I have been saving for quite some time to re-do the countertops and floors in my kitchen and FINALLY have enough to get started. I've decided to tile my floor, but can't make a decision on what to use on my countertops. I love the look of granite (with the veins going through it), but most people I talk to say that granite is pain to care for and that quartz is the way to go. I don't love the look of quartz, but I'm open to the idea.
We will probably be in this house another 8-10 years, so I want to keep in mind what will be good for resale down the road.

What are your opinions on countertop materials? What do you have and how hard is it to care for?

Thanks!
Chris

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There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one!
-Harry Chapin

I love granite, and don't find it at all difficult to care for. I use Windex to clean it, and once a year or so I use a special granite cleaner & sealer/polisher that the granite place recommended.

It is great for me as I tend to be absent-minded, so I don't do any damage if I put something right from the stove onto the counter. I've not ever had a stain, or any problems.

Enjoy your remodel, whatever you decide!

Not to scare you, but here's something you might want to consider if you're thinking about getting granite countertops.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/ga...ranite.html?em
and
ABC News: Cause for Worry? Granite Fears Grip Homeowners

.

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~~~MsMiser

I LOVED the Corian countertops in my last house. They were great. After 9 years we had no stains, scratches, marks of any kind on them. We got something that was supposed to be equivalent to Corian in this house (the only type our builder offered) and it is terrible. Everything stains it or scratches it. So I wouldn't take any substitute for Corian, only the real thing and the colors they offer are wonderful.

Renee

I love the corian surfaces as well. My kitchen and bathroom are corian with the molded backsplashes and molded corian sinks. It is available is lots of fun colors too.

When we were searching for a surface back in the mid-90's, a designer told us that granite is not FDA approved and would never be able to be used for commercial food preparation because it is a porous material and also if we would ever damage it by possibly dropping something on it and chipping it that it isn't repairable.

Also granite must have either an undermount sink or the kind that has the big lip over the top. The molded sink with the corian is so smooth and easy to clean and doesn't have any lips or edges to harbor soap scum or buildup.

I love granite...solid surface. DO NOT do granite tile. While it does look nice, lots of stuff gets stuff in the grout. But that is my experience. I seal it once a year. No big deal. Our neighbor put in Corian and while she liked it, it was hard for her to sell her house (when the market was good) because the number one complaint where the countertops. Everyone wanted granite. So that may be something to think about as well.

good luck with whatever you choose!

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I have also been saving and planning for new countertops. I love my kitchen except for the countertops. I personally don't care for granite for my remodel. Most of the colors and patterns are too 'dramatic' for my tastes, I prefer a simpler and cleaner look, less pattern. I like alot of the color options in Corian, but it is too plastic looking for me. I have corian counters and sinks in all my bathrooms and they have served me well, but I wouldn't want it for my kitchen. I have alot of counter space.
I like the quartz alot, and that is what I am shopping for now. However, so far none of the colors/patterns available from any of the manufacturers have inspired me to spend the big bucks it will cost for my kitchen. I have visited every showroom in my area. It is the up and coming material for kitchens in my area, so my options color options are increasing all the time. No rush, as we will live with it for a long time.

I am a granite person. Infact my new granite is being installed in my new house this week. I also am not a fan of the really "loud" for lack of a better term colors so I went with a more neutral granite with less movement.

When I was looking at countertops I looked at the quartz and also the new stained concrete countertops. I actully like the concrete ones they have alot of different styles and colors. I went with granite though because it is something I am familar with and I have never had issues with it at all.

I have tile floor and had my countertops in a smaller version of my floor tile. Its great as far as staining and being able to put hot stuff right on it but it chips too easily
I`ve dropped a dish or glass out of the cabinet and has chipped the tile plus the grout is hard to keep clean. nancy

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When you don`t know what to do-Walk fast and look worried.

We have granite counters and love them. They are so beautiful and easy to maintain.

Quartz all the way for me. They have some really neat products out now which are absolutely beautiful. There are many different brands so you may want to check around for the look. They are pretty expensive, especially for the styles that are more similar to granite. They are actually heavier than granite so you will need them installed. I am getting ready to order my kitchen cabinets and quartz countertops. I would be careful though because if you see any flecks of unusual colors in the samples (pink, blue, orange) it may seem okay in the sample but when you get a large amount of it you may not be happy. Happy hunting for the best product for you

Ms. Miser-
I had no idea that granite counters could potentially release radiation. Who would ever think?
Thanks for the information.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

My counter tops are all wood old wood, my whole house is all in one nut shell old french country cottage shabby chic so no granite tops here. peace. Catherine

crumbless, with the pb&j put away

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We had ours re-done a year ago and I went with laminate because if I wanted to re-do, I could have that about five times or more for the cost of granite or corian. Unless you're re-doing the cabinets as well, you need to check the weight of granite because your cabinets might not support it -- just something our guy mentioned as a concern for granite.

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Reading is Fundamental.

LOL! (and ditto...)

I LOVE my granite countertop. Have never had any problems with it. It was deffinatly worth the money. It is 9 years old and looks like the day we put it in (except for the crumbs) and is easy to care for and user freindly as far as hot things or the kids cutting on it etc.
Good luck with your redo.
Debra

Just don't get those bright colored ones they will look out of style soon I hate the garish bright colors.

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I had granite countertops in my old house (for about 6 years) and found that it was very easy to care for and easy to maintain.

In the new house, I have a tile countertop, which is supereasy to maintain! I love it and it's very pretty...goes with everything quite nicely...

Thanks so much for the feedback - for those of you with granite... have you had any trouble with staining? My familly dh & 2 teenage boys) are pretty rough on the counters. I have white laminate now, so bleach and a Mr Clean eraser works wonders on the messes that soap won't remove. But, I'm worried that the granite will stain. Also, do you have trouble with water spots?

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There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one!
-Harry Chapin

My kitchen has granite and I have had no staining or water spots but I do have a dark colored granite (don't know if that makes a difference or not). We spray a sealant on it yearly and wipe it off (simple) so maybe that's helped...not sure. Ours looks the same as when we moved in. The only thing I don't like is that we have 12x12 tile granite and I hate grout (but I hate grout in tile so it's just me)

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

We have granite too and I love it EXCEPT that it is really COLD! You can't lean on it in the winter, you'll freeze your arms, but in the summer I want to curl up and sleep there.

The durability can't be beat though and I am really rough so it really was the only option for us.

And one more thing to think of, go with the style of your house, don't over do it.

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