Kitchen countertop?

[highland145]

I was thinking you would have to seal them every X number of months ...

Heavy against ones wallet!

Also, heavy means its hard to install. I can install laminate, I can not install 3 tons of stone.

Got a 10 year guarantee on the sealer and to re-seal it is a spray on/wipe off.

Heavy means let someone else do it.

$3200

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2333744&highlight=kitchen

 

[highland145]

The utilitarian differences between slate and granite are minimal. However, I think stone counters are the new stainless steel appliances. Way too many people spend money on looks.

We did but I'm the one that has to look at it. See above.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

We did but I'm the one that has to look at it. See above.

I actually like your first sink better. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As long as you get what you like, that's all that matters.

 

[highland145]

I actually like your first sink better. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As long as you get what you like, that's all that matters.

The original 1937 sink. It needed refinishing and my bro couldn't find a strainer that would fit. Some weird size.


I like the looks of the soapstone sinks but I was just allowed to write the checks. Not fair.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The original 1937 sink. It needed refinishing and my bro couldn't find a strainer that would fit. Some weird size.


I like the looks of the soapstone sinks but I was just allowed to write the checks. Not fair.

Well, as far as 'jewelry' goes, kitchens are better investments than diamonds but, not much. I also preferred the white and blue paint scheme over the tan/light brown of the current version. Of course, I think kitchen design peaked in the '20s and '30s.

 

[highland145]

Well, as far as 'jewelry' goes, kitchens are better investments than diamonds but, not much. I also preferred the white and blue paint scheme over the tan/light brown of the current version. Of course, I think kitchen design peaked in the '20s and '30s.

The diamonds get the girl. The kitchen keeps you in sammiches.

 

[Greenman]

Why granite? It's just a fad that costs more. Kinda like how linoleum was a fad.

We went with a high end laminate and took the extra $3K and went to Disney.

It's not a fad at all. It's a quality product, it's beautiful, and it adds value to your home.

The white washed Oak cabinets of the 80's were a fad, brass fixtures of the 70's and 80's were a fad.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

It's not a fad at all. It's a quality product, it's beautiful, and it adds value to your home.

The white washed Oak cabinets of the 80's were a fad, brass fixtures of the 70's and 80's were a fad.

With stone, it's all about installation. It can be beautiful but, again, it's in the eye of the beholder. It adds appeal but, the 'value' added in no way covers the cost. It is fad or fashion based because very few homes had them years ago and it wasn't due to cost or a new technology being developed. Just like stainless steel appliances. If stone counters are what you want, get them. Don't fall into the trap that it's a good investment.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

The utilitarian differences between slate and granite are minimal. However, I think stone counters are the new stainless steel appliances. Way too many people spend money on looks.

Um duh. What you want your house to look like shit?

 

[highland145]

With stone, it's all about installation. It can be beautiful but, again, it's in the eye of the beholder. It adds appeal but, the 'value' added in no way covers the cost. It is fad or fashion based because very few homes had them years ago and it wasn't due to cost or a new technology being developed. Just like stainless steel appliances. If stone counters are what you want, get them. Don't fall into the trap that it's a good investment.

If you're looking to sell, it could be a good idea because the buyers probably are already in the trap.

We're not moving and we like them. Win.

I hate the stainless we have. Hard to keep clean but, like I said, I just got to write the check.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Um duh. What you want your house to look like shit?

Lack of stone counters does not imply shit.

 

[torpid]

The stainless hate is a bit odd to me. The only non-stainless ranges I've seen in the past 10 years that are any good are crazy expensive because they are "retro" styles. I haven't looked quite as exhaustively at fridges and dishwashers but I'd be surprised if it weren't true there too.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Lack of stone counters does not imply shit.

No, white tile does... so does laminate and vinyl.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The stainless hate is a bit odd to me. The only non-stainless ranges I've seen in the past 10 years that are any good are crazy expensive because they are "retro" styles. I haven't looked quite as exhaustively at fridges and dishwashers but I'd be surprised if it weren't true there too.

Most of the stainless appliances for home use are the exact same appliances that used to be white enamel over steel. The difference is the added price because they're stainless. That is where the hate comes from. Also, visit any large appliance store and you'll see plenty of non stainless steel appliances. It's all about the fashion created by decorators, flippers and, corporations to inflate prices while giving the same value.

 

[Greenman]

With stone, it's all about installation. It can be beautiful but, again, it's in the eye of the beholder. It adds appeal but, the 'value' added in no way covers the cost. It is fad or fashion based because very few homes had them years ago and it wasn't due to cost or a new technology being developed. Just like stainless steel appliances. If stone counters are what you want, get them. Don't fall into the trap that it's a good investment.

The reason very few homes had them years ago was cost. I know that because I've remodeled dozens of kitchens. The price has come down considerably over the years and Granite can now be done for around four times the cost of Formica. It's the only thing my clients even consider. On larger projects, we're always looking for ways to trim the budget, and granite counter tops are never eliminated. They will often use a lower cost granite, but it's always stone.
That might just be the market here in California, but that's the market I know and have worked in for near 40 years.

 

[nageov3t]

The stainless hate is a bit odd to me. The only non-stainless ranges I've seen in the past 10 years that are any good are crazy expensive because they are "retro" styles. I haven't looked quite as exhaustively at fridges and dishwashers but I'd be surprised if it weren't true there too.

personally, I'm just not a fan of the look... I'd much prefer plain black appliances (and, in fact, that's what I have now. black appliances, faux black granite countertops, white cabinets, and green walls)

if I actually owned the place instead of renting, I'd probably throw in real granite countertops, sand the paint off the cabinets, and give them a light stain.

 

[mrjminer]

I like laminate.

-Easy to clean
-Doesn't break
-Cheap

Form follow function.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The reason very few homes had them years ago was cost. I know that because I've remodeled dozens of kitchens. The price has come down considerably over the years and Granite can now be done for around four times the cost of Formica. It's the only thing my clients even consider. On larger projects, we're always looking for ways to trim the budget, and granite counter tops are never eliminated. They will often use a lower cost granite, but it's always stone.
That might just be the market here in California, but that's the market I know and have worked in for near 40 years.

Cost wasn't the issue in the 20's, '30s or, 40's but, there were almighty few homes that had stone counters. Also, as much as I dislike Stainless consumer grade appliances, I love Stainless counter tops. Why don't clients consider them? Because, stone is the fashion.

 

[K1052]

I went with quartz when I remodeled. Non-porous, available in lots of colors, and basically indestructible as long as you don't do anything really stupid.

 

[nageov3t]

Cost wasn't the issue in the 20's, '30s or, 40's but, there were almighty few homes that had stone counters. Also, as much as I dislike Stainless consumer grade appliances, I love Stainless counter tops. Why don't clients consider them? Because, stone is the fashion.

wouldn't a stainless steel countertop make you feel like you were working in the kitchen at a fast food restaurant?

I still have nightmares about any time a drop of mayo spilled onto the prep area when I worked at Burger King. it was the biggest pain in the ass to clean.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

wouldn't a stainless steel countertop make you feel like you were working in the kitchen at a fast food restaurant?

I still have nightmares about any time a drop of mayo spilled onto the prep area when I worked at Burger King. it was the biggest pain in the ass to clean.

One swipe of a cloth gives you nightmares? I love stainless steel counters because they're so easy to clean. Granted my eye for beauty is more utilitarian than most but, for ease of maintenance, cleanliness and, heat resistance, stainless counter tops can't be beat.

 

[nageov3t]

One swipe of a cloth gives you nightmares? I love stainless steel counters because they're so easy to clean. Granted my eye for beauty is more utilitarian than most but, for ease of maintenance, cleanliness and, heat resistance, stainless counter tops can't be beat.

a swipe with a rag just spread the grease around... so you'd have to grab the all-purpose cleaner spray, clean up, wash your hands, and then go back to work (bearing in mind that the hand washing station was at the back of the kitchen, so you'd have to maneuver past like 2 other active stations plus whoever was coming in/out of the walk-in)

 

[mrjminer]

One swipe of a cloth gives you nightmares? I love stainless steel counters because they're so easy to clean. Granted my eye for beauty is more utilitarian than most but, for ease of maintenance, cleanliness and, heat resistance, stainless counter tops can't be beat.

Nothing resists heat like metal. And nothing conducts electricity or gets dented from people leaning on it like laminate and stone.

But really, stainless doesn't look very good and has to be cleaned frequently or it looks terrible; nothing gets masked or absorbed.

Also, everything looks like shit on stainless steel.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

a swipe with a rag just spread the grease around... so you'd have to grab the all-purpose cleaner spray, clean up, wash your hands, and then go back to work (bearing in mind that the hand washing station was at the back of the kitchen, so you'd have to maneuver past like 2 other active stations plus whoever was coming in/out of the walk-in)

That's why each station should have a soap bucket, sanitation bucket and, why you wear gloves so, you can change your gloves without rewashing your hands. Also, using a "all-purpose cleaner spray" while service is ongoing is a big no no.

I might also mention that stainless steel counter tops are cost effective when dealing with unusual kitchen layouts or, where adjoining walls aren't close to 90 degrees.

With stainless as with stone, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[K1052]

I love stainless steel counters because they're so easy to clean.

And that's what you'll be doing all the time. Cleaning it.

They make sense for restaurant kitchens because they are durable, economical, and only the workers generally see them.