I am in the middle of gutting my kitchen. We went and looked at granite today. I like it and am 75% sure I am going to go with it but I need more info. For those of you that have granite...what is the upkeep? Any info is greatly appreciated!

By Karen~admin on Saturday, January 6, 2007 - 07:45 pm:

We're in the middle of one too. UGH! We opted for quartz instead of granite, and the countertop was just installed Thursday. I know several people who have granite, and it's beautiful. The difference between granite and what we got (other than the price LOL) is that granite has to be sealed, and can be chipped or stained much easier than what we got.

What color are you looking at? I have to say, you *do* have a lot of color choice with the granite!

By Debbie on Saturday, January 6, 2007 - 07:58 pm:

We have granite. I think it is very easy to take care of. I just wipe it down with hot/soapy water. I also have a special granite cleaner that I use every couple of days. You just spray it and wipe with paper towel. My understanding is that you are suppose to seal it every few years. It is suppose to be pretty easy to do.

By Yjja123 on Saturday, January 6, 2007 - 08:16 pm:

I am looking at Venetian Gold

http://www.thegraniteshop.net/materials/01standard/new_venetian_gold.htm

By Yjja123 on Saturday, January 6, 2007 - 09:41 pm:

Karen it is a huge project. I have been stripping wall tiles and repairing walls for what feels like forever. We (I) am doing most of the work myself but the countertop will be installed by a professional. I bought an antique oak server that will be my island. My kitchen was black & white. The browns will be much more soothing in color. Funny how much my taste has changed over the years

By Juli4 on Saturday, January 6, 2007 - 10:12 pm:

We got that color and I love it. I think the upkeep is easy. Nothing too hard. To seal it you basically wipe something on and dry it. Not hard to do at all.

By Debbie on Saturday, January 6, 2007 - 11:07 pm:

This looks like the color we have too. I love it.

By Eve on Sunday, January 7, 2007 - 07:59 am:

Very nice!We have something similar, but a little more grey. It's very easy to take care of. I use the soapy water and then the granite cleaner too. It's great, I love it. I plan on having it in every kitchen from now on. Lots of my friends are getting it too and all have been really happy.

By Karen~admin on Sunday, January 7, 2007 - 08:58 am:

Love the color, Yvonne!

By Conni on Sunday, January 7, 2007 - 09:02 am:

We have granite in the house we are living in here... It's quite a step up from the horrible tile countertops back home. lol I couldnt tell you how to care for it. Probably good I saw this post. Now I know how to clean it. ;)

Like the color! Dont forget to post pics of your before / during / after!!

I would have granite or quartz in my next kitchen...

By Bellajoe on Sunday, January 7, 2007 - 09:37 am:

Yvonne, that is exactly the granite we have. We LOVE it! I guess you are supposed to seal the granite once a year, but it's not that big a deal from what i hear. We haven't lived here for a year yet, so we have not had to do that. It's easy to clean. We have the same granite cleaner as Debbie probably has.

By Jjb on Sunday, January 7, 2007 - 10:34 pm:

My neighbor just purchased granite and said that the new granites do not need to be sealed. I believe they bought it from Home Deopt. It's something you might want to ask about. I love the look of granite..I'm hoping to get it in my kitchen someday soon (DH has other priorities).

By Unschoolmom on Monday, January 8, 2007 - 07:00 am:

To be the devil's advocate, I'd suggest you take a look at slate. It's beautifu, cheaper then granite and truly non-porous. Granite is beautiful too but just about the most porous counter you can get. If you're family isn't right on top of cleaning up spills, it may not be right for you.

Besides, slate is just plain sexy.

By Yjja123 on Monday, January 8, 2007 - 10:41 am:

We have decided to go ahead with the granite. We are having a granite/marble company install it. We have heard to many horror stories about Home Depot installations. The before & after will be dramatic. My kitchen had black & white tile on the walls and countertop. Two walls will be now be painted yellow and one wall will be tiled with tumbled tile. Only one yellow wall will really be seen. We are having hutches built that will cover most of the one yellow wall. The kitchen is small so we are trying to get the most storage as possible. My back is killing me today from ripping off tile all weekend. One more wall to go and the tile will be g-o-n-e!

By Debbie on Monday, January 8, 2007 - 04:16 pm:

I think you will really like the granite. Wow, sounds like a very big change. Did you take pictures for before/after? We would really like to see them!

By Yjja123 on Monday, January 8, 2007 - 04:26 pm:

I have before pictures---We are in the middle of the process so after will be awhile

By Yjja123 on Monday, February 5, 2007 - 11:30 pm:

The granite was installed today. Now I need to buy some cleaner.

By Breann on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 - 10:17 am:

How exciting!! Do you have pictures of it? We've decided to go with granite as well. Let us know how you like it.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 - 10:43 am:

No pictures yet---still remodeling. I am tiling today (slate backsplash). My cabinets are being custom made by a woodworker in North Carolina. I will receive half of them next Friday. The rest will take another 6 weeks to get.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 - 12:00 pm:

I wouldn't mind seeing a work-in-progress! LOL! It sounds so exciting! I wish we could redo our upstairs bathroom. The shower/tub faucet is wearing out and needs to be replaced, but I think we have to take the tile out, to do that, so it would be a major project.

By Breann on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 - 12:10 pm:

Karen, does the quartz countertop shine like the granite? It is a little less expensive than granite, isn't it? Are you liking it? Do you have pics?

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 - 12:22 pm:

Breann, yes, it does. I LOVE it. Ours was between 1/3 and 1/2 less than granite, and we got the 3 Mil (?) thickness - in other words, we got the thicker countertop and backsplash than many people get. The only thing I wish I would have done is to have it go up the walls all the way to the cabinets. However, I'm thinking of some sort of tile there.

We are in the middle of a total *makeover* of our house - in fact, they are supposed to be starting today pulling out all the old trim/millwork/doors/sills, etc. Then repainting and new light fixtures and fans. When it's done I'll post pics.

I'm having doubts as to whether DH and I will still be married or alive by the time this is done though. LOL Just kidding....I *hope*! LOL But this is causing many a fight!

Anyway, we really do like the quartz, and so far, it totally resists any stains. As in.....chili powder and tomato paste sitting on it for a couple days where I wasn't aware........coffee drying underneath the coffee pot (because DH couldn't wait for it to finish brewing. GRRR!!!!) Wipes clean very easily. Feels very smoothe too.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 - 08:24 pm:

Karen, I emailed you pictures of our kitchen demo. Can you please post them?
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yvonne

By Karen~admin on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 - 07:48 am:

Y - I will post them from work - leaving now!

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 - 09:39 am:

Karen posted the pictures of my kitchen in progress on the photo board.
Thank you Karen for posting them!

By Breann on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 - 06:09 pm:

Interesting about the quartz. We never really looked into that. Maybe we'll have to check that out before going ahead with the granite.

The lady that is doing our construction loan said that she sees many a couples who come in together to get the loan, then by the time the construction is finished, they have seperated and/or divorced. The pressures and stress is just too much for their relationship.
I'm so glad she told us this. DH and I have had several disagreements while doing the houseplan and such. When we get into a heated discussion, one of us says "that's it, I'm divorcing you", then we laugh about it.
If she hadn't told us this, then I think that I could see how these little differences of opinion could lead to something more serious.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 - 11:52 am:

Karen posted some new pictures of my kitchen in progress. Thanks again Karen!