Other unusual counter options besides granite/marble/quartz?
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Countertop Geology, Part 5: Marble, Quartzite and other Favorites
Comments (168)@karin_mt So let me ask you a few more questions then: Does genuine quartzite scratch and chip in that kind of fashion? Would it be reasonable to assume that I would have at least 100 little chips (not natural pits... chips that expose white) and scratches ranging in size from consolidated micro scratches to big gashes several cm long two months after we moved in if this was actual quartzite? Would it be reasonable to expect that to happen all over the stone, even in extremely low traffic areas, on a genuine quartzite slab? Is there any reliable way to test the stone that is installed on my counter to see what it is? ie whether it is actual quartzite or a marble? If so, how would I do that or who could I contact? I just find this to be extremely simple: I paid a small fortune for this stone because I thought it was beautiful and dynamic and all of the research I did on Quartzite as well as the info I was given from the slab yard indicated that it was harder than granite (which I have had in 3 other houses and NEVER seen anything like this on) and beautiful like marble. Thus the cost. So I am not a geologist, but it really seems as simple, at least to me, as it has scratched and chipped in a random, ridiculous fashion so it must not be the quartzite that we paid thousands of dollars for because quartzite does not do that. Where am I wrong?...See Moremore countertop/backsplash conundrums- mixing quartz w/ marble bs
Comments (29)Fwiw, I just mixed faux-marble quartz (Lagoon) with a Carrera backsplash and at least in it's pre-grouted state, I'm really happy. It was hard for me to find a backsplash that worked well with the grey-ish tones of the Lagoon, mostly because my cabinets are painted taupe. Anything that "matched" the cabinets seemed too brownish for the counters. The Carrera blends the two perfectly. I think it also works because I wound up using a very small-scale herringbone pattern, so the patterns in the marble tiles are less pronounced. Fwiw, I don't see the calacutta tiles that the OP posted working with a greyish quartz that's similar to Lagoon, and I'd also be concerned about pattern overload with a subway tile. But having worried about the fake-next-to-real problem, I wanted to at least add my experience that it can be done. One of the prettiest kitchens on here, done by a pro, is GW user @kompy, who used a different marble subway with Lagoon counters, and it looks stunning....See MoreWhat are counter top options other than granite?
Comments (11)If granite really caused cancer, you'd hear it all over and not just from some guy at work! The many other options are lovely and you should consider everything before you decide what feels right. Luckily, you can see good examples of almost every kind of counter in the finished kitchens blog. You can also find out info about any surface by reading here and asking. Try the search function to see other threads like this. I am sure you will be busy reading for a while, lol......See MoreAnyone have TCE4005 quartz counters (or any other carrara-lookalike)?
Comments (35)I am also having TCE 4005 Quartz installed on my kitchen countertops. I currently have white melamine cabinets. Should I get these restained in a paint that will go better with this countertop, and if so what shade of paint should I go with? I would imagine there is white shade that would go perfectly with this. Anyone know? Also what kind of backsplash would complement this? Thanks!...See Morechispa
6 years agoI would rather be wowed by other things in my bathrooms ... counters should be durable and easy to clean!
You could do backlit Onyx, but be ready to drastically increase your budget for material, fabrication and maintenance!
m_gabriel
6 years ago
pamghatten
6 years agoUser
6 years agobeaniebakes
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just_janni
6 years agoUser
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6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoekscrunchy
6 years agoplan2remodel
6 years agoHere's a beautiful countertop that I saw at an open house. This is a natural stone, probably a marble, maybe Sequoia Brown. Visit more stone yards if you are looking for natural stone.
A few more ideas:
Glass countertop (consider 3Form or ThinkGlass in Canada) for a modern look:
Glazed lava stone, Pyrolave, from France, for the eccentric multi-millionaire:
Matching countertop and floor in natural Zebra limestone:
Works best if countertop and floor are both light or both dark; or if they have strong contrast, such as this Nero Marquino marble countertop with light-color floor:
Fumed black granite:
Another option is a uniform color on the countertop with a "wow" factor on the floor; Honed limestone countertop with marble floor:
Engineered materials: Integrated concrete sink with "wow" factor on the porcelain floor tile:
The Nameeks vessel sink "steals" the show on this natural basalt countertop:
If the mirror above the sink does not expand across the whole wall, can put the focus on wall tile instead of countertop. Here's MTI solid surface ESS sink integrated with countertop, with marble mosaic wall tile as the focus:
fourpawsonetail
6 years agoStacy Rahn-Dennis
6 years ago
Fori
6 years ago
hcbm