I could have written this post, OP! I DETEST my granite countertops. It's the black granite with the starburst pattern / flecks. I miss my old kitchen with white marble so much, but I can't stomach the expense and the waste. I was just wondering today if there would be a way to buff it or cover it up with an extra layer of something in another color. Sigh.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I moved into a house with perfectly good granite that I didn't care for. I have kept it. It just seems very wasteful to me -- like anything else from the earth, eventually we will run out of it. I have worked around it in terms of paint and thankfully I had an empty corner where I installed a large row of cabinets with an overhang counter that I used marble-looking quartz for.

I agree, PP.

OP, you must have money to burn. I'd also research your other options very well. Granite is extremely practical in the kitchen.

But, to some people's eyes, ugly and dated. Sorry. I'm sure whoever put it in in 2006 thought "this is a Forever Countertop!" But the fact is that styles change. - not OP

Anonymous wrote:I moved into a house with perfectly good granite that I didn't care for. I have kept it. It just seems very wasteful to me -- like anything else from the earth, eventually we will run out of it. I have worked around it in terms of paint and thankfully I had an empty corner where I installed a large row of cabinets with an overhang counter that I used marble-looking quartz for.

I agree, PP.

OP, you must have money to burn. I'd also research your other options very well. Granite is extremely practical in the kitchen.

NP -- I want to piggyback on this thread. Do you think it's crazy to replace a recently upgraded granite fireplace surround with brick instead? The granite feels cold to me and I love the warm look of a brick fireplace. But it seems funny to pay for what most people would consider a "downgrade" in material and I'm not sure it most buyers upon resale would prefer granite (assume we're here 5-7 more years).

It's not a granite pattern I would have chosen myself and the family room opens into a kitchen full of granite, it just feels like too much of a good thing me.

OP, if you're going to be around at least 7 more years, I vote get a kitchen material you like (assuming the cost isn't a huge issue for you). I don't know much about marble though. Sorry for hijacking your thread!

Why all the hate for granite? How different is it from marble really????

I moved into a house with perfectly good granite that I didn't care for. I have kept it. It just seems very wasteful to me -- like anything else from the earth, eventually we will run out of it. I have worked around it in terms of paint and thankfully I had an empty corner where I installed a large row of cabinets with an overhang counter that I used marble-looking quartz for.

Two things: one, while it's theoretically possible to remove the granite so that it's still in one piece (or multiples depending on cutouts/seams etc) I'm told there's also a high likelihood of cracking. Add to that the fact that the only people who have appropriate vehicles for transporting stone slabs without breakage are the same places that have tons of their own remnants (fabricators/stoneyards.) So you probably won't have an easy time donating your granite.

Second, think hard about marble. It's gorgeous, but the etching, staining - are you sure you want to live in a kitchen that has to be protected from use? There are lots of alternatives that would give you a similar look - various quartz products like Silestone or Cambria, but also natural stones like Taj Mahal quartzite and a few others. Go on Gardenweb's kitchen forum and look for some advice before you spend a mint on marble. There are marble fans there but you can get more info on good alternatives to consider as well.

Thanks. You've all been so validating. I'll look into donating the granite, and now I can have the fun of dreaming of new countertops!

I'm going to be here at least another 7 years.

If you hate granite as much as I do (a lot), then get rid of it.

You can donate it to Community Forklift. I've seen used granite countertops there at times. (I don't like granite either!)

Marble is lovely. I have it and soapstone in my kitchen and am quite pleased with both.

Good luck with your project.

Free to a good home on Craigslist.
Donate to ReStore.

Anonymous wrote:How long are you planning to live there?

I'm going to be here at least another 7 years.

I hate granite too.

Marble is sensitive to acids and as such is not recommended in the kitchen.
However I paid a fortune for the most beautiful polished walnut countertop that is equally fragile, so I can't say anything

Try to sell your granite or donate it to someone, that way it won't be so wasteful.

How long are you planning to live there?

I have lived in my house 5 years, and I have hated the granite countertops from the very beginning. They are absolutely beautiful I'm sure. I just hate them. So I am toying with replacing them with marble. But there is a LOT of granite. I would estimate it would be about $15-$20K just to replace them with marble.

I have basically lived with all my house's imperfections (such as 1916 sized closets) and try to maintain the integrity of the home. But this was obviously a 2005 remodel with a material I just hate.

DO you think this is a waste of money? Is there any thing you can do with the old granite if I do decide to swap it out?