Granite Worktops - Truth, Lies and misinformation

Leif

Ah okay, in which case I withdraw the spamming comment and apologise to SteveP888. Sorry, my mistake.

Elbee

Hi Alan - we are in the process of having a kitchen fitted and have opted for granite worktops. We have decided on absolute black, but when the surveyor came out he said that as an ex-fitter he wanted us to be aware that in his experience the absolute black tended to show up scratches. Now we are very careful with our things but I don't need somthing that has to be wrapped up in kid gloves! Do you have any thoughts on this?
Thanks xxx

kabayiri

Alan_M wrote: »

This was the post he was referring to.



This was my reply:-



I stand by my response, offering base unit measurements for quotation purposes is wholly normal.

Asking a customer to provide base unit measurements for the the manufacture of the product is wholly unacceptable.

A site visit is a minimum requirement, with templating being preferable.

I post as just a consumer who has had quartz worktops installed a week or two back.

I was dubious on the value of templating. After all, it was a new extension, and measurements are measurements aren't they? I was trying to look at things for value.

Anyway, after seeing the guy template I could not have been more wrong !! Alan M clearly speaks from experience. I didn't appreciate things like where your sink cutout will be and hob cutout.

If you are spending 10K+ on a kitchen it's not worth it to risk badly fitting worktops for sake of a few hundred pounds. Just my view anyway.

Alan_M_2

Elbee wrote: »

Hi Alan - we are in the process of having a kitchen fitted and have opted for granite worktops. We have decided on absolute black, but when the surveyor came out he said that as an ex-fitter he wanted us to be aware that in his experience the absolute black tended to show up scratches. Now we are very careful with our things but I don't need somthing that has to be wrapped up in kid gloves! Do you have any thoughts on this?
Thanks xxx

Think of Absolute Black granite in the same way you think about owning a black car.

It doesn't mark any more than any other colour, but it shows the marks more readily.

If you're going to want the surface to look pristine every day, you're going to have to clean it morning and evening every day - and probably in between.

There is nothing inherently wrong with this material, it simply shows marks/dirt far more than pretty much any other colour.

henry13

Thank you very much for your informative posts Alan.

Can you tell me the qualities, pros and cons of both White and grey granite.

Also, could you recommend a good company to supply and fit in north/east London, considering we're on a tight budget.

Many thanks

Alan_M_2

henry13 wrote: »

Thank you very much for your informative posts Alan.

Can you tell me the qualities, pros and cons of both White and grey granite.

Also, could you recommend a good company to supply and fit in north/east London, considering we're on a tight budget.

Many thanks

Do you have something specific in mind?

The most obvious stones available in those colours are going to be Kashmir white or Steel Grey.

Is that the kind of thing you're looking for?

Innys

Alan M

I have just had Blues in the Night granite installed as my worktops. How would you suggest I clean them and using what cleaning agent, if any?

Thanks

Alan_M_2

Innys wrote: »

Alan M

I have just had Blues in the Night granite installed as my worktops. How would you suggest I clean them and using what cleaning agent, if any?

Thanks

You need nothing more than a bit of mild soapy water then buff it up with a "e cloth".

You only really need something specialised if you manage to mark or stain it.

That's a pretty stone quarried mainly in Namibia.

cyclonebri1

Alan, I have only just stumbled accross this post shortly before committing to a deal on granite tops.

I have visited mistermarble and was not at all happy with the standard of fitting in their showroom. Marble4less? didn't get on with them, they even failed to send out samples as promised.

I'm almost settled on mable4life, a little more expensive but I do know of 1 installation by them that looks good to me.

Without asking you to commit any indescetions do you have any views either way about this company? I think there's also a sister side to their operation but the name escapes me. Edited to add it's Mayfairgranite

Thanks in advance:T

Alan_M_2

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Alan, I have only just stumbled accross this post shortly before committing to a deal on granite tops.

I have visited mistermarble and was not at all happy with the standard of fitting in their showroom. Marble4less? didn't get on with them, they even failed to send out samples as promised.

I'm almost settled on mable4life, a little more expensive but I do know of 1 installation by them that looks good to me.

Without asking you to commit any indescetions do you have any views either way about this company? I think there's also a sister side to their operation but the name escapes me. Edited to add it's Mayfairgranite

Thanks in advance:T

Well you've done the right thing, viewed a few installations and discovered who is good and who isn't.

If a company can't even do a good fit in thier own showroom, what chance is there of them getting it right in your house?

I've not had any personal dealings with Mayfair Granite, but from conversations I've had with a few of my (stone mason) customers they have a solid reputation.