Corona scratches. I wouldn't buy the granite if you can't see the full slab, there can be so much variation you'd be taking a chance. Can't comment on Quartz because I've never had it.

I put a granite top in my previous house, purchased one with a lot of
"movement" (Swirlies, or other terms). I loved it at first, but found that visually it didn't wear well, it made the room look too busy. I have a less expensive granite in my new house that has a natural pattern that is not high contrast. Love it, it gives an evenness too the overall look. I did put a high contrast counter with a lot of movement in the butler's pantry, but that is an area with a small countertop that has the slab as the primary decorative item without as much going on viusally as in a kitchen

Skip the Corian, and good luck with the house.

Overuse of granite tells me no imagination

I just selected the Lyra quartz with my white kitchen. I used a glass subway tiles is vapor blue that blended well with the Lyra. The second picture shows what we were up against.

Our Lyra looked just like this..

It's tough choosing but we went with Arctic Diamond granite six months ago and couldn't be happier. Lots of sparking "diamonds" gives it a very special look.

@lori bowers, I love your counters!!! Looks just like marble. Can you tell us on more on upkeep and durability? Beautiful

@marissa, I like the river white but not sure of the burgundy speckle in it. I am in the process of choosing too and i am having the hardest time. What I really love is marble, everyone is suggesting quartz to me..... I feel like it is nice, but it doesn't have the movement of natural stone.... Ugh, so hard

I wish you luck with your decision and I hope your slabs are even more beautiful than you imagine. Some granites have a radon issue, so please have them checked before you buy. Meanwhile, have a Happy New Year!

Have you thought about quartz with your cabinets and granite with your island. As a focal point? Our granite is supposed to have 15 years before resealing. We picked the slab and marked where we wanted the cuts.

I fell in love with Quartz, by Belenco, produced in Turkey. The colour is as its description.....dark cherry! It looks great with white cabinetry and vinyl, hardwood-like floors.

The counter sits underneath 3 pendant lights. As mentioned by another writer, I find it nearly impossible to make the counter look streak-free,using dish soap, whether I use cloth, paper towel or sponge. It is especially noticeable under the lights. Does anyone have an alternative? Glass cleaner, perhaps??

Secondly, the first night under the lights, I noticed flaws/imperfections on the counter. The manufacturer's representative took pictures and got agreement from the manufacturer to reimburse me for the cost of the slab ($825.00) The problem is, it will not solve the annoyance of seeing the flaws all the time.

The fabricator is not prepared to replace the counter, since he feels he did nothing wrong. It's true that the installation was fine, but my feeling is he should have noticed the imperfections. He is not prepared to give me any allowance for a replacement and I certainly can't afford to pay again for the installation.

Any designers, fabricators or other professionals who have had experience with this kind of issue? How was it resolved? Any legal implications?
Joann

Joann - try a very hot micro fiber cloth -wipe in a circular manner then dry with a clean micro fiber cloth - just wipe a small area at a time so it doesn't have time to dry before you wipe it with the dry cloth. Don't use soap or any other cleaner - just very hot water. Works well on my absolute black granite counter tops. Good luck.

Joann. I am a Quartz fabricator. Certainly glass cleaner is acceptable and should leave you streak free. We use lacquer thinner in our shop to strip away most everything that leaves a film.

As for the fabricator offering you the value of the slab...., I typically will offer a homeowner compensation vs replacement. Most of the Quartz manufacturers have fabricators sign agreements to support their warranty. The manufacturer is limited to replacing the slab and unfortunately the fabricator who may have nothing wrong, has to pay to re-fabricate, rip out and re-install. You might contact the manufacturer directly and determine what your options are if the fabricator refuses to honor any warranty obligations he accepted in order to offer their product to his customers.

Lighting can really exasperate a flaw not seen in the shop. Go for the glass cleaner first and good luck.

RC

Thank you Marissa and we are anxiously awaiting your next post. :)

Marissa, I just re-reaad your original post, and the quartz you are referring to you say is Silestone Lyra quartz. Silestone is the tradename for the engineered quartz, so all of the posts referring to quartz later on refer to the natural quartz, I'm thinking. I had a Silestone quartz counter and I hated it, so I replaced with granite, just sayin...

I am a little confused as I never said anything about Silestone Lyra Quartz only that I would recommend Quartz over Granite or Corian as long as the island were not to big to allow for one piece. Sorry must have been someone else making that comment

Please note their are 2 Marisa's on this post
Marissa and MCornejo to clarify any confusion. Thanks

Yes, I was referring to the OP, in her statement of the dilemma. I would've said Mcornejo, if I had meant you.

Hi Marissa, I have worked in Real Estate for many years and work with builders in lots of new construction as well as with my buyers who often do major reno's....of the 3 products you mentioned originally I would recommend dropping the Coriander as an option- I hear many complaints on the durability and buyers often see it and right away plan to replace it if they buy the home. I have lived with granite in my kitchen/laundry/ baths for over 5 years and love the durability and ease of care...I recommend Pledge Multi-Surface cleaner to keep it looking it's best & it is super easy! There are many brands of Silestone type products on the market and I have clients who are happy with them & clients who are very disappointed with them....my experience with all stone products is to research the company you are looking to purchase from as well as the type of product. Many of our local companies bring in various stone product from China and the thickness & quality of their slabs differ greatly from other sources....my granite came from Quebec and my installation company was fabulous in every way....it has been very durable with no disappointments. Companies/installers are not all the same so looking at your slab is important but also asking lots of questions regarding the experience of the cutters/installers is also important!

I also had the immense pleasure of visiting Italy this year and came back with an entirely new view of marble. I have always loved the look of marble but was always warned of its soft & porous nature so would never had considered it.....in Italy marble is widely used In so many applications and there are so many types of stone ....we went through Carrera where they mine Carrera marble....it is actually a very durable stone used in everything from stair treads to countertops.....we did a cooking class day where we made pasta,tomatoe sauces, balsamic vinegars and spilled a fair bit plus lots of red wine on it and all the counters looks as fabulous when we finished as they did when we arrived! I now know I will have Carrera in my next kitchen and will love it!!!

Have fun in all your final selections and make choices you will love now and in the future....research all your product/service providers well as well as their warranties and enjoy your decisions and your new home for many years in your future!!!!

I have had solid white Corian and I loved it! It was seamless, easy to clean and minor scratches could be buffed out with a scrub sponge. It is a bit passe, though. I now have quartz and really, really love it. It is beautiful, easy to keep clean and non porous. I have not wanted granite because it needs to be sealed periodically and I know that I would not keep up with it.

I used Corian about 15 years ago and loved it. I moved and replaced the worn countertops with granite. I had no problems with the granite and just re-sealed it once a year. Resealing took less than an hour. I moved a year ago to a fixer-upper and decided to try Silestone since there were so many new styles and it is low maintenance. No problem so far.

We recently installed our granite. It has a "L" shape . Our fabricator was able to install it without a seam. It did require a lot of planning and preparation. They had to install the final piece of Sheetrock after the granite was installed:but it can be done.

I have had granite for 15 years and love it. I have never re-sealed them. We are in the process of deciding on granite for our bar.

Hi again everyone! I got some unfortunate news today, our builder won't let our counter fabricator order our river white counter tops for 3 more months because they don't want to risk them being broken or damaged in the warehouse until they are ready to go in! They did send me a photo of the actual slab they want to order us and it looks nice but isn't the greatest photo-no flash, not close up. I will attach it below. I believe we will still be able to choose again should we not like it in person but I'm concerned if we will have time at that point. I want to find out how far away where the counter is from so maybe we could just go see it where it is if it's close enough. My other concern is we have our last design meeting next week and we have to finalize all of our other decisions including kitchen backsplash before actually seeing our granite in person! I would like something grey to bring in some color to the white cabinets and counters. I don't know exactly where my builder gets their tile from so don't know all of our options yet but I found some I like on the Home Depot website that I will attach here. I think I like the hexagonal one best, what do you think? Thanks again!

Last two didn't attach!

I think you may have chosen the wrong builder. First he said you couldn't choose or see the granite slab in person. Now he wants you to choose all the tile prior to seeing your slab and you don't know where he gets his tile from. Did you ask his source? Did you check him out and get good references when you hired him? When is your new home scheduled for completion? I take it, much more than three months from now. I hope I'm not out of line with my questions, but I'd hate to see you get hurt in the process.

My father and family members are in the building business. Sounds like he is a production house builder. They often wants selections so people don't keep changing their mind. They are a production builder so it is turnover that they and the trades want. One idea for the backsplash is ask for an allowance for what it would cost and then have it done when the time is right either by his guy or find your own tile man. If the backsplash is included in the purchase price he will have only an allowance. If he is production he can have the tile man come back for the backsplash. You have options. If the house is three months out, you can't blame him for holding on to it. Someone could steal or damage it. Ask him to ask the granite yard to hold it and a deposit can be given. Everything is about turnover. Furthermore unless a tile is special order it can be ordered much closer to installation date. If he is pushing backsplash and not pushing granite it does not make sense.try another granite yard to see granite in person. All builders send their buyers to the yard to pick the granite as they don't want any responsibility if it comes in a different pattern, etc.

I would caution you against choosing a marble backsplash if you are doing a white granite with movement especially since the granite isn't installed and you can't view them together in the same lighting. The marble could be much cooler in tone and the patterns may compete. I have a marble hexagon backsplash and I love it but it's with a solid white quartz counter so it's the focal point as opposed to the counter.

I also don't think you can commit to a color like grey without the granite either for the same undertone reason. If you absolutely have to choose a backsplash now I think your safest bet is white.

I really don't want you to pick out a backsplash without seeing your slab. Your builder is laying down rules that are ridiculous. Ask what the consequences are if you don't make all your decisions next week. Just because he would LIKE for you to do something doesn't mean that you HAVE to do it.

You should place backsplash samples next to your counter material. Most backsplash is too busy for most granite-causing people to tire of both. Be very careful in your backsplash selection. Look at Houzz!

I totally agree with stryker & jdmh. You need to co-ordinate the granite and back splash. The choices MUST be made at the same time.

We just had a "production" home finished last year. I did not like any of the tile options for the kitchen back splash ( i had my heart set on a Susan Jablon tile I saw on HOUZZ). We told them not to install anything on the back splash and had it finished after we closed. Of course we had to pay for the tile and installation, but it was so worth it! I actually had a tile sample with me when I chose my quartz from the builder. I agree with those who caution you not to choose tile until you see your granite and can see them together, in person!!!

I agree with joanjpappas, judygilpin, jdmh and others that are commenting to wait...The backsplash needs to be a harmonious complement to the granite. It's also one of the last things to go in. So I don't see the need to rush to a choice. Too many people choose something that turns out to be too busy, too clashing, too "wow" only to be disappointed later. You need to be able to see the whole "picture" and choose something that finishes with a pleasing, aesthetic result.

Agree. You need both in person and in the house possibly. That is why I even suggested getting an allowance for the backsplash and If necessary the labor. You can have it installed afterwards.. Yes the builder is being ridiculous and not working for the buyer. Just put your foot down in a nice way.

I agree with the above! Backsplash is so important to bring the look of your kitchen together....find out from your builder the allowance for backsplash & installation/labour and either have him reduce your total by that amount and have it done later or have your lawyer do a " hold back" in that amount that the builder does not receive until your back splash has been installed.

When we had our "production" home built it was frustrating because of the limited choices etc. I just lived with some of it, but our plan is very open and that back splash tile is a HUGE statement. Our builder would not give an allowance, so we just paid for it out of pocket and honestly it is some of the best $ we spent on our new home! Good Luck!

It took me a long time and looking at many different backsplashes before finally settling on one. Even now, there may be a tinge of doubt but this happens. I would suggest you take your time. Though it is aggravating when you are anxious to have it all come together, having it take time and to really think it out, even change your mind a few times, is normal! Don't jump the gun! Keep looking at pictures and samples.

ALSO, can you pick your own tile backsplash. That is always the better option in my opinion.

I had my doubts about having pattern in the countertop and backsplash but glad we went with our gut.

Going with your gut is the best thing to do Russ Cereola. In the end, you will be happier for it. Great kitchen!

Corian would be my last choice as it scratches - which means you can't cut on it. Granite would be my second choice because you can cut on it, doesn't scratch, is easy to clean, does stain and needs to be resealed periodically. Quartz has the same qualities of granite but the advantage is that it's nearly stain-proof. This is because it's a nonporous surface. Coffee, wine, cooking oils will sit on top of the surface instead of soaking in so all you have to do is wipe it clean. Because it's nonporous it also doesn't need to be sealed or treated and because it's nonporous, it's hard for bacteria to grow. I guess my advice would be not to short change yourself in this important area because your countertops will be used every day. I would cut costs in another area.

We chose our slabs today! We chose the river white granite! I love it!

Nice choice... it is a beautiful stone. I love the sparkle it has. Wait until its in and your light hits it.... it will be great. Congratulations! Good luck! :)

Gorgeous choice!!!

We also chose our backsplash to go with it that I absolutely love! It's glass tiles in all different shades of grey. I can't wait to see it all come together!

Do you think the backsplash will go well with the counters?

I think they will look really nice. Send us pictures once completed.

Very nice, Marissa! I love the color of your granite and also like that the pattern/movement in it is a little less busy than some others.

You will love the glass tiles. We had them installed as a backsplash to co-ordinate with our granite counter tops. They really bring life to the kitchen.

Hi everyone! 6 months later and our home is almost done! The kitchen is not complete yet but our counters were installed today and I love them! We chose the river white granite.

Looks great!