My house is 15 years old and has ceramic tile countertops, which according to the new buzz word, they are dated. I don't want to be caught up in the updating frenzy but we do need to replace the countertops because there is some damage to a few of the tiles and we cannot find matching tiles.
It seems that granite is the "in" thing. We have priced granite slabs, which are pretty pricey and we have looked at 12" x 12" granite tiles which are about 1/4 of the cost of the slab. My husband likes the look of the slab, but I like the cost of the tiles!
If i were able to replace my countertops, i'd try to make them "neutral" enough that i could blend a number of colors and decorating styles with it as my tastes change in the future...
Just because someone is saying that granite is the "in" thing, doesn't mean you should use it...you should decide what is going to work with you...There really are those out there(me for one) that don't like granite...So don't do it just because you think you should...
I do agree with Becca, decide what will work for you. I have granite counter tops and a full granite back splash, It is very easy to keep clean, I also did not put the electrical outlets on the back splash wall itself. I had outlet strips put right under the cabnets on the wall and the granite cut out around the strips. I love the look. Good luck in your decision..remember you have to live with it.
I see this is a fairly old post and you may have already made your decision, but just to add my two cents. I love granite and have fairly serious buyer's regret that I chose a light shade of Corian a few years ago when I made this very permanent decision instead of a darker, more interesting, granite. I was just at a house (which is in my neighborhood and happens to be the same floorplan as mine) that had been done in granite tiles, and I loved it! The counters were trimmed out in a light sandstone or something like that, and the backsplash was tiled with a very interesting pattern. So even though I have a solid surface counter that probably cost a lot more than the granite tiles, I was very jealous. I thought they were gorgeous. See if you can find some pics of kitchens done with the tiles.
Have you considered concrete? It can be poured to any shape, even for an island, and can be colored. Also there are new counter tops made from recycled glass, vettrazzo I think. It comes in a variety of colors and would add some personality to your home. I have also seen butcher block used as counter tops but requires more maintenance and is not as sanitary due to the surface. Depending on the size of your kitchen you may be able to find granite in remnant pieces and it would be more affordable than purchasing whole slabs.
Posts: 143 | Location: Alaska | Registered: Dec 15, 2007
Wilson Art makes a HD Laminate I Have used Wilson are alot and Like their product. We Use Wilson art 600 Glue also. Their new laminate Looks like a granite. Just a though Heres a link http://www.wilsonart.com/
I can only speak for myself, but I have granite tiles in my kitchen and I adore them. For the sake of full disclosure, DH is a tile installer. He put them in with razor-blade thin grout joints in a color that matched the tiles. We also sealed the grout which takes very little time. (You can also use epoxy grout if you prefer.) The cost of slab was prohibitive for us, but I love the look of natural stone, so tile was an easy choice for us. It has been very easy to keep up and I would choose it again in a heartbeat!
I have granite slabs on my bath countertops and kitchen island--granite tiles on my master shower walls. The slabs are easy to maintain. One word of advice regarding epoxy grout--we have glass mosaic tiles with epoxy grout on the kid's shower walls. It was very hard to find an installer who would use epoxy in my area. I would price the various options including the cost of installation--you might be surprised at the cost of the materials and the installation.
Posts: 726 | Location: Ohio | Registered: Feb 25, 2006
