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Granite, granite everywhere...
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CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 1128
Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject: Granite, granite everywhere... |
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So maybe I watch too many decorating show, but, what on earth is the current obsession with granite countertops in kitchens? I mean, if it's such a wonderful surface, why hasn't it been the standard all along? Just seems odd that every kitchen redo I see uses granite. DH's batchelor pad had them 20-odd years ago, and it was a joke how dark they were...
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Mary
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Primsong
Flower of the Shire
Joined: 15 Apr 2006
Posts: 1755
Location: Oregon (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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I haven't a clue - and I've wondered the same thing. I would never want granite for my countertops, it would make it so dark and the ones I've seen end up showing a lot of wear after a bit. I can't imagine how heavy they must be to install!
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Droopy
Slug Slaughterer
Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Posts: 2818
Location: Western Norway (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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I prefer metal. I can scrub it properly, and see how it shines.
Might have something to do with the world-wide crisis of metal shortage.
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-Bertrand Russell
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CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 1128
Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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I've never seen metal, but what a sensible surface! We mostly have formica over particleboard 'round here.
Yep, I'd wondered about the weight thing too!
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Mary
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toni
Mistress of Garden Junque
 Moderator
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Posts: 4195
Location: North Texas (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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Granite is expensive so when doing a remodel a lot of designers and homeowners are more interested in making the end result rich looking.
My counter tops are original to the house build in the late 1960's so they are probably formica or a cheap knockoff. Either way, I am thinking of painting them and sealing them with spar varnish to make them waterproof.
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 9835
Location: Scotland (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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If I could choose, and could afford, the countertops I actually want then they would be marble. So easy for rolling our pastry and sweets on and they wipe clean in no time at all. 
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CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 1128
Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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If I had the counter space, I'd like to hit the hardware store and buy one big marble tile for the same reason!
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Mary
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desertflower
On The Way Up
Joined: 26 Jun 2007
Posts: 180
Location: ARIZONA (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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You know how trends go. I think it will probably last forever too. I just feel sorry for the homeowners if it ever goes out of style lol.
I only have one small counter in my kitchen, covered in peel and stick, marble looking floor tiles right now but I am going to make a concrete coutertop for it. Wish me luck lol. I would love to have more space and a real counter top, be it granite, marble or whatever.
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LouiseK
Just Arrived
Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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I have granite kitchen surfaces, they came as standard when buying my appartment.
I think they aren't "the standard" just because of cost involved. You can get them in a range of colours and they will last forever. If you chooe a sensible colour it will always be fashionable.
I've chopped directly onto it and put metal right out of the oven on it and it isn't an issue, it still scrubs up as new.
Thats the only problem with it really, it needs to be dry polished after washing otherwise it shows watermarks...
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Staged Makeovers
Just Arrived
Joined: 14 Aug 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Hudson, OH
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| Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 7:21 pm Post subject: Granite |
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Granite is what we recommend to all of our clients who are updating their kitchens. It costs about the same amount as corian or other solid surfaces but has a higher perceived value and is timeless (more bang for your buck). Laminate is the least expensive options and doesn't have the natural beauty of granite.
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KHR
Just Arrived
Joined: 17 Aug 2007
Posts: 9
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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Granite is beautiful, but once you have it you're stuck with that color FOREVER!
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rushme
Just Arrived
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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Granite is not new for the counter tops, ya here in US it is new, but countries which found this stone in nature, use the material for counter top for centuries for many good qualities of it. i would love to tell you something about this product as i have install in many of my projects.
once install u don't have to worry about for ages.
its water proof, it comes in many color so you don't have to worry about the dark color as only option.
you don't need regular maintenance. you can put hot pots or any thing directly on the surface it won't affect the surface of it. In countries like India its is also use for flooring, back splash and sometime for wall paneling.yes one more good character of this material is, it resist any kind on stain ( oil etc.)and easy to clean.
And i will suggest to avoid the marble as material for the counter tops as it is a porous stone and it absorbers oils and other things, so can get stain easily, it requires frequent cleaning because of that. and this stone become very cold in winters and special y not recommended for countries with cold weather
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Palm Tree
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
Posts: 775
Location: Cape Town (Map)
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| Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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Hi everybody
I tend to agree with Rushme. Granite is indeed available in many different colors and it is up to you to choose the appropriate color.
Marble, because it is in essence calcium carbonate, reacts with many food sucstances. Especially acidic food stuffs like vinegar, lemons, citrus, soda pop, etc. Thus I will also choose granite.
All natural stone products are expensive, but very durable and I am currently saving up so I can "update" my kitchen in the latter part of next year.
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