I guess I have to repeat this and hope all who read will be forewarned and therefore not complain later…........I HATE GROUT!

stepping_up - 27 May 2009 03:02 AM

I’m still leaning towards porcelain tile with some hand painted (or look like hand painted) mixed in as it’s not very costly, can be timeless if done right and is relatively eco-friendly. I know the grout can be a pain, but all of the alternatives in the article had cons that seemed worse than keeping grout looking decent. I LOVE the recycled glass stuff, but it is costly and I suspect will look dated at some point and really not appropriate for our home. It’s amazing how a professional grout cleaning and treatment of tile can make it look brand new.

We are planning a kitchen remodel and I am leaning toward tiles as well. I also like Caesarstone but don’t know anyone who has it so don’t know how it holds up. We put granite in a different house six years ago, and it was fine, but I don’t really want it again.

bkshopr - 27 May 2009 01:05 AM

La Cornue: Baked enamel with copper and hand hewn metal trims.

Baked paint on BBQ grille. Stainless and Black are out and so is granite.

Nice.  I’m liking those grills.  Still iffy on that copper/metal trim number though it may just be that stove.

bkshopr - 27 May 2009 01:46 AM

When RE agents begin to use the buzz words like stainless, granite, professionally landscape, and etc. It is a signal to avoid using the materials.

So what material do you recommend for countertops?

So far I have not heard agents quoted “ugly 3 car garages smack in front of a home”. So IHO you still have hope.

Yaus! [fist pump]

Other terms like 2 story volumes, cathedral ceilings, and double doors also left bad cliches in the housing industry.

Boo… I love catheral ceilings and double-doors.

I also hate grout, especially white grout. I spent about 4 hours a few weekends ago spreading: (1) a baking soda/water mixture all over my kitchen and then when those results weren’t great, (2) a baking soda/vinegar mixture all over my kitchen.  Next up:  lemon juice and Tide bleach pen.

I have been researching recycled glass and concrete countertops, but I also think they tend to be more appropriate in modern kitchens (I think somebody mentioned this), and my kitchen is more traditional.  I found this site for concrete countertops.  He also sells his mix for DIY jobs, although I don’t plan on making this one of my DIY projects.

irvine_home_owner - 28 May 2009 12:44 AM

bkshopr - 27 May 2009 01:46 AM

When RE agents begin to use the buzz words like stainless, granite, professionally landscape, and etc. It is a signal to avoid using the materials.

So what material do you recommend for countertops?

So far I have not heard agents quoted “ugly 3 car garages smack in front of a home”. So IHO you still have hope.

Yaus! [fist pump]

Other terms like 2 story volumes, cathedral ceilings, and double doors also left bad cliches in the housing industry.

Boo… I love catheral ceilings and double-doors.

Figures. IHO is still stuck in the 80’s. Do you still have the mullet?

bkshopr - 28 May 2009 04:43 PM

Figures. IHO is still stuck in the 80’s. Do you still have the mullet?

What’s wrong with vaulted ceiling? Do you prefer to feel closed in?

And a double-door is never bad… easier to move stuff in and out of.

As for the mullet… don’t be jealous.

They are all very nice. Here is your dream home.

Stucco version of your dream home.

I know that grout can be a nightmare. I had old tile in my rental and the things I went through to try and get it clean were nuts. I thought it all needed to be replaced, but the landlord just had it professionally cleaned and sealed and it looked new again. Corian has so many colors to choose from, but I was worreid about scratches and burns. I just know my husband will do some damage with the wusthaufs. I thought if I went with tile and kept a nice seal on the grout, then maybe it wouldn’t be so bad?

You can also paint grout… it’s actually easier than cleaning, scrubbing and sealing old grout.

How long does a seal typically last on grout before it starts to let stains seep in?

stepping_up - 29 May 2009 12:42 AM

How long does a seal typically last on grout before it starts to let stains seep in?

seal will last about 6 months.

Painted grout is done with a permanent marker. I heard it can last up to 15 years. For Momo both his dishwashing liquid and painted grout will last 20 years.

I think I have just discovered what will be the new trend material from dining table to kitchen counter. Behold - Zinc!

Zinc Top Dining Table at Pottery Barn

“At the turn of the 20th century, zinc counters were fixtures in kitchens and restaurants, from the oyster bars of San Francisco to the mansions of Newport. Prized for its beautiful hue, the metal is rustproof, food-safe and easy to maintain.”

HGTV Profile on Metal Counters…

“Unlike stone (such as the ubiquitous granite) metal is nonporous (read antibacterial and stain-resistant). In the case of copper and zinc, they’re recyclable, and metal countertops don’t require sealing or more than soap and water to clean.”

stepping_up - 26 May 2009 08:00 PM

Here’s an article on alternatives to granite

Common countertop materials

Funny Stepping.. I thought you were Graphrix for a second…

SoCal78 - 31 May 2009 03:13 AM

I think I have just discovered what will be the new trend material from dining table to kitchen counter. Behold - Zinc!

Zinc Top Dining Table at Pottery Barn

“At the turn of the 20th century, zinc counters were fixtures in kitchens and restaurants, from the oyster bars of San Francisco to the mansions of Newport. Prized for its beautiful hue, the metal is rustproof, food-safe and easy to maintain.”

HGTV Profile on Metal Counters…

“Unlike stone (such as the ubiquitous granite) metal is nonporous (read antibacterial and stain-resistant). In the case of copper and zinc, they’re recyclable, and metal countertops don’t require sealing or more than soap and water to clean.”

Stainless steel, zinc, you name it, metal makes me think of the cheap government issue desks.

No_Such_Reality - 31 May 2009 03:56 AM

Stainless steel, zinc, you name it, metal makes me think of the cheap government issue desks.

How about brass or bronze? Like them? They have a warmer, richer look (but maybe too warm unless it has developed a patina.) The copper content also means bacteria will not fare well on that surface so that is nice.

SoCal78 - 31 May 2009 04:03 AM

No_Such_Reality - 31 May 2009 03:56 AM

Stainless steel, zinc, you name it, metal makes me think of the cheap government issue desks.

How about brass or bronze? Like them? They have a warmer, richer look (but maybe too warm unless it has developed a patina.) The copper content also means bacteria will not fare well on that surface so that is nice.

Patina and ferrous oxide from metallic surfaces is harmful to health. Many biologists and environmentalist have convinced the government to outlaw copper gutter, roofs, and downspouts because the patina runoff could harm wildlife.