Kitchen Countertops - the unvarnished truth, please

Parent Cafe
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<p>VH…what sealant do you use?</p>

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<p>I would consider quartz countertops for rentals in particular, as they require no sealing. It is possible to find them in styles that mimic stone and I was pleasantly surprised by the current options as the earlier ones used to be rather sparkly and busy to my eye. I have dark granite with a lot of “movement” in my kitchen now and like it, though a less patterned granite would probably look dated less quickly. As to dark or light, it really depends on your flooring, wall and backsplash preferences.</p>

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<p><a href=“https://www.google.ca/search?q=beautiful+granite&tbm=isch&source=iu&imgil=njYNEw2lzk5RzM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcS2Az5TudDzPp7XmnUsXu-bHmqUVgbiC5o04WduHYeCs_2qs7dp9g%253B512%253B384%253Bt2zy9Bn1qJH1_M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Flubbockonline.com%25252Fstories%25252F072108%25252Fbus_307046735.shtml&sa=X&ei=Z669UpCfLOOO2wXxqoDABw&ved=0CFAQ9QEwAg&biw=1464&bih=772#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=d010wJnBquQxqM%3A%3B_JOPdVQPDNEqOM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.myhomegranite.com%252Fuploads%252Fimages%252FGallery%252Fbeautiful_granite_top_for_wooden_table_set.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.myhomegranite.com%252Fphotos-of-beautiful-granite-countertops-beltsville-maryland%252Fkitchen-countertops.html%3B751%3B500[/url]”>https://www.google.ca/search?q=beautiful+granite&tbm=isch&source=iu&imgil=njYNEw2lzk5RzM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcS2Az5TudDzPp7XmnUsXu-bHmqUVgbiC5o04WduHYeCs_2qs7dp9g%253B512%253B384%253Bt2zy9Bn1qJH1_M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Flubbockonline.com%25252Fstories%25252F072108%25252Fbus_307046735.shtml&sa=X&ei=Z669UpCfLOOO2wXxqoDABw&ved=0CFAQ9QEwAg&biw=1464&bih=772#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=d010wJnBquQxqM%3A%3B_JOPdVQPDNEqOM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.myhomegranite.com%252Fuploads%252Fimages%252FGallery%252Fbeautiful_granite_top_for_wooden_table_set.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.myhomegranite.com%252Fphotos-of-beautiful-granite-countertops-beltsville-maryland%252Fkitchen-countertops.html%3B751%3B500&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>This is similar to the granite we chose for our kitchen reno. We have two islands, one that is 7’x9’ and long counters along two walls so I wanted something with some pattern to it. When we moved out for seven months for the reno, the house we lived in had black granite and I didn’t like it at all. Every little crumb showed. I like the patterned granite because you really cannot see anything on it! As was said above, I think by thumper, I have to rub my hand across it to tell if there’s anything there. I do have a darker granite with flecks in it for the powder room on the main floor. The three other bathrooms we reno’d upstairs all have light colored granite and we haven’t had any issue at all with water stains. </p>

<p>I agree that you need to have a sample of the flooring and the cabinetry before the choice is made. Or, perhaps, as we did, the granite dealer gave us a sample of the granite for us to use in comparison with our flooring and cabinetry samples. We needed four slabs so it was necessary for us to make our decisions in a timely fashion. The granite dealer put a hold on the four slabs for a week, I think, until we could confirm. We don’t have maple cabinetry, though, ours are a cream color. We have maple cabinets in our vacation home and I wanted something different for here.</p>

<p>Shopping for the granite was one of my favorite things when we did the big reno! It was like going to an art gallery. Beautiful!</p>

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<p>I so agree…we loved the granite shopping. We saw some amazing pieces of stone. We marveled that all of these were artwork by mother nature.</p>

<p>Our granite slabs had sections with less “movement”. That is what we chose for the work surfaces near the stove, sink, etc. There was a section with more movement, and that is what we put on our island, and a desk area that we use as a serving location. It gave some variation in our kitchen while using the same slabs.</p>

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<p>For renters I’d get something they can put hot pots on and they won’t chip or scar. I wouldn’t do Corian. I think black with specks granite is your best bet for a high end rental. I personally am not a big granite fan. If I ever get around to doing my own kitchen I will have a mix. Definitely some butcherblock, possibly some Paperstone with a built in drainboard and sink <a href=“http://www.paperstoneproducts.com/images/panel-gallery/10.jpg[/url]”>http://www.paperstoneproducts.com/images/panel-gallery/10.jpg&lt;/a&gt; , maybe some neutral granite or quartz.</p>

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<p>thumper, it’s Weiman. I do it “every few months” because I’d rather be safe than sorry. I do have a couple of marks on the granite after less than a year with it, so I’d rather do it too often than not often enough.</p>

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<p>Thanks VH! I have Weimans wipes I alternate with my Method. I’m going to check their sealant.</p>

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<p>Soapstone! There’s a reason they put soapstone on lab benches. I think it’d be great for renters.</p>

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<p>Well, all I can say is that if granite is reasonably priced and not too vulnerable to a renter’s neglect, then I recommend that you put in something subtle and bland rather than one of those bold, swirly patterns. They can be hard to live with if you don’t like them. (To me they always look like something the dog gave back and I couldn’t live with them for 5 minutes–sorry!) I think the rule with rentals–even high end ones–is to use styles that will to appeal to the most people and certainly not put anyone off–off white walls, simple fixtures, etc., and counter tops are no exception.</p>

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<p>If you look on [Kitchen</a> Forum - GardenWeb](<a href=“Kitchen Forum | Houzz”>Kitchen Forum | Houzz) at the finished kitchens blog (see first post for link) you’ll see that most people who have maple cabinets chose dark counters for contrast. That doesn’t mean you need to do so, especially if you fall in love with something wild like [Rainforest</a> Brown Granite & Rainforest Green Granite](<a href=“HugeDomains.com”>HugeDomains.com)</p>

<p>Common choices on the gardenweb link are ubatuba, verde butterfly, blue pearl and soapstone. I like the Colonial Cream linked above as well if you want to go with a brown. I had ubatuba gold in my previous home and didn’t have the experience that another poster here did with it looking dusty. I also had Absolute Black in my family room and it was a dust magnet. Some granites are becoming a commodity and can be less expensive than quartz or other engineered stones, especially if you buy them pre-fabricated. Not all need to be sealed - ubatuba doesn’t, for example - while others should be sealed every year.</p>

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<p>Soapstone, by the way, is not granite. It’s a different rock: it’s soapstone.</p>

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<p>Whatever you get, make sure it has some sort of random pattern or mottling. Otherwise, you’ll see every little speck. Granite that is sealed really well will not stain. We lived with granite for 11 years and use a lot of tomatoes, red wine, vinegar, coffee, etc. We bought well-sealed granite, then sealed it once again ourselves after installation, and we never had trouble with stains. White wine vinegar diluted with water cleaned it very nicely and it was still very shiny when we sold the house.</p>

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<p>Yes, soapstone is not granite. I like the oiled look which might be higher maintenance than a tenant would prefer to deal with, so wouldn’t recommend it for a rental unit. </p>

<p>It really depends on the area of the country and what’s commonly found at the OP’s rental price range, as there’s a huge amount of variation in kitchen styles and preferences.</p>

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<p>If you don’t need huge pieces, go to a granite seller and look at small pieces that they may be willing to sell cheap, as they can’t go with a big kitchen project and re just asking up space. That’s what we did for our island. </p>

<p>One reason we went with corian for the main counters, is we had several angles and I hated how seams looked in granite in every kitchen I looked at. Again, a personal preference, but if you will need seams, be sure you’re happy with how they may turn out and where they may be located.</p>

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<p>I like soapstone. Some people don’t like that it is softer than granite, but that doesn’t bother me. It scratches more easily than granite, but is also easier to repair. It’s got a matte finish that you either love or hate.</p>

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<p>I’m a fan of soapstone–I used it for counters in a vacation home. I don’t like gloss so the mat finish was perfect. In fact, I thought about using a black granite but I was going to use a honed black until I saw the soapstone. At our house we have a counters from honed slate. The slate is from Vermont–which I really like (we have a soft green color). We went to the quarry in Vermont (few hours drive for us) to pick out the slabs for the counters.</p>

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<p>Many of the light colored granite slabs that we looked at had been sealed at the quarry. You can see drips of the sealant along the edges. Ours was, and in three years I have never sealed it. Still looks pristine (well, except for the crappy seam, but that’s the fabricators fault). Ours is very light, looks like Colonial Cream but with gold tones added. I have to remember to wipe it because nothing shows. I would put something similar but cheaper in a rental with no worries. Just get a simple rounded edge to minimize chipping.</p>

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<p>We just recently finished our kitchen renovation. Our countertops are Cambria … I love it!! We have a pattern called Bradshaw, which has several colors and metallic fleck. Our cabinets are dark red cherry, but the pattern is very versatile. There are a lot of great Cambria patterns/colors.</p>

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<p>We just redid the whole house. Chose Kraftmaid Honey Spice maple cabinets. Chose (Home Depot) medium tone granite with flowing lines instead of speckled quartz or small uniform pattern granite. SIL has black granite- depressing and shows every speck and smear. Ours has interesting patterns and doesn’t show dirt/crumbs/etc- great but also can’t tell if it is dirty.</p>

<p>Son’s new upscale urban apartment has white (speckled?) quartz counters. If your rentals are upscale go with that- it won’t need sealing and won’t be easily damaged. Soapstone is ugly and depressing to me. Formica would work for middle of the road rentals- we used Formica travertine pattern when we replaced counters before selling our old house- figured new owners may not like our choice so why pay the extra?</p>

<p>We chose Corian with integrated sinks for bathrooms- no seams. Would NEVER do a kitchen sink in Corian- neighbor did and boiling water cracked it. Old house had manufactured marble bathroom sinks/counters- 20 years later there were a few minor flaws that can be polished (new owners choice). We also used the softer than stone Corian for a desk area kitchen counter- they now have a couple that are better than past years.</p>

<p>IF I had to do it all over again. Might have chosen white quartz- then I would be wishing for no speckles and less dirt showing. Also have wanted an interesting surface- ours is fun to stare at. Just did 3" backsplash- otherwise it would be too busy.</p>

<p>Rentals- Formica, Corian or quartz depending on how much rent you can charge.</p>

<p>Your kitchen- look at what is available. Prices vary based on pattern. Check the big box stores (Home Depot, Lowes) and sealing (ours is 15 years). I actively like my granite. Kudos to you for going with lighter cabinets- cheerful and not stark white. You do need to see slabs in stone yards as well.</p>

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<p>We LOVE our stainless sinks and stainless counters attached to the sinks–integrated, so NO seams. Love having seamless surfaces that don’t require sealing.</p>