what are people using today granite or quartz countertops
matdrew
10 years ago
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gpraceman55
10 years agopalimpsest
10 years agoRelated Discussions
granite versus quartz countertops
Comments (48)cloud_swift, I remember your gorgeous counter photos! Thank you for your always clear explanations. I admit I was not thinking of quartzite when the OP mentioned quartz. You are quite right that blue quartzite (quartz is rated harder than granite, I believe?) has no issues with etching and staining as the softer blue granites do. Again, that points up the weakness in the stone industry. The names aren't consistent, and neither is the quality of the stone itself (no matter what type) nor the installers. It remains a "cottage industry" in many respects, which is why YMMV, as reported in many a discussion thread here. I think it's great that we have so many choices these days, even if it does drive one slightly crazy!...See MoreDid you mix quartz countertop with granite?
Comments (5)Michelle, I've posted these photos so many times before that I'm embarrassed to do it again! But since you asked, and since I mixed granite and quartz . . . I'll risk giving people terminal boredom My island is Venetzian Polo, which is a rather highly textured granite. The perimeter is Zodiaq Eclipse Blue. We haven't settled on the backsplash, but the samples photo shows two things we're considering. I love my choices. I do almost all prep on the perimeter countertops, and for me, the quartz is absolutely carefree. The only thing I'm careful of with it is pots just off the stove. The quartz cleans like a dream. The island is used for serving -- the texture makes it not good for things like rolling cookies or kneading bread (or writing lists!) but I love the texture so for me, it was a good choice. For some reason, the floor shows up as very tan in this photo . . . IRL, the grey is much more apparent. Here are the samples: The island and server wall...See Morequartz or granite countertop & best color for cherry cabinets w/b
Comments (24)NervousNancy... Our pendants and DR chandelier are Murray Feiss and I purchased them at EXPO Design Center (owned by HD). There are 2 finishes...ours are in Antique Pewter. There's also a Grecian Bronze (similar to ORB, I think). The DR chandelier isn't very big b/c our DR is small. They do have larger chandeliers, if you're interested in those as well. P1095AP - 1-Light Morningside F2050/5AP - 5-Light Morningside Our faucet is the Kohler Vinnata® Kitchen Sink Faucet (K-690) in Vibrant Brushed Nickel with the handle on the right. The handle location is adjustable: it can be on the left, right, or middle...it's up to you. The nice thing about being adjustable is that if you don't have enough room behind the faucet for the handle to work properly, you just mount it in the front. We bought it at FaucetDirect.com. There are 8 finishes and it comes in 2 sizes (main sink, the one we have, and prep version (K-691), which is a couple of inches smaller). We love our location as well! Actually, we're on a 3-acre lot w/a street on the other side of the berm in the back then a horse farm/farm under agricultural preservation. We do have neighbors...across the street from the front yard and on either side of us...you just can't see them from our back windows! Plus, we planted a double row of evergreens on one side to block the NW wind that also blocks our view of that house (to the right). Our neighbors on the other side planted a row of pear trees so we didn't feel we could plant evergreens there. But, they're farther away so it's not a big deal...plus we have nice neighbors! Looking at the pictures again, I just realized that those are the pics taken before I cleaned the granite! So, it still has the granite dust on them from the work they did when installing the sink side. (The other side is not done yet, the granite is just placed on the counters, not aligned or secured. We're waiting for a replacement for the cabinet they damaged when they began the install on that wall.) Good luck on your choices & welcome!...See Morecountertop durability: quartz, granite, laminate, corian
Comments (7)Noting that we put in granite counters when we reno'd the kitchen, I still have to plug laminate. Our laminate was installed in 1971 and I'm pretty sure it was never actual Formica. It was white. Not only did we do lots of cooking and baking on it, we also used the peninsula for a myriad of arts and crafts projects. All the little dresses and shorts and quilts were made there. I clamped my wood carving project to the counter and chiseled away right there in the kitchen! After 40 years I had exactly 2 tiny chips in 47 sq. ft. of counter and no stains. A little 409 or whatever and a sponge took everything right out: red paint, cranberry juice, tumeric, anything. Right at the end we had a bit of de-lamination on the vertical piece right next to the stove. We also had a couple of edge chips from DW installation (the floor got higher over the years). On the day we ripped it out it was as pristinely white as it was when we moved in in 1974. Talk about a workhorse! We did put in granite and I love it, but I would have no problem installing laminate again. In your case because you have an entire tribe of kiddos who might not be as careful as your are, I would give it real consideration. Granite is good, quartz is good, but it's possible that laminate might be best in your case....See Morecooksnsews
10 years agopandora1
10 years agoheidihausfrau
10 years agosweetremodel
10 years agock_squared
10 years agoGranite City Services
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8 years ago
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