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Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,143
Registered: ‎04-18-2012
On 3/14/2015 JeanLouiseFinch said:
On 3/14/2015 jaxs mom said:
On 3/13/2015 JeanLouiseFinch said:

We've ruled out the tiled countertop. Thanks to all who commented.

We went out tonight to just look at a bunch of things and came across an acrylic product that's smooth and looks like stone, but is seamless and can be repaired if something falls on it and damages it in anyway.

Just don't get corian, that stuff melts if you put a pan on it. I accidentally picked up a hot pan with a damp towel and had to set it down fast and it left a permanent melted raised ring on the counter.

Funny that you should mention that jaxs mom. I said the same thing to my husband this morning and he said, "we never put anything on the counter like that anyway." That may be true, but one can always have a situation where then need to put something down quickly or just have a moment of forgetfullness. I was surprised at how nice the acrylic looked, but for that reason alone I'm interested in looking at the quartz.

The sales clerk did tell me that the acrylic solid surface could be repaired. I think Corian is a similar product. Have you called your dealer to see about getting a service call?

Yes, corian can be repaired too, but personally I wouldn't put in a product like that. I didn't in that house, which I no longer live in. It was years ago and I was renting that house.

Don't Change Your Authenticity for Approval
Honored Contributor
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Registered: ‎10-03-2011
On 3/14/2015 Newnick ame said: Above all- I hate "modernized" kitchens in old houses. We've had Wilsonart finishes on our counters for about 5 years, and they're amazing! They look fabulous, and there's not one flaw in them. They are NOT your Grandma's Formica!

I know what you mean. I want to update, but not to the point of being so modern that it looks out of place. As much as stainless steel is a popular appliance finish nowadays, I'm fighting it because to me it looks too cold and institutional. We've always had bisque/biscuit, but I'm seriously considering white this time around. My DH on the other hand, likes stainless. I want him to like the kitchen too, so if the stainless will go better with whatever we choose for the counter and backsplash, I'll try to be flexible, but it isn't my choice. Our house is 25 yrs. old this fall. I'll have to look up Wilsonart.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,425
Registered: ‎03-10-2010
On 3/14/2015 JeanLouiseFinch said:
On 3/14/2015 Newnick ame said: Above all- I hate "modernized" kitchens in old houses. We've had Wilsonart finishes on our counters for about 5 years, and they're amazing! They look fabulous, and there's not one flaw in them. They are NOT your Grandma's Formica!

I know what you mean. I want to update, but not to the point of being so modern that it looks out of place. As much as stainless steel is a popular appliance finish nowadays, I'm fighting it because to me it looks too cold and institutional. We've always had bisque/biscuit, but I'm seriously considering white this time around. My DH on the other hand, likes stainless. I want him to like the kitchen too, so if the stainless will go better with whatever we choose for the counter and backsplash, I'll try to be flexible, but it isn't my choice. Our house is 25 yrs. old this fall. I'll have to look up Wilsonart.

I think of stainless as a neutral- it blends with any style kitchen.

Super Contributor
Posts: 401
Registered: ‎03-11-2010
Backsplash - ok Countertop - no, tacky
Super Contributor
Posts: 401
Registered: ‎03-11-2010
Backsplash - ok Countertop - no, tacky
Super Contributor
Posts: 550
Registered: ‎03-04-2014
On 3/14/2015 ibb38 said:
On 3/14/2015 JeanLouiseFinch said:
On 3/14/2015 Newnick ame said: Above all- I hate "modernized" kitchens in old houses. We've had Wilsonart finishes on our counters for about 5 years, and they're amazing! They look fabulous, and there's not one flaw in them. They are NOT your Grandma's Formica!

I know what you mean. I want to update, but not to the point of being so modern that it looks out of place. As much as stainless steel is a popular appliance finish nowadays, I'm fighting it because to me it looks too cold and institutional. We've always had bisque/biscuit, but I'm seriously considering white this time around. My DH on the other hand, likes stainless. I want him to like the kitchen too, so if the stainless will go better with whatever we choose for the counter and backsplash, I'll try to be flexible, but it isn't my choice. Our house is 25 yrs. old this fall. I'll have to look up Wilsonart.

I think of stainless as a neutral- it blends with any style kitchen.

Agree-stainless is timeless and will update a kitchen more than anything. I used to think the same thing-that stainless is cold and institutional looking and it shows spots. I no longer feel like that since I put them in my 30 year old kitchen a few years ago.

Regular Contributor
Posts: 233
Registered: ‎01-27-2011

We had tile countertops in our kitchen in a previous home we had built. We picked cream colored tiles and matching grout. The only grout that was troublesome was immediately next to the sink, this grout had to be bleached periodically. Soft scrub with bleach and a toothbrush. Took 5 minutes. No big deal. We also had a one huge tile of cream colored marble inset at the end of the counter for baking, perfect surface for rolling dough, etc. Never had a crack or chip in the tile or marble in over ten years. Just be sure to purchase a better grade of tile.

In our homes now we have a quartz countertop in the kitchen of one and granite in the other. The quartz does not show wear but we do use bread boards for food prep. The quartz cleans easily with soap and water and holds up beautifully and shows no marks.

Another house has a granite countertop in the kitchen. Black honed granite. It shows marks if you accidentally cut on it and water on it can etch the surface. Not crazy about it. Will probably rip it out and put in quartz instead.

A dropped glass on tile or quartz or granite will shatter and requires a vacuum to pick up the shards. And bread and a lint roller, have had practice with several of these incidents!

FYI in the bathrooms of the one house we had the architect design tile countertops for the bathroom vanities. The edges of the counters are trimmed in the same wood as the wood cabinets and the baseboards. Tile is a cream color with cream grout. Simple to keep clean. Does not look cheap like previous poster mentioned. Anything but. Ann Sachs has beautiful tile to select from by the way.

New Member
Posts: 1
Registered: ‎06-27-2015

I would not prefer applying  tiled countetop as it is difficult to maintain due to its grout joints between the tiles .One of the best alternative to this is use of Quartz countertop which is durable ,available at varied colors and designs  .Most importantly, It is also non porous .You can get some designs which I liked a lot at Omicrongranite .

Honored Contributor
Posts: 25,929
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

I have never had any type of countertops except formica. They make formica now a days that looks exactly like natural stone.  Not everyone can afford the financial investment in natural stone, my kitchen is 22 x 13 - and I have a ton of counter space, the cost for granite was not in our budget and , personally, I don't like the way most of it looks. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,660
Registered: ‎03-10-2010
Sorry, not a fan of tile countertops and grout. In most homes I looked at recently I rarely saw tile. There are many choices today that won't break the bank. When I redid my kitchen in my old house I used corian - that was 25 yrs ago - I loved it and little maintenance.