Sounds great. How was the pricing? Do you have a site? I might consider doing something like this, not sure...

Roselvr, I really had no other alrternative but to use a product that could be used OVER the existing counters, so I probably did spend more. I have a mere 44 sq ft of counter, and it was a tad over 4 grand~gulp!

I live in a condo built in '84 when the 'trend' was to use 6" tile with wider-than-average grout lines. I didn't want to take the chance of listing first, and the countertops being a negative focus to an otherwise 'decent' kitchen. I had wood flooring installed in the largest portion of the condo, including the kitchen/breakfast area, about 3 years ago, and the new counters bring it all together and into the 21st century. ;o)

Here's their website: www.granitetransformations.com

patty_cakes

I started checking their site out last night and got side tracked - very nice product! It's a bit pricey for this area, but I will keep it in mind.

I bet your counter looks awesome!

Roselvr, yes, it was a bit pricey, but I hope you read my original post re:cabs.

I woke up this morning and said 'WOW, I love my 'new' kitchen!!'

Talked to one of my neighbors this morning, and he's re-doing his kitchen to the tune of $30 grand~ouch! He's not planning to sell, thank goodness, but when you start to figure the cost versus what the property is worth, he would surely come out with the short straw. Showed hm my couner and he loved it. He's putting in green granite~hope he's not gonna be sorry for that in the long run. ;o)

patty_cakes

So how do they handle the sink area? Can you remove an overmount sink and install an undermount with this material?

Harriet, yes it has to be an overmount, which is what I wanted anyway~are they not 'the trend'? The black(more of a charcoal black)granite looks awesome with the SS sink/SS faucet. ;o)

patty_cakes

patty_cakes,

I checked out the Granite Transformations. That's a very cool product. I wonder why it's not advertised heavier? I would think a lot of people would opt to go this route if their cabinets were in pretty good condition but the countertops were nasty.

Neat...

Tricia

I went to their showroom in Laguna Hills, California, when I lived near there and it was really cool. They have a division up here in Oregon, too, so if we redo the tile countertops I'll look into that. I don't think we'll want to tear out the cabinets and I like the durability of the GT products.

A friend of mine used CaesarStone, which is engineered quartz, and it looks really cool. It's more expensive than the Granite Transformations though - it replaces countertops rather than going on top of them.

Here is a link that might be useful: CaesarStone

Patty Cakes,
Post pics :)
I met with granite transformations today and will be using them. My cabinets are in good shape. I've only been in this resale for about 2 months and have no desire to have a rip out going on. Cost is about 3700 for everything; I have 42 sq ft. With the big box stores I would have to line up plumbers etc. and the demolition charge was extra. Our local Lowes was running just a little over 3K. The extra 700 I'll eat for the convenience. They have a great selection and the "granite" is beautiful.

I'm glad to hear y'all think I 'done good! I thought it ws pretty 'nifty' stuff myself, and not having a first class mess on my hand made me even happier.

Tricia, I don't know why it isn't advertised more. My DD is the one who saw it advertised at the mall where a kiosk was set up.

Minet and mzdee, I left my camera in Austin! You wouldn't be sorry! I thought they had a very good selection!I have the Nero Stella which is the one featured in the brochure pictures. Mzdee mine was a little over $4000 for 42 sq ft, but with a difference in tax and the backsplash, that would probably account for the difference. I'm with you re:the convenience. I was working with HD before I talked to my neighbor about the cabs falling apart, and there was even an $80 charge for pulling the stove out! The GT was a real blessing for me. And the guys did an amazing clean up job!! ;o)

patty_cakes

patty_cakes

Since it goes over the existing countertop, does that means it wrapped around the edge too? so you would get a thicker edge and deeper overhang? What about the backsplash?

Look at the link - it explains.

Here is a link that might be useful: granite transformations

Maybe I can help since I just had my consultation. It doesn't wrap. It just fits over the counter top. The edge is a bit thicker, not much because this isn't a solid slab.
The edges are cut to fit exactly so that you can't see counter top edges. For areas where the stove slides in, they take the piece and file it from the underside so that it will fit the tight space.

The samples are beautiful. I'm getting the Kara Oro. They have some new colors that are not on the website. Cost is the same, no matter which color you use.

HTH

Thanks for answering mzdee, glad to see you decided to get the GT. The Kara Oro is very pretty~do you have stained wood cabs?

I had them bevel the edges just because I liked the look~I thought it looked more finished off. It cost an additional $100 for my small countertop.

As for the backsplash, they made that to fit over the tile, too. Mine is about 6" high, but if you wanted to have it up to the bottom of your cabs, that could be accommodated~it's what *you* want. The edge on that is not beveled, just the typical squared-off edge, and sets on the countertop, just like granite would.

Lovein' it more everyday! ;o)

patty_cakes

Hi Everyone! I have found this forum so informative and am wondering about Granite Transformations. Can they do a bullnose edge instead of the straight edge? Also would like to know if anyone has had their backsplash done as well as their counter tops? It sounds like it might be pretty expensive and I am wondering how much you would save by using the G.T. instead of regular granite? Also I saw a post about India Ink. How do you use this as a stain on a kitchen cabinet? I just want the bottom portion of the cabinet to be in the black stain. Do I need to put a finish over the India Ink once the cabinet is stained? Would really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks!!

Another good reason not to use pure granite:

"SHORTLY before Lynn Sugarman of Teaneck, N.J., bought her summer home in Lake George, N.Y., two years ago, a routine inspection revealed it had elevated levels of radon, a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. So she called a radon measurement and mitigation technician to find the source.
"He went from room to room," said Dr. Sugarman, a pediatrician. But he stopped in his tracks in the kitchen, which had richly grained cream, brown and burgundy granite countertops. His Geiger counter indicated that the granite was emitting radiation at levels 10 times higher than those he had measured elsewhere in the house."

Here is a link that might be useful: What's Lurking in Your Countertop

That granite scare post (above) holds no credibility with me. It's put out by granite competitors. You have a greater chance of finding radon in your foundation and or soil around your house. Granite has been used since the Greeks and Romans and although they are dead, I don't think it is the granite that killed them.

That being said, I checked out granite transformations andended up spending just a little more money for "real" granite. Much more fun going to the stoneyard and selcting exactly what I wanted. But the deal breaker for me was getting an undermount sink. I was actually more excited about the sink than anything else.