LIFamilies.com - Long Island, NY


RSS
Articles Business Directory Blog Real Estate Community Forum Shop My Family Contests

Log In Chat Index Search Rules Lingo Create Account

Quick navigation:   

Countertops? How did you decide

Posted By Message
Pages: [1] 2

Elizabeth
Mom of Three

Member since 9/05

7900 total posts

Name:
"MOMMY!!!"

Countertops? How did you decide

How did you decide what material to get? Granite...Silestone...Corian....etc. Any input would be greatly appreciated - Im clueless.

TIA

Posted 2/25/06 3:42 PM
 
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource
  |   Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate

danielleandscott
My new 71 Super Beetle

Member since 5/05

13476 total posts

Name:
Scott

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

We went with Formica because it was inexpensive and we didnt want to spend a lot of money on the kitchen now. We didnt know if in the future we were going to redo the kitchen, so we thought it would be a waste to go to crazy right now
Scott

Posted 2/25/06 3:52 PM
 

CathyB

Member since 5/05

19403 total posts

Name:

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

We went with Corian since I just couldn't justify spending what granite cost.

Posted 2/25/06 8:43 PM
 

Eleanor
LIF Adult

Member since 2/06

2223 total posts

Name:
Ellie

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

We debated and hemmed and hawed between silestone and granite.

silestone is no maintenance, but I liked one granite color "the best" for our kitchen.

Posted 2/25/06 8:56 PM
 

-Lisa-
---------------

Member since 5/05

6530 total posts

Name:
Lisa

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

we debated granite and silestone. We wound up with granite because I preferred the "depth" of it vs. the silstone when you look at it. Silestone was much more flat.

Also we got hooked up with a family friend who gave us a great deal...

When properly polished, granite is pretty low maintenance. We were instructed (by the family firend who's been in the business for 30+ years) that no sealing was necessary and to clean with soap & water - it looks fantastic.

Posted 2/26/06 10:17 AM
 

Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!

Member since 10/05

29450 total posts

Name:
Diana

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

I have always wanted granite so that was easy for me. I just think it makes my kitchen look so much nicer than the counters that were originally put it. And honestly - it wasn't THAT much money....totally worth it IMO.

Posted 2/26/06 12:12 PM
 

julz33
i run for bacon

Member since 5/05

20584 total posts

Name:
julz

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

I agree with Lisa. We chose Granite for the look. I checked out Silestone and others (Like Corian and Zodiaq) and liked the concepts... but the Granite looked so much better to me personally.

Posted 2/26/06 1:24 PM
 

Tanaholic
My Big Boy!

Member since 10/05

2383 total posts

Name:

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

We have always loved granite. It was just something we knew we were going to get when we redid the kitchen.

Posted 2/26/06 2:57 PM
 

Teri
my girls!

Member since 2/06

1491 total posts

Name:
Teri

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

I just always liked the look of granite so it was a no brainer for us. I love the glossy look of it and the variation of design/color depending on the slab.

Posted 2/26/06 3:45 PM
 

CunningOne
***

Member since 5/05

26975 total posts

Name:

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

I love granite too. We are eventually looking to replace just the countertops in our kitchen, not redo the whole thing. However, I think we'll end up going with Silestone. We found a perfect color and its a little cheaper and less maintenance. This project won't happenfor some time though Chat Icon

Posted 2/26/06 4:02 PM
 

DjPiLL

Member since 5/05

3664 total posts

Name:
Richard

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

We are redoing out kitchen in Corian. I love the matte look... and the texture of it.

Posted 2/26/06 4:44 PM
 

Leeners
:)

Member since 5/05

4898 total posts

Name:
Eileen

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

We're going with silestone. The property is largely investment for us so the durability of silestone is a big plus. I also liked the array of colors you can find in silestone v. granite. Formica was not an option for us and the price difference between corian and silestone wasn't so great that we felt we shouldn't go up.

And, I know I'm probably the only person in the world who thinks this, but I actually don't like granite Chat Icon DH loves it but was fine with the silestone as well (which I like a lot better than Zodiaq, the other engineered stone we looked at).

Message edited 2/27/2006 8:31:04 AM.

Posted 2/27/06 8:30 AM
 

DjPiLL

Member since 5/05

3664 total posts

Name:
Richard

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

I really don't like Granite either.

Posted 2/27/06 9:47 AM
 

andri
LIF Infant

Member since 11/05

241 total posts

Name:

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

Posted by DjPiLL

I really don't like Granite either.



I could understand why..if you perfer a more "uniformed" look,than maybe Granite is not your style. Even though all granite is individually named,a piece of Shiva Gold for example may not look the same as the same named piece in another store. Its not man-made so there are a LOT of natural discrepancies(sp?) Especially patterns with veins,no 2 pieces will ever flow the same.
Also,granite can be quite cold to the touch and decor.
If you do go with granite,try not to go to a super giant like Home Depot or Expo because you will not be able to pick your own individual slabs. If you are going for a black granite,makes no real difference...but in a granite with a pattern,can make ALL the difference of you being happy or really dissapointed.
I personally LOVE Granite and its my preference for Kitchen,bathroom,hallways...anywhere. We used a really reputable Granite/Marble Co out of Astoria,Queens..he sent us to the importers he uses to pick out our 3 slabs,they were sent to him and cut by laser..installed & sealed by the end of the week. We absolutely love it.

Posted 2/27/06 10:19 AM
 

karacg
Babygirl is 4!

Member since 5/05

17076 total posts

Name:
Kara®

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

We will use soapstone for the countetops...

Posted 2/27/06 10:32 AM
 

MrsS1126
MY FOREVER

Member since 1/06

1671 total posts

Name:
Jackie

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

Silly question but what is Silestone?

Posted 2/27/06 10:56 AM
 

Tah-wee-ZAH
Kisses

Member since 5/05

15952 total posts

Name:

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

Posted by andri

Posted by DjPiLL

I really don't like Granite either.



I could understand why..if you perfer a more "uniformed" look,than maybe Granite is not your style. Even though all granite is individually named,a piece of Shiva Gold for example may not look the same as the same named piece in another store. Its not man-made so there are a LOT of natural discrepancies(sp?) Especially patterns with veins,no 2 pieces will ever flow the same.
Also,granite can be quite cold to the touch and decor.
If you do go with granite,try not to go to a super giant like Home Depot or Expo because you will not be able to pick your own individual slabs. If you are going for a black granite,makes no real difference...but in a granite with a pattern,can make ALL the difference of you being happy or really dissapointed.
I personally LOVE Granite and its my preference for Kitchen,bathroom,hallways...anywhere. We used a really reputable Granite/Marble Co out of Astoria,Queens..he sent us to the importers he uses to pick out our 3 slabs,they were sent to him and cut by laser..installed & sealed by the end of the week. We absolutely love it.



I have to agree 100%. As it's a natural resource every piece of granite is differnet. I always wanted granite but wanted a more uniformed look. I went with Black Majesty which is mostly solid black with gold and copper flakes. I went to the factory and personally, picked out my pieces and signed ,my name to the back of them. We also got Carerra marble for the master bath and that varies as well.

My house is a larger colonial and most of the houses in the area have granite.

Message edited 2/27/2006 10:59:13 AM.

Posted 2/27/06 10:58 AM
 

Leeners
:)

Member since 5/05

4898 total posts

Name:
Eileen

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

Posted by MrsS1126

Silly question but what is Silestone?



Not silly at all, it's still a relatively new material for this use. It's "engineered stone" that is basically quartz. The color choices are exquisite IMO. Here's the website-Silestone USA.

There's another engineered stone called Zodiaq. Dupont makes it (same co that makes corian). I wasn't too impressed with the Zodiaq, at least in the sample slabs we've seen. IMO it looked so similar to corian that you might as well save $ and stick with corian. Here's that website as well-Zodiaq by Dupont.

Posted 2/27/06 11:53 AM
 

MrsS1126
MY FOREVER

Member since 1/06

1671 total posts

Name:
Jackie

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

Posted by Leeners

Posted by MrsS1126

Silly question but what is Silestone?



Not silly at all, it's still a relatively new material for this use. It's "engineered stone" that is basically quartz. The color choices are exquisite IMO. Here's the website-Silestone USA.

There's another engineered stone called Zodiaq. Dupont makes it (same co that makes corian). I wasn't too impressed with the Zodiaq, at least in the sample slabs we've seen. IMO it looked so similar to corian that you might as well save $ and stick with corian. Here's that website as well-Zodiaq by Dupont.




Thanks Leeners...I appreciate the info Chat Icon

Posted 2/27/06 11:58 AM
 

MrsS1126
MY FOREVER

Member since 1/06

1671 total posts

Name:
Jackie

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

Is silestone expensive or does it pretty much run around the same price as corian?

Posted 2/27/06 12:00 PM
 

Leeners
:)

Member since 5/05

4898 total posts

Name:
Eileen

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

Posted by MrsS1126

Is silestone expensive or does it pretty much run around the same price as corian?



It's actually basically the same price as granite. I've seen it slightly cheaper than granite in some places, slightly more expensive in others so on average, it's about the same.

Posted 2/27/06 12:03 PM
 

DjPiLL

Member since 5/05

3664 total posts

Name:
Richard

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

Posted by MrsS1126

Is silestone expensive or does it pretty much run around the same price as corian?




Silestone is about 10-20% cheaper than Corian.

I think with Corian... you are paying for the name (along with the DuPont name).

I am still going with Corian though. I liked their color selections better.

Posted 2/27/06 12:05 PM
 

DjPiLL

Member since 5/05

3664 total posts

Name:
Richard

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

Another reason with going with Corian... I may get the countertop that has the sink thats molded right into the countertop.

It has a flush look to it. I really like that.

Posted 2/27/06 12:06 PM
 

BrunetteMom
LIF Adult

Member since 8/05

1480 total posts

Name:

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

Posted by andri

Posted by DjPiLL

I really don't like Granite either.



I could understand why..if you perfer a more "uniformed" look,than maybe Granite is not your style. Even though all granite is individually named,a piece of Shiva Gold for example may not look the same as the same named piece in another store. Its not man-made so there are a LOT of natural discrepancies(sp?) Especially patterns with veins,no 2 pieces will ever flow the same.
Also,granite can be quite cold to the touch and decor.
If you do go with granite,try not to go to a super giant like Home Depot or Expo because you will not be able to pick your own individual slabs. If you are going for a black granite,makes no real difference...but in a granite with a pattern,can make ALL the difference of you being happy or really dissapointed.
I personally LOVE Granite and its my preference for Kitchen,bathroom,hallways...anywhere. We used a really reputable Granite/Marble Co out of Astoria,Queens..he sent us to the importers he uses to pick out our 3 slabs,they were sent to him and cut by laser..installed & sealed by the end of the week. We absolutely love it.



I agree with your reply 10000000%!!! I love granite.

Posted 2/27/06 12:11 PM
 

Leeners
:)

Member since 5/05

4898 total posts

Name:
Eileen

Re: Countertops? How did you decide

Posted by DjPiLL

Posted by MrsS1126

Is silestone expensive or does it pretty much run around the same price as corian?




Silestone is about 10-20% cheaper than Corian.

I think with Corian... you are paying for the name (along with the DuPont name).

I am still going with Corian though. I liked their color selections better.



Chat Icon Silestone is much more expensive than corian, not cheaper Chat Icon Corian runs to about $59/sf. Silestone is anywhere from $70-109/sf depending on the grouping and the finish.

Posted 2/27/06 1:44 PM
 
Pages: [1] 2
 

Potentially Related Topics:

Topic Posted By Started Replies Forum
Just joined WW online... can't decide NewYawkah 3/21/06 9 Diet & Fitness
Trying to decide which gym to join. danielleandscott 3/19/06 6 Diet & Fitness
Bathroom redo: How did you decide on colors? Elizabeth 3/18/06 15 Home
I wish the weather would decide luvsun27 3/13/06 10 Pregnancy
why is it that when i finally decide to buy raspberries raken40 3/10/06 3 Families Helping Families ™
Please help me decide! dandj 2/1/06 23 Families Helping Families ™
 
Quick navigation:   
Currently 528206 users on the LIFamilies.com Chat
New Businesses
1 More Rep
Carleton Hall of East Islip
J&A Building Services
LaraMae Health Coaching
Sonic Wellness
Julbaby Photography LLC
Ideal Uniforms
Teresa Geraghty Photography
Camelot Dream Homes
Long Island Wedding Boutique
MB Febus- Rodan & Fields
Camp Harbor
Market America-Shop.com
ACM Basement Waterproofing
Travel Tom

      Follow LIWeddings on Facebook

      Follow LIFamilies on Twitter
Long Island Bridal Shows