Best stone tile for kitchen countertop?
We'll be replacing our kitchen countertops soon, and are considering large stone tiles of some sort (to get as close to a seamless look as possible, without the price!) Aside from granite, what are other good possibilities? There is a fairly new tumbled stone backsplash, which I like very much and want to keep; I'm looking for tiles that would go well with that un-glossy, rustic look. Thanks! Hi dixieagle, In this section of DIY, you will find lots of info regarding kitchen countertops, materials, etc As someone who bought a home in the last year, my husband and I always cringed when we saw tile countertops. Neither of us liked them and thought that they would be hard to clean. Just my two cents. Just an opinion here as well.... Unless you go with the seamless granite or something similar..I hate tile tops as well. You can't slide anything across them, the grout is susceptible to stains, drop a glass/pan and you could have a cracked tile.. Just don't like any that I've had to cook around. Granite tile would be your best bet, as its most durable and requires less maintenance, as compared to other natural stone. Pick a color that complements the existing backsplash. Research the particular granite you choose, as some will be better suited for a countertop and require less maintenance. Doing all the right prep work to make sure that the substrate is flat and solid is key. It'll take time and patience to get every single tile perfectly on plane, as the slightest bit of lippage will show on very tight grout joints. Using small grout joints and a grout color that matches the granite will minimize the visual of the seams, but you will still see them. You'll have to figure out how you want to handle the edges as well. A fabricator can bullnose granite tile for you but it gets rather costly. Even after all this, it won't look like granite slabs, but it can be made to look really good. A properly installed granite tile countertop may cost you almost as much as granite slabs when all is said and done. Most other stones aren't great choices for countertops as they are softer and require more care and maintenance. Look into concrete counter tops as well. I've seen some that look incredibly great. Have you checked into quartz? New to the countertop market and put into the same category of natural stone is engineered quartz. Many manufacturers are challenging the market share of natural stone by combining 93 percent of natural quartz with 7 percent resin to create a highly durable material that is twice as strong as granite. This product has been around for 15 years in Europe and just recently has been marketed in North America. Engineered quartz offers a countertop that is non-porous and stain resistant. The slabs being manufactured have uniform colors and patterns, making it easier for consumers to know that they will get what they want. Unlike granite, engineered quartz doesn't require a sealant, just a cleaning on a regular basis. The only drawbacks with this type of countertop is that a hot pad or trivet is required when placing a hot pan on it, and it is as expensive as granite - about $70 to $300 per square foot. Top manufacturers of engineered quartz such as Cambria, DuPont Zodiaq®, and Consentino Silestone offer an array of colors, patterns, finishes and textures. We have granite tile counter tops and they are very nice. I installed them and it was pretty straight forward. The tiles are 18x25. You cut the back off for the reveal. Here is a pict: If you keep the grout lines close (1/16) they are really no big deal. Avoid natural stone, 'engineered quartz', or manmade stone is the better choice. Consistent color, never needs to be sealed, better from a health point, etc. Tile can be OK, if you use epoxy grout. Once that hardens, it is as tough as any quartz product, and better than nature. Originally Posted by Tolyn Ironhand We have granite tile counter tops and they are very nice. I installed them and it was pretty straight forward. The tiles are 18x25. You cut the back off for the reveal. Here is a pict: If you keep the grout lines close (1/16) they are really no big deal. You did a great job; looks wonderful! Originally Posted by Just Bill Avoid natural stone, 'engineered quartz', or manmade stone is the better choice. Consistent color, never needs to be sealed, better from a health point, etc. Tile can be OK, if you use epoxy grout. Once that hardens, it is as tough as any quartz product, and better than nature. I've been looking at the quartz products. Though we're trying to keep costs reasonable (hence, the consideration of tile) I really love everything about quartz. I've decided that, though it looks great, granite slabs and granite tile concern me at least a little, due to the radon question. I feel much better going with something for which that is not an issue. I think I'll start saving my $$$ towards getting the quartz.
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