counter tops

[artie]

The other thread on counter tops got me wondering what is popular now in counter tops. Granite has been around for awhile I do not know much about corian are there other counter tops that people and installers like?

[Okotok]

Not sure how the installers like it but one of the more expensive ones I've seen is glass about 2" thick.

[Trochu]

Originally Posted by Okotok

Not sure how the installers like it but one of the more expensive ones I've seen is glass about 2" thick.

I'm assuming it wasn't transparent? Be alot easier to find the cutlery drawer if it was...

[Okotok]

Originally Posted by Trochu

I'm assuming it wasn't transparent? Be alot easier to find the cutlery drawer if it was...

Bluish with lots of air bubbles.

[CNP]

Not a corian fan. It scratches easily. My preference is for quartz

[CaberTosser]

We have quartz and its nice, but I do find some drawbacks that are likely common to most any dense stone counter compared to laminate over wood or solid wood. First is how rapidly it conducts heat, I've noticed these counters will cool a plate of food or a cup of tea faster than wood or laminate. The other factor is their potential to crack plates or glassware where an equivalent impact with wood or laminate would be more forgiving on the plate, bowl or glassware. The other factor is worrying about the countertop itself when bumping about with heavy cast-iron cookware, I make a point of being very gentle when placing such items down on the quartz. There is one small chip on the outside corner of or counter at one spot and it really does not show even, but you can feel it when wiping up.

[Indy]

We did granite and love it, nice to be able to put hot pots/pans on it with no worries. So far no scratches or chips... Go to the vendor and look at what they have available, will really help make a decision.

[huntinstuff]

I just had HanStone Whistler quartz installed in my kitchen

Its only been 4 weeks but it sure looks nice.

[Don Andersen]

Just completed quartz counter top, sink, backsplash Reno
Medium sized job = $11,000

Don

[Slvdout]

I have Quartz that resembles marble and like it. Wife spent three days touring granite warehouses in Calgary and couldnt quite find the look in granite. Get lots of compliments on it.

[pittman]

My understanding is that quartz is the way to go - less porous and less likely to crack or chip. Also, you don't have to seal it annually like they recommend for granite.

Some of the new finishes are pretty slick - look just like marble. We have white quartz and it has been great so far.

[Mr Flyguy]

Remodeled a small kitchen 35 years ago with Corian countertops. Still in excellent shape, just don't cut veggies on it and clean up spilled red wine, blueberry juice and curry right away!

[ronkaren]

you shouldn't cut on any countertop, but on corian, it can be easily sanded out, buffed and back like new

[Colin_r6]

I've got granite. Love it, looks great! Takes about 5 minutes to seal it. Super easy.

The inlaws have quartz and it looks great too!

I have a friend who went with acid etched and sealed concrete. LOTS of character and very durable! I think he got the stuff to do it at Hard Rock Developments in Calgary.