Granite Worktops - Truth, Lies and misinformation

hotcookie101

Just bumping this up, for anyone/alan m, as I have a question or 2 (or 6) ;)
We have decided to go for the labrador antique, even though it was 25% dearer than the colonial cream, as we felt we would just end up regretting the £1k saving, as the labrador was just perfect, and we would always wonder "what if...."
What do I need to keep away from the granite? I read conflicting ideas-is lemon juice kryptonite? What do I do if I spill something I shouldn't on it? Can I use viakil/limelite/vinegar etc to get rid of limescale marks? It comes with a chopping board made from the offcuts (which will be a centre table mat-I'm not going to kill my Global knives on a granite board ) and a care kit-what sort of care/uptake does it take? I see Method do a daily granite spray-is this a good idea?
Am sure will have more. We ended up not going with the cheapest quote as we had 2 very similar, the one we went for was £300 more, but they are planning on only one join in the tops Its ever such a lot tho-I have said to OH if I die in this house I want the worktop recycled for my headstone (I am only 32! :rotfl: )

Alan_M_2

hotcookie101 wrote: »

Just bumping this up, for anyone/alan m, as I have a question or 2 (or 6) ;)
We have decided to go for the labrador antique, even though it was 25% dearer than the colonial cream, as we felt we would just end up regretting the £1k saving, as the labrador was just perfect, and we would always wonder "what if...."


What do I need to keep away from the granite? I read conflicting ideas-is lemon juice kryptonite? What do I do if I spill something I shouldn't on it? Can I use viakil/limelite/vinegar etc to get rid of limescale marks?

As a rule of thumb, keep strong acids and alkalis away fromt he surface. What these will do is etch the surface an spoil the finish.

It comes with a chopping board made from the offcuts (which will be a centre table mat-I'm not going to kill my Global knives on a granite board )

Don't use your best knives on a stone surface, common sense really it's going to wreck both. Use a purpose made chopping board.

and a care kit-what sort of care/uptake does it take? I see Method do a daily granite spray-is this a good idea?

A bit of mild soapy water is generally enough for daily upkeep. Many of the chemicals sold for this are snake oil. PH neutral cleaners of any variety are fine.


Am sure will have more. We ended up not going with the cheapest quote as we had 2 very similar, the one we went for was £300 more, but they are planning on only one join in the tops Its ever such a lot tho-I have said to OH if I die in this house I want the worktop recycled for my headstone (I am only 32! :rotfl: )

Think of granite in the same way you'd think of any worksurface.

If you want it looking as good in ten years as it does the day it's fitted then treat is carefully.

Here in the UK we seem to expect things to stay in new condition for endless amounts of time. Take the Italians for instance, they actively beat up their new shiny tops to make them looked lived in. They feel it gives them character, but then they are fond of marble kitchen worktops which are terribly impractical if you want anything to remain looking nice and shiney.

danemi1

there is a possibility we may buy a sheraton craftsman oak kitchen - its ex display and with it comes a length of granite in kashmir white - to try and match the granite I think would be very tricky so we are contemplating if we do buy it, to go for Labrador Antique for the island (up, over and down - top being mm. I think it would be 2000 as it would be accommodating a washing machine, a dishwasher and a 800 sink base unit).

Are the two colours good together - and we have been quoted approx 3k for the granite, the sink cut out and the fit?

Anyone advise - would two granites look ok in a kitchen - with oak untis - room size will be 21 ft by 12 ft

Thanks

Alan_M_2

Having an Island only as a stand alone colour works nicely.

I've seen granite and wood mixed to the same effect, no reason the two colours can't be used.

jpsid

Alan, Could I trouble you for some more advice please? We like Kashmir White and Ivory Fantasy granites, favouring KW over IF as some of the apricot/peach can be quite overpowering in some pieces.

That was until I read a lot of your posts on here last night about light granites and the fact that they are more pourous and could potentially stain.

We are having a new kitchen (gloss cream units with a gloss wenge woodgrain island) and want a contemporary look with a light worktop with some sparkly bits. Would you recommend a Kashmir White worktop in a family kitchen that is likely to have blackcurrant/coke/curry sauce spillages or is there another not so pourous white/cream granite or should we go for quartz?

Is this the reason Kashmir White is at the cheaper end of the price scale?

Thank you.

cyclonebri1

jpsid wrote: »

Alan, Could I trouble you for some more advice please? We like Kashmir White and Ivory Fantasy granites, favouring KW over IF as some of the apricot/peach can be quite overpowering in some pieces.

That was until I read a lot of your posts on here last night about light granites and the fact that they are more pourous and could potentially stain.

We are having a new kitchen (gloss cream units with a gloss wenge woodgrain island) and want a contemporary look with a light worktop with some sparkly bits. Would you recommend a Kashmir White worktop in a family kitchen that is likely to have blackcurrant/coke/curry sauce spillages or is there another not so pourous white/cream granite or should we go for quartz?

Is this the reason Kashmir White is at the cheaper end of the price scale?

Thank you.

You really do need to check out good quality Kashmir Gold.

It has golds, yellows, reds, blackberry/red currant plus greys and browns and quartz highlights in every shade.

Iv'e got this, only for a few months as yet, but I can't think of a single stain that would spoil this surface, assuming it does eventually stain.;)

Alan_M_2

jpsid wrote: »

Alan, Could I trouble you for some more advice please? We like Kashmir White and Ivory Fantasy granites, favouring KW over IF as some of the apricot/peach can be quite overpowering in some pieces.

That was until I read a lot of your posts on here last night about light granites and the fact that they are more pourous and could potentially stain.

We are having a new kitchen (gloss cream units with a gloss wenge woodgrain island) and want a contemporary look with a light worktop with some sparkly bits. Would you recommend a Kashmir White worktop in a family kitchen that is likely to have blackcurrant/coke/curry sauce spillages or is there another not so pourous white/cream granite or should we go for quartz?

Is this the reason Kashmir White is at the cheaper end of the price scale?

Thank you.

With lighter colours, quartz will be far more user freindly. It's just far easier to live with if staining is a possible issue.

elliebanks

Have a look at thegranitehouse.co.uk I used them for my recent kitchen renewal! they were so handy and my kitchen turned out just the way i wanted it!!

I would highly recommend people check them out!! hope this helps everyone out there!!

x

*sorry it wont let me post links, but just type the granite house into google and you'll find it!*

chick21

Any recommendations for places in SW London?

Alan_M_2

chick21 wrote: »

Any recommendations for places in SW London?

Give these guys a try, based in the South east:-

http://www.uk-kitchen-worktops.co.uk/