Kitchen countertops

[saintintraining]

Oh, forgot to say I would never recommend tile. The only people who use tile are people who have always loved it. Grout is just not worth the maintenance hassle for most people.

[vicki]

Oh, forgot to say I would never recommend tile. The only people who use tile are people who have always loved it. Grout is just not worth the maintenance hassle for most people.

Grout is definitely not worth it, and I don't really care for tile. I had it 20 years ago when we redid our home in the mountains, but that's because it was popular at the time. If I moved into a home which had it, I wouldn't change it--but I'm not going to do it deliberately.

Does anyone have Corian?

[JOY]

I'm seeing more and more concrete counters on the home improvement shows...

[vicki]

I'm seeing more and more concrete counters on the home improvement shows...

Never thought of that!

[saintintraining]

Concrete has to be sealed because it can stain. I doubt you want to deal with sealers.

[Barbara]

Concrete has to be sealed because it can stain. I doubt you want to deal with sealers.

If you chose to go this route, I would think there would need to be a lot of research done on it. I was watching (not closely) Restaurant Impossible the other night and he really go on to the designer for buying concrete. There is a lot that needs to be done for it it be fit to be eaten on. I can't imagine using it to cook on.

Thanks Monica for your summary of formica. I have had mine for 11 years and haven't experience any problems either. Mine is tan suede look.

[RobinS]

"Regular" tile counters are a pain. If you do tile you want to use the large (12x12) tile so you have as few seams as possible. You can buy granite tile which is fairly cheap compared to slab granite. The sides aren't tapered like ceramic tile so you get a nice flat surface all the way across with little seaming--don't think you need grout at all, just a seam sealer of some sort. This is what my advisor has in her kitchen and it looks FABULOUS and is just as low maintenance as regular granite. (I house-sat for her once and got to enjoy her nice, nice, nice kitchen...)

When I redo my countertops I'm thinking of using this product: http://www.bathandgranite4less.com/kitchen-countertops/

[vicki]

Never heard of that, Robin. Oy--something more to consider.....

Thanks!

[saintintraining]

True about using larger tiles and laying them close. It would have to be rectified tile and you would still need 1/16" joint. It's a small line. Grout is used to make up for the fact that each tile can be a slightly different size that's not noticeable until you try to lay them togther. This happens because of how they cook differently in the kiln. Rectified tile just basically means that they have been cooked in sheets and then cut after creating much more uniformity. Granite and porcelain are usually the only tiles rectified. I have seen granite counters laid as tiles and they are nice. My only concern, at least in my house, would be could they crack if something is dropped on them like a pan or dish because they are thinner like floor tile which can crack.

I am using rectified porcelain tiles in my next home with 1/16" grout on the floors.

Robin, I think you will be happy with your granite install, it looks nice.

[vicki]

Thanks. I really didn't want tiles at all--even ones which are granite. But, I'll consider all my options.