Granite Worktops - Truth, Lies and misinformation

cyclonebri1

Feel guilty for continually butting into Alans thread but hopefully he will understand.

The granited will quite simply be sat on the units, unlikely to be fixed in anyway, it's weight dictates it doesn't need to be,
Plus when it's sealed to the walls it's lateral movement is fixed.

The sink/s will of course be adhered/fixed to the granite tops.

Yes you could shim the top to stop the wobble, but the cabinet should be level and prevent this, hence me answer earlier.

Myser

That GBPro sealant looks quite impressive - I watched the video!

doppelganger

Hi alan

I'm wondering if you can help. I love a kitchen I have seen but one of the main things I loved about it was the granite in ivory spice which I am now told is very difficult to get hold of as the mine has closed.

I spoke to a granite supplier in Cardiff who confirmed this but also said that it was very inconsistent in quality and graining. They recommended Harvest Gold but it looks nothing like it to me.

I have also seen kashmir white in a showroom and while it is a close match in colour it doesn't seem to have the veining I particularly liked about the ivory spice.

I've tried researching online and the closest things I can find are Imperial white and raw silk white. It is very hard to tell though from a small picture on a computer screen what they are like. Do you know of these and would they be a good alternative?

Can you recommend any of the above or a different colour, or do you know anyone who still has ivory spice as I have yet to see anything I like as much?
Thanks

Jockanory

Alan,
I'm looking at getting granite worktops for my new kitchen,can you recommend anyone in west cornwall area.
thanks

Alan_M_2

doppelganger wrote: »

Hi alan

I'm wondering if you can help. I love a kitchen I have seen but one of the main things I loved about it was the granite in ivory spice which I am now told is very difficult to get hold of as the mine has closed.

I spoke to a granite supplier in Cardiff who confirmed this but also said that it was very inconsistent in quality and graining. They recommended Harvest Gold but it looks nothing like it to me.

I have also seen kashmir white in a showroom and while it is a close match in colour it doesn't seem to have the veining I particularly liked about the ivory spice.

I've tried researching online and the closest things I can find are Imperial white and raw silk white. It is very hard to tell though from a small picture on a computer screen what they are like. Do you know of these and would they be a good alternative?

Can you recommend any of the above or a different colour, or do you know anyone who still has ivory spice as I have yet to see anything I like as much?
Thanks

All of these lighter colours will change from block to block, even from the same quarry. So it's difficult to recommend something, especially from an image on the internet.

Best thing you can do is visit a large stone wholesaler.

If you're near Cardiff the largest Wholesaler in that area is :-

INGEMAR GROUP UK LTD
UNIT 27
WESTON BUSINESS PARK
LANEYS DROVE
WESTON - SUPER - MARE
NORTH SOMERSET
BS24 8RA

TEL 01934 625 252
FAX 01934 615 924
[EMAIL="bristol@ingemargroup.com"]bristol@ingemargroup.com[/EMAIL]

Pop in and see them, have a browse and see if there's something there you like.

The colours you mention have a great deal of varience. Never buy these colours from samples, insist on seeing the full slab.

Alan_M_2

Jockanory wrote: »

Alan,
I'm looking at getting granite worktops for my new kitchen,can you recommend anyone in west cornwall area.
thanks

Speak to Paul or Simon at The Little Granite Kitchen shop in Paignton.

Both traditional stonemasons, at your budget keep things simple and they should be able to help.

Mention Alan gave you their details, they will put a sensible price together for you.

UsefulTips2012

Firstly, this is a really great post!

Hopefully, we can add to this as on the henderstone site (henderstone.co.uk/henderstone-infographic) there is an info graphic on 'choosing the right kitchen worktop and how to maintain it', which will also give you some great cleaning tips on buying and maintaining your quartz and granite worktops.

FredzMum

Hi All, enjoyed reading the thread to date. Wondered if Alan or anyone could help... I had a new kitchen installed last year (Ikea) by my brother, who is an excellent joiner. Budget would only stretch to laminate worktop at the time. Unfortunately, despite being sealed properly, worktop has blown slightly one joint (warned this might happen because of where it was, but couldn't position elsewhere). Thinking of replacing now with granite. I know that a lot of companies don't like doing this work.

Wondered if anyone could recommend copany in Greater Manchester who might do this. It's a small u shaped kitchen, 3 worktops approx 1.8 metres each, cut out for hob and sink (I want to keep my Franke over mount sink). I had double the number of legs put on the base units when kitchen installed, and it seems sturdy. Any ideas if this would be feasible? I would get old worktop removed, and sink and hob. My budget would be £2000 max. Would I be able to get some upstands as well for this, or is it being optimistic?

Thanks in anticipation

penguingirl

FredzMum, I don't know whereabouts you are in Greater Manchester, but I know there is a Wigan based company http://www.granite-care.co.uk/ that provide and fit granite worktops across the NW. I can't vouch for what they are like as I haven't used them or know anyone who has, but I drive past one of their showrooms a couple of times a week and they always seem quite busy.

pineapple

I've heard it said that a good worktop will uplift a cheap kitchen and is worth the expense.
That said, when I had a cleaning job, I was always disappointed at the shine I could get in one customer's kitchen. He had that expensive specialist cleaner too.