Granite opinions

[peterd]

My wife and I are in the process of picking granite counter tops out.
Based upon the kitchen cabinets (natural maple) and appliance color ( plain old white) the fabricator suggested four different granites which will look good today but won't date themselves in 20 years.

They are:
New Vebtian Gold
Santa Cecilia
Giallo Veneziano
Tropical Brown
Uba Tuba

I am more concerned with sealing issues and other long term issues. Are the 5 granites listed all about equal, or will one be more problematic over time than the others. Is it really necessary to pick ones slabe out?


Thanks

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[doitright]

Hi Peter :)

The Tropical Brown and Uba Tuba are the least porous.

The Santa Cecilia is the most porous, but with several coats of sealer is a beautiful stone.

The New Venetian (sp?) Gold and Giallo are prone to chip if finshed with a eased edge. I suggest a pencil edge as a minimum. It is not uncommon for these stones to have natural fissures (especially the Giallo).

As always, view and tag the slabs you want installed. If you don't, you're usually in for a surprise after the install.

[peterd]

John,
What is a eased edge, penciled edge?

My wife and I are either thinking 1/4" radius (Aris edge), 3/8" radius (Radius edge), 5/8" (Half bulnose) or 5/8" (Full bulnose)

Will one of the above 4 profiles prevent chipping on The New Venetian Gold and Giallo Veneziano?

Thanks

[Steven Hauser]

Hi Peter,

All the edges you have mentioned will be fine. John's reference is to a square edge with about 1/16" of the top edge beveled or rounded.

:)

[peterd]

Thanks

[peterd]

Question,

Should I care if the slabs are resined or not? If the slabs are resined how does that affect they way my wife and I treat the slabs in every day use? What happens if a hot pan is placed on a resined slab, or if I cut on a resined slab?

Thanks

[Steven Hauser]

Hi again Peter,

The resins that are applied to slabs are done before the material is polished. This means that the surface of the stone is just that, stone.

The subsurface pits and fissures are filled with the resin.

Use the stone without concern.

:)