Granite Transformations

[PAMMELA]

We've been thinking of getting granite counter tops for our kitchen and I keep reading about this company:

Granite Transformations (http://www.granitetransformations.com/home.html) They install the granite on top of your old counter tops. Has anyone done granite this way?

It all looks and sounds pretty straight forward and I'm thinking I may get a free estimate.

TIA for any thoughts!

[TraditionsGirl]

From what I gathered on their website, the are not selling solid granite, but a composite of several materials including granite. Which may be a good countertop surface, I don't know.

Just make sure you know what you are getting.
If you get an estimate, ask for references.

We replaced our countertops with solid granite and I love them! When we build a new house in a few years, I will get them again.

[blazedog]

Yup -- it's the "look" of granite and I have no idea how it wears in comparison to real granite.

Is there some reason that you don't want to get rid of the existing counter tops as I don't think that adds appreciably to the cost of the granite surfacing.

When I researched granite for my kitchen, the best selections and prices I found were at granite yards -- amazing stuff and depending on the size you need, there are sometimes odd remnants of beautiful stuff for a bargain.

Granite tiles are a cheaper alternative to solid granite slabs -- they are generally applied very close together with minimal grout so they don't shriek "tile",

[PAMMELA]

From what I gathered on their website, the are not selling solid granite, but a composite of several materials including granite. Which may be a good countertop surface, I don't know.

Just make sure you know what you are getting.
If you get an estimate, ask for references.

We replaced our countertops with solid granite and I love them! When we build a new house in a few years, I will get them again.


Thanks, yes, I realize that. It's 95% granite with some other polymar substance to make it pretty much indestructible, which I like! Apparently you can cut your veggies on it without making a scratch, and also put hot pans right on it. We are NOT doing it for resale value, I would just like to update my kitchen counters and backsplash (although I don't have any price yet so we'll see how much more inexpensive it is. I love that it's done in 1-2 days with virtually no mess.

[PAMMELA]

Blazedog, we were posting at the same time. No there is no reason I must install over the existing, I just thought it looked interesting, and easy! I am going to go ahead and get an estimate and read further on it. ETA, I'd prefer not to have the granite tile, I just like the look of one piece so much better.

Also, so did you redo your counters with a slab that you found? Do they have contacts for installation? Is it that much less expensive? Thanks!!

[blazedog]

Blazedog, we were posting at the same time. No there is no reason I must install over the existing, I just thought it looked interesting, and easy! I am going to go ahead and get an estimate and read further on it. ETA, I'd prefer not to have the granite tile, I just like the look of one piece so much better.

Also, so did you redo your counters with a slab that you found? Do they have contacts for installation? Is it that much less expensive? Thanks!!

Regarding pricing, yes it is significantly less expensive if you to a granite yard -- I live in Los Angeles and there is a "district" which has them. Regarding the installation, either you can ask friends for recommendations on an installer or ask the granite yard -- in either case, get some bids but it's good to have the installer working with the granite yard because the actual size slab you need depends to a great extent on the configuration of your counters -- I learned quickly that my measurements NEVER seemed to be the same as the professionals -- but those were pretty uniform so they weren't cheating me -- they just know about wastage and how cuts are made.

The worst place is to get granite at one of the big boxes or even the upscale places like EXPO -- The selection is limited to a few of the most cliched stuff and it's significantly more expensive when you compare apples to apples.

It's hard to give a price guide because some of the most popular granites (i.e. Black Galaxy, Ubatuba etc) are on the lower end of the scale while the granite yards have some stupendous stuff -- Also you can pick out your slab which can make a REAL difference in terms of how it looks with some of the more unique granites.

Leftover slabs really depends on how much you need and probably isn't practical for most size kitchens but would work well in a bathroom.

Tastes vary but I didn't much care for the man made stuff at all because it seemed too -- well manmade and uniform -- somewhat like the difference between laminate and wood floors.

[armel]

Regarding pricing, yes it is significantly less expensive if you to a granite yard -- I live in Los Angeles and there is a "district" which has them.

Do you just look them up in the phone book under granite yard? I never know how to find places like that.

[blazedog]

Do you just look them up in the phone book under granite yard? I never know how to find places like that.

I looked under stone/marble but I also knew where they were located. Alternately, ask a neighbor/friend who has had granite installed for a recommendation of an installer -- you can then ask him.

I went to a couple of places just to get a sense of what is available -- it's a fun excursion anyway as the stuff is so beautiful.

[PAMMELA]

They are coming Monday evening for an in-home estimate. Are there any important questions I should be sure to ask? I have not had time to fully read the website but I will.

Thank you!!

[armel]

They are coming Monday evening for an in-home estimate. Are there any important questions I should be sure to ask? I have not had time to fully read the website but I will.

Thank you!!

I would ask about any seams that they might have. I know when they do solid surface countertops, they do not make them in one continuous piece depending upon the configuration, but are able to blend the seams together so you do not even see them.

I would ask if they can make matching cutting boards and trivets out of the same material. Then you can have those out and not be noticeable. On their website, they do recommend that you still use cutting boards and trivets.

I would be curious as to how they install the backsplash. Most countertops have at least a small pre-existing backsplash that they would have to remove.

Also how they install around the sink, especially if you have a top mounted sink.

Also, whether custom edges are available. rounded vs other types of edges.

Whether the material is uniform completely through. So that if you do get a chip, etc, it wouldn't be noticeable.

[PAMMELA]

Great questions Theresa, thanks, I'm printing them out! We definitely need a new sink and it needs to be a bigger sink, so not sure how that will work. But, that's the beauty of having them in your house looking at it! I will report back! I love the idea about the cutting boards and trivets.

[Geo_nerd]

My in-laws had them installed last year, and they look great. My mother-in-law was really happy that there was no demolition/mess.

[PAMMELA]

My in-laws had them installed last year, and they look great. My mother-in-law was really happy that there was no demolition/mess.


Yay, finally someone who has actually had them done! Glad to hear it - and to me, not having the kitchen torn up is a big big plus!! Also, i'm assuming she actually is really happy about the actual countertops too? (Not just that there was no demo?) :)

[Geo_nerd]

She loves the countertops!
It did add a bit of height to the existing countertops (an inch, maybe) so if you are short, that's something to consider.

[PAMMELA]

She loves the countertops!
It did add a bit of height to the existing countertops (an inch, maybe) so if you are short, that's something to consider.


Well another item in the plus column! I'm very tall, so another inch would be great!!