I need to replace the counter tops in my kitchen. I did them last year but silly me didn’t seal the corner miter joint well enough and the water made it swell because they are laminate. They’re a black laminate from homedepot, got them because they were inexpensive.
My question is, are granite tile countertops a turn off? I would install them as tight as possible so there weren’t wide grout lines, but there will obviously still be seams. I would never see the money out of real granite or even solid surface because it’s a $60k house. Should I bother with granite tiles, or just save the $300 or so and put in the black formica again?
Granite tiles will run me about $500 for everything, while formica is $200. The granite is a little more “permanent” in a buyers eyes, meaning if they don’t like them, they aren’t easy to take out. Formica isn’t pretty by any means, but may be viewed as something easily changed for the next buyer…
BTW, it’s a 1000sq ft cape cod, 2 brdm 1 bath so the next buyer will either be a single dude, old people, or a starter house for a young couple.
Thoughts?
Basically doing this with as small as possible seams
I don’t think any kind of tile is good for a countertop. For anyone who does baking (pies, rolled cookies) they are not user friendly at all. It is almost impossible to roll anything on a tile countertop.
My sister-in-law has tile countertops and has not been happy from day one. I would much rather have laminate over tile any day.
Granite tiles are not really that similar to standard tile countertops… They are very flat, have WAY less grout lines, and are MUCH larger tiles (12x12).
Understood, but have you ever tried rolling pie or cookie dough over tile with grout seams. Regardless of how small the grout lines are, cleaning them afterwards is a real PITA, and dough sticks to the grout.
Tile countertops suck. They scream “half-assed” and set a bad quality tone for the rest of the house. A granite tile counter top would just suck expensively.
I had a really nice Wilsonart HD laminate professionally installed for $900. I’m sure you could get a real counter top while staying within your budget.
Just because it’s a $60k house doesn’t mean that things don’t need to be done right, or that you won’t increase the value of the house with appropriate remodeling.
it’s an absolute turn off to me… tile counter tops are the worst to work on. I would avoid a house that had them and consider them worse than a basic outdated cheap counter.
I really disagree that it is half-assed. I think it’s more like a cost affective alternative. With all things though, they need to be installed correctly. It’s a matter of opinion though. Agree to disagree.
With that said, I have granite slabs in my kitchen.
The tile is alright but I just waited until Home Depot had 10% off, free sink, and free edge upgrade promotions that all stacked together, and went for real granite. They change their promos every couple weeks and they all stack.
you guys are nuts, If i walked into a house and saw laminate countertops id prolly vomite. I did mine in granite tile and i get compliments everytime someone new walks in the house. definately tile>laminate otherwise i woulda left the laminate that was originaly on there.
i think it looks pretty good. i would rather have granite tile then crappy laminate.
as for those bakers that complain about the grouting cracks in tile, why are you using the countertop for that? wouldnt it be easier to use and clean by using a large cutting board looking thing? or atleast wax paper? im no chef, thus the scortch marks on the cabinets above my stove, but i dont get why someone would do something on the bare counter.
