November 2008 Weddings
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
*Loreali*
I have a work related question for you if you don't mind. We are starting the planning process of our kitchen remodel and I'm stuck on countertops. My BIL refuses to wipe up anything that is spilled on the counters (or clean in general for that matter). I want to avoid laminate as much as possible and I've been getting conflicting answers when I ask people about granite v. soapstone v. everything else. Is there one that I should definitely stay away from?
Re: *Loreali*
I'll list some pros/cons of a bunch and you might be able to see what fits with the remodel... (any time--questions are fine!)
Laminate... Pros-cheap, they have some really good designs out now (Formica took pics of granite and they have less of a repeat pattern in some) Cons-drop in sinks (do not believe the undermount look with a laminate will work), no cutting on them, may have seams, hot pots, etc-can damage them-always use hot pads
Corian (ok, just for S&Gs) Pros-10 yr transferable warranty, easy to clean, repairable to a point, integral sink or undermt sink, 'inconspicuous seams', moulded backsplash... Cons-soft-CUTTING Boards are a must as are hot pads, sort of outdated-although they do have some decent colors out.... matte finish.
Granite-Pros-beautiful... I love the variation of it, clean with crystal clear glass cleaner (not the blue stuff), or mild soap, water... Cons-will have seams, will damage knives if you cut on it, DO NOT put hot pots on it no matter who tells you what... can have fissures, divets due to it being a natural stone... porous-depending on what color you get... MUST be sealed every 6-12 mos-if you can wax a car, you can seal granite. EVEN if you don't think it needs it, mold can grow underneath and you don't see it. The normal person is fine w Granite-pick up/clean up pizza boxes, grease, oil, wine, acidic stuff or it could absorb into the granite. (I did a test on a few materials with acids, etc and it took a while to absorb, but it will)
Quartz... Pros-looks similar to granite-I think it's a little too consistent, but it's nice, is more heat/stain resistant than granite-still--cutting board or you will damage your knives... no need to seal-- Cons-seams-still use hot pads as it's resistant, not heat proof.
Soapstone-softer than granite... if you like this look-go for a slate instead. it'll be easier to take c/o... or go for a honed granite-which is more of a matte look-you can get granites with rough edges, too-if you're going for something like that... There are other 'finishes' on granite that have a diff texture if that's what you want. A lot of the granites that can have the texture are less porous-or seem to be...
I've not worked with concrete... wood tops are like a piece of furniture... butcherblock-depends on what you like-I like it in small pieces vs. entire kitchens... stainless steel-mod look...
HTH!-bet you didn't think you'd get a book!
Wow, that was such a helpfull post! I never knew that I wasnt supposed to put hot pots on granite, I do it all the time. And as far as sealing it...I polished it once, does that count?
In four years???? I am a bad homeowner.
I wanted to add that I am one of the few people I know that has Corian and Granite, and I do love our Corian. It has the integrated sink which is really cool because we never get any gunky stuff around the sink seams that you normally have to scrub the crap out of. It is white, so the sink does get discolored easily (God forbid anyone pours a glass of red wine down the sink), but soft scrub bleaches it right out (no idea if that is good for Corian or not though). Also, on the edge (the part that like rolls down, if that makes sense) it has an ingrained piece of wood going all the way through that matches our cabinets, and looks really sharp.
OK, I know that no one asked my opinion, but I am chatty!
What color is your granite? Some are more porous than others. Put a drop of water on it and see how fast it absorbs in the granite. Even though you may not think it needs it, mold can grow underneath...
The reason to not put hot pots on is mainly due to the fissures-you could 'crack' or 'pop' it at a place that was under 'stress' many gazillion years ago. For that investment in granite, it's not worth it to take a chance-IMO.
Corian-use the burgundy ScotchBrite pad-It is nice for cleaning, though, and we use it a ton for bathroom vanities, showers, etc. I like the seamless look of it.
Just an fyi... for me... my present home is not worth our getting granite or anything $$. I could prob get a good deal-being in the biz...-if I ever redo our present kitchen. However, I would LOVE to have granite--even with the skids around. I'm just not sure DH would help to take c/o it.