Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to drop a can of gasoline into this thread and add that we put in laminate and love it! Now you can all unite in your combined disgust. You're welcome.

In my previous home I chose between corian and laminate, I chose laminate.

Another person who chose laminate! But in my case, I did it because I knew at some point in the future I'd tear out the kitchen and start over. Of course, that was 8 years ago, LOL. The laminate looks good as new, and it only cost me $800, including installation. No regrets.

When we recently renovated our kitchen, we chose quartz counters but in a very similar color/pattern to the laminate that had been in our kitchen for years. It was a nice neutral that I'd always liked. Love it in quartz too! http://st.houzz.com/simgs/8b012b8c0fa98197_8-4910/traditional-kitchen.jpg (not our kitchen but same counter, we have it with antique white cabinets/cherry island)

Wow, PP, I love that counter top! We are getting our kitchen redone soon. Do you remember the brand and color you chose?

It's Silestone in Tigris Sand

We are also going with quartz for our reno; don't like the busy swirls/veining in granite.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to drop a can of gasoline into this thread and add that we put in laminate and love it! Now you can all unite in your combined disgust. You're welcome.

In my previous home I chose between corian and laminate, I chose laminate.

Another person who chose laminate! But in my case, I did it because I knew at some point in the future I'd tear out the kitchen and start over. Of course, that was 8 years ago, LOL. The laminate looks good as new, and it only cost me $800, including installation. No regrets.

When we recently renovated our kitchen, we chose quartz counters but in a very similar color/pattern to the laminate that had been in our kitchen for years. It was a nice neutral that I'd always liked. Love it in quartz too! http://st.houzz.com/simgs/8b012b8c0fa98197_8-4910/traditional-kitchen.jpg (not our kitchen but same counter, we have it with antique white cabinets/cherry island)

Wow, PP, I love that counter top! We are getting our kitchen redone soon. Do you remember the brand and color you chose?

It's Silestone in Tigris Sand

I have been to a lot of open houses recently, and have noticed stained granite in many of the houses. Not sure what caused the stains, but with the busy look of the granite, the stains are very unattractive.

Anonymous wrote:Consumer Reports just did another report on Countertops.

The best countertops are Quartz (engineered stone) and then Granite at a close 2nd.

Soapstone scores 46 vs quartz 84 and granite 81

Butcher block scores almost last at 24, marble at 14 and bamboo is last at 10

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/home-improvement/countertops/countertop-ratings/kitchen-countertop-ratings/ratings-overview.htm

Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately the link you provide is unavailable without a subscription.

Does the article specify in what way quartz is supperior to granite? Does it indicate any downsides to quartz?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to drop a can of gasoline into this thread and add that we put in laminate and love it! Now you can all unite in your combined disgust. You're welcome.

In my previous home I chose between corian and laminate, I chose laminate.

Another person who chose laminate! But in my case, I did it because I knew at some point in the future I'd tear out the kitchen and start over. Of course, that was 8 years ago, LOL. The laminate looks good as new, and it only cost me $800, including installation. No regrets.

When we recently renovated our kitchen, we chose quartz counters but in a very similar color/pattern to the laminate that had been in our kitchen for years. It was a nice neutral that I'd always liked. Love it in quartz too! http://st.houzz.com/simgs/8b012b8c0fa98197_8-4910/traditional-kitchen.jpg (not our kitchen but same counter, we have it with antique white cabinets/cherry island)

Wow, PP, I love that counter top! We are getting our kitchen redone soon. Do you remember the brand and color you chose?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to drop a can of gasoline into this thread and add that we put in laminate and love it! Now you can all unite in your combined disgust. You're welcome.

In my previous home I chose between corian and laminate, I chose laminate.

Another person who chose laminate! But in my case, I did it because I knew at some point in the future I'd tear out the kitchen and start over. Of course, that was 8 years ago, LOL. The laminate looks good as new, and it only cost me $800, including installation. No regrets.

When we recently renovated our kitchen, we chose quartz counters but in a very similar color/pattern to the laminate that had been in our kitchen for years. It was a nice neutral that I'd always liked. Love it in quartz too! http://st.houzz.com/simgs/8b012b8c0fa98197_8-4910/traditional-kitchen.jpg (not our kitchen but same counter, we have it with antique white cabinets/cherry island)

Consumer Reports just did another report on Countertops.

The best countertops are Quartz (engineered stone) and then Granite at a close 2nd.

Soapstone scores 46 vs quartz 84 and granite 81

Butcher block scores almost last at 24, marble at 14 and bamboo is last at 10

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/home-improvement/countertops/countertop-ratings/kitchen-countertop-ratings/ratings-overview.htm

I don't have a problem with granite. As a cook/entertainer I think it's great. I am not a fan of the busy patterns. Unfortunately our home had a beautiful kitchen remodel and the kitchen is huge with tons of counter space. The granite is similar to the brownish one pictured which I am not a fan of. Everytime I mention that---that I didn't pick it and I'm not crazy about it---people go on and on about how they like it. These are people that I can trust to give me an honest opinion and tell me what I don't want to hear.

That said--in our investment property home I was able to choose the counters and after much debate--we chose granite because it really seemed to have the best wearability and this was going to have tenants. I did choose a granite I loved. It was whitish with very little pattern....so different from what's in my own home.

Oh well.