General Chat

Heather, there are different qualities of granite,I know there rather expensive in the u.K. Im lucky I surpose granite is very common here in Spain so you do have a huge choice and its by far alot cheaper,just be careful if you opt for granite in the U.K.

You can buy a cheaper version which is made up of granite chips bonded together with resin. Daughter has a black sink made of this at a fraction of the price of a solid granite one & she finds it VERY hard wearing & forgiving of all cleaning products. Dont know what its called tho

Hi Heather - Husband got it all from a website - www(.)barncrest(.)co(.)uk

Heather there very strong if your going for such a fantastic kitchen look at the glass ones you can get them to match splashbacks

Sheila, what brochure was that granite insert in please? Rox, youve thrown me now as the granite does look gloriously beautiful but so many people, including the tilers and the guy who came to quote for the kitchen units said that it scratches and chips quite easily.

Ooh lucky you, I am envious! Ive only got a narrow galley kitchen.

Dragon, that sounds brill as old man also wants a flash glass cooker chimney over the range cooker and a glass splashback (I know this all sounds expensive but we are nearly retirement age and I have never had such luxury in my life, so looking forward to it all - have just had the floor tiled with sandstone look alike - 4 different size tiles from huge down to small square laid in repeating modules - we are talking big kitchen (28ft x 15ft) so it looks absolutely fab) I will have a look at the glass jobs - but we are both clumsy, am wondering if they will stand up to it. We are having painted kitchen units so I think the darkish wood may look good.

Ive got Granite, and its wonderful! Ive had it for 3 years now,no scratches or anything and its had alot of abuse!lol

Have you tried the local memorial stone masons - my sister got heres from there - less cost. Anna x

Heather, according to the brochure, yes!! You can also get 'hot rods' of metal built into it for the same purpose.

Just googled glass worktops there 19mm deep and i have seen them ,,real classie

Im am leaning towards Iroko work top now - it will be £2k less than granite (I really dont like the Corian, Im am all or nothing sort of person and it just isnt the same as the real thing). However, thats an interesting idea about having an insert of granite in one place - will it withstand heat though?

We're just revamping the kitchen and have decided on wood (oak) - I'm also having a granite insert near the cooker for hot dishes etc. Wood is cheaper than granite - have heard that granite can stain with acidic things like lemon juice. Have you considered Corian (stone type resin) - expensive but there are cheaper 'lookalikes' - it's very tough and can be cut exactly.

some normal household foods if spilt on granite eat into it leaving pitted scars.

There are some fantastic coloured glass ones,

Kitchen extension finally coming to fruition, floor is now tiled, kitchen on order BUT hubby wants granite worktops. They look absolutely beautiful and will cost over £3k - but thats a lot of money - which is worth it if it adds to saleability of house when we go but the tiler chap was saying to me that the granite scratches and stains and he 'wouldnt touch it' for worktops. The other choice is hardwood - anyone any knowledge on granite or hardwood please?