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Looking for a durable light granite/quartz. Regrets?

8 years ago

I'm continuing my quest for a granite that speaks to both my dh and to me. I have Dove White cabs and am inspired by pics with light granite. My dh wants dark/black/dark grey. He's afraid of the upkeep of lighter granite. Do you have any regrets on your chosen granite?

Featured Answer

friedajune

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

For the best of both worlds (light with some dark gray), look at the granite family with the names of Bianco Antico, Alaska White, Bianco Delicatus, White Delicatus, White Springs, Cold Springs, and Lennon. All look similar, all vary in appearance by slab. Some stoneyards will call a slab Alaska White for example, and a stoneyard across town will call an identical-looking slab Bianco Antico, and so on. This family of granite is pretty hardy - needs sealing once a year, and that's about it. Don't clean this or any granite with harsh abrasives or chemicals - there are threads on recommended granite cleaners on this forum.

Here is a photo of "Alaska White". This family varies in how much streaks or blobs of black, gray and taupe are in them. Best to go to several stoneyards, and ask to see a bunch of them.

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Comments (12)

kayca
Original Author
8 years ago
Anyone?
Nothing Left to Say
8 years ago
Some light "granites" are very durable. Others not so much. Names aren't as helpful as it seems they should be as the stone yards do not follow any rules with regards to naming or labeling stones. I suggest checking out the countertop geology threads for information on how to test samples of stones so you know what you are getting. Then you can choose a light stone with confidence.
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andreammd - I'm afraid I can't help much with stone yards in BC, I'm in Ottawa and I had to go to Montreal to get the quartzite. That said, I'm sure Vancouver must have a couple of great stone yards with a good enough selection to stock quartzite. I doubt you would find it anywhere other than in the lower mainland generally, but who knows? The quartzite goes by a few names, I've seen Luce di luna from most of the US posters, at Ciot (the stone yard I visited in both Mtl and Toronto) it is called Quartzite Bianca. There are other white/grey quartzites out there that seem to hit that combination of a marble feel without the granite look and yet more movement than quartz, so definitely call a few yards and ask to see everything they've got. I have also seen here on Gardenweb a few white/grey granites that I actually like - it would probably be worth looking at all of the white/grey quartzites and granites in case you see a granite you like as well. I saw lots of the more common white/grey granite slabs at Ciot, but nothing that really did it for me. Good luck!
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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.
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adoiron
8 years ago
we have crema antartica which is creamy white background with black streaks. after 2 years, no stains at all and i have no resealed it as it has a 10 year sealer
johnsoro25
8 years ago
Agree with Friedajune. I have Alaska white for 1 year with no issues. Love it :)
suzanne_sl
8 years ago
I was also going to suggest a granite which reads both light and dark, Silver Cloud. Here it is in our kitchen which is not finished, but enough so you can tell:
kksmama
8 years ago
The silver cloud is beautiful! I would've liked light stone, but the slabs I found either had too much I didn't like in them (garnets, yellow tones), or were too pricey. I'm extremely happy I chose something stain and etch proof, I would've made my whole family miserable if my stone were in any way fragile.
edenaurora
8 years ago
We have Cambria New Quay quartz. I consider it on the lighter side. I love it! It hides crumbs and messes well. Almost too well. I sometimes have to get to eye level to make sure I wiped everything up.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
8 years ago
Is that a cheesecake? I love cheesecake.
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
I have friends who went with a black granite and are sorry they did as it seems to need dusting and shows prints all the time. I'm amazed with what they are doing with quartz these days, esp the patterns from cambria. Working with GF on redoing her kitchen and she is sold on Cambria Berwyn. I really like it too.

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edenaurora
8 years ago
Joseph, yes that's cheesecake. I made it in my Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. I'm in the Orlando area but if we ever make it up your way, I'll bring you a cheesecake.
monika2024
8 years ago
I'm going with this: Thunder White (also known as: river/new river white, pretoria white, mystic white, and typhoon white=all in NJ) I wanted a greyish- marblesque look with veins…I tested it, oil seems to be a problem, everything else is OK.

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