Kitchen renovation questions

[BK911]

Wifey has been hounding me for about a year to get new counter tops.
I personally hate the current tile counter tops, but would rather spend the money on toys.
But being the awesome husband I am, I finally decided to give in.

We currently have tile. Absolutely hate it! Do you *have* to go granite, or are there other acceptable alternatives?

Also want to replace the cooktop. Gas 4 burner with downdraft exhaust. Has anybody tried any of the 2 burner with grille and downdraft exhaust? I have read mixed reviews. Sort of like the idea of grilling a steak/burger/whatever without having to walk all the way outside.

[id10t]

Mom has a 6 burner gas cook top, and a grill or flat iron piece that spans 2 of the burners. Works great for steaks and such on the grill side, and does great pancakes on the flat side.

If you don't like tile because of the seams and grout, then either larger tiles (fewer seams) or some single piece choice - which I think brings you back to granite.

[Z-man]

We re-did our kitchen back in 2010. Granite counter tops really make a big difference in our kitchen. We also went with a double-ogie edge to make it pop. Bullnose edges, IMHO, really don't look as nice.

Here's a couple of shots of the kitchen:




Sure, today's trends say you should get a concrete, stainless, or wood (butcher block) counter top. I think a granite counter top is more timeless and will make your kitchen redo 'pop'.

I'm assuming your countertop is on an island, or you can't vent upward wherever the range is. If you can vent upward (with the least amount of bends in the vent channel) that would be your best bet. Unless you are cooking really smelly, greasy stuff, don't over-do it with the venting and cfm ratings - it isn't worth the extra $$.

Good luck!

[Rtrorkt]

reasonable alternatives to granite.
Silestone
Caesarstone Quartz Countertops | Quartz Countertops for Kitchen Counters, Bathroom Vanities
Also consider poured concrete

I did granite given the diversity of color texture, etc.

[gacook]

I think there's a good faux-granite product out...I believe it's called coreander, or something similar. My parents and sister both used it when they remodeled their kitchens, and it looks great.

[HardDrive]

Corian. I put it in my rental house. If you get darker colors, Corian can scratch. The upside is that it can be repaired if broken. It also comes in endless colors. Very durable stuff.

Originally Posted by gacook

I think there's a good faux-granite product out...I believe it's called coreander, or something similar. My parents and sister both used it when they remodeled their kitchens, and it looks great.

[bleucamaro]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Corian. I put it in my rental house. If you get darker colors, Corian can scratch. The upside is that it can be repaired if broken. It also comes in endless colors. Very durable stuff.

I'll put in another vote for Corian, if you like the look.

For scratches, you can just buff them out.

[911SauCy]

Z-Man, beautiful stone you've got there.

I'm interjecting as I was brought up around my father's 31 year old Kitchen and Bath business.

Granite, can be incredibly costly/foot as (possibly)displayed by Z-Man, but really looks fantastic.

More importantly, it shouldn't be your starting point as it's one of the highest cost options. Another thing to consider, does your house give the granite vibe? (Would it match? Example: It would seem weird to pull into a driveway with a granite block apron, granite curbing, paved with pavers with an artistic design near the house...if the house was a 1300sqft ranch)

Is it a trend, maybe, I've walked through 12 houses recently with the wife. All are 30-100 years old, 400-475k in CT $ doesn't go far, not one with an original kitchen had original granite...I would not consider it timeless.

The other materials listed, concrete, different tiles with little/no grout, or even stainless are very cool, low buck alternatives.

My wife and I recently looked at a house that had the original kitchen from '53, with commercial grade stainless counter-tops. If we could have afforded the house, they would have stayed

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

Granite, can be incredibly costly/foot as (possibly)displayed by Z-Man, but really looks fantastic.

Yes, it is costly. However, with a small kitchen (like ours), the price difference wasn't that bad. The bigger the kitchen, and the larger the counter surface, the more it will affect the price of the reno.

And you are absolutely correct -- whatever is done in renovations, it should match the style of the house and the rest of the house. Putting in a French country kitchen in a contemporary home may not look right, just like putting an ultra modern kitchen in a turn of the century victorian would look funny too.

-Z

[gacook]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Corian. I put it in my rental house. If you get darker colors, Corian can scratch. The upside is that it can be repaired if broken. It also comes in endless colors. Very durable stuff.

Thanks for the correction, HD.

[look 171]

Stone counter can be timeless if design and done correctly. They have been using it for a loooong time. Down draft is not always the most efficient but will work ok. Keep in mind that heat rises and down draft will not only pull the dirty, greasy air but will also pull the hot and much needed heat from your stove necessary for cooking. Quartz is a great material if you ask me but if you are looking for a certain natural look, then granite maybe the way to go. I like quartz for its color consistency. Find a local fabricator and have them cut the slab instead of the cheap imports. Around here, its about 75-85 bucks a sq'.

If you are going to grill a steak, go outside would be my first choice. I have installed grilling stove tops for clients over the years, but I always demand an oversize hood as part of the package. Steam or hot air does not go exactly straight upward so for a 36" cooktop, I always recommend a 42" hood or larger. This is all done at the design stage. Spend the money on new counter and keep her happy. Put in a simple outdoor kitchen for the dirty, greasy work. A BBQ, cooktop and a simple sink will do. If you want to go fancy, get a little ref. If you really "get some", go for the gusto and have a dishwasher there too. Oh, forget your toys.

[74-911]

We have had Corian, Quartz and Granite counter tops and prefer Quartz by a large margin. Corian scratches easily (it can be repaired or sanded smooth however...), Granite requires regular sealing and can chip. Quartz (like anything) can be scratched but not easily and requires no maintenance other than regular cleaning.

Our absolute favorite was a brown Quartz counter top with a black composite granite sink...

As usual YMMV

[Jim Bremner]

I use my kitchen every day. I do all of the cooking, cleaning. I wish that I would have added more counterspace. I have a large galley kitchen and if I would have lived in the house prior to building the kitchen I would have had the kitchen cabinets made 6" deeper on both sides narrowing the walk way and adding more counterspace. I would have built some of the counter at standard height and where I wanted it I would have had it 3"higher so that I wouldn't bend down to knead dough. I would add outlets under the cabinets where they can't be seen. My storage cabinets for glasses and plates are 16" deep they tried to sell my 12" deep and I wouldn't be able to store much in them I would look at all of the catalogs and magazines out there to see what could be done to make it work for your needs

[930LDR]

Quite timely... we're about to kick off a complete remodel of our first floor (incl kitchen). Still working on design and features but one thing I had heard (but have not verified) is that quartz is not as heat resistant as granite. I don't think you can pull that pan or pot out of the oven and just place it on the quartz surface - but I could be wrong.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by 930LDR

Quite timely... we're about to kick off a complete remodel of our first floor (incl kitchen). Still working on design and features but one thing I had heard (but have not verified) is that quartz is not as heat resistant as granite. I don't think you can pull that pan or pot out of the oven and just place it on the quartz surface - but I could be wrong.

go to your local fabricator and get a piece of quartz from their trash bin and have a go a at it. I think it should be fine with heat. How much heat do you want the thing to take? You want to take a torch to it and roast pig on the counter?

[cgarr]

I will ask the wife whats in our kitchen:

[mreid]

Our kitchen renovation starts this Monday. We are also having most of the first floor hardwood replaced with travertine. Our house is a Mediterranean or hacienda style, so granite was the perfect choice. I had quartz in another house and it had a large spaghetti sauce stain on it that never came out.

Here's a picture of the wife I just took in the kitchen making me a tasty dinner! This kitchen will be history come next week and I think granite is the only way to go.

[Tishabet]

I'm a can of soapstone countertops. Its real (if soft) stone, and with a few tools you can literally cut it yourself, finish it yourself, give it a bull nose edge with a router, etc. Very cool stuff.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

I'm a can of soapstone countertops. Its real (if soft) stone, and with a few tools you can literally cut it yourself, finish it yourself, give it a bull nose edge with a router, etc. Very cool stuff.

that's one slippery product. Great things can be done to them if you are creative. Oh yeah, a couple of diamond pads will polish it right up to match. I have never cut that stuff with a router, (have always heard it can be done, but too chicken to do it)but hire my granite installer to work on it. Its a great looking stone but a bit soft for my taste.

[BK911]

Thanks for the input.
I was going to post some pics until I saw your kitchens!
Really like the edging Z-man. Details really make the difference.