wrong, but I feel I've covered bases as much as reasonably possible without over-obsessing any more than I already have. (And according to my husband, I'm a big time over-obsesser!) HD does have the 1 yr labor and 15-year stain-resistant guarantee. As someone here mentioned, can't say how well they'll honor guarantee if a problem arises - and I have polished black granite, so I already know I may have specific problems related to that color - but the kitchen/granite places I've checked offer no guarantee at all. So it's something. Chose slab yesterday...install should be within 8-10 days. my fingers are crossed that all goes well. (Tip: one thing I did as soon as I found out who they sub-contracted to was to Google that business's name along with "complaints" in search box, as well as check BBB to make sure there were no red flags. I think the #1 risk with HD all comes down to who they choose do to the work.) Hope this helped someone......See MoreGranite Pros and Cons
Comments (23)Northcarolina - in answer to your question, I had stainless counters about 20 years ago in an older home, so the stainless I think dated from the 60's. And yes, the scratches bothered me, even though at that point they were all over and were just a general patina. I also didn't like cleaning the stainless counters, because you had to be careful to wipe with the grain, and they showed fingerprints. I don't know if stainless counters now are made differently. I just know that I said at that time that I wouldn't have stainless counters again. My granite is so easy care, I just wipe and go. Also, although Brickeye and a few others have said the very dark granites are the most bulletproof, I want to emphasize that there are some lighter granites, like mine, that are also bulletproof. Mine is a light-grayish-blue with tons of swirls (as I noted before, it's called Piracema or "Wave"), not dark at all. And, if you choose the darkest of granites, Absolute Black, it is so dark that fingerprints and dust show up easily, and it is very reflective of overhead lighting. That's why I like granites with pattern - they don't show dirt, they are tough, and they are lovely....See Morelight colored honed granite -- pros and cons
Comments (1)Hi nikit - Right this very minute, my honed super white/vermont white/nantucket white is being installed, and it's GORGEOUS! i can't wait to post pics. but, i can tell you that it was a polished stone and they honed it at no extra charge. they said it was very easily done. and i like the look and the feel so much better. also, my installer said that if it were polished, it would show scratches too easily. i'm in the nyc metro area, so can't help you with a vendor....See Moreglad
15 years agodonka
15 years agohull-o
15 years agomissstaceyh
15 years agochloe_s_mom
15 years agoI'm not sure what qualifies as light when it comes to granite, as it definitely isn't as light as marble! I do know that I had a black quartz top for my island at the last house, and it showed streaks, which was annoying. My granite at my new house has just been installed. Not sure if it is classified as dark, but it certainly is busy. Love it. And love that it has red, burgundy splatterings near the range - tomato sauce will blend right in!!
Buehl
15 years agoI like dark...I have polished Absolute Black Premium. It's a true black with a light scattering of silver inclusions...which helps mask dust. But, we wipe down all our counters each night so there's not much time for dust to collect.
I thought we'd see every spot, etc. based on comments I've read here, but you don't really. Yes, I see the big sticky spots and things like that; but the small drips and drabs I don't. I've occasionally put my hand down on what I thought was a clean spot and realized it wasn't...
I will admit, though, that crumbs are more noticeable. They're bigger than dust motes and lighter than drips & drabs (and more "3-D" than drips & drabs as well).
I don't regret my counters and if I had it to do over, I would do it again.
ella_socal
15 years agojan_jan
15 years agobuddyrose
15 years agoMy granite is medium colored. It has so much movement and crystals that I have trouble seeing crumbs all the time. It never looks dirty. Ever. So I think the pattern, not just the color, has a lot to do with how it looks.
maryann0625
15 years agochloe_s_mom
15 years ago
raehelen