Oh,God now that red herring is coming to this forum. When will it all end?! I suggest you go to the kitchen forum and do a search on the myth about radon and granite counter tops. You will find it is just another scare tactic put out by the engineered stone people. I have had my granite counters for over 12 years and haven't had any mutant babies or grown a third arm or have cancer.
I would check out what is the norm for counters in your selling area. That is a far better indicator of what is appropriate for you to do. I wouldn't give the radon myth a second thought. NancyLouise

Personally, if I were house shopping, I'd much prefer a countertop allowance and be able to make my own choice of material and color. I find granite much too cold, hard, and loud, and many popular colors/patterns either overused and boring (same old, same old - granite again?), or (worse) just gawdawful.

Way back when we were house hunting, one house that was a definite contender went off the short list once we decided we just couldn't live with the large-grained pink granite in the kitchen. It was a beautiful job, and they had obviously spent a ton of money on the job, but there was just so much of it, and it was just so... THERE, if you know what I mean :o)

If/when we redo our current kitchen, I plan to go with some type of solid material (Corian, etc.), some butcher block, and MAYBE a small section of granite or other stone for pastry making and as an attractive serving area for get-togethers. I like the idea of using a variety of materials chosen for specific uses, rather than one material used throughout.

S.

I with ilovepoco. Granite counters are a complete turn-off for me. I just bought a house with ceramic tile counters, just like my current home.

One home in my neighborhood has granite counters, SS appliances, etc. Our realtor said they will never get that money back in this neighborhood. Apparently she's right, because they've been on the market for almost 10 months now, priced too high to recoup their investment. Be sure your area supports that type of investment, or it will be money down the drain.

As already mentioned, unless your current counters are total crap, if anyone asks, just give them an allowance at closing.

I wouldn't worry about the radon. You should be concerned about wasting money on granite countertops that you likely won't recover through the sale.

We live near Stone Mountain in Georgia. It's a gigantic granite boulder.

Sometimes it glows in the dark.

Seriously.

FWIW, I don't particularly care for granite countertops, either. But it's a functionality issue with me, not a safety issue.

Ditto

Ditto also.

Love granite and so do most people. Just thought I would point that out. It seems like people who don't like granite are more vocal on forums. The vast majority of people like granite. I looked at 15 homes last week - everyone had granite. Hate it if you want but realize that is not a majority opinion. Every house had hardwoods too - most of downstairs and kitchen. Just like my house along with the granite.....

Now - we have a rental house with laminate - 1700 sq feet and a bit over 200k. My wife wanted to consider granite and it was worth considering but not worth doing - comps and neighborhood.

"The vast majority of people like granite."

Apparently the vast majority of people in YOUR area do!
But I have been to plenty of open houses here in western PA and granite is NOT the norm in MY particular area.

BTW -- Radon CAN be an issue - it is NOT a myth. But it is not very common...

I don't particularly like granite, either. I almost did slate, but ended up with tile. I do, however, have all stainless appliances, but mostly because I live in a two hundred year old house, where anything not stainless eventually rusts. LOL.

I am amazed at what I learn here. I'd have never associated granite with radon until somebody mentioned it....then see how it could be possible. But, then again, I live in a two hundred year old house with a stone cellar and foundation. That's why I prolly wouldn't be frightened of a radon emitting countertop.

Honestly, how long has the granite been "in" now? What's next?

Ditto on not caring for granite....but we are getting our home ready to put on the market also and need to replace our counter-tops. Right now, we are thinking of putting in granite tiles (without grout)....just because all we hear is "granite"...and doing slab is outside of our budget, although we do have a nice home, we would never recover the price of doing so in this town.

Calliope~~I also wonder "what is next?"... What kind of tile did you do? I actually like tile, but know it is far "out-dated"...so to speak. I had always wanted to do the black matte with black grout, but didn't want to
"date" this house, because in this slow market, we need all the $$$ we can get.

luann~~what is popular in your area if granite is not it?

there is run of the mill,generic, granite,that found at Big Box retailers, and local retail stores,and then there is very beuatiful,highly desirable,expensive granite...The stuff you can buy from Lowes and HD is lousy,in my opinion...I would bet the majority of granite that is detested by posters above is just that,generic,boring,run of the mill....And FWIW,i'd never have laminate counters or tiled counters,the look is very cheap...Corian can be fine,if done properly...But i also believe that the price o f a house will dictate what type of counters you'll find..I always find it humorous the "haters" of what is perceived(right or wrong) to be "luxury" or expensive..Be it large homes, master baths,granite,lol...haters,or is it envy :)

"I always find it humorous the "haters" of what is perceived(right or wrong) to be "luxury" or expensive..Be it large homes, master baths,granite,lol...haters,or is it envy :)"

I am neither a 'hater' nor am I envious.
I just do not like granite... it is really that simple!

I have had laminate, corian and finally granite counters in the homes we have owned/lived in. Granite wins hands down on ease of maintenance, durability and beauty. If we ever move again it will be granite counters again. As I stated before to the OP. Check out what is the norm for your selling area. That will tell you what to do. Oh, yeah and don't give the radon scare a second thought. NancyLouise

I always find it humorous the "haters" of what is perceived(right or wrong) to be "luxury" or expensive..Be it large homes, master baths,granite,lol...haters,or is it envy :)

I dislike granite because I had granite and found it disagreeable in terms of my aesthetics and kitchen habits. Since I've got arguably even higher-end counters now (copper), I don't think my opinion could fairly be called "luxury envy", but simply a matter of experience and personal taste.

It was a real factor when purchasing my house recently. I bought the 1922 home with older laminate counters for $40,000 less than the 1922 home with a newly-redone, granite-filled kitchen. And I was very happy to do so. My remodel of the laminate kitchen hasn't cost that much.

A realtor on the Kitchens counter thread keeps reiterating that one shouldn't do anything expensive and quirky that will alienate buyers. To me, this is true of granite counters. Given the price of granite, I don't want to pay extra for someone else's taste that doesn't match my own. Turquoise walls are one thing, but thousands on rock that I find hideous are quite another.

My point to phoggie in the Kitchens thread was simply that, unless her current tops are falling off, it seems like it would be a waste to spend the money on granite, rather than leaving them as is, or choosing some more buyer-flexible option like a counter allowance as part of the sale. But I definitely agree that neighborhood, price and age of the building will best dictate what counters 'fit' her home.

circuspeanut, I also think most granites are unappealing, no matter what the price. I also would rather replace dated counters than pay extra for new stuff that I don't like. Unfortunately, I think a majority of buyers see a junky counter or weird paint color or ugly wallpaper and it turns them off the house. At a certain price level the average buyer knows that granite is "in" and they expect to see it in the house. The people that use these forums like their house to be a certain way and don't mind the extra work to make it so. They aren't average home buyers.

"I have had laminate, corian and finally granite counters in the homes we have owned/lived in. Granite wins hands down on ease of maintenance, durability and beauty. If we ever move again it will be granite counters again."

How does granite win 'hands down' for ease of maintenance when it requires periodic properly done sealing in order to minimize staining?

Our granite has never been sealed. It doesn't need it. If it were to be sealed it would ruin the finish. It would become cloudy and smeary. Because of the denseness of the stone the sealer would just sit on top. The sealer would not impregnate the stone. There are many, many granites that do not need sealing. Over at the kitchen forum, a list has been formed of the granites that don't. NancyLouise

IMO, what you install has a lot to do with your market and what everyone else has. As is mentioned, not everyone likes granite, we took it out of the new house, ended up with a Wilsonart Laminate called {{!gwi}}. It also has specs of green which the sample doesn't show. We're pretty happy with it.

"Our granite has never been sealed. It doesn't need it. If it were to be sealed it would ruin the finish. It would become cloudy and smeary. Because of the denseness of the stone the sealer would just sit on top. The sealer would not impregnate the stone. There are many, many granites that do not need sealing. Over at the kitchen forum, a list has been formed of the granites that don't. NancyLouise"

So you make a general statement that granite wins hands down in terms of maintenance?

Don't now what you mean by "general statement". Our granite is very easy to maintain. It doesn't need sealing, it is durable and it is beautiful. These are all facts. Quick wipe with a small amount of dish soap on a damp sponge or dishcloth on the counters. Same as I do with the cabs or stove. No big deal to cleaning. Me thinks you are trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. People are free to put in their kitchen whatever pleases them or if they are in the process of selling what works for their area. Having had three different counter tops I know what one is the best. Granite wins hands down. For someone else that my not be the case. NancyLouise

Okay, I'll bite and throw in my $0.02 as well...

I don't like granite for countertops either. I've seen polished concrete that was attractive (not my style, but attractive). I've seen soapstone, and slate, and beautiful quartz, and I've admired them all. But I don't like granite. I have counters of Corian which was chosen by the previous owners and I can't justify pulling it out because it's just fine, but I'd prefer something else. Just not granite.

Why? Granite is the common native stone in my area. Gravel in the roadway is granite. Dig a planting hole for a tree in my backyard, you'll be pulling up fist-sized pieces of granite. Dig a foundation for a house, you'll likely have "decorative" granite boulders for your yard afterward. The last thing on earth I'd want on my countertops is granite... although I admit it's more attractive lying at the side of the road than, say, sandstone.

nancylouise~~ Could I ask what the color of your granite is that does not have to be sealed?...and could you send a pic of it? Thanks

Naw, not elitist hatin', I actually love zodiaq and ceasarstone (silestone's ok). I don't like how when you're cooking on a granite counter and you drop a pot you chip your counter! Then you have to throw all your food away that you're working with because who knows where the chips went?

I'm a foodie in training, and my dream kitchen would have a marble surface to prepare pastry, a big stainless area to put hot pots and raw meats on by the sink, and the rest probably zodiaq for the look.

Granite for those who LOOK, and Marble/Stainless/Other for those who COOK, lol....

My counters are Uba Tuba. Very dark green, almost black when looking at it from a distance. When at the counter you can see the golds, whites, bluish tints. It is one of the more common granites and one of the more durable ones. We are a very active family and I needed counters that could take everything we dish out and still look beautiful, counters that I didn't have to worry about every little thing.
Sorry don't have any pics. to send. I have warm cherry cabs, gold tone and brass fixtures and black appliances. White walls and ceilings. NancyLouise

We are house shopping  high end. We are looking to spend around $800 but we are touring the 1 mil + homes as well when they are open - I am surprised at how many have granite tile as opposed to slabs...

Just a thought!

Jeri

wow, granite tile? I have never seen that in a home 1m before.....

nancylouse~~ I have also heard that about Uba Tuba...DH thinks it is too dark and will show fingerprints...does it? Thanks for your speedy reply.

Jeri--WOW!...now that's what I'm talking about...I sure do wish I had pictures of the 1 mil+ homes that had granite tiles...that would have made my day... so if anyone is house-shopping, and happen to see this, snap a pic for me...please...sure would appreciate it...THANKS

Phoggie, If you put in granite tile, DON'T install it without grout! Check with Bill V., he will confirm that tile should not be installed without grout.

I think granite is beautiful. My neighbor just had her kitchen re-done with granite and the SS appliances and cherry cabinets. We sometimes talk about how it is unimaginable that this will go out of style and yet we know it will eventually.

I know that I am quirky in not liking granite. I don't like that it is hard and I don't like that it is cold. I also don't like the clanking sound of putting a dish or glass down. It is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. I like Corian but understand it has its problems. I have Richlite.

The article on Radon that appeared in the paper said that only a few granites have significant radon - and they are the more openly porous granites.

To the earlier poster who said that laminate looked cheap...you haven't seen high end, "high definition" laminate with post-form back spashes and beveled lips. Try the WilsonArt web page. I could afford granite soapstone whatever and redid my kitchen with laminate because of ease of maintenance (no dirt dares stick), 'easy feel' under my hands and my dishes, coved integrated back splash means no water problems, and I can file my nails on it if I feel like it.

Having looked at many homes at the high end of the market, i never saw wilsonart in any of them..I will assure you that at 1m+ laminate would be a deterent to a sale,and i am NOT saying this is right or wrong,just a fact

Calliope~~I also wonder "what is next?"... What kind of tile did you do? I actually like tile, but know it is far "out-dated"...so to speak.

I have no clue what it's called, but it looks quarried, and has high relief. I don't think tile ever really goes out of style, the glass covered tiles are pretty hot right now, and I don't care if somebody else 'thinks' it's cheap. Thank God I am of the age where I don't care what the resale value of my home is, especially since I don't have a mortgage to worry about recouping. It's liberating. It frees me up to pick out things I really want, and not have to worry about what somebody else considers 'expected'. It's really sad when you feel obliged to spend your money on what somebody else 'expects'. Necessary sometimes, but sad.

Anyhows, I have what one in England calls a character home. Plank floors, a pitcher pump in my kitchen, typical federal styling. It's an old farmhouse. It would look almost ludicrous with granite counters.

Envy? No, granite counters in an 1830s farmhouse under my pitcher pump would look ......well....silly.

I don't think that people who don't like granite are envious. I just think that we feel free to voice our opinion because granite is a choice. We wouldn't say that we hate laminate because that is less likely to be a choice instead of an economic reality.

I recently had a (Wilson Art) laminate counter put in (little old house in the country... since sold) and my choice was something or other with 'granite' in the name, plus there was a choice of finish. Once it was down, it could have been anyone's granite counter at a casual glance (vs touching and examining). Really did look great!

I also HATE granite, and even if I liked it, I couldn't afford it. Actually I can't afford to do anything major in our kitchen right now, but if I could I think I would choose tumbled tile. I think that's what it's called. It's kind of raised and has a faux finished look, in that the color is not solid. Saw this in a kitchen on "My House is Worth What?" and I absolutely LOVED the look. For what it's worth, the realtor who priced the home loved it too and thought it was "a refreshing" choice.

I do like the look of granite, but my favorite counter top for a kitchen is the one we have - travertine tiles. We DIY'd it and it looks great. The backsplash is made from the same tiles, and we have a tile-in sink. Since this particular look has never been "in-style", I'm hoping it won't look dated when we sell in about 10 years.

We put a really nice laminate in my mom's house. Her house is only worth about $60K, so it doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money in the kitchen. We ordered the laminate with a rounded edge and NO backsplash, then we put in a backsplash with ceramic tile that matched the color of the laminate - a nice cream. It looks very good.

Haven't had a problem with fingerprints on the granite. My black appliances...now that is a different story. Especially on the plastic and glass parts of them. (Were the control panels are on the dw, drop in cooktop on our 1910 Glenwood, etc.) I hate to clean my own home. (go figure, I was the Head of Housekeeping at the largest beach hotel in town and was a tough task master there. Nothing escaped my notice!) Constantly wiping the prints off the appliances is something I had not anticipated doing. NancyLouise

nancylouise....Ahh...and now you know my reasoning for not wanting black or SS appliances....I refuse to spend my time chasing fingerprints! I'll just stick to white...may not be the "in" thing, but will never go completely out of style, they are always available, and they always look good.

Yep, phoggie, I did my research for the counter tops but not so much on the appliances. Should have checked out the appliance forum before hand.
One thing I did think of with the fingerprints where you can notice them. When we roll out doughs. Both my husband and I bake a lot. We roll the dough right out on the counter. Along with marble, granite is awesome for rolling pie, cookie, bread doughs. The combo of butter and flour will show the smeary prints. I admit to having missed a spot here and there after clean up.
As far as just regular fingerprints no. I don't find myself actually touching the counters that much. We use a cutting board when cutting/slicing things. Don't want to ruin our good knives cutting on the granite. I'm not a leaner, so I don't touch the tops then. We put away groceries directly from the bags so no touching there. I quess it is just the way I cook and utilize the kitchen we don't have fingerprints on them. NancyLouise

We just bought a 14 year old home with laminate counter tops. I hate them. I have to be so careful about not putting anything hot down. They also pick up the color of anything laid on them and stain. I use barkeepers constantly. I want to replace them but also hate the look of granite. I want something that you can place hot items on. I've always had tile before and loved it. Can you put hot things down on WilsonArt laminate? When I have gone to flooring stores inquiring about replacing my carpet I have also looked at their tile for my kitchen. They all claim they haven't installed kitchen counter tile for years. Their tile is for bathrooms and backsplashes. I wonder if I will be dating my house if I go with tile. Also, I can't visualize how things will look. I need to actually see it. I can't find pictures of beautiful tile kitchens like I could when I did my tile kitchens years ago so I don't know how it will turn out. Any suggestions on countertops that can take heat besides granite. Also, the Wall Street Journal had an article about the Radon. It is true. It is just rare. Thanks

mpp, so far our WilsonArt laminate is doing fine. I'm not sure if I've put pots off of the stove directly on them yet but I think I have. We're trying to be safe while we get used to the new stuff. I just got out the folder with the paperwork the other day as I have to register everything but haven't started reading them yet.

mpp~~WilsonArt is a laminate and will not take putting hot things on it...it will leave burn spots just like all laminate.

If it wasn't for "not in style anymore", I would have put down black matte 6x6 tile with black grout...I think it would make a pretty counter-top. I also have had tile counter-tops and actually loved them. Go for what YOU want unless you are going to sell soon.

mpp798, my neighbor just did her kitchen with Corian & her dil put a hot pan on it. It didn't make a burn mark, but the spot is now dulled differently than the rest of the countertop & neighbor has tried everything to restore it. So I think I'd scratch that one for hot pans.

Our 1400sf, 1962 ranch house in a lower-end middle class neighborhood had laminate countertops. We remodeled the kitchen and that is what we chose because that is what the market dictates.

We built a 3500sf home in the same town but in a higher-end neighborhood and we have granite and limestone countertops throughout the house because that is what the market dictates.

When selling a home it has absolutely nothing to do with what your personal preference is but everything to do how you get the most bang for your buck.

Radon is a non issue. If it were, then granite simply would not be used in homes.

You should not put hot pans down on plastic countertops. That includes plastic laminate and Corian.

Slightly off topic...I was recycling a jack hammered driveway to the local recycle yard. In this yard is huge piles of all sorts of materials, blacktop, concrete, bricks, rebar, gravels, etc. There was even one for granite. While I was there a local large remodeler co's truck dumped a load. He was saying they are pulling marble/granite out more than they are putting it in currently. Not sure what the recycler does with it, most stuff gets crushed into rubble.