We are beginning a renovation. We're starting out small because we don't know whether or not we will keep the house and put on an addition, or sell. We're doing what we have to do to get top dollar for the house first, and then, when we decide if we stay or go, we'll do the rest.

My kitchen sorely needs an update. I'm going to refinish my cabinets which are solid oak and quite lovely, but just tired looking.

The countertops need to be replaced. Now, I'm stuck. Do I do granite? Do I do Zodiac or one of the other engineered quartz stones? Help!
Ame

By Heaventree on Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 10:31 pm:

Ame, it really depends on your house and the market place, if you are selling in an upsale neighbourhood, go with granite.

I've not heard of Zodiac, what is it?

By Heaventree on Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 10:31 pm:

What do your neighbours have? Are you painting out your cabinets or just refinishing?

By Amecmom on Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 11:18 pm:

I'm sanding and refinishing in a golden oak color. The cabinets are really good, with pull outs and beautiful grain all the way through. Zodiac is like Silestone. It's quartz which is mixed and compressed. Looks like granite, but has more variety of colors. It's supposed to be easier to scratch, but more stain resistant than granite.
The neighborhood is tough to pin down. You have million dollar homes and homes that are 200K on the same road. It is rural, but so many mini-mansions have gone up that it's hard to make a determination.
Our property in incredible. We're in the middle of 2 1/2 acres with a trout brooke behind us and a ceder lined driveway. It is truly beautiful, but our taxes are high because of our school district.
So, we've really decided to do the bare miniumum, put the house on the market and see what happens. We're looking at a renovation that will cost about 20K, but when it's done, I probably won't want to leave.
So ... what would you do?
Thanks for your post, Heaven...
Ame

By Karen~admin on Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 11:25 pm:

We are in the middle of a kitchen reno, and we are doing Zodiac. Our cabinets are in, and the guys just measured for the countertops. The granite costs twice as much, the quartz is stronger and needs no sealant. You *do* have more color selection with granite - we saw twice the colors in granite - but we are doing Zodiac. Ours will be 3 cm thick with the bullnose edge.

By Debbie on Sunday, October 22, 2006 - 09:17 am:

If it is in your budget, I would do granite. We have it, and I love it. It is easy to take care of. It does have to be sealed every couple of years, but it is easy to do. Like Karen mentioned, there are so many color selections. I just really love the look of it.

By Bellajoe on Sunday, October 22, 2006 - 06:41 pm:

I have granite in my kitchen and LOVE IT! So I recommend granite.


I think Zodiac was a lot more expensive than Granite.

By Karen~admin on Sunday, October 22, 2006 - 06:46 pm:

Not here. Granite is twice as expensive as the Zodiac or Silestone.

By Melanie on Sunday, October 22, 2006 - 09:42 pm:

We put in honed granite counters over the summer and I just love them. I would vote for granite.

By Mrsheidi on Sunday, October 22, 2006 - 10:01 pm:

This might help

I was thinking Limestone until I read this.

By Conni on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 07:23 am:

We kept our home in Arkansas. When we return I am replacing the carpet downstairs and replacing my tile countertops in the kitchen with Quartz...Qnd replacing my garage doors with the french country style...

OK, thats a little more info than you asked for. lol

By Conni on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 07:29 am:

Of course that's 2 yrs away for me and I could change my mind on the countertops. lol

I hope you post pic's of your re-mod!!! I love to see pic's. I am addicted to HGTV and thank goodness I have it in ENGLISH here!!!!