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Trying to decide on countertop material for laundry/mudroom bath

12 years ago

I have been looking at several countertop materials for my laundry area and mudroom bathroom which are located fairly close. Will use whatever I choose for both. Currently I have laminate in the laundry and solid surfacing in the bathroom.

Up for consideration are granite, laminate and quartz. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you.

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Comments (13)

sloyder
12 years ago
would go with either laminate or quartz.
sis2two
Original Author
12 years ago
sloyd--thanks for responding. I am interested in why you would not use granite. Thanks.
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I would do stainless and quartzite purely for the reason there is already a lot of wood. I would do the same material in the same run if it were my kitchen. I don't see myself needing to spray down the kitchen. That being said this is your space and do what you like with it. If choose to mix up the run I would stainless on either side of the range to end of uppers/the set of drawers area. Then I would do the quartzite on the rest. Or you could do the back run stainless with quartzite on the island. The other thing you need to consider is the amount of stainless appliances you have in your kitchen. You do have enough warm feel from the wood to pull off a stainless steel counter. Here are some pictures of stainless steel countertops with different mixes. [eclectic kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2104) by san francisco architect Andre Rothblatt Architecture [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by sydney media and blogs A Beach Cottage [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by denver kitchen and bath Exquisite Kitchen Design [eclectic kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2104) by atlanta architect Soorikian Architecture [modern kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by hong kong architect Original Vision Limited
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It's what I decided to buy and now I'm stuck with it. I was so careful with my decision, and tried to research and weigh my decisions and I just screwed up again. My granite is Brazilian Black or the St. Gabriel Black like at Lowes. We had already decided on soapstone and then thought that it might not be right for out home. Cost was also a factor. This granite reads very black with silver and gray flecks. I chose one slab that was very consistant. I was told that I would just need one. After he started to fabricate, my granite contractor went back and got the only other slab that "matched". I has some bigger gray flecks that stand out and look like dirt at times. There's also a green chunk in a very high profile place. There is also an area that looks like a darker black rainbow shape that catches your eye. I know that granite is natural and has things like that at times, but this is not the kind where you want movement or odd colored or odd shaped things that stand out. Also, I feel like I always have to wipe it...though I'm starting to get over that a little now. The color in my kitchen just doesn't have the intensity that it did at the granite yard. The other thing that I didn't count on was with the darkness of the granite, I need to use my undercounter lights more to see. When I do, the light not only light up what I'm doing, they reflect off of the granite and shine into my eyes. It's like a black mirror. I'd love to have a non shiny finish now. I'm working to make it better now with a nice backsplash. I know, I know...I should be grateful, but it's just not what I hoped it would be. The only time I like it is when direct sunlight from my skylight hits it. Then it's all that it was at the granite yard. We're going to work on different lighting to help bring out it's best. I really wish that I felt like you guys do about your choice. The good news is that I didn't get all new cabinets AND a countertop so my mistake is ONLY a 2,200 one...How long does granite last again????
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First think about function: what else are you doing in the laundry room? Crafts ,painting clean up, pet grooming, mudroom for busy family are some of the things that come to mind. You don't want any counter surface that will stain, fade, chip or burn IMO. That eliminates formica for me. It also gives minus points to porous stone, natural or engineered. Consider commercial surfaces if you expect hard useage. I replaced a laminate surface in my laundry room when my daughters were making jewelry and tried a soldering iron. I went commercial. Not for every one but form should follow function. Keep enough room for your machines before you put in that counter. Good luck.
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Nhb, that's a great thought... I'd actually be interested in a similar material (copper). :-) I know copper develops a patina -- what some folks would consider a negative -- but that's part of its charm for me. Stainless gives off a very industrial/sterile vibe, so you'd have to be careful using it, from an aesthetics point of view (in my opinion, of course, which you may or may not value, lol). Regarding operational negatives, I'd have to think it dents/scratches easily? Well, "easily" compared with a stone, anyway....
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amielynn
12 years ago
I'd shop the stone yards for remnants that you can use. Depending on the granite/stone you choose and its popularity you could get both areas done for much less. I am planning on using this method for my laundry room, except I am looking for soapstone. Since I am in no hurry I am looking more for budget than convenience.
User
12 years ago
Granite is beautiful, my favorite for sure, but if you don't already have your heart set on something, I'd keep an open mind and just start checking remnants out to see what you like the best, then work the spaces out based on what you find.
sis2two
Original Author
12 years ago
When I think of remnants, I guess I think of smaller pieces. My laundry countertop is approximately 7 1/2 feet long and my bathroom countertop is about 36 inches wide. Do remnants usually come that long?
mustangs81
12 years ago
Do remnants usually come that long? Mine did. While I was having a granite back splash installed in the kitchen, I thought it would be a good time to replace the 7 1/2' Formica counter top in the LR. While working with the granite shop on the back splash project, I went to their remnant area and found several options. I went with Caesarstone and I'm very happy with it.
amielynn
12 years ago
Depending on the job it can take full slab(s) and a small part of another slab leaving quite a chunk of left over stone.
steph2000
12 years ago
Up here in Alaska, remnants are no deal. I looked into them for the built-ins we have on each side of the fireplace, and they told me 1K minimum for each little section...
mustangs81
12 years ago
Steph, whoa, my Caesarstone installed was $400. That's too bad.
sis2two
Original Author
12 years ago
Went to Home Depot this morning and looked at some granite and silestone samples. Has anyone here used them for your countertops and if so, how was your experience?

We have a stone yard about 2 hours away where we purchased our soapstone for our kitchen but we went through a local renovating company that removed our kitchen countertops, plumbing, etc. This company closed about 6 months ago, which leaves me wondering about getting someone to remove all the old first. I do know Home Depot can do that? Any thoughts?
rafor
12 years ago
I just picked up 5 pieces of honed slate They are each 3ft by 5 ft and about and inch and a half thick. They were free on craigslist. I'm thinking either for a kitchen counter or a long table/counter in a garden shed or laundry room. They were free!!!!
sis2two
Original Author
12 years ago
rafor--what a stroke of luck! Congratulations on your slate!
ptamom
12 years ago
Solid surface can be affordable and in the bathroonm you dont have to worry about scorching with heat. Also, the intergrated sinks are a plus.They are,sort of, an underdog with the current popularity of granite. Pricer and beautiful is ECO by Constantine. I would not ever reccomend this for a kitchen because the cornbased resin binder it uses scratches more easily than regular quartz composite but in a bathroom/laundry it would be ideal and stunning.

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