We are thinking about getting granite countertops for our kitchen. I was wondering if anyone has ever had granite countertops installed and who you used in the Des Moines area. Also, any drawbacks to granite countertops?
Thanks
Printable View
We are thinking about getting granite countertops for our kitchen. I was wondering if anyone has ever had granite countertops installed and who you used in the Des Moines area. Also, any drawbacks to granite countertops?
Thanks
Funny you should bring this up. I was just about to post the same question only I live in the CR/Marion area. I don't mean to hijack your thread, but...Quote:
Originally Posted by cygrads
We weren't impressed with the selection or service at Home Depot. Menards doesn't carry granite, only quartz. Haven't made it over to Lowe's yet but I've hear they are the best in town. Any other places to look?
One major piece of advice is to, if possible, look at the actual stone that will be put into your home.
Unlike carpet or paint swatches, natural rocks can be quite variable, spatially. So, while you may like how one "color" of stone looks, the actual piece that goes into your home may have more or less of the minerals (or other attributes) that you liked in the sample piece.
As an example, my folks had a "granite" counter top put in their home, but the piece that was actually installed had far fewer garnets and deformed quartz veinlets in it than the sample piece and they were somewhat disappointed. Although, when all was said and done, it looks pretty good.
I hope this makes sense and helps!
I remodeled my kitchen 4 years ago and used Renaissance Marble and Granite in Urbandale. They were really good to work with and their installers did a great job. In and out and left the place cleaner than when they started. I would recommend them.
I lot of people warn of the upkeep, sealing, and worrying about water, stains, etc. with granite, but we have had our granite for 4 years and we love it. We have never sealed it or done anything different with it than you would any other countertop. The color we got is "Absolute Black" so I don't know if that makes a difference compared to lighter colors, but like I said we have never had any problems.
I also found that granite really isn't that much more expensive than the higher end laminates and solid surface tops.
Welcome to Renaissance Marble & Granite, providing countertops services in Urbandale, IA.
FYI: They let pick out your own slabs before they start on it.
I agree. Look at the actual stone that is going to be used. and if you need multiple pieces, get pieces from the same cut.
We looked at some places in NW Des Moines, I can't think of the names. One had stone inside which is nice for winter weather, the other was outside.
This was one of them
Renaissance Marble and Granite in Urbandale
I have heard great things from Elite Stone Fabricators on Lisbon. Have seen some of there tops and they look great.Quote:
Originally Posted by ruxCYtableFunny you should bring this up. I was just about to post the same question only I live in the CR/Marion area. I don't mean to hijack your thread, but...We weren't impressed with the selection or service at Home Depot. Menards doesn't carry granite, only quartz. Haven't made it over to Lowe's yet but I've hear they are the best in town. Any other places to look?Quote:
Originally Posted by cygrads
If going with granite, I'd be leary of going to a Box store (Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, etc).
That was my thought as well and was hoping to get a few businesses that people had a good experience with.Quote:
Originally Posted by buf87
I got mine through the home depot in urbandale a year or two ago since it was cheap ($50 sq/ft i think), and came with a free undermount sink at the time... supposedly the company they purchased the stone through permanently seals it so that you don't have to maintain it, but who knows.Quote:
Originally Posted by buf87
i can't remember the name of the company that actually installed it, but they were located east of the river downtown, who also had me come down to check out the slab.
they tacked on some BS fees (long walk from the street to the kitchen + had to go up stairs... they said it was a long walk since they couldn't park in the driveway, even though they did end up parking in the driveway), but overall they did a good job.
My sister-in-law works at the Tile Shop in Urbandale. As a plug to get her some business, I would check them out.Quote:
Originally Posted by cygrads
Countertops by Willett on NW 2nd in DM.
www.countertopsbywillett.com
If you are going to spend big money on a countertop, might as well have it done right.
These guys advertise with Cyclone Fanatic Radio. I'd give them a call, say you heard of them on our site/show and who knows, maybe you'll get a good deal?
http://www.customgraniteiowa.com/
In Cedar Falls, but an excellent place for countertops.Quote:
Originally Posted by ruxCYtable
Granite Countertops and Custom Granite Fabrication | Cambrian Granite and Stone
Not all granite countertops are created equal. In fact some granite countertops are not even technically granite so if possible, avoid the big box stores and go to someone that understands their product.
Drawbacks to granite include it being harder, noisier, colder and less forgiving than formica if you drop something on it. If you drop a glass on it, it is more likely to break and similarly, if you nick the edge you could chip it. It can also be prone to thermal shock and cracking if you put a very hot pan on a cold stone.
If you go with a glossy stone, it can show fingerprints more easily and depending on your lighting, it can easily show streaks from cleaning.
Some granites are prone to staining and must be sealed so it's important to take home a large enough sample and torture it with wine, lemon juice, oil, heat, anything you can think of and see how it does.
If you need to put a lot of seams in, they will be more noticeable in granite than a manufactured quartz.
That being said, granite is an excellent and beautiful countertop choice, as long as you make an informed decision. We cook over 1,000 meals a year plus snacks (teenage boys need to eat!) and I love the durablilty of stone.
I put in Cambria's manufactured quartz to avoid the sealing and seams issue but it can be a lot more expensive than a regular granite. As for cleaning, I use a squeegee and microcloth to keep it shiny but my husband ignores this and just wipes away, streaks and all.
This is a guy I know from Carroll that does free estimates. It is just him and 2 other guys, so you have the owner of the company on-sight. Wouldn't hurt to give him a call.
Custom Countertops Carroll, IA - Irlbeck Precision Surfaces