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Coasters on counters?

8 years ago

We're in the midst of a remodel. Looking for very durable countertop. Contractor is telling us, that regardless of countertop that we should use coasters, and force houseguests to use the same. We haven't done that with our granite, and after 14 years it still looks great. We don't need pristine over long haul--but particularly when we have people over (a few times a year we'll have 25+ people), I just can't imagine forcing everyone to use a coaster. I understand for wood, but for granite or quartz--is that really a baseline expectations that coasters need to be used for glasses and wine/beer bottles?

Comments (23)

  • 8 years ago

    Bwahahaha. Right.

    Craig Anderson thanked Cheryl Hewitt
  • 8 years ago

    Your contractor is silly, I am sorry.

    Craig Anderson thanked friedajune
  • 8 years ago

    i have white quartz and definitely not. we use a wine coaster for wine bottles but that's only because i like to be neat, not because the wine stain wouldn't come out:) are you looking at some kind of delicate granite?

    Craig Anderson thanked agk2003
  • 8 years ago

    Coasters, with marble or limestone counters, perhaps. But with granite, quartz or soapstone? Totally unnecessary.

    Craig Anderson thanked darbuka
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    No way, I have fantasy brown and don't baby it. Nothing has left a mark that a spray of alcohol and water wouldn't remove. I use coasters on my wood side tables for drinks and my farmhouse dining table.

    Craig Anderson thanked ravencajun Zone 8b TX
  • 8 years ago

    My husband uses a coaster on our granite counter only because he thinks it cools down his hot drinks! :)

    Craig Anderson thanked Karenseb
  • 8 years ago

    Oh, please.

    Craig Anderson thanked homechef59
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Thanks for replies so far. The contractor's contracted bid came back materially higher on the counters from his original bid (without us changing materials or size of the counter), so he has suggested marble instead of quartz. Has promised that with the special factory sealer that it's durability will be on par with granite or quartz. When we showed concern based on the research we had done, he promised the marble would be on par with granite/quartz--we just couldn't cut on it or put hot items on it. Also, we need coasters regardless of material. Durability is the theme of this remodel...I'm concerned.

  • 8 years ago

    ...he promised the marble would be on par with granite/quartz...I'm concerned

    As you should be. Marble is beautiful (I have it and love it) but in no way does it perform the same as granite, quartzite or quartz. Our marble is sealed and we have not had any issues with stains. Etches, on the other hand, are everywhere. A few scratches, too. Hopefully the special factory sealer isn't one of those plastic-looking coatings and just a standard sealer for stains. I would ask more questions to find out.

    Craig Anderson thanked alley2007
  • 8 years ago

    Coasters? Huh. Would have never figured that into the equation. Are there children anywhere near? I mean that is just so unrealistic and unnecessary. Disclaimer - maybe not for marble but for granite or quartzite? I can't believe it.

    I never put anything hot (from the stove we aren't talking coffee cups here) on my granite but that's habit from having laminate and just being smart/safe I suppose. Why risk that but coasters - nope. No way.

    Craig Anderson thanked autumn.4
  • 8 years ago

    Your contractor clearly does not have children. And perhaps only a few friends ;) kidding. But that is ridiculous to expect you to use coasters constantly.

    Craig Anderson thanked Melissa Johnson
  • 8 years ago

    Silliest thing I've ever heard. Will you need placemats under your mixing bowls as well?

    Craig Anderson thanked sherri1058
  • 8 years ago


    I think your GC might be out of his element here between coasters and marble-from-a-factory.

    I would suggest politely acknowledging his comments and then tell him what you're getting.

    Craig Anderson thanked Fori
  • 8 years ago

    OP, what do you mean the contractor's contracted bid came back materially higher than his original bid? Are you already contracted with him?

    Craig Anderson thanked agk2003
  • 8 years ago

    Good question. From initial bid to the final proposed contract.

  • 8 years ago

    That's silly, especially with quartz. The only place in my house where I use a coaster is my quarter-sawn oak end table. I don't even use them on the coffee table, which is indestructible.

    Craig Anderson thanked Bunny
  • 8 years ago

    Has promised that with the special factory sealer that it's durability will be on par with granite or quartz.

    I hope he is not talking about a thick acrylic-like coating that I have seen applied to marble that ruins the beauty of marble. Analogous to those thick plastic slip covers on furniture from decades ago. Don't do it!

    Marble is a gorgeous material but you have to be OK with patina and etching. Coasters would be ludicrous. In France people have marble blocks that proudly display wine stains and etches. In North America, people feel differently. If your lifestyle has been for 14 years with an easy-care granite, only you can know whether you are OK with a counter that behaves differently.

    I would not use this contractor. He is displaying poor judgement.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Agree with alley2007, I also have marble.

  • 8 years ago

    No, counter tops are made to be tough and functional. If your beer bottle will cause a problem, choose something different!

  • 8 years ago

    Your contractor sounds like he's trying to weasel out of his original bid by trying to get you to go with the marble, which is why he told you you'd need coasters on all materials. He's full of BS and knows he screwed up his bid.


  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Update: I'm coming clean fully. When I started this post, the project had already been done. Contractor had installed marble with the promise that it would be extremely durable after he messed up on his original bid on quartz, which immediately then etched. Two different stone experts confirmed it was sealed properly and what we had on our counters was etching not staining. Contractor disagreed and said proper sealer would prevent what we were experiencing. I wanted to just find out 2 things by starting this post 1)Was it really a normal expectation to have to use coasters on counters (per our contractor you should use them even on granite), 2)Would any sealer really prevent what I was experiencing?.

    Long story short, I'm still not happy with the contractor -- he wanted to seal the counter again. My fear with that is that he was then going to be "done" and I'm stuck with an etched counter with no recourse (other than going to court). Alternatively, he agreed to split installation of Clearstone. Wanting to avoid the legal route, I went with the Clearstone (polished finish). I am incredibly impressed. It looks great. Edges look great = can't tell that there's a protective cover. I even wrote on it with a sharpie and it came right off. I know it's very expensive, but after I saw the labor involved, I understand why.

    Thanks to all for helping me get to at least some resolution (in my mind) on this.

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    "1)Was it really a normal expectation to have to use coasters on counters (per our contractor you should use them even on granite)

    I'd rather pinch a little red wine between a coaster and the bottom of a glass overnight than pinch a little red wine between a stone or estone top and the bottom of a glass overnight. Coasters are unnecessary with Corian and other solid surfaces.

    2)Would any sealer really prevent what I was experiencing?

    Yes, but the sealer is proprietary to Antolini and must be applied to the slabs at their factory in Italy, so practically speaking, no, you can't seal your way out of etching from a can. Clearstone of TuffSkin will prevent etching.

    Local restaurant granite.