Granite vs marble

[Passepartout]

We have Silestone quartz counters and undermount sinks. We installed them about a year after moving into our home 16 years ago. They look and perform just as well as they did when new.

In our 'new-to-us', 8 y.o. condo there are nearly black, sparkly granite countertops. They show every speck of dust, waterspot, drip. I Loathe them. Plans are already in the works to replace them. It will be with more Silestone, or possibly concrete.

Jim

 

[TUGBrian]

I think her bigger concern is around the cutout for the sink and such...as its a regularly wet area.

 

[WinniWoman]

The other thing is with our black/tan granite and our crema pearl granite designs you can't see anything on them! In fact, if their are crumbs or whatever you don't notice it as the designs are just busy enough to camouflage them. I actually find this annoying! i would rather see what is on them so I can know to clean them!

 

[Elan]

I have walnut butcher block and love it. View attachment 2461

Really like your walnut countertops. Can you give me an estimate as to how much they cost per sf?

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[SMHarman]

Really like your walnut countertops. Can you give me an estimate as to how much they cost per sf?

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102 linear inches 25.5 deep and 1.5 this was $1400 in NYC.

There are some online sellers who are lower in cost and your kitchen fitter fabricated the holes on site. Fresh sharp drills and blades and fine sandpaper and all is good for the cuts.

 

[vacationhopeful]

Countertops are so personal and so situational ... light in room, cabinets, view from other rooms, style of house, color style of owners, etc.

Look at many things ... cabinet hardware is CHEAP and easy to replace .. just get the same size HOLE location, clean and wax (wood finished) drawer and door fronts and install. Try at least 3 or 4 styles before ... you be surprised by how your "kitchen look" may change for under $200 dollars.

 

[WinniWoman]

Here's some pics of mine. Notice the Smugglers Notch mug. LOL!

 

[WinniWoman]

Here's another of the island

 

[WinniWoman]

Another- sorry I do not know how to get them all in one post.

 

[WinniWoman]

The last- the side hutch. It was challenging because I had to pick granite to match 3 different cabinet colors- cream, expresso and red maple- and not to mention picking the tiles for the backslash but as you can see it worked out.

 

[WinniWoman]

OK. One more. This is pretty much inexpensive granite- the kind you might see in doctor's offices, but, as Linda said, it really depends on what works for your home and your usage.

 

[Elan]

102 linear inches 25.5 deep and 1.5 this was $1400 in NYC.

There are some online sellers who are lower in cost and your kitchen fitter fabricated the holes on site. Fresh sharp drills and blades and fine sandpaper and all is good for the cuts.

That's pretty reasonable. Thanks for the info!

 

[elaine]

we debated this for a long time. We are redoing our kitchen with marble. We put marble in our bathroom and just love it. We are doing white cabinets, dark island, dark hardwood floors and marble countertops. It is a beautiful, timeless look. We know about the staining and will be meticulous with cleaning and sealing.

 

[Glynda]

I'd choose...

Quartz. We currently have bathrooms with marble and kitchens with granite in our two homes.

Marble in our bathrooms has been the most difficult product we've had to deal with. When we bought our primary home, it had a marble bathroom that was about 10 years old. It's a very humid environment without adequate ventilation. I suspect someone used the wrong products in the shower as there are yellow discolorations in areas of high use and where mildew can form. I plan to remodel that bathroom and am torn on what to use on the floors and in the shower but the countertop will be quartz.

I'm bored with my kitchen granite countertops in both houses. Both are dark. One is labradorite and is amazing up close but I wouldn't choose it again. If there is a next time I'm going with the lighter, cleaner, more modern look of quartz with less upkeep. The granite areas on each side of our stove need resealing more often than the rest. Areas become dull looking more quickly there.

 

[WinniWoman]

I really wanted a big farm sink, but considering the cost and the fact that the cabinets below it would be very low and small, I went with a choice of one of the stainless steel sinks in the package.

I got a double stainless steel under mount sink- one side for rinsing veggies and the other side for washing dishes. The only thing I do not like about the under mount sinks is that you have to be careful with washing large pots that could hit the granite edge around the inside of the sink.

You have to be careful also about the cut out for the faucet, too. I have very limited space between the sink and the backsplash/window area-so got a single handle faucet with a pull-out sprayer head.

 

[Kal]

we debated this for a long time. We are redoing our kitchen with marble. We put marble in our bathroom and just love it. We are doing white cabinets, dark island, dark hardwood floors and marble countertops. It is a beautiful, timeless look. We know about the staining and will be meticulous with cleaning and sealing.

The staining is in an instant! The sealers don't protect from acids. Also, marble is very soft and WILL NOT get along with knives and dropped dishes.

 

[sun starved Gayle]

Don't rule out concrete. I've seen concrete counters that are amazing.[/QUOTE]

I like the look of concrete, but it also stains. My friend's kids left caramels wrapped in waxed paper on her counter in the sun and the oil leached out and stained her counter. I would have to guess other oils would do the same.

 

[TUGBrian]

that glass backsplash is also outstanding!

 

[Elan]

Not to hijack, but does anyone know what variety of granite is in this picture?

 

[raygo123]

The problem with granite is that with the exception of ubatuba, and a few others it could be called many names. It looks like an Indian granite in the juparana family

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[SMHarman]

I really wanted a big farm sink, but considering the cost and the fact that the cabinets below it would be very low and small, I went with a choice of one of the stainless steel sinks in the package.

I got a double stainless steel under mount sink- one side for rinsing veggies and the other side for washing dishes. The only thing I do not like about the under mount sinks is that you have to be careful with washing large pots that could hit the granite edge around the inside of the sink.

You have to be careful also about the cut out for the faucet, too. I have very limited space between the sink and the backsplash/window area-so got a single handle faucet with a pull-out sprayer head.

The cabinet below mine has a trash can. Recycling can and space for the compost.

Loadsa room under this sink.

 

[SMHarman]

Here it is with the door shut.

We recently reconfigured this part to put the sliding drawer and trash in here. That's why when you look carefully the sink trim is missing. It has been cut to size but not yet painted and re-installed.

 

[VegasBella]

We have a recycled glass countertop. It's similar to quartz or corian in terms of looks and durability because the process they use to make it is similar. But it's more environmentally friendly than anything mined or made with mined materials. We love it.

We also have a recycled copper sink, very low energy appliances, recycled rugs and floor mats, and many other eco-friendly aspects to our home. I honestly can't say enough about the copper sink. It's fantastic! But you have to actually like copper - it's a fun metal

 

[TUGBrian]

id love a copper sink...i think they look amazing! right up until I see the sticker price compared to stainless!

 

[Joyce]

Thanks for your many pictures and suggestions. I especially like the idea of visiting developments and looking at different tops that way. Better than looking a the slab by itself.