[Futurevillager2013]

Thank you all for your replies. I have granite now and love it too. If we find a spec house we love that doesn't have the granite we'll do it in a few years after. Looking forward to our new lifestyle.

Anne & Phil
From Commack, LI, NY

[Halibut]

We've had Corian, which was nice but needed polishing and special cleaners to keep it looking its best. We've had granite and that was fine (and made it easier to sell the house because buyers are fixated on the stuff), but overall we prefer laminate because of the wide variety of color/pattern/texture choices. Changing it out isn't expensive and gives the kitchen a nice pick-me-up.

We had a "modern" 50s era Eichler house in California and put in the retro boomerang pattern laminate when we redid the kitchen. If I was a writer for a design magazine, I'd call it kicky.

[dotti105]

I'm really curious about the maintenance issue. I do not know anyone who thinks that granite is high maintenance. I wonder if it depends on the grade of the granite or the color. Mine is very dark, and maybe that makes stains invisible. But I have friends with the lighter shades of granite and they also find it to be maintenance free.
Does any one out there know what would cause granite to stain?? I would like to have input so that i don't make the wrong decision when we go to the design meeting.
Thanks!!

[Happydaz]

Some granites may be more porous than others. We had a natural New Hampshire granite in our home up north and that really absorbed a lot of water, stains from grease, wine, etc., and my wife was always sealing it to keep it looking good. She is also quite fastidious and notices things many other people wouldn't. I would think if you choose a high quality stone you should be OK, but if you Google granite maintenance you may find more information. Quartz is the new in thing with the young, I hear it needs zero maintenance.

[Happydaz]

Just did a little research on granite. Darker colors are less porous and would need less sealing maintenance. Lighter colors are more porous. Setting a hot pot down on top of a granite countertop is not recommended at all as it can cause the granite to crack. Granite is a natural stone and for that reason it is porous and can absorb stains, water, grease, etc. Regular sealing will keep the granite from absorbing these stains. You need to seal granite either once a year or more often depending on how porous your stone is. You can test your granite with a wet glass of water and let it sit there for a while. If the stone shows a wet ring after you remove the glass, you need to reseal your granite. There is a lot of information on granite maintenance on the Internet, just Google it. Granite is beautiful. It just needs periodic sealing to keep it that way.

[Uptown Girl]

As I understand it, granite can have occasional 'veins' or small fissures that occur naturally as it is forming. Granite comes in 5 or 6 grades. The 'higher' or more expensive the grade, the more 'movement' or flowing pattern.

Usually the 'higher grades' have more sweeps of color as well- but also may have more slight fissures, because of that. Each slice taken is different in that regard, even if it is from the same granite bed.

Most of these natural imperfections are filled and sealed in the process of polishing the slab. Today we have granite available from many sources around the world. Of course, they are polished before they arrive here. Some types have/need more 'fill' than others- it's good to recognize that visually, and easy to spot when choosing a slab.

As far as stain goes, things acid based- like vinegar, lemon, tomato, wine, etc. or harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, etc. all have the potential to etch the surface of the stone over time, especially if residue remains or is allowed to sit. Etched stone is dull and porous and will accept stains if not protected.
I would not cut lemons, for example in a favorite spot habitually. Actually, I'd never cut anything sitting directly on the stone- just my habit.

In my opinion, a good installation includes finishing with a good once a year sealer, to get you started. (note: all sealers are not equal. Good guys know the good stuff) After that, it's a breeze to keep up.

I have to say, I don't put hot pans directly on the stone either. I might be weird, but always slap down a cutting board first, from my old days (pre-granite).

[dotti105]

Wow! This has really been an informative thread!
I guess we have a very good grade of granite, It is Uba-Tuba (that is probably spelled wrong!) It was put in when we built the house in 2006 and we have never had it sealed or serviced in any way since the build. Water still beads up on it and it has a super high gloss. I cut anything and everything directly on it and place hot pots on it all the time. It looks like new!
Now I am really worried about choosing an inferior grade of granite the next time around. I guess we are really lucky with the choice we have. I may have to just get the same granite again. I had no idea that there was so much difference in granite!

[Buckeyephan]

When we remodeled our Ohio home, we chose granite. Not only did the granite look wonderful, but it allowed me to have under mount sinks. Once I experienced the ease of just "sweeping" water or crumbs into the sinks, there was no doubt what to choose for all the sinks in our Iris. No more cleaning the mess that collects where the counter meets the sink and no staining of the grout around the sinks. You can only have under mount sinks with a stone or solid surface counter. Enjoy planning for your beautiful new home and welcome to The Villages.

[Halibut]

Undermount sinks can be used with modern laminate countertops.

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by Uptown Girl

We bought a CYV - it came with high def laminate. I didn't mind it at all. We moved in and I enjoyed the ease of it. We kept it almost two years and it still looked brand new. (and I use my kitchen!)
Once we decided to decorate in earnest, we began to look at changing the counter tops. We found a great company to do the work and they guided us in choosing an appropriate granite for the application we wanted. I visited their workshop. I spoke to their stone cutter.

There was no mess at installation- the guys were impeccable- and we got custom details in granite that is of the grade we wanted. I actually liked watching them install it..... I know exactly what we paid for.
I didn't even have to touch up any wall paint.

Include it with the house plans if they have a selection that pleases you and you are happy with the pricing- but don't fear doing it later, it was actually a fun adventure for us!
I would not hesitate to do after market installs of any kind here. We have a lot of very good companies around.


P.S. My experience with solid surface was a number of years ago- I didn't enjoy having it. Considering the expense of it, I felt that granite was a better value at that time. Always chose granite after that.

May I ask who installed your granite counter tops?

[Uptown Girl]

Originally Posted by tommy steam

May I ask who installed your granite counter tops?

Yes, of course!
Exquisite Designs Kitchen & Bath, Inc.
Tony (786) 298-1320

Referred to me by Roberto's Flooring- another excellent company.