Granite or Quartz worktops - Experiences? Advice?

TDA10

ixwood wrote: »

Isn't granite another fad that'll pass and start to look dated? It's a lot of cash for the in thing IMHO.

That's a very valid point actually, ixwood.

I'm sure the time will surely come when we all see skips full of unwanted granite worktops, but then again the same could be said for perhaps decking, solid wood flooring, or even laminate - that has been around way longer than I'd have ever thought, plus the current thing for nice flat skimmed ceilings instead of the old artex etc - all fads that are sometimes in, and sometimes out!

A rough average cost of a kitchen (units and doors) for an 'average' semi is about £2-3k - the same (hopefully less ) as I will pay for the worktop.

Again, on average we get fed up with our kitchens after approx 10 years and 10 years ago my kitchen looked the dogs, but as fads and fashions change it looked dated, so if this worktop gives me 10 years of use, fashion wise, for less than £2000 and then it's time to get skipped, then I'll be happy.

I've just spent a fair whack on black floor tiles for the kitchen and the en-suite, but could hand on heart say that 5 years ago I'd never have imagined that I'd have had black ANYWHERE in the house! Now I can't get enough of the bloomin colour! And it's the most popular Dulux colour that we mix at B&Q (Night Jewels 1 Shade). But give it a few months and it'll prob be lime green and vivid yellow that is all the rage like about 7 years ago!

As long as we don't revert back to woodchip (well, woodchip effect as it is now) then I'll sleep soundly! :rotfl:

Good point though!

Doozergirl

TDA10 wrote: »

I've just spent a fair whack on black floor tiles for the kitchen and the en-suite, but could hand on heart say that 5 years ago I'd never have imagined that I'd have had black ANYWHERE in the house! Now I can't get enough of the bloomin colour! And it's the most popular Dulux colour that we mix at B&Q (Night Jewels 1 Shade). But give it a few months and it'll prob be lime green and vivid yellow that is all the rage like about 7 years ago!

I like you, LOL!

I have black sparkly worktops, a black floor and one wall of my kitchen in 'Little Black Dress' - to heck with it!

TDA10

Cheers Doozer! :beer:

I even have a couple of high gloss black units in with the white ones! :rotfl:

I said I was obsessed by the colour eh?!!!

And it's just sooooo easy to keep clean with my cats and dog! :rolleyes: NOT!!!

frogglet

I have never resealed my granite and never get watermarks, it looks as new as the day it was put in 6 years ago.
I have seen some worktops being sold as granite which are actually marble which is very porous.

Stone_Gazer

Granite sealer is there to put a protective layer over the stone in case of oil spills and acid.

It wont protect your stone from heat etc.
After sealing your tops once you should not need to seal again as the sealer is a type of glue if you like, that gets in to all those little holes that we cant see by the eye sealing them up so that nothing can get passed the first layer of polish ie. No staining

Out of all these internet suppliers, i've met a few, and only 2 maybe 3 of the larger ones i would actually give my money to and feel safe knowing what there doing.

Dia-pol are based in Estonia shipping there stone here, which is great unless you have a broken piece which happened no fault to you or the installers, that takes another 2 weeks to arrive - or theres been a last minute change and then there powerless and alot more unforgiving if they have to lose any money by making a very simple change.

your decision,

Just ask if your company imports there own stone? are the works done here?
What happens if theres a problem? - and dont except we'll be back out straight away unless its in writing.

:beer:

1sue23

frogglet wrote: »

I have never resealed my granite and never get watermarks, it looks as new as the day it was put in 6 years ago.
I have seen some worktops being sold as granite which are actually marble which is very porous.

Not permanent watermarks ,but I am forever polishing the tops because it looks awful ,even where you put the cup down leaves a marks it drives me mad .I have taken to putting tea towel on the granite to put the teapot on and the cups just to try and stop it ,the other thing is when you wipe it down it will still look smeared and so I have to give it a good polish at least once a week it drives me mad and I can't wait to be rid of it.

silvercar

I've got hard water, so watermarks are going to be a problem. So much so I'm seriously thinking of not having black!

1sue23

silvercar wrote: »

I've got hard water, so watermarks are going to be a problem. So much so I'm seriously thinking of not having black!

I am in a soft water area and it is still a problem and mine are black .

Stone_Gazer

1sue23 wrote: »

I am forever polishing the tops because it looks awful ,even where you put the cup down leaves a marks it drives me mad .

Hi,

Yes this will happen when you have a grease/oil build up on the surface, the more you wipe the smudgy-er it will get try using window cleaner or anti grease stuff - without ACID in, finished off by HOT SOAPY WATER.

Star Galaxy/absolute by the way are the worst black granites for smearing.

1sue23

Stone_Gazer wrote: »

Hi,

Yes this will happen when you have a grease/oil build up on the surface, the more you wipe the smudgy-er it will get try using window cleaner or anti grease stuff - without ACID in, finished off by HOT SOAPY WATER.

Star Galaxy/absolute by the way are the worst black granites for smearing.

I do all of this and it looks great afterwards ,but as soon as I use it again I am back to square one ,if you don't use the kitchen it looks stunning ,but this is not what a kitchen is for and I love cooking and baking ,next year I am going to replace the granite with good old fashioned laminate and accept that I made an expensive mistake.