Piff Poff

We are choosing new countertops for the kitchen.

Should we go for Granite/Quartz or the Aborite stuff? I've seen some granite that is OK, quite like it but doesn't really wow me but it's the best I've seen or Arborite, I've actually found one that if I could get in granite/marble It would be a no brainer, if I hadn't found it we wouldn't have a problem, we would go for granite but there you go.

Does anyone have one of those attached to the counter top sinks as a one piece type thing, is it durable?

Lorna at Vicenza

One thing I do know from living in Italy is that if granite and marble isn't treated properly it can stain. Things like red wine and oil soak in and leave stains that can only be removed by professionals that kind of sand it and re-polish it.
It might be something for you to think about when making your choice.

Jingsamichty

Brits saying "countertops" is just odd.

I've barely got used to calling them "worktops"; in my mind they'll always be bunkers.

Souvy

We were looking for a new countertop for a bathroom a while back. We were told by the sales guy to avoid granite because it needs regular sealing, on account of staining by girly stuff. Quartz is better, he said (more expensive, natch). We ended up going with formica. Stuff it; it's only a bathroom.

We will at some point replace the kitchen counter. Quartz or Corian are looking favourite.

Piff Poff

I was looking at some quartz, and narrowed down which two of four I liked best, then we went to a different shop and saw this really nice granite, prices work out about the same.

My sister reckons if I'm not WOWED by any of them I should go for the cheaper option (it's fake fossils, I collect fossils) rather than the twice the price option. Cost isn't an issue.

As for sealing and stuff, it depends on what type of granite you get to how labour intensive it is. I have decided against butcher block wood surface, although that would be my preference over everything - I think

Miss Clinique

Wood. Go for wood, they look beautiful, everyone has granite.

I have wood.

Flossie and Jim

If its for you, then go with your gut, otherwise if you are planning on a resale in the near future then go for granite - they all seem to want granite over here!!

Piff Poff

I really wanted wood, really wanted it, but I have a very careless teenager, I don't think the wood would look good after five minutes. I'm going for the 'country' look in the kitchen, custard yellow cabinets that if I'm brave enough will be aged so wood would be lovely.

Piff Poff

That what my thoughts were, in reality someone buying the house when we do eventually sell it - and we will, the new people will probably tear out the kitchen to make it bigger as by NA standards it's compact. I think I'm going for fake fossils, but then again I do want WOW factor too, oooh I dunno

MillieF

Piff Poff....you really have to get the one you really like best. I had a problem with red wine and marble...left a dirty grey mark that never came out. My last kitchen I chose all by myself, Formica top, and I loved it. This one I've had seven years and still don't love it...my OH had a lot of imput with regard to price and his idea of suitability...thing is it's ME that spends most of the time there, and it just does'nt float my boat. If Formica and fossils makes you smile, go for it...likewise the wood (just make the kitchen a teenage free zone till the are less clumsy!!! - when they get to 42 perhaps?) If you don't really like it on day one, it won't grow on you.

geedee

Have you thought about stainless steel? Looks gorgeous....

Aviator

We did granite, looked at Corian and all the others, granite looked the best. Does chip around the sink if you are not careful. Apparently it is a nice cool surface for doing baking stuff on. It has to be re sealed once a year, easily done yourself. There are some good suppliers out there and some crappy ones. We avoided Chinese granite and the cheap shops, wanted a quality product and that is what we got. Would do the same again if we had to redo it, which I hope we never do!

Souvy

Interesting interpretation of the word "gorgeous".

Stainless steel does stain, by the way.

geedee

Depends how it's done! It doesn't have to look like the cooking area at Burger King

Granite stains too... but most stains can be eradicated, with a little care.

Miss Clinique

Thats the exact look I went for - spooky - could we be related????

Took me 2/3 attemps to "age" the cabinets.

You can get some really nice formica that looks like wood if you shop around.