My husband and I are renovating our kitchen. Lately, much of the conversation has centred around what type of countertop to choose.
Originally, my thought was that we would install a butcher block countertop like this one from Ikea:
Then we would seal it with Waterlox:
However, my husband has yet to be convinced that this is a good idea. He won't "out and out" say he doesn't like this idea. It is what he doesn't say that has left me to think that he is not a fan. Those of you who are married will know what I mean by this, now won't you?!?!?
We have considered granite but have always thought it would be out of our price range. Then, tonight, my husband came across an interesting website called Toronto Granite. Through this company, you can order granite slabs in standard 96" x 26" size and also island size 96" x 36". Their rates are very cheap. I saw some slabs as low as $350.
Apparently, it is possible to pick-up and install granite countertops yourself. This company can cut countertops to your specifications or apparently, you can cut granite with a diamond blade at home.
The jury is still out about what we are going to choose...butcher block, granite or possibly the happy medium...laminate. After cruising the aisles of Home Depot recently, I was suprised to see how far laminate has come in quality and appearance.
Given our options, what would you do? Would you ever "go for broke" and try and install granite yourself? Would you lean towards butcher block or would you give laminate a try?
43 comments:
I guess it depends on how handy your husband is and whether you're worried about resale. I would definitely do the granite if it was affordable. I don't dislike the butcher block idea (I've seen some I really like), and there are some very decent laminate countertops, but I'd look into the granite if you think it's doable. Perhaps you could look into hiring someone for just a few hours to help you with the installation? An independent contractor or someone who wouldn't charge an arm and a leg?
Good luck! Can't wait to see what you decide!
Hi there,
First time at your blog and I love your projects! The kitchen is looking fantastic! And your masterbed redo is awesome too!
I say go for the granite! I don't think you'll regret it! However, I do love the look of butcher block counters, but I wonder how the upkeep and staining would be. Anyway, I'll be tuning in to see what you decide! :)
Kristi
I would be scared to do any work on the granite at home. Once little mistake and you would find me on the floor crying. OK, that's a bit much. I'm not a huge fan of granite. I mean, I like it in other peoples house. You also do have to seal granite every year or two. As for the laminent(sp)I would have to see it.
Now on to butcher block...That is what I want when I redo my kitchen(WHEN). Can you use more than one material. I always love that look. It really is up to you. I think it looks lovely already and ANYTHING you put in there will just compliment what has already been done~
Sorry for the ramble.
I ended up using laminate....I considered concrete...stained. I just know I change things so often that I thought I might get tired of the granite and concrete...plus I didn't want to have to seal it periodically. I ended using the looks like granite laminate. My mom has quartz and LOVES it....no sealing. Just to let you know, I wanted the laminate with the metal trim....vintage. Well, the trim was very expensive...so, had to settle for the wood trim....sigh....
If granite is an option I would choose that. However.....that butcher block would look soooo good with your cabinets and the whole style you have going on!
It depends I guess. Ae you planning to stay in your home for many years? Then butcher block should be ok since it's for you. If you are planning to sell later, granite will give your home a better resale value.
I would be afraid of installing granite. Will they transport the slab? I have done 2 kitchen renos and both times, the slabs were transported from a van that carries them vertically. One crack and that's it. The smaller slab seems doable though...
Goodluck with whatever you choose with. :)
Ooooh, installing granite myself sounds scary!! I just know we would manage to crack it--it isn't very sturdy in the slab form.
I like the idea of butcherblock, but I don't think it is practical enough for my family.
We have laminate right now (came with the house) and it isn't fancy, but it's very serviceable.
I think I would do laminate for now--it isn't *that* expensive, so if you want/need to change it out for granite in the future, that would be doable.
~ Sarah
I love the butcher block I can't wait to see what you decide.
Normally I would say go for granite, but that whole process scares me!! We have laminate that looks like granite and I LOVE IT! Even if we had extra cash to change it, I'm not sure we would. I really like it. Your kitchen is awesome!
i love the butcher block!
Gosh girl, thanks for posting about that TO company. We need new countertops in our home so I appreciate all the ideas I can find. Keep us posted as to what you do. I'm loving the butcher block idea...but I'm sure my hubby would say that exact same thing yours did.
I love the butcher block idea! I have granite countertops and they really are not my favorite. They look nice but...our particluar pattern makes it very hard to know if it is clean or not. You could have raw eggs on the counter top and not know and lay something on it...like a piece of bread!
I actually loved laminate. It is so easy to keep clean..no mess no fuss and it comes in so many different looks. So I say no to granite and yes to either the butcher block or laminate. Your kitchen looks amazing by the way!
My sister-in-law did so much research on counter tops for their dream house- price was not a factor- and she picked Silestone, an engineered stone. So when we did our little kitchen update, I didn't even hesitate. I picked out Silestone, and love it so much. No sealing required, and it's beautiful. We had to have a seam in an L-shaped area, and the seam is practically invisible. I have to really look hard to find it.
Good luck!
Quartz is a great option if you want something that is maintenance free. - http://www.replacementcounters.com
Jill
I would go for the granite; classy and takes a family's beating!
Thanks for the picture help. I did go back and re-size ones that were on my computer, but I had started out w/the flickr picts. It is taking me awhile to learn everything. Now if I can just get everything. to look like I want it to look.
Love your kitchen. That is a hard decision. Of course granite would always be my first choice in looks, but obviously the expense and the putting it in yourself. Oooo, I don't know. For my hubby and I--we would probably kill each other or just be really stressed out. : (
The butcher block is great too and would look nice w/your cabinets.
Though my is over 11 yrs. old, I have a laminate that looks like granite. It looks good, though it has lost some of its shine over the years.
Hey, I'm no help at all, but look forward to seeing what you all decide. : )
Hmmm it is whatever style you are going for....personally for me I have never liked granite...to formal. I love the idea of butcherblock....and I love soapstone or silestone. YOu have great tastes so it will be perfect. cherry
Wow! I was sooo surprised nobody has suggested tile yet! I have laminate in my kitchen. We redid our laundry room and put in cream and red vintage looking tile with a sweet rounded front edge. We used some pretty green accent tiles in the backsplash. I just LOVE it. Yes, tile grout can be hard to keep clean, so make the grout lines very thin and don't be afraid to use bleach occasionally. I love the cottage look and this tile just fits the bill!! Love your beadboard. I think you can just never have too much beadbord. Check out my laundry room here in the slideshow of our home! Blessings- LillySue
http://www.panoramiccreations.com/sueshouse/index.htm
Ohhh I LOVE soapstone too. If we ever redid ours, that's what I would want. I had to tell you I was watching HGTV yesterday and host said "Never ever ever ever try to install granite on your own. NEVER." He was pretty vague but I thought I would let you know. ;)
I don't think it's easy to install granite yourself (at least it doesn't look like it on the shows I've seen that have done it). When we redid our kitchen we chose a granite look laminate and I'm very happy with it. My neighbors across the street did granite tiles which they did themselves and it looks really nice.
Manuela
I admire you for having a handy husband.. granite would be lovely but a little pricey.. hope to see you table tops when done.. Good luck..
I've always loved those butcher block countertops from Ikea too :)
We have a laminate that looks like granite that my husband installed and we love it. We ordered it from Lowes. I think granite is beautiful, but I like to be able to spray cleaner on my countertops and wipe if off and not worry about harming it. I have never had anything other than laminate and it has always worked for me and is way cheaper than the rest.
Jill..
Although EVERYBODY loves granite, I ruined an entire set of dishes in our last house on it. If you even hit the edge of a plate on it, it chips! Its beautiful, but has no give~ In our "forever house (someday" we'll probably go with laminate or butcher block, for that reason~
Thanks for visiting my blog.. and for your imput! I'm really happy that I'm not the only one who wants to blog for FUN!! Good luck on the Kitchen~
dont use laminat it bad
I am going to re-do a kitchen too. I don't know if I would do the granite myself, I probably would hire someone who has done it before. My friend had concrete done and it is a beautiful choice too. I can't wait to see what you chose. Everything looks beautiful!
I'm against granite for all the reasons given; and because it's 'cold'. I like a 'warmer' feel to my kitchen. For that reason, I wouldn't be interested in any stone.
Laminate is easy to work with, and less expensive to replace when you make a mistake. That's how I did mine.
You might consider combinations, if you can make them look right with your layout. I have a tile pad near the stove for setting hot pans and a butcher block by the toaster and knives for cutting.
Butcher block is easier to maintain than you might think. *Don't* seal it! You just oil it lightly with cooking oil. When it (inevitably) begins to seem too 'dirty' for your taste, sand lightly and re-oil. But it really stays 'clean' for years.
Don't be afraid of the 'germ' myth. Studies were done to compare plastic cutting boards with wooden ones, and the wood actually harbored less germs than the plastic!
Jill, love all your updates. I have featured you today on Today's Creative Blog.
email me for your featured button. krjdemmon@comcast.net
We have granite. My husband saved us some money by removing the old countertops himself and doing the plumbing himself.
I have a question for you about the cabinets: do you have to use a certain type of paint on kitchen cabinets and what about a sealer? I have been wanting to paint mine a deep red and them paint them black over THAT ad rub-through the edges to show the red. My husband is willing to try but I am too afraid to do it!
This is my first time viewing your blog from Today's Creative Blog, just to let you know I'm standing up to applaud your beautiful home redos! Great work!
Oh what a fun journey this will be..I love all that you have already done. Your daughters room is beautiful and I love the color you selected for the walls! Think I'll tag along if you don't mind.
Great makeovers! Very inspiring since everything I do is on a budget, too! I really like your choices thus far.
Congrats on being featured at TCB!
hey there, just stumbled across your blog, your house is looking great. I wanted to know how you went about staining your banister? did you sand the whole thing bare and what products did you use, i need to de-orange oak my banister also. thanks lindsey
My cabinets are honey oak right now, they look very much like yours did. I have thought about painting them, but I am worried about resale value (I need to convince my hubby that it won't be a bad selling point). Tell me about it! Was it a lot of work? What is "spray lacquer"?
P.S. I found your blog through "Today's Creative Blog". Thanks for sharing your talents!
Hi, Jill, what a great transformation in your house. I came over from Today's Creaive Blog. Love all the things you've done to it, including painting those dated oak kitchen cabinets. I did that in my last house & what a difference. I'm a DIY project queen too & do all sorts of things at my blog, so stop by sometime.
I'm just now shopping for new countertops myself & I think we are going to granite. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be costwise. I'm excited! You are right though, laminate has come a long way. I'd probably go with that for a lower budget, it really is looking so much better these days with lots of choices.
I love all of your remodels! I saw your blog on Today's Creative and had to come see everything she talked about. I like how people are taking older homes and making them new. We're slowly working on it ourselves, but have yet to make such a big difference. Some day our houses will speak of us, and only us! Good luck getting all your jobs done! :)
What a wonderful blog you have..such great ideas...wow..came over from Creative Blog...sandy toe
I love your kitchen updates! We are finishing up our update, too. We decided to go with granite and we also found a place where we picked the slabs--very nice so you can see the colors, etc. We also had them installed and, I will be honest, after watching the guys install them, I would not recommend installing them on your own. I think what you will pay for the installation (which will be more than the granite) will be worth it--granite lasts forever!
Now this is my kind of blog!!! I came over from "Today's Creative Blog" and I will be back!!!
You should use quartz...it's easier to maintain (the granite would be a pain to keep up - you also have to make sure no one uses a traditional cleaner on it). Quartz is durable, but it has a granite look to it. It's also more affordable.
We have done laminate that looks like granite in two houses with butcher block in the prep area. It was on an island in our old house, here it's on the prep area, sort of an island with a bar on one side. The bar surface is corian and the rest of the counters are laminate. It was cheap and when/if I tire of it, I can replace it without guilt that would be there if I wanted to replace granite. Plus, the builder had a large markup on the corian so we decided to put it or granite in later.
One reason we used laminate in our last house was granite was too pricy for the neighbourhood and might have hurt in the resale value. As it was we sold as the market was going flat in less than a month.
One option for you if you want granite and want to do it yourself are granite tiles. It looks like granite but is easier to do yourself. Our tile store has them, they put them very close together with matching grout, it looks like granite but is easier to replace a section if you have damage. If your husband can do crown molding he can do tile work.
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