average cost for granite counter tops?

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

As for sealing, we've never done that in the 9 years we've had granite and never had a problem.

I second that.

We've had granite for 5+ years in one home and 4+ years in our current home. One had a light tannish over all color and the other black with lots of light grey/white veins. Left blueberries, raspberries, all the items that could potentially easily stain something sit on the granite(by accident of course!) over the years with no staining whatsoever.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

We went with Cambria, a manufactured quartz product. It was more expensive than granite but it worked for the look we wanted (Carrara marble without the headaches). In hindsight, it's a little cold and I think the natural look of granite may have warmed the kitchen up a bit but it looks pretty good and is bulletproof.

We wanted the same look and went with a similar marble-like quartz product, Caesarstone (London Grey). It is quite varied, looks natural and has no issue with sealing.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

We wanted the same look and went with a similar marble-like quartz product, Caesarstone (London Grey). It is quite varied, looks natural and has no issue with sealing.

I bet ours look very similar. We went with Cambria Torquay. Maybe it's the sheen that I'm not a huge fan of. Either way, it's maintenance free and looks good. I was on the hunt for a white granite or quartzite forever and eventually gave up.

[bradc344]

we paid $3,000 for installation of 2 slabs that included a island kitchen counter sink, outside cooking Island and a fire pit top

[funflyer99]

Some granite needs sealing and some doesn't. An easy way to check is to take a wet washcloth and lay it on the counter for 5 minutes. If the granite looks darker when the cloth is removed then the stone needs a sealer as it is absorbing moisture. My kitchen granite doesn't need sealing but my bathroom granite does. Don't trust what you read, test it yourself.

[jimj]

It's not "just" about liquids/stains but bacteria as well. We've had several homes with granite and have been told by multiple granite companies to seal it at least once a year. Sealing is no big deal, takes about 1 day to apply/dry and your good to go. Use Isopropyl alcohol to clean it (forget the expensive granite cleaner) and use a natural sponge to wipe on the sealer. Wipe off the haze when it dries and let it sit for 24 hours. DONE!
Not for nothing but you're supposed to seal your tile grout as well. Who here has done that? I bet very,very few.

As for cost of counter tops? We just put in 2cm quartz from Lowes. It ran $3600 installed, bull nose edge, 4 inch backsplash and under mount sink included. Demolition was done by me as was the plumbing. U shaped kitchen with island.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I bet ours look very similar. We went with Cambria Torquay. Maybe it's the sheen that I'm not a huge fan of. Either way, it's maintenance free and looks good. I was on the hunt for a white granite or quartzite forever and eventually gave up.

There are different finishes available with quartz countertops, typically honed vs. polished. Sounds like you have polished and might have preferred honed.

[Jkgourmet]

Originally Posted by stevek64

I second that.

We've had granite for 5+ years in one home and 4+ years in our current home. One had a light tannish over all color and the other black with lots of light grey/white veins. Left blueberries, raspberries, all the items that could potentially easily stain something sit on the granite(by accident of course!) over the years with no staining whatsoever.

I'll third that. Except that now we have a lighter color granite and I do worry about the staining a bit more. We had it sealed twice when it was installed and are careful with spills from red wine, lemon/lime juice, vinegar and put paper towels under berries. No stains. Frankly, I don't worry much about bacteria, but then I'm not a freak about that stuff - I don't use the towel thingys to wipe down my grocery carts or grab a bottle of disinfectant every time I shake someone's hands.

However, we DO seal the tile grout 1X per year in the bathroom and backspash behind the stove top. THAT'S a biggie.

[Zippyman]

I don't have granite in my kitchen yet, but when I do get granite, I'm *not* sealing it.

Live a little & enjoy what you have..

If you sell in the future, you're bound to hear whining about how "outdated" the pattern of granite is anyway.. might as well "use it up" yourself..

if you live long enough to "ruin" your granite, you've won - go pick another pattern!