Countertop options

[iamwiz82]

I have 21 linear feet of laminate counter that is, in a word, ugly. I'd like to replace it with a new counter, perferrably not laminate.

I'll be in the house for 5 years, possibly longer, so a solid surface may be overkill, I just really hate laminate at this point. Ours is stained, chipped, cracked, and has visible seams because one wall is quite long.

I get coupons for $55/linear ft granite, but there is probably a catch, eh? Perhaps ugly patterns?

 

[mrrman]

granite is nice...my friend just got a speckled grey/black pattern

 

[dug777]

granite is nice...2nd that

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

concrete
tile
corian / silestone or other solid surface
granite / soapstone

 

[Rogue]

We hated our laminate countertop as well, it was 70's style baby $hit yellow and similarly chipped and cracked. I cut some wood trim for the edges of it, took a belt sander and some 60 grit to the top of it and laid tile straight over the top of it and it looks great. I'd highly recommend that as a solution.

Oh, my wife actually did the tile work, I did the grout though.

 

[Otaking]

Granite or Corian :thumbsup:

Maybe Marble too

 

[Willoughbyva]

granite is heavy. Make sure the cabinets can withstand the weight.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Willoughbyva
granite is heavy. Make sure the cabinets can withstand the weight.

Definately a concern. the cabinets are not high quality, but work well enough as it is and I don't see the need to replace them, though.

 

[iamwiz82]

I'm looking at Zodiaq right now. That is darned nice stuff. Whats the cost on that?

 

[dullard]

I personally like laminate if you obey its recommended lifetime. Laminate should be replaced every 5 years or so. That way you never deal with ugly, stained, chipped, or cracked countertops. Unfortunately, so many people have laminate that is 10, 15, 20+ years old. But for just a few bucks you can put on a new laminate and your kitchen is good as new.

I personally like the look of granite best. However, with granite I think you'll have more problems with stains and visible seams than you did with your laminate. Corian solves those two problems.

 

[TwinkleToes77]

Originally posted by: Rogue
We hated our laminate countertop as well, it was 70's style baby $hit yellow and similarly chipped and cracked. I cut some wood trim for the edges of it, took a belt sander and some 60 grit to the top of it and laid tile straight over the top of it and it looks great. I'd highly recommend that as a solution.

Oh, my wife actually did the tile work, I did the grout though.

pics? of the counter.....

 

[Squisher]

I saw some countertops in houses we were looking at that were solid surface that looked like granite, but had a nicer front edge.

 

[RichPLS]

I like the marble countertops that are made of powdered marble and resin. Tough to scratch, and no crack or crevices for bacteria.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Buy granite tile, you can finish the edges with wood or use a bullnose edge. You'll save thousands over a solid surface.

I've heard of people just using silicone sealer/adhesive & a zero grout line (no grout)... I just saw a countertop done with a 1/8" groutline with a bullnose edge treatment, looked really good.

Marble is too porus to use as a countertop, it'll stain where granite won't.

 

[FP]

You may want to look into granite tile as well. Much cheaper than granite slab.