Let's talk granite for real

i know granite looks awesome and everyone wants granite in their kitchen but... i've been hearing from granite owners that they hate it. complaints such as it stains even if sealed, it chips even if sealed, it needs to be resealed every year, its tons of upkeep..is there anything else out there that isn't so much trouble that looks just as nice? we're redoing our kitchen soon and i don't want to have to worry about my countertop each time i'm in the kitchen.. thanks.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

well, I spilled olive oil on mine BEFORE I sealed it! and I did some research on how to get it out and it worked. Once I sealed it - maintenance is pretty easy - seal once a year. But I will say, I am very careful where I put my oil.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

Cambria - Not sure if it's as popular here as it is back home. It's made about 20 miles from where I grew up.

My IL's have it and love it.


Cambria

Re: Let's talk granite for real

DH does stone-some types will chip and stain...if you stain it (such as oil) put corn starch or baking powder on the spot and rub it over the spot, it will lighten the stain and partially take it out of the stone, depending on the design and type of stone stains are barely noticeable.

HTH

ETA:Leave the corn starch or powder on the spot for as long as you want, it has to sit to absorb the stain

Message edited 2/21/2008 8:05:30 PM.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

My friend has Silestone (quartz countertop) and loves it. It really looks like granite (she got one of the high end colors) - you can barely tell it's not granite unless you get thisclose. No maintenance, no sealing, no staining.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

I have granite and love it. I love the shine it has vs those manmade surfaces, so for us we knew we wanted granite.

I was actually going to start a post here on how often you need to re-seal, bc that is a bit of a PITA. We had ours sealed when it was installed 2 yrs ago, and I bought sealer to do myself, but it's a long process basically putting your kitchen out of use for 2 days So we haven't done it yet! But otherwise, no complaints, we love it.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

I have granite, for almost a year now and love it. We don't have to seal it for another year and the place said it is an easy rubbing solution to do yourself.

Cleaning is a snap too, just glass plus.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

I have granite and love it too. I think the maintenance is easy.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

i have granite I wouldn't change it for the for anything else

Re: Let's talk granite for real

love my granite countertop!!!

Re: Let's talk granite for real

I'm looking into Silestone.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

I love my kitchen granite ("Lady Dream", sort of a coppery tan/beige), it doesn't stain easily and is pretty good about camouflaging little messes. I would definitely get it again.

We looked at Cambria and Zodiaq and Silestone, and just liked the natural look of granite more.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

What is more expensive, granite or silestone?

Re: Let's talk granite for real

I prefer silestone or other brands over granite. Its the "safest" type of surface when it comes to bacteria & toxins. And I think its prettier. We just installed it in my office in all of the treatment rooms & its SO simple to clean, we have even use all of our antiseptic chemicals & we have spilled other chemicals on it & nothing happens to it.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

Re: Let's talk granite for real

I heard that glasses break easily on granite - is that true?

Re: Let's talk granite for real

we bought this house in 2005 and kitchen was remodeled in 2004. i am sure the granite was sealed after installation it hasn't been sealed again since we moved in.

no problems with stains or chipping. however, i do know others that have constant staining issues with their granite.

eta: there is also granite in the powder room and although not exposed to all that the kitchen granite is, still no problems.

Message edited 2/22/2008 10:04:25 AM.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

Re: Let's talk granite for real

Re: Let's talk granite for real

We have granite now and had it in our old home also. It does stain but a lot depends on how much movement you have in the granite. I have a dark color now and had a light color and I prefer the light color. Nothing ever stained on me.

I will that my 2 SIL both have Silestone and they both have had mild problems. With 1, a vase fell on it and it cracked a small piece (I don't think the vase was that heavy) and then with the other she put a metal spoon that was a little warmer than warm but not hot and it left an indentation. I love that I put hot stuff right on it and nothing happens.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

I have black granite
Got it in December and I love it.
I bought the granite cleaner (the natural one) and it looks amazing and I have to seal it just once a year.

No complaints!

Re: Let's talk granite for real

Re: Let's talk granite for real

We had Corian in my previous home. (Cayenne Pepper) Loved the look, but was sensitive to really hot.
I think we are going with Quartz rather than Granite this time. They priced the same, but from what I am hearing the Quartz is better with staining. Plus no sealing.

Re: Let's talk granite for real

i have granite and never had any of the problems you mentioned, ive only had it for about 2 yrs, but never had to reseal it. I love my granite!

Re: Let's talk granite for real