GRANITE COUNTERTOPS?

Do you want Granite Countertops or not?


Tahoe Pine Works gets this question all the time via emails! So we thought we would make alittle section just for the granite questions.


For starters let me explain a bit of my history with granite counter tops. About 5 years ago (has it been that long?) when I first came to Lake Tahoe! One of my first projects was a remodel of a hotel that boasted some 40-hotel rooms, 12 mini suites, and 16 condo type 2-bedroom dwellings, and lets not forget about the 5-bedroom house on the lot as well. Each unit in the hotel room side contained “in granite” one kitchen counter top and a vanity for a total of 80 + installs (the plus is because we added some rooms to make a 2 bedroom suite with a living room).
Now on the mini suite side of things we did the kitchens for a total of 12 installs and on the condo side of things, each unit had two bedrooms two baths and a full kitchen as well as a half kitchen for a total of 64 installs. Lets not forget about the 5-bedroom house in back that we installed the kitchen in granite, a few vanities, and bathrooms for a total of 6 granite installs… For a grand total of 162 granite installs. Doing this many installs does not make me expert in the filed, but it does give me some experience dealing with this stuff.

Lets start off with the place we purchased our product from.. We were able to great some great deals on the granite from a business called Jerong Marble And Granite, I really do not think there is another place that you can get some top quality granite at prices they offer (keep in mind we ordered a lot, however that being said, they are still cheaper then Home Depot and Lowes) to be honest with you! The prices were set so well, we had to ship the items up hear to Tahoe (as they are located in the San Francisco Bay Area) and it was still cheaper.

On to the big question of Should I Install Granite? Of course you should! Not only will this bring life to your home, but the it will add a lot of value as well (plus it looks better then the old standard tile counter tops) I’m going to break this article down in a Q & A type response as this way I can cover several of the emails in one post hear, as well as to make for some easy reading. So enjoy.

Q: Do you think granite is better then tile?
A: Of course we do, Tile is a great look and will be in style forever! But I think nothing really beats the look of a nice granite install. Everything just looks so clean with granite.

Q: I have been told that granite can have a bacteria problem?
A: Yikes! No one wants this in the kitchen or the bathroom! I have done some research on this topic! Trust me when I research things in life, I’m known to a lot as one of those people that “rock the boat” I will quote the below and stand behind it 100% about this question.
I have read several messages in forum’s that ask about bacteria with respect to granite countertops Vs "corian"-type countertops. (I am a microbiologist and medical technologist.) There is a web site, http://www.hi-tm.com/Documents/Countertops.html, which shows the results of a study comparing 6 different countertop materials (laminate, wood, tile, concrete, stainless steel, and granite) and how much they retained the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli). According to this study, the best two materials were stainless steel and GRANITE. Also, keep in mind that from a microbiological perspective, slab is much better than tile for a countertop. Tile is a poor choice for a countertop because of the tendency of grout (if not sealed religiously) to harbor bacteria. I have also checked the FDA Food Code for 2001 (at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fc01-4.html) and there is no reference to "corian" type products being specifically endorsed. (If anyone has a specific reference I would like to see it.)Hope this helps everyone,--Kim”

Q: Is Granite Easy To Install On My Own?
A: That’s a tuff question. Are you a DIY type of person? If so then I will tell you YES it is easy to install on your own. However lets start off with a few tips and tricks hear. From experience I will tell you this! 1. Granite is pretty strong when it is as a whole, but when you start cutting this stuff! Well let me tell you it does break once you start cutting this stuff (trust me I know). Just take your time. Measure twice and cut once type of thing (well you better make it that type of thing). I will break down a simple install for you, so get your dust mask on because it is going to get dirty.

Pull your measurements (do this twice and a 3rd time if need be) then head on over to your granite with a sharpie pen and draw it out.
Set your straight edge on the line and start cutting away! (Pretty easy?) NO it is going to take some time for that saw to cut this stuff. (You can use a wet saw, or a diamond blade on your skill saw with a water bottle, just don’t shock your self please).
If you are doing a kitchen! Crab your sink template, center it, and cut away. (This is a surface mounted sink)
Set your ¾” ply on top of your cabinets. Shoot some glue on the top.
Then set your counter top!! (Your done)

Yes it looks easy and sounds easy! But this is a project that is going to take some time. Please also note hear “ The above is a basic install with a pre fabricated counter top, meaning the bull knose is already done! It’s polished, your cut side is against a wall, and all your really doing is cutting your length and width and sinkhole, if you are going to be using an entire slab of granite.. Then I would recommend hiring a professional.

Q: Do I Seal My Granite?
A: Yes you should always seal it. This is going to help protect it from things. I cannot sit hear and tell you what sealer to use, as they have thousands on the market. But I would definitely place a seal on your granite.

Q: How should I clean my granite?
A: Well this debate will go on forever. So don’t let those late night infomercials persuade you into that bottle of 19.95 granite cleaner. Try the following:With the proper care, your granite or marble countertop will stay new looking for years. Stone is one of the easiest surfaces to maintain. And granite, being 7 on the Mohs hardness scale of 1 to 10, is virtually unscratchable. (A stainless steel knife blade is a 6 on the scale.)Steps:1. Blot up spills immediately, before they penetrate the surface.2. Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available in hardware stores or from a stone dealer), or mild dishwashing liquid and warm water.3. Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the granite. Rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.

I can go on forever and ever about granite and should I install or not, how to do this or how to do that. The bottom lines hear is, you have to install something that you will be happy with. As I always say! “I cant see your kitchen from my house” so you have to choose what is right for you.