<p>Thanks so much everyone. I never got on thumper’s counters three, or any others, because I have butcher block laminate that I love, but it does need to be replaced. Hearing others say they like laminate too, makes me feel better.</p>
<p>I also took a look at the IKEA butcher block link, and those look very nice as well.</p>
<p>And regarding SS appliances, I can’t decide. One thing I do know, is that when we replace those, all will be done at the same time, same manufacturer, because even SS by different guys don’t always look matched.</p>
<p>Love our soapstone! Had it for about seven years now. Never needs to be sealed. Can set hot pots on it without worry. Great for cooling items. Does not have the blinding glare that can occur if you have under-cabinet lighting. However, it is not something for folks who like stuff to remain pristine. It is more for the worn, broken in jeans crowd.</p>
<p>From the OP. Per our contractors strong recommendation; because of a 80" long and 10" deep unsupported overhang on our peninsula, I think we will have to rule out granite. </p>
<p>Dare I suggest to wife we look at the new high quality laminates? 1/4 the cost. </p>
<p>RE: laminates - I’m so accustomed to placing hot pans right on the counter that I could never go back to worrying about hot plates, etc. When I had formica counters, I usually ending up doing all of my last minute touches off the heat, but right on the stove because I forgot to have something ready to place the pot on. The stove ended up a mess every night. Nowadays, I can often keep the stove clean because I do the messy stuff on the counter. Plus, with undermount sinks, I can swipe all of the debris right into the sink.</p>
<p>The undermount sink might be my favorite feature! My suggestion is to go look at the options and see what you love. Finding the granite was like when I found my wedding dress - I had that aha moment when I saw it. But if you get that with another surface, then get that.</p>
<p>I had formica for my entire life. If price matters by all means get formica. I had a really ugly mauve and gray formica when we moved in here and it took me 7 years to replace it. It was a lot of years with ugly.</p>
<p>NO you don’t have to rule out granite. You need to place SUPPORTS at intervals where the overhang is. Our island is 48 inches…rather small…with a 12 inch overhang on two sides. Our fabricator said that if it had been longer, he would have suggested supports beneath the granite at certain intervals. We actually looked at some anyway…and they were VERY unobstrusive and nice.</p>
<p>For the overhangs, if you don’t like the supports you can see, just put steel slats under the counters. Works on both our indoor kitchen and our outdoor kitchen, where the over hang is 12"x12’.</p>
<p>We were told we had no choice but to use corbels if we wanted the overhang on the island to be a big as it is. Never thought/knew about using a steel slat. Wish in retrospect I had. I would have preferred not to have corbels. But they are ok and I am used to them, though occasionally they get in the way of the barstools and peoples legs when they sit there.</p>
<p>We have had both granite and solid surface. I would go back to solid surface personally. I like the warmer feel of it, the durability of it and the ease of care. We use a lot of acidic food in our cooking and it is very hard on granite. (even if it is sealed)</p>
<p>However, I am told for resale purposes granite is the winner.</p>
<p>We replaced the corian with granite. I still have the corian table, though, as I just never got around to replacing it. When we had corian, we had a white corian sink which had to be replaced becuase the pots left white (whiter) burn marks on them. We were told you cant put a hot pot in the corian sink :eek:. If you want to be able to stick a pot in the sink, unless they have fixed the problem, I’d advise against corian.</p>
<p>We’ve had Silestone countertops for 7-8 years. No problems what so ever. Have a lighter color with some flecks of color - it hides almost anything. Love the no maintenance aspect - my poor BIL has to seal his granite countertops a couple times a year.</p>
<p>Granite and stainless have been de rigueur for a decade now, which could mean that the trend is nearing the end of its cycle. It’s sometimes hard to detect a trend when we’re in the middle of it, and finishes that seem timeless now can look dated a decade later – or they can become true classics. But the granite/stainless look is now being used in spec homes and flips; in my area, very low-end homes increasingly have granite. So it won’t be long before high-end homeowners start looking for something that separates them from the masses, and the next trend will be born.</p>
<p>If a middle-bracket house will be on the market in the foreseeable future, I’d choose granite for that very reason – it’s still being presented on HGTV as the aspirational countertop. OTOH, if a remodel is strictly for the current owner’s benefit, then IMO they should go with what they like best. Personally, I like the stained concrete look.</p>
<p>For once in my life I think I was on the cusp of a new “trend”. When we remodelled the kitchen 2 yrs ago I opted for glass backsplash rather than the stone or ceramic tile. Yay!! Glass is now “in”! Of course, with my luck, by the time we ever consiter selling it will be “out” :(</p>
<p>FWIW, while as I mentioned, I like the look of concrete, my DH is in on-market homes every day and he says if we ever do a remodel, we’re going with quartz. More durable and a much fresher look.</p>
<p>What are the requirements for an under-mount sink? UM sinks aren’t compatible with formica, but not sure about why or other requirements…UM sink is high on my wish list due to convenience of clean-up, etc.</p>
<p>Undermount sinks require a solid surface - the laminated edge joint of the formica would be exposed to moisture, which would cause it to lift over time. Other than a solid surface, there are no other requirements - just purchase a sink designed to be undermounted, and have the contractor make a template for so that the stone or other material is cut correctly. Any counter or plumbing contractor can install the sink. With this type of sink, the faucet is mounted right on the stone, rather than on the edge of the sink, so the hole(s) for the faucet should also be cut out when the template is made.</p>