Kitchen counter tops? Alternatives

[mfer]

Anyone have any non typical granite quartz counter tops? I have about 125 sqft to do and looking for ideas. Wife likes concrete but maintenance seems higher and no warranty. I see some thin porcelain veneers but installs are costly and not always perfect. Butcher block is cool but couldn't see myself doing all the counters this way. House is to traditional. Anyway if you have ideas/thoughts/pics they are appreciated.

[Bleezal]

I'm remodeling right now and went with quartz as previously i had granite. I think it looks good... Almost finished. Will upload a pic end of week.

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[Abdullah71601]

I have ubatuba granite and love it.

Parents have a Corian laminate, which delaminated when a hot pot was set on it. All laminates are not equal, but I'm suspicious of any materials that may expand at different rates and bubble or delaminate.

Brother has a concrete product and likes it. Your wife may be on to something.

[bdex75]

We have granite that looks like Soapstone. Because I wanted soapstone and the wife did not. She won. I got to pick the granite. It is honed so it is not shiny and has a lot of veining like soapstone.
Not a great picture but it was fast.

Needless to say I would still do black soapstone. Looks great, leave it and it is a matte finish. Little mineral oil and it has some sheen. Just love the character it develops over time. Like in your old HS chemistry lab.


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[jhilly8982]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I have ubatuba granite and love it.

Parents have a Corian laminate, which delaminated when a hot pot was set on it. All laminates are not equal, but I'm suspicious of any materials that may expand at different rates and bubble or delaminate.

Brother has a concrete product and likes it. Your wife may be on to something.

Are you sure it is Corian? Corian is a brand name of DuPont's solid surface counters, no lamination involved.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Just as I was selling the Brasilian granite business and this was a number 4(?) of years ago, we started getting in a a leather finish and was selling like hot cakes. Although I think it works out doors better, around a outdoor kitchen area it has less sheen and much less maintenance to it. For that application the chiseled finish is quite stunning due to being outside and less formal. I mostly suggested the chiseled finish. And much easier to not be worrying about cleaning it right away.


Inside I tried to stay away from straight or bevel due to possible chipping. Another alternative to chiseled is rope finished which is pretty cool too and another option for out door but I can look elegant in an indoor kitchen if done with the right stone. Personally I like as much water running through the stone as possible, cut to run up the back splash across the main area and continues across and back up again. It's quite dramatic if the fabricator gives a sh!t and knows what he's doing..







Here's rope finish.

[singe89]

What not granite or quartz?

Hard to beat for durability and looks. I didn't want the traditional look of granite so did a more unique piece with leathered finish rather than the typical polished.


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[SDRider]

1.25" granite slab countertop here. We've had this countertop for about 10 years now and we love it. Still looks as good as the day it was installed.

[swils8610]

We have granite in our current house. We had Corian in our old house and I loved it. It was indestructible. Hot pan or whatever could be set on it. It can also be refinished.


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[csfischer20]

Granite or quartz with a butcher block island is pretty hot right now.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

Here's rope finish.

Crazy cool. I had no idea such a finish existed but likely not good for my kitchen. Very nice though.

[Runnin' Rebel]

I'll be doing butcher block on my next remodel, not huge but 3x 5 butts right up to the sink as long as you really take care of it it should be ok with no stain, black mold or gouges.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by singe89

What not granite or quartz?

Just looking for ideas. I had quartz and granite before. Wondering if ther is anything else with considering is all.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by csfischer20

Granite or quartz with a butcher block island is pretty hot right now.

My island is 4x8. Think to much for butcher block maybe?

[Runnin' Rebel]

Marble, travertine, they do cool things with glass, recycled glass, stainless steel is an option and they have reality cool resin that can be made in all sorts of colors. And of course tile but I'd ever use tile only because dealing with spacing and grouts, uneven surfaces.

But your 4x8 is 32sq ft of butcher ?? Usually it is or was measured in liner ? That's pretty huge you could inlay butcher block, with nice marble or other choices up just a few mm so it's easier to scrape food off into bowls or even use a router to cut drainage of meat drippings and liquids into sink.

Definitely have the block right up sink, easily to clean properly. I could be way off here. You might have totally different ideas

[GB-man]

I've got Cambria Quartz counters. I'm pleased but when I do it again, I'll just go Carrara Marble like my sister did. I love the look and just like my watches, don't mind the patina

My dining room table is a slab of Carrara that was given to me by my mother. We ate dinner and thoroughly enjoyed it for 20 years before I got it and I love the look of weathered marble. Ymmv

[Star Ferry]

Growing up in the US, I thought every nationality had the same focus on kitchen counter tops. Turns out this is an American cultural quirk -- my wife gets a kick out of how much the average American knows about countertops

Personally I'd go for the black soapstone

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by jhilly8982

Are you sure it is Corian? Corian is a brand name of DuPont's solid surface counters, no lamination involved.

It may not be Corian brand. That's what mom calls it.

It is a half inch thick plastic material adhered to a backing material. When they put a hot pot of pasta on it the plastic expanded and created a bubble the size of the pot. It required a professional repair.

[Dr.Brian]

I like marble, but it's too fragile for my comfort and I guarantee I'd stain it in no time.
We bought a place that was recently renovated and neither of us like the granite choice, too dark, but it's a lot of granite to replace for no reason. Then we'd have to replace the backsplash tile and borders, and while we're demoing all that why don't we...
Nope, nope, nope!
Good luck.
I like the fancy colored granite. It's probably harder to find 3 matching slabs, or at least that's what I tell myself.

[subtona]

nickel counter tops may work?


they are meant to patina like your favorite watch

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

I like marble, but it's too fragile for my comfort and I guarantee I'd stain it in no time.
We bought a place that was recently renovated and neither of us like the granite choice, too dark, but it's a lot of granite to replace for no reason. Then we'd have to replace the backsplash tile and borders, and while we're demoing all that why don't we...
Nope, nope, nope!
Good luck.
I like the fancy colored granite. It's probably harder to find 3 matching slabs, or at least that's what I tell myself.

It's easy to find matching slabs. I can hook you up with a guy to get you on your way.

[locutus49]

We have white Danby marble counters. As long as you seal them every year or so, they resist most stains, and we have had no problems, even spilling red wine and such on them.

They have gray and brown tones in the movement and look great. Marble is not for everyone, but it works for us, and people have used marble for table tops for thousands of years. And even if a stain were to sink in, it can be drawn out.

[brandrea]

We just renovated our entire main floor and went with Quartz. We've had marble and butcher block before but couldn't be bothered with the maintenance.

Good luck deciding

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[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by brandrea

We just renovated our entire main floor and went with Quartz. We've had marble and butcher block before but couldn't be bothered with the maintenance.

Good luck deciding

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Looks awesome Brian.

[austinp]

Originally Posted by brandrea

We just renovated our entire main floor and went with Quartz. We've had marble and butcher block before but couldn't be bothered with the maintenance.

Good luck deciding

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Very nice!

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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Looks awesome Brian.

Thank you my friend

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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by austinp

Very nice!

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Thank you

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[GoingPlaces]

Work in luxury housing here. We're seeing less and less granite and more quartz (manmade), marble, and quartzite (which is a natural stone that shares the hardness of granite with the softer look of marble). Wood only as an accent piece.

Marble is beautiful but as you probably know, it can be most porous and less forgiving on stains, stains can be drawn out but not always. I have quartz in my kitchen and am very happy with its consistency and sleekness.

[mfer]

Thanks for all replies. Maybe need to go look at some quartz that looks like concrete!

[BBL]

I am currently upgrading a couple counters to quartz.

The company I am dealing with stocks 'everything', but what was most amazing to me: advances in Corian from yesteryear. Look at the tab that displays the various colors and patterns.
You may be interested in it if you have a large area to cover. Stands up to wear and less expensive.
http://www.corian.com/?src=consumer_coriandotcom

DM