skip to main content

Granite for Vanities - Yes, I know I'm in the Kitchen Forum!

11 years ago

This forum has been invaluable to me when I remodeled my kitchen. We're now doing a remodel of two small bathrooms for our kids. Yes, I know we have a Bathroom Forum here, but it is this forum that KNOWS the world of granites inside and out.

I need your help.

We're buying two vanities (36" and 78") for two smallish bathrooms in an expresso color. The vanities come with a thin marble top, but I can't live with the etching that comes with marble, so I want to change to a granite.

I would prefer to have them both have the same top for consistency. I've looked at remnants, but it's hard to find a remnant that would fit both vanities.

These are for bathrooms with teenagers - who have tons of products and aren't going to handle the vanities with kid gloves like I might. I can't live with a stone that won't be bullet proof and see it etch and stain. Even though they make sealers that are 15year, I'm afraid.

I've looked at Super White (LOVE it, drooled over it, but this forum is scaring me from it), Sage Green (very pricey), Bianco Antiqua (sp), etc. These are SMALL secondary bathrooms. My daughter's bathroom is only 5x7. So less is more - I know I should stay away from the busy granites, but I want pizazz.

Suggestions for tough as nails granites I should be looking at? Are all the white granites prone to etching? I can tailor the tiling to the granite...I'm not locked in although I'm leaning toward white subways with a feature strip of mini subways in a marble/gray/white/smoky gray tone.

Thank you for your help and advice.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

PRO
Granite City Services
11 years ago
If you live in a major metro area you'll have a lot of fabricators to pick from and should be able to find remnants that work.

most granites, properly sealed, are more than durable enough for a vanity (even a kids vanity). you are right about avoiding marble.

I'd recommend calling around to find a few fabricators that have an ample remnant supply; then go pick something you like. If you can measure and install it yourself you'll typically save at least several hundred dollars.

my 2 cents.
michoumonster
11 years ago
you might want to look at prefab counters for the smaller vanities. I am probably going to go with prefab for my smaller bath vanities just 'cause it costs quite a bit for fabrication where I am and prefab counters are readily available with a large selection. For one bath, i got a 30 inch porcelain top which is all white and would be easy to go with the other elements.
Good luck!!
Related Discussions
I know this isn't the Kitchens forum, but...
Q
Comments (18)
Why not look into one of the honed granites. I would stay away from Absolute Black honed, but there are some other beautiful ones, like Virginia/Jet Mist & Ocean Green, or even Nordic Black which give you the look of soapstone without the concerns of it being chipped or scratched. On a personal note, I have soapstone (Green Mountain Original) and I don't baby it at all, and it's been fine. It doesn't etch and is impervious to staining, and I rarely oil mine but like it both ways. If you shop around and find one of the harder varieties you may find you love it. It's not nearly as hard as granite, but it never has to be sealed either. If you do visit the kitchens forum do a search for some of the honed granites people have used and you may find you fall in love with one of those. I have a friend with marble and it does etch, so if you will have an area in the kitchen that won't be used for much prep work maybe you could consider using it as an accent. I really love the look of tiger maple so that's what I did, I put it on a small hutch as an accent. Linked below is a "too die for" kitchen with Ocean Green honed and the stone yard may not be horribly far from you either, not sure, but I know she loved working with them! Good luck! Kat :) Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen with honed Ocean Green Granite
...See More
Hi! I'm new to this forum.
Q
Comments (28)
A warm Georgia welcome to you, Kathleen. I'm a northern transplant from Ohio to Georgia and LOVE Georgia. I'm a retired elementary teacher and a crafter. Do you do any crafting and if so, what? I've been a member of the Kitchen Table since it first started. Hope you brought some chocolates with you.
...See More
New shelf! Yes, I'm still working on finishing details....
Q
Comments (14)
Thanks A2! I picked up some Billy bookcases at IKEA also, hoping that completes our storage needs. Hoping to assemble this weekend. I think of you too! Your kitchen was in the late development stages just as I joined and was the first I got to follow along with. And of course when I use the Advantium :-). I hope your problem drawer is behaving and in one piece still! Finally decided exhausting browsing wasn't finding what I needed, so I backed way off. Now I'm running into solutions bit by bit. Slow, yes, but almost there!
...See More
Yes, I know I'm crazy, but I'm looking for another rose.
Q
Comments (14)
I can't wait to see pictures of Maggie. Love the name. If you wanted to try another DA rose, I have had great success with Pretty Jessica which laughs at the heat, is upright and stays small but tall for a DA rose. I would say mine is about two to three feet wide, if that and about four to five feet tall. Constant bloomer. Next one would be Princess Alexandra of Kent but give her room to grow. She is a beaut! Flowers bigger than my hand in spring and fall. Smaller flowers in the heat. She takes a beating and keeps on ticking! Next would be Munstead Wood. Love, love, loveo him. He also takes the heat. All three have to be the best DA roses I have seen for the heat. Now, that being said, my first timer roses that have been in the ground about six months (if that) and on their own roots, that seem to be doing pretty well for me are also Lady of Shalott and Alwick. They are both babies and being subject to full sun all day long and until this week, 100--110 degree heat. Both are producing sporadically with tiny flowers but their leaves look good and they are continuing to put on new growth. I think once they get established in a couple of years, they will be fine. I hope Lady's flowers tone down the orange a bit in the future. Another rose, still very young and on its own root that seems to be doing well is Occhi di Fata. It is starting to put out a few more blooms and the growth is good. It is a charming rose and I hope for great things in the future.
...See More
mountaineergirl
11 years ago
I think the big box stores have pre-fab granite counters. My brother bought some nice looking vanities with granite tops at home depot, but they were mostly black - nothing exciting.

I want to know what you're going to do with those marble tops?? :)
donttakeitforgranite
11 years ago
Hello.......I am a granite fabricator. Your best bet is to use a fabricator who has remnants. You can use Super White or Supreme White in your bathrooms. Stay away from Quartzites, they have marble tendencies.
ellendi
11 years ago
Have you looked at Corian? I have it in two bathrooms. Mine and my daughter's. Teen age years through young adulthood. Make up, hairspray, perfume and creams were flying! Wipe it down, done!
denali2007
11 years ago
We are doing a reno on our Master bath. Our vanity there is 72 inches and it is hard to find a granite top that size. I have been to every granite yard around here and found my dream top Super White or white fantasy. Then I fell in love with 2 other pieces big enough for my other 2 bathrooms. One 48 inches and one 36 inches. They are Bianco Antica and Minsk green. That looks like BA only with a grey green tone. So sounds like we have the same taste. I wanted to fo with different granites.I want each bathroom to be unique. Most of the remnants I saw were the everyday ones you see all the time. There were never any of the exotics, so I was so excited when I came across there.
kelvar
Original Author
11 years ago
donttakeitforgranite - You said to use Super White but isn't Super White a quartzite and you said to stay away from those? I thought quartzites don't have marble tendencies. They only act like marble if they're not a true quartzite. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Looking at past threads and I've seen a mixed bag of Super White being ok and some not being ok (etched).

Related Stories

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Know if an Open Bathroom Vanity Is for You

By Becky Harris

Ask yourself these questions to learn whether you’d be happy with a vanity that has open shelves

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Counters: Granite, Still a Go-to Surface Choice

By Ivon Street Studio

Every slab of this natural stone is one of a kind — but there are things to watch for while you're admiring its unique beauty

MOST POPULAR 19 Kitchen Projects Every Homeowner Should Know About

By Mitchell Parker

Could your kitchen use a new sink, a backsplash, updated hardware, better organization, a good cleaning? Here's how to get started

KITCHEN SINKS Everything You Need to Know About Farmhouse Sinks

By Anne Ellard Design

They’re charming, homey, durable, elegant, functional and nostalgic. Those are just a few of the reasons they’re so popular

KITCHEN CABINETS Choosing New Cabinets? Here’s What to Know Before You Shop

By Ventana Construction LLC

Get the scoop on kitchen and bathroom cabinet materials and construction methods to understand your options

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Elephants of the Kitchen? What to Know About Concrete Counters

Concrete countertops are beautiful, heavy and cool — and have their own peculiarities. And a lot in common with certain gray pachyderms

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Walk Through a Granite Countertop Installation — Showroom to Finish

By Innovative Design Build

Learn exactly what to expect during a granite installation and how to maximize your investment

WORKING WITH PROS What to Know About Working With a Custom Cabinetmaker

By Laura Gaskill

Learn the benefits of going custom, along with possible projects, cabinetmakers’ pricing structures and more

KITCHEN DESIGN Yes, You Can Use Brick in the Kitchen

By Becky Harris

Quell your fears of cooking splashes, cleaning nightmares and dust with these tips from the pros

Sponsored

More Discussions

Nuage Quartzite - any water issues?

18

Recommendations to reduce risk of Dekton / sintered stone chipping

8

contractor chooses kitchen

33

Support for seam over DW

12

base cabinet and sink size

4