Marble / Granite kitchen worktop experiences?

Benster

Hi all,

We're moving into a newly built house after Christmas and I'm speccing out extra bits that we want to get added. We like the idea of real marble worktops in the kitchen instead of the standard wood/formica.

I've been told that marble tops can chip easily though, and that I might be better going for a granite top instead. According to one mag I was reading, granite might be slightly less expensive than marble.

Can anyone tell me what their experiences of either of these types has been, both cost-wise and in everyday use?

Thanks,

B.

harto

I have also read that marble is considerably more prone to staining than granite and requires more maintenance, sealing etc.

AidoX

If its any use to you check out http://www.ADLGroup.ie they have a new show room open dont know where they are TBH. I got this info from a Self-Building.

There is a cheaper alternative again, its reconstructed granite, friends got it and you wouldn't know the difference

ednwireland

had granite for about 5 years now only thing is make sure you like your kitchen layout cos you won't want to throw away the granite. not had a prob with it chipping just breaking glasses when knocked over. our granite wasn't that expensive but we live a few miles from a large supplier (in donegal) so at the time they were about half the price of any other qoute we had.
best thing is hot pans etc can go down on it no bother.
the other reason wss that we put in a belfast sink much easier to seal sink to granite.
wouldn't trust myself with marble (don't spill that bottle of malt vinergar or it'll start to dissolve)

zokrez

I have had formica, solid wood, marble and granite. Personally granite is the best - hasnt chipped and has a great sheen. Marble did stain; red wine left a serious stain in light marble top that I had a couple of years ago. Wood complements granite well eventhough you have to ensure that there is a enough danish oil on the surface. Formica is cheap. If you want a wow factor, granite is great. Bought mine in M.Roes in Cornelscourt for 800euro for island. Another place on Murphystown Road and Deansgrange Road; assuming you are in Dublin.

PhilipMarlowe

Have had polished (black) granite for over 6 years now and love it. Wouldn't consider anything else. Has been cleaned with every bleach and chemical under the sun without any problem.
Looks great, still shines like the day it was installed.
Goes well with a maple kitchen.

Benster

Thanks for the replies folks.

Been thinking about this and from some of the prices I'm being quoted it might not be a runner. Most prices are heading towards 5-6 times what a formica top will cost. I knew it would be dear, but it is just too high to justify. It's not that we have a huge kitchen, more a small house. Spending three grand on a kitchen worktop alone seems a bit over the top for what we are going to be living in. Ah well, maybe the next house :-)


(off-topic...)
As for the ADLGroup link, they are a good place to go for tiles. Much better prices up North than here in Dublin (ok, ok, I'm from the North anyway). Also try ArmaTile, great service.
(/off-topic)

Cheers,
B.

jay567

Just as an FYI, i got a granite worktop for my kitchen at the begining of the year. They where quoting me 3,500 - 4,500 here in dublin. Ended up buying from Spain (partner is spanish) and it was 1,250. The granite itself is twice the quality of the irish one, and yes it looks great.

shabbyroad

Jay567, please tell us more about this Spanish supplier. Did you have much difficulty finding someone to fit it ? What was the shipping cost ?

Victor

Granite would be better than marble. More stain resistant & more consistant pattern.

It is a lot harder than formica thoough, so expect to loose a few glasses / plates over the years.

On the edge, going for a pencil edge is probably better than bullnose, etc.

jay567

shabbyroad wrote:

Jay567, please tell us more about this Spanish supplier. Did you have much difficulty finding someone to fit it ? What was the shipping cost ?

Hi, We bought direct from a factory in the north of spain, near Bilbao. Called a fitter to come and measure up for us, (free of charge, hoping to secure job of fitting) Fitting it is very straight forward and did this myself, would have been happy to pay the fitter as his plans where 100% but i thought 450euro was far to expensive (he was chancing it). Fax the plans to Spain. To ship the granite we got it back via container. Cost is 1,250 euro for a 20ft container. This is a good price and only works if buying more items in Spain.
We replaced several Bathrooms at the same time, massive savings there also.

dras

jay567 wrote:

The granite itself is twice the quality of the irish one, and yes it looks great.

Hi - can you tell me how you rate the quality of granite?

Thanks.

Tobi2

Hi
While on the worktop/countertop topic, just wondering if anyone has seen or any experience of Slate countertop?
The only slate I am familiar with is Valentia slate, and already have some on house (natural/unpolished etc).
Was debating same for kitchen countertop, and cost does not seem to be much more (maybe a bit less) than Granite.
Have to get more accurate quote in due course.
As far as I know it has to be sealed a few times before and during use?
Anyone any experience?

Thanks in advance
Tobi

nokia101

ednwireland wrote: »

had granite for about 5 years now only thing is make sure you like your kitchen layout cos you won't want to throw away the granite. not had a prob with it chipping just breaking glasses when knocked over. our granite wasn't that expensive but we live a few miles from a large supplier (in donegal) so at the time they were about half the price of any other qoute we had.
best thing is hot pans etc can go down on it no bother.
the other reason wss that we put in a belfast sink much easier to seal sink to granite.
wouldn't trust myself with marble (don't spill that bottle of malt vinergar or it'll start to dissolve)

Hi...
Am also in the process of fitting a new kitchen and wud love to finish it with a Granite worktop. ednwireland could u give me the details of the supplier you went to in Donegal for your worktop as i am also from the Northwest and would be willing to travel to get the best price!

recker

Hi
I have bought a half-built house in a village in Spain. The kitchen has been fitted with a granite worktop, but no cupboards have been fitted yet. Unfortunately the counter top is too high for my comfort. Does anyone know how easy/hard it is to move it??? Will it break if we try to move it/get it moved? I can vouch for the cheap granite here... but it's still expensive enough not to want to break!!
thanks.
btw everyone tells me that granite is much more practical for kitchens than marble - which is preferred for bathrooms only here.

JamesRao

I was told that marble is considerably more prone to staining than granite and requires more maintenance. So I have installed Granite Countertops. Northwest Granite fully specializes in natural stone fabrication and installation of fine custom granite countertop and they work at affordable prices.

DermotHeg

To EdenWire(??) Hi, I'm from Donegal also. Who supplied the granite to you? Thanks in advance.

memomy

I am considering changing the countertops in my kitchen also and have been looking at the granite and marble options but to be honest I think that the prices to do the kitchen will be just too much.

I was wondering if anyone knew of any similar, cheaper alternatives? Engineered Stone perhaps? If you know of anything please feel free to share

Thanks

lewis

Dont get marble for a counter top, there not even good for fireplaces.
I work with marble, granite, slate for 11 years.
Granite it the best option for counter tops and fireplaces, marble is more for looks but is not practical, it does chip VERY easily and can be VERY hard to repair.
Granite is way more durable, long lasting and can stand up to the ever day going`s on in the kitchen.
I would go for a bullnose edge, weather it be 1/4, 1/2 or full, best to have no sharp or angled edges.
The granite will come already stain stopped and sealed so its good to go from the start, it is expensive but it will last you a life time, if it does`nt your a gob****e, with the proper care it will last.
A small chamfer can still lead to chips and not the grassy kind, lol.
Make sure all the joints have a small chamfer, just so the ruff egde is gone, that way when the 2 meet you have a clean joint.
Also make sure ALL joints and edges/corners are water tight, even on top on the back splashes, even if there full length one. NO hot pot or anything roasting should be put directly on top and as one poster said, watch you glasses and other cutlery, you will break them, lol

guinness queen

Would like to replace counter top covering with granite, living in Kilkenny and wondering if I can buy directly, and if so where.
Any other information or tips would be greatly appreciated.