DIY - Kitchen worktops

Goochie · 09-01-2007, 19:04

Currently planning the kitchen........ looking at worktops......... Does anyone have any experience of marble/granite worktops?

Octygone · 09-01-2007, 19:05

Very heavy....very expensive......but they look the dogs danglies

Loz · 09-01-2007, 19:08

mmmmmmmmmmm....granite worktops....

***ncarring*** · 09-01-2007, 20:05

Cold on the bum though

Yes_Dear · 09-01-2007, 20:07

All i know is that Chip Board Cabinets (even High quality ones) are a complete no no with all the weight on top.

Also you obviously need to get the sink holes etc professionally cut - a jigsaw won't really work!!

Kandy · 09-01-2007, 21:28

I'd try and DIY just about anything, but granite worktops isn't one of them! It's well worth getting in a specialist company to supply/fit.

vRSLen · 09-01-2007, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kandy

I'd try and DIY just about anything, but granite worktops isn't one of them! It's well worth getting in a specialist company to supply/fit.

I quite agree, but then the wife changes her mind about the colour
after fitted. Don't ask me how I know

Goochie · 09-01-2007, 23:43

I wasnt going to even consider having a go at fitting myself

Its going to be a solid wood kitchen rather than chipboard. Someone suggested that I could support the rear edge on a metal wall bracket right along the back, this is the sort of info I'm after from someone who has had it done before

There seem to be a few supliers too so a recomendation would be nice

Kandy · 10-01-2007, 00:15

Well if you will post misleading thread titles

JRHartley · 10-01-2007, 12:04

In my experience, apart from the weight issues and problems with cutting out sink holes etc Granite doesn't take too kindly to some kitchen cleaning products or acidic foods as they can cause 'corrosion' of the granite . Granite is also slightly porous and can also pick up hard to remove stains like Vindaloo take aways.

yaktrebor · 10-01-2007, 12:34

For some reason there are about a dozen companies within a 10 mile radius of my home that can supply granite worktops.

Must be something to do with all the quarries and stone masons around here. (Peak District)

I drive past the stone yards all the time, the granite is in very large sheets and you can go in and choose which bit you would like and they cut it up to size.

I have had a quote some time ago for 2 x 2m worktops, one with a sink hole in + grooves, I'm sure it was £1k+

Although this did include them coming out and generating templates and then fitting the worktops.

They could also supply local fossilised limestone worktops, these are polished limestone worktops that have a large number of fossils in them, they really are the dogs ********.

I've also seen this material made into fireplaces.

However at 2 times the price of granite, you really don't want to show it to the wife, as that's what she will want.

Goochie · 10-01-2007, 13:15

Hmmmmm

heresmo · 10-01-2007, 14:12

Goochie, is that the before or the after?

Mo

Goochie · 10-01-2007, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by heresmo

Goochie, is that the before or the after?

Mo

Its a picture from a brochure that I found - its the sort of thing we're after.

We dont use the dish drainer much so it would be nice to not have a sink with stainless drainer to the side. The grooved granite/marble would be perfect and looks very very nice.

heresmo · 10-01-2007, 14:48

Well, I wouldn't recommend marble; staining is a right bugbear.

After that, I know nothing about granite. My only comment would be that it would look disproportionately heavy unless you have a very big kitchen kitted out with a stone-tiled floor or whatever will balance the textures.

Have you looked at Bushboard? I bought 2 x 3 metre lengths, a 1.5 metre length of which was spare, so I put it outside hoping that the back would rot and I could use the surface as a facing. Didn't happpen - still intact! (Tsk!) It cost about £150 rather than the usual £25 and is probably about 50-75% deeper. It didn't stain, allow water ingress on the edges or underneath etc etc. As it's a dense compound, you cannot groove it for a draining board.

Having said that, if you do eventually get a granite one (incl draining grooves), I'd hope you have it properly sealed and the "run off" is going the right way as waterfalls are lovely to look at, but not necessarily in a kitchen LOL.

Let us know.

Mo

KenONeill · 10-01-2007, 15:24

Forget them. My mum got a granite sink cos it was the only one that came with fast action taps and my dad was having issues with using conventional ones, and they're an, ah, nuisence to keep any kind of clean.

Also, as our learned friend Mr Hartley says, you will indellibly mark (etch) them with any kind of an acid spill, say a dropped piece of pickled beetroot (I first heard of this through a friend who reported a workman trying to blame the beetroot stain on the juice "sinking into the spaces in the granite" [which any geologist will tell you is male bovine faeces]).

KentStu · 10-01-2007, 15:31

Goochie

We fitted Granite on ours and its probably the best thing we did

Unlike Marble and many other natural surfaces it does not absord liquids spilt on it ... although I could not guarantee that it wouldn't take some effect from a dodgy sweet & sour dish from the local chinese if left for a substantial period (i.e. couple of days). Advice I would give is:

a) use the sort of colour of speckled granite that you showed in your picture - it doesn't show up wipe marks as badly as pure black granite .... and it is also the cheapest type

b) go direct to a granite provider and not through a kitchen company. Loads of companies provide and cut granite and we got ours through a small company that were predominantly experts in grave stones ... but could still do the kitchen job albeit a lot cheaper.
c) don't bother getting the draining board bit done in granite if you live in a high limescale area. My parents had this done and it looks scummy unless you spend every waking hour scouring it. Stainless sink and drainer is far easier and looks better.
d) don't bother doing it unless you are planning on staying in your house for a long time. They last forever but are expensive so if you plan to move at any point in the near future its probably not worth it.

JMTPW

JMK2 · 12-01-2007, 19:22

Got the Gloss Laminate tops fitted 3 years ago when they were the rage

DO NOT DO IT - THEY SCRATCH

Can't beat ordinary lamiate - mind if you can afford granite - I'm in the wrong job

heresmo · 12-01-2007, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenONeill

Forget them. My mum got a granite sink cos it was the only one
that came with fast action taps and my dad was having issues with using conventional ones, and they're an, ah, nuisence to keep any kind of clean.

Also, as our learned friend Mr Hartley says, you will indellibly mark (etch) them with any kind of an acid spill, say a dropped piece of pickled beetroot (I first heard of this through a friend who reported a workman trying to blame the beetroot stain on the juice "sinking into the spaces in the granite" [which any geologist will tell you is male bovine faeces]).

[my bold]

By "fast action taps", do you mean the quarter turn ones?

If so, no contest, and I can't be doing with any swivel ones, especially if expecting to regulate flow versus heat.

Maybe you are talking of something else though?

Regards
Mo

Lady Elanore · 12-01-2007, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by heresmo

[my bold]

By "fast action taps", do you mean the quarter turn ones?

If so, no contest, and I can't be doing with any swivel ones, especially if expecting to regulate flow versus heat.

Maybe you are talking of something else though?

Regards
Mo

I changed the taps in my kitchen from screw type ones to quarter turn ones. It seemed quite a simple operation, just unscrew the old inserts and screw in the new. Oh how wrong can you be? Firstly the washer didn’t make contact with the top of the pipe so I had to get an extension piece for it (the extended washer included was made of brittle plastic and wouldn’t seal) then I found the top of the stop **** had sheared off so I had to keep running into the street to turn the house supply off. Luckily having long arms meant I could reach the tap under the pavement (the neighbours became used to me lying on the pavement with my arm buried up to the shoulder in the pavement) once I had sorted that out I found the taps don’t work very well because the proper quarter turn taps are ceramic or something similar inside, so they slide and seal much better than the rubber washer inserts that I had used. I imagine that the valve part of the ceramic one looks a bit like a rock salt type dispenser if you know what I mean, but I’m sure someone here can correct me if I’m wrong.

Moral of the story is 1)you get what you pay for and 2)don’t ask Amanda to do any plumbing for you (at least I had a go I suppose)

heresmo · 13-01-2007, 16:23

I hate to say it Amanda, but some things really should be left to a decent expert. Plumbing is second after electrics IMO as a "constant drip" which causes rot cannot be claimed on insurance (gradually operating causes are excluded from most policies). As much pipework is not visible, it might look OK so it's ages before any evidence shows up.

Yes, re quarter-turn taps, they do have ceramic disks. I've been told by said experts that cheap taps might last no longer than a year so it's better to buy good quality ones. It's also an idea to consider that if one's just moved into a place which seems to have brand spanking new ones LOL.

Since we're talking about worktops fitting on top of cupboards, it is of course a good idea to make sure that all services are accessible without having to dismantle half of the kitchen. IMO it's not difficult to make things "look" good and, as I said in another thread, that's not the sort of thing a building surveyor would necessarily pick up.

You will know I have a very negative view on DIY as the eventual cost of putting things right can often be way in excess of what it would have cost just to have things done properly in the first place. Tsk!

Incidentally, Amanda, my neighbour got a new camcorder and insisted on recording me doing some DIY. I always wear my very best clothes now and make sure my lipstick is perfect whenever I go out to fix the garden fence

Regards
Mo

Lady Elanore · 13-01-2007, 20:41

I normally only make an effort if a nice repairman is coming round, but I’ll make sure I’m presentable when ever I’m doing DIY. Even when I have my arm buried up to the shoulder in the street! Thanks for the tip

***ncarring*** · 13-01-2007, 21:22

I rather enjoy plumbing. I've had my share of "oops" moments over the years, but the satisfaction of water pouring out of a tap where previously it only trickled, or a nice new tap that doesn't drip is worth a bit of mopping now and then

Lady Elanore · 13-01-2007, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncarring

I rather enjoy plumbing. I've had my share of "oops" moments over the years, but the satisfaction of water pouring out of a tap where previously it only trickled, or a nice new tap that doesn't drip is worth a bit of mopping now and then

Would you say it’s worth a big bag of Twiglets?

KenONeill · 15-01-2007, 11:08

In this general context, my Mum's new kitchen went in several years ago, and there's still nary a drip from the mixer tap unit, which AIUI was supplied complete and only required the plumber to fit the spout and connect the water pipes, not assemble the valve units or add the control heads.

09-01-2007, 19:04	#1
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	DIY - Kitchen worktops Currently planning the kitchen........ looking at worktops......... Does anyone have any experience of marble/granite worktops? Last edited by Goochie; 09-01-2007 at 19:07.

09-01-2007, 19:05	#2
Octygone Old Git Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 6,822 Members Car: Octavia II tdi ..for now Thanks: 182 Thanked 116 Times in 75 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops Very heavy....very expensive......but they look the dogs danglies __________________

09-01-2007, 19:08	#3
Loz Bad Loz!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here..................... sometimes there........ Posts: 7,057 Members Car: LTD Edition Fabia VRS Thanks: 41 Thanked 221 Times in 73 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops mmmmmmmmmmm....granite worktops.... __________________ Lorraine- AKA Loz, Lozkins, Lozza, Lozzy, Lozlet, Lozzette, Lozzle, Lozley, Lozraine, Lozalot, Lozatron, Lozatronic, Lozatroonathoone, Lozlatina, Loztalot, Lozingtonrain, Lozinator, Lozenge, Lozenger, Lozmanaught, Lozzy Loo, Lozzybear, Lozzy-wozzy-dooh-dah-day, () CouLoz of the rainbow, Lozano, Lozvaldo, Lorraineo, Lorrainickle, Lorrainus, Lez, Lezkins, Randomer & Mizz LB Can't change the way I am, sexy, naughty, bitchy!

09-01-2007, 20:05	#4
*ncarring* Don't talk, drive! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The B roads of Britain Posts: 12,953 Members Car: 1983 Porsche 928S / 1972 MGB GT Thanks: 16 Thanked 94 Times in 77 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops Cold on the bum though __________________ Nick North Wiltshire RoADAR

09-01-2007, 20:07	#5
Yes_Dear Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 103 Members Car: Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops All i know is that Chip Board Cabinets (even High quality ones) are a complete no no with all the weight on top. Also you obviously need to get the sink holes etc professionally cut - a jigsaw won't really work!!

09-01-2007, 21:28	#6
Kandy Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 582 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops I'd try and DIY just about anything, but granite worktops isn't one of them! It's well worth getting in a specialist company to supply/fit.

09-01-2007, 23:43	#8
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops I wasnt going to even consider having a go at fitting myself Its going to be a solid wood kitchen rather than chipboard. Someone suggested that I could support the rear edge on a metal wall bracket right along the back, this is the sort of info I'm after from someone who has had it done before There seem to be a few supliers too so a recomendation would be nice

10-01-2007, 00:15	#9
Kandy Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 582 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops Well if you will post misleading thread titles

10-01-2007, 12:04	#10
JRHartley Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North west Posts: 2,010 Members Car: Octavia 1.9 TDi Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops In my experience, apart from the weight issues and problems with cutting out sink holes etc Granite doesn't take too kindly to some kitchen cleaning products or acidic foods as they can cause 'corrosion' of the granite . Granite is also slightly porous and can also pick up hard to remove stains like Vindaloo take aways. __________________ I'm a celebrity...... Get me out of here !!!

10-01-2007, 12:34	#11
yaktrebor Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bakewell, Derbyshire, where the puddings come from. (That's tarts to foreigners!) Posts: 553 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops For some reason there are about a dozen companies within a 10 mile radius of my home that can supply granite worktops. Must be something to do with all the quarries and stone masons around here. (Peak District) I drive past the stone yards all the time, the granite is in very large sheets and you can go in and choose which bit you would like and they cut it up to size. I have had a quote some time ago for 2 x 2m worktops, one with a sink hole in + grooves, I'm sure it was £1k+ Although this did include them coming out and generating templates and then fitting the worktops. They could also supply local fossilised limestone worktops, these are polished limestone worktops that have a large number of fossils in them, they really are the dogs ********. I've also seen this material made into fireplaces. However at 2 times the price of granite, you really don't want to show it to the wife, as that's what she will want. __________________ 'No more beer!' (unless it's GF)

10-01-2007, 13:15	#12
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops Hmmmmm

10-01-2007, 14:12	#13
heresmo Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,554 Members Car: Thanks: 50 Thanked 143 Times in 123 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops Goochie, is that the before or the after? Mo __________________

10-01-2007, 14:48	#15
heresmo Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,554 Members Car: Thanks: 50 Thanked 143 Times in 123 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops Well, I wouldn't recommend marble; staining is a right bugbear. After that, I know nothing about granite. My only comment would be that it would look disproportionately heavy unless you have a very big kitchen kitted out with a stone-tiled floor or whatever will balance the textures. Have you looked at Bushboard? I bought 2 x 3 metre lengths, a 1.5 metre length of which was spare, so I put it outside hoping that the back would rot and I could use the surface as a facing. Didn't happpen - still intact! (Tsk!) It cost about £150 rather than the usual £25 and is probably about 50-75% deeper. It didn't stain, allow water ingress on the edges or underneath etc etc. As it's a dense compound, you cannot groove it for a draining board. Having said that, if you do eventually get a granite one (incl draining grooves), I'd hope you have it properly sealed and the "run off" is going the right way as waterfalls are lovely to look at, but not necessarily in a kitchen LOL. Let us know. Mo __________________

10-01-2007, 15:24	#16
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally in Scotland! Posts: 11,165 Members Car: Octavia TDi110 Thanks: 63 Thanked 557 Times in 545 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops Forget them. My mum got a granite sink cos it was the only one that came with fast action taps and my dad was having issues with using conventional ones, and they're an, ah, nuisence to keep any kind of clean. Also, as our learned friend Mr Hartley says, you will indellibly mark (etch) them with any kind of an acid spill, say a dropped piece of pickled beetroot (I first heard of this through a friend who reported a workman trying to blame the beetroot stain on the juice "sinking into the spaces in the granite" [which any geologist will tell you is male bovine faeces]).

10-01-2007, 15:31	#17
KentStu Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Canterbury, Kent Posts: 1,906 Members Car: Yellow Octy RS Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops Goochie We fitted Granite on ours and its probably the best thing we did Unlike Marble and many other natural surfaces it does not absord liquids spilt on it ... although I could not guarantee that it wouldn't take some effect from a dodgy sweet & sour dish from the local chinese if left for a substantial period (i.e. couple of days). Advice I would give is: a) use the sort of colour of speckled granite that you showed in your picture - it doesn't show up wipe marks as badly as pure black granite .... and it is also the cheapest type b) go direct to a granite provider and not through a kitchen company. Loads of companies provide and cut granite and we got ours through a small company that were predominantly experts in grave stones ... but could still do the kitchen job albeit a lot cheaper. c) don't bother getting the draining board bit done in granite if you live in a high limescale area. My parents had this done and it looks scummy unless you spend every waking hour scouring it. Stainless sink and drainer is far easier and looks better. d) don't bother doing it unless you are planning on staying in your house for a long time. They last forever but are expensive so if you plan to move at any point in the near future its probably not worth it. JMTPW __________________ Stu Yellow Octy RS & '58 Morris Minor Tourer Owner .......... not a hairdresser

12-01-2007, 19:22	#18
JMK2 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cheshire Near the Cat Posts: 867 Members Car: New Fabia 1 60 BHP Thanks: 23 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops Got the Gloss Laminate tops fitted 3 years ago when they were the rage DO NOT DO IT - THEY SCRATCH Can't beat ordinary lamiate - mind if you can afford granite - I'm in the wrong job __________________ I would like to put something here, but just can't think what

13-01-2007, 16:23	#21
heresmo Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,554 Members Car: Thanks: 50 Thanked 143 Times in 123 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops I hate to say it Amanda, but some things really should be left to a decent expert. Plumbing is second after electrics IMO as a "constant drip" which causes rot cannot be claimed on insurance (gradually operating causes are excluded from most policies). As much pipework is not visible, it might look OK so it's ages before any evidence shows up. Yes, re quarter-turn taps, they do have ceramic disks. I've been told by said experts that cheap taps might last no longer than a year so it's better to buy good quality ones. It's also an idea to consider that if one's just moved into a place which seems to have brand spanking new ones LOL. Since we're talking about worktops fitting on top of cupboards, it is of course a good idea to make sure that all services are accessible without having to dismantle half of the kitchen. IMO it's not difficult to make things "look" good and, as I said in another thread, that's not the sort of thing a building surveyor would necessarily pick up. You will know I have a very negative view on DIY as the eventual cost of putting things right can often be way in excess of what it would have cost just to have things done properly in the first place. Tsk! Incidentally, Amanda, my neighbour got a new camcorder and insisted on recording me doing some DIY. I always wear my very best clothes now and make sure my lipstick is perfect whenever I go out to fix the garden fence Regards Mo __________________

13-01-2007, 20:41	#22
Lady Elanore Geordie Lass Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: in the ceiling watching you..... Posts: 11,082 Members Car: BMW 1 series Thanks: 221 Thanked 230 Times in 139 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops I normally only make an effort if a nice repairman is coming round, but I’ll make sure I’m presentable when ever I’m doing DIY. Even when I have my arm buried up to the shoulder in the street! Thanks for the tip __________________ . Amanda - All's fair in Love and Car

13-01-2007, 21:22	#23
*ncarring* Don't talk, drive! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The B roads of Britain Posts: 12,953 Members Car: 1983 Porsche 928S / 1972 MGB GT Thanks: 16 Thanked 94 Times in 77 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops I rather enjoy plumbing. I've had my share of "oops" moments over the years, but the satisfaction of water pouring out of a tap where previously it only trickled, or a nice new tap that doesn't drip is worth a bit of mopping now and then __________________ Nick North Wiltshire RoADAR

15-01-2007, 11:08	#25
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally in Scotland! Posts: 11,165 Members Car: Octavia TDi110 Thanks: 63 Thanked 557 Times in 545 Posts	Re: DIY - Kitchen worktops In this general context, my Mum's new kitchen went in several years ago, and there's still nary a drip from the mixer tap unit, which AIUI was supplied complete and only required the plumber to fit the spout and connect the water pipes, not assemble the valve units or add the control heads.

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