<p>bumping this back up.</p>
<p>NotreDame - did you follow through with the granite? I ask because I am having someone come out in the morning to measure for granite. I picked out a color today, and they will let me know which warehouses I can go to on Friday to pick our slab.</p>
<p>Replaced my bathroom countertops with granite last week. Aside from the one cleanser mentioned (from Black Mountain), how does everyone maintain their granite? Anything (besides ammonia) to avoid? For those who have granite in their bathrooms, do you avoid getting hairspray, aerosol deoderant or nail polish remover on it? How much do I need to baby it?</p>
<p>ooooh, I was just thinking about this thread yesterday, and here it is. We are starting some major kitchen work. Went back & forth between silestone and granite, and have decided to go with granite. Still have to pick out the color, but we have time, as floors are getting re-finished first, then maple cabinets are going in.
We were told at a huge granite warehouse that very dark colors show water stains, while very light colors show wine/coffee etc. They advised us to stay with medium tones–but in the end you gotta like the pattern!</p>
<p>I have Zodiaq which is a combination of granite with the durability of Corian, and I’m happy with it. It’s easy to clean and very durable.</p>
<p>Our architect recommended soapstone for our kitchen counters. I am not wild about grey tones myself, but our renovation is going toward a midcentury California 50s ranch style…and it might look good…she also wants to do our fireplace in soapstone as well. I see some variations in the soapstone coloring available…
anyone out there using it? opinions welcomed</p>
<p>What does everyone recommend for a stall shower in terms of tile and shower door. We’re looking for something that’s virtually maintenance free - meaning not having to deal with cleaning/replacing the tile grout!</p>
<p>well, you could get a corian shower unit if you are willing to pay the price. Or a molded unit, which I find yucky looking.</p>
<p>Anything with tile involves grout, and you have to seal twice a year. Its not a big deal if you are good at keeping up with that sort of thing.</p>
<p>Shower doors are glass, and hold water stains, esp. if you have hard water in your area. You should get the best glass you can afford, that is treated (called rain or something?) Also, choosing a patterned glass may help?</p>
<p>The corian shower has fake grout lines to make it look like tile.
[American</a> Standard Indoor Living - Shower Wall - Corner Installation. Model 3636 LCW [ American Standard 3636 LCW, American Standard 3636LCW, 3636 LCW, 3636LCW, 3636-LCW, 3636.LCW, 3636LCW, Showers, shower stalls, shower encolsures, American Standard](<a href=“http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=22914392/search=shower%20stall&mode=about_homerenovations]American”>http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=22914392/search=shower%20stall&mode=about_homerenovations)</p>
<p>Thanks chocoholic - I don’t plan on getting one of those molded shower enclosures. There are so many different types of surfaces out there, and there seem to be a lot of options that weren’t available in the past. I know that frameless shower doors seem to popular as well. I’m wondering about some kind of slate for the bathroom/shower floor.</p>
<p>nyumom, before you completely dismiss tiles in your shower, let me tell you something: there is such a thing as grout that does not need any sealing! It is called epoxy grout. Last year I re-grouted my shower with it, and have not had any troubles - no mold, no staining, no cracking, no sealants. Water impermeable and bombproof stuff. And if someone tells you that only a pro can install epoxy grout, let them talk to me. This was my first and only (so far) grouting job, and I had no trouble doing it.</p>
<p>@Faline2
Soapstone is very beautiful, but it is also very vulnerable to chips, stains etc. Do your research on it, before installing as kitchen counters, because it is much less resistant than granite.</p>
<p>BunsenBurner, thanks for reminding me about the epoxy grout - we have friends who just used that on their new bathroom tile as they were installing it- would it work using old tile? If I can do that, then perhaps it’ll save be a bundle, because it would mean that I wouldn’t need to replace my shower. The problem with the shower tile is that it’s really difficult to keep it clean.<br>
Chocoholic, thank you for all of those wonderful links - I’ll be sure to take a look at them.</p>
<p><em>UPDATE</em> New granite countertops have been installed since I first initiated this thread! And, we just love them. I think we made the right choice.</p>
<p>Haha, same here, notre dame! Ours were just installed two weeks ago and we are wild about them.</p>
<p>Okay, so how about my previous question then? What are you using to clean and maintain them? Which chemicals do you avoid spraying near them?</p>
<p>As far as cleaning-I have been using the 409 product that is made special for cleaning stone tops. So far, no problem. I was cautioned about using anything with citrus in and around the countertops. Told that it could stain. I have also not used anything with bleach around the countertops, either. Other than that–absolutely no problems.</p>
<p>Seventh Generation’s spray (with no scent), and yes, we were also cautioned against using anything with citrus, or anything abrasive.</p>
<p>Thanks, nd. Haven’t seen that product but then my countertops are only one week old today so I haven’t really looked.</p>
<p>We also have Zodiaq. No problem. Cleans very easily.</p>
<p>nyumom, I did not replace the original tiles, just the grout. Getting the old grout out was a major pita (the tiles on the shower floor are tiny - lots of grout), so I recommend renting a special tool for grout removal. With epoxy grout in place, my shower cleanup became a breeze - just a squeegee and a towel.</p>