is granite really "over"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Granite is not bullet-proof, nor is it maintenance-free. Not sure where people are getting that idea? As a porous material, it can harbor bacteria. As a result, it should be sealed annually, although many people don't realize this and skimp on the upkeep. It also can stain. Even with sealing, the surface is only stain-resistant--not stain-proof. You’ll still need to quickly clean up any spills like coffee or wine. Materials like quartz and soapstone are non-porous and much better in this regard.

See here for some examples of what can happen:

http://www.finishing.com/113/03.shtml

I've had granite for more than 15 years in two different homes. Never sealed after first time. Lenny of juice and coffee spills, no stains.

[Anonymous]

Lots of juice and coffee

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Granite is not bullet-proof, nor is it maintenance-free. Not sure where people are getting that idea? As a porous material, it can harbor bacteria. As a result, it should be sealed annually, although many people don't realize this and skimp on the upkeep. It also can stain. Even with sealing, the surface is only stain-resistant--not stain-proof. You’ll still need to quickly clean up any spills like coffee or wine. Materials like quartz and soapstone are non-porous and much better in this regard.

See here for some examples of what can happen:

http://www.finishing.com/113/03.shtml

I've had granite for more than 15 years in two different homes. Never sealed after first time. Lenny of juice and coffee spills, no stains.

Sounds like grease is the big item to watch out for. The bacteria thing is kind of concerning too. Personally, I'd rather not have to worry about raw chicken juice absorbing into my counters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Granite is not bullet-proof, nor is it maintenance-free. Not sure where people are getting that idea? As a porous material, it can harbor bacteria. As a result, it should be sealed annually, although many people don't realize this and skimp on the upkeep. It also can stain. Even with sealing, the surface is only stain-resistant--not stain-proof. You’ll still need to quickly clean up any spills like coffee or wine. Materials like quartz and soapstone are non-porous and much better in this regard.

See here for some examples of what can happen:

http://www.finishing.com/113/03.shtml

I've had granite for more than 15 years in two different homes. Never sealed after first time. Lenny of juice and coffee spills, no stains.

Sounds like grease is the big item to watch out for. The bacteria thing is kind of concerning too. Personally, I'd rather not have to worry about raw chicken juice absorbing into my counters.

The bacteria thing is a myth, check out this study, granite actually has the greatest reduction of bacteria when cleaning
http://ourlivingspace.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-resistant-is-your-countertop-to.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bacteria thing is a myth, check out this study, granite actually has the greatest reduction of bacteria when cleaning
http://ourlivingspace.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-resistant-is-your-countertop-to.html

What an odd list of comparison materials. I should certainly hope that granite would perform better than wood and laminate. They left off most of the up-and-comers like marble, quartz and soapstone. One also has to wonder if the granite they tested had been sealed as manufacturers recommend, since few people seem to bother with sealing post-installation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bacteria thing is a myth, check out this study, granite actually has the greatest reduction of bacteria when cleaning
http://ourlivingspace.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-resistant-is-your-countertop-to.html

What an odd list of comparison materials. I should certainly hope that granite would perform better than wood and laminate. They left off most of the up-and-comers like marble, quartz and soapstone. One also has to wonder if the granite they tested had been sealed as manufacturers recommend, since few people seem to bother with sealing post-installation.

You have to be joking with the marble. It is completely porous, that is why it stains so easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't care if it's considered tacky by a handful of fools on a real estate forum. It's more durable than butcher's block or sandstone, and I think it looks nice and timeless. I like my house to look nice and tasteful, but also be functional, and I want a hard surface that doesn't scratch easily and has good material properties for cooking. I'm not going to use some subpar material just out of faddishness.

Is your granite swirly? Brown and black swirls, perchance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't care if it's considered tacky by a handful of fools on a real estate forum. It's more durable than butcher's block or sandstone, and I think it looks nice and timeless. I like my house to look nice and tasteful, but also be functional, and I want a hard surface that doesn't scratch easily and has good material properties for cooking. I'm not going to use some subpar material just out of faddishness.

Sounds like you should have gone with quartz.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Granite is not bullet-proof, nor is it maintenance-free. Not sure where people are getting that idea? As a porous material, it can harbor bacteria. As a result, it should be sealed annually, although many people don't realize this and skimp on the upkeep. It also can stain. Even with sealing, the surface is only stain-resistant--not stain-proof. You’ll still need to quickly clean up any spills like coffee or wine. Materials like quartz and soapstone are non-porous and much better in this regard.

See here for some examples of what can happen:

http://www.finishing.com/113/03.shtml

I've had granite for more than 15 years in two different homes. Never sealed after first time. Lenny of juice and coffee spills, no stains.

+1 Never have had stains. I think newer granite is very well sealed before installing. I have certainly NEVER refinished mine, nor do I have a "hidden bacteria" problem. Laughable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just overhauled our 1830's farmhouse. We are putting in leathered black beauty granite. It's being installed on Thursday. We have white shaker styled cabinets and a herringbone gray porcelain 6x24 tile. The backsplash is an Italian subway tile in white. I think (hope) that's it's going to work.

This sounds beautiful! Congrats on the new kitchen.

+1 sounds very beautiful

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Granite is not bullet-proof, nor is it maintenance-free. Not sure where people are getting that idea? As a porous material, it can harbor bacteria. As a result, it should be sealed annually, although many people don't realize this and skimp on the upkeep. It also can stain. Even with sealing, the surface is only stain-resistant--not stain-proof. You’ll still need to quickly clean up any spills like coffee or wine. Materials like quartz and soapstone are non-porous and much better in this regard.

See here for some examples of what can happen:

http://www.finishing.com/113/03.shtml

I've had granite for more than 15 years in two different homes. Never sealed after first time. Lenny of juice and coffee spills, no stains.

+1 Never have had stains. I think newer granite is very well sealed before installing. I have certainly NEVER refinished mine, nor do I have a "hidden bacteria" problem. Laughable.

Lol. You do understand the meaning of the word "hidden", right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have always wanted white marble kitchen counters maybe with thin gray veins. I love love love how they look. I don't care about all the negatives. I love it and I take care of my things.

Our house has granite. It's fine but I don't love it. When we redo it I will get white marble. I don't care what anyone else likes or wants. It's my kitchen and I have to live with it. Do what YOU like, OP!

So, you are in the I don't care if my countertop is ruined in 6 months club?

Or maybe they don't cook

Or maybe they don't think a stain or two = ruined?

We have one run of butcher block. It gets stained, the stains fade, I move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back when we were in the middle of the granite craze, I remember wonder what could possibly follow it? This is natural, a solid rock, I mean this had to be the end of the road? And I think it still is. The only thing left is maybe having different finishes on it I think. Or some kind of future artificial plastic surface that we don't yet know about that will somehow be better. I suppose some day tastes will change so that natural materials like hardwood floors and granite counters will be out in favor of futuristic materials.

Agreed. We make 650k and love our granite....what is dated are some of the old, busy 'home depot' patterns. It is the color, patterns that dates the granite--not the material itself.

And what does your HHI have to do with this?

Somebody mentioned it was for cheap houses now , people without $...

[Anonymous]

I'm still happy with my granite- it has a pattern and it hides everything We've had it for 10 years and it is zero maintenance and still looks good. I wouldn't say granite is out- I just think some different materials have become popular.

[Anonymous]

Our granite is dark with a pattern and it looks exactly the same as when we bought it nearly 10 years ago.