We will be having new countertops installed and I have done some
research regarding my options. I've found that different websites have
different information so I was hoping someone who has had actual
experience with these materials could help me.

I originally wanted granite because I was under the impression it was
low maintenance but the more I read, the more I am finding out it
stains easily. Is this true? I cook with olive oil a lot, and we have
kids who are constantly spilling the juice etc.. Is granite not a good
option for me? Wouldnt the seal protect the granite from stains? How
much does it cost to reseal and how often do you do this?

I'm also looking into silestone (there are other similar brands). I
understand that while it resembles granite a lot, it does not have the
same depth and gloss that granite would have. On the flip side, it
doesnt require the same maintenance and it is nonporous and wont stain.
It has a lot of the same hardness qualities of granite but the heat
resistance is less (I never put hot pans on the counter anyway).

Sealed granite has proven to be stain free for me. Putting hot
pansdown is a plus too

wrote:
We will be having new countertops installed and I have done some
research regarding my options. I've found that different websites have
different information so I was hoping someone who has had actual
experience with these materials could help me.

I originally wanted granite because I was under the impression it was
low maintenance but the more I read, the more I am finding out it
stains easily. Is this true? I cook with olive oil a lot, and we have
kids who are constantly spilling the juice etc.. Is granite not a good
option for me? Wouldnt the seal protect the granite from stains? How
much does it cost to reseal and how often do you do this?

I'm also looking into silestone (there are other similar brands). I
understand that while it resembles granite a lot, it does not have the
same depth and gloss that granite would have. On the flip side, it
doesnt require the same maintenance and it is nonporous and wont stain.
It has a lot of the same hardness qualities of granite but the heat
resistance is less (I never put hot pans on the counter anyway).

writes:

We will be having new countertops installed and I have done some
research regarding my options. I've found that different websites have
different information so I was hoping someone who has had actual
experience with these materials could help me.

I originally wanted granite because I was under the impression it was
low maintenance but the more I read, the more I am finding out it
stains easily. Is this true? I cook with olive oil a lot, and we have
kids who are constantly spilling the juice etc.. Is granite not a good
option for me? Wouldnt the seal protect the granite from stains? How
much does it cost to reseal and how often do you do this?


FWIW, I bought a $20 can of sealant I apply once every few months and
that can will last me the life of my counters (i.e. mylifetime).


--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

On 11 Dec 2006 14:51:01 -0800, someone wrote:

It has a lot of the same hardness qualities of granite but the heat
resistance is less (I never put hot pans on the counter anyway).

When you have granite, you'll be able to.

Our granite has never stained. But what do you call a stain? When it
rains, do you consider the asphalt or concrete highway to be
"stained"? If the granite is wet it can look wet. Then when it is
wiped and it dries, it doesn't. During the period that it looks wet,
do you consider that a "stain"?


Reply to NG only - this e.mail address goes to a kill file.

(v) wrote:

Our granite has never stained. But what do you call a stain? When it
rains, do you consider the asphalt or concrete highway to be
"stained"? If the granite is wet it can look wet. Then when it is
wiped and it dries, it doesn't. During the period that it looks wet,
do you consider that a "stain"?


Unsealed granite is porous - if it wasn't, it wouldn't look "wet" when you pour
water on it.

That means anything with color (ie red wine, tomato based sauces, etc) can
penetrate the stone and once they do, will chnage the color. If you have darker
granite, you may not notice it.