FWIW, if you wanted to go the granite tile route, you might want to
consider watching at your local Habitat for Humanity restore - sometimes
some fairly large quantities show up there, and its hard to beat the
prices (around here I think its like $2/ ft^2 or less...)
I recently rehabbed a condo and saved a couple of grand on materials
going that route..
Best,
rkg
(Richard George)
On 1/31/2013 7:55 AM, Peter J. Thomas wrote:
> On 1/30/2013 8:00 PM, Jim Franklin wrote:
>> Still reeling from the price of granite/soapstone/etc, I was researching
>> alternatives. I already have an apron-front sink, which acts like an
>> undermount but actually is supported on the sides at the bottom,
>> instead of
>> being clamped to the counter underside. Still, I can't really use
>> laminate
>> unless I work at waterproofing the edge where the sink is. This isn't a
>> forever counter, so it is a possibility.
>>
>> One material that struck my eye was phenolic resin. I'd need to cut
>> out the
>> sink hole; is it easily worked with carbide blades or is it a pain?
>>
>> Concrete is out, way too much work.
>>
>> There's too much wood in the kitchen already for butcher block.
>>
>> Any other reasonably priced alternatives you've used (or heard of)?
>>
>> thanks,
>
> Redid our counters with granite floor tiles. Was two decades ago when
> tiles were cheaper. We found a bargain on a nice tiles under 4$ a
> square foot. Prices are higher now but shopping around you might find
> some bargains. Put down 3/4 plywood and layer of cement board set in
> mortar. Bought a cheap tile saw (< $100) and ripped strips for the
> edge and laid the tiles on top. I used a narrow gap and grout that
> closely matched the tiles. Also deliberately choose a fine grain
> granite so the tiles would not stand out. Sealed there hasn't be much
> grout staining except around the coffee maker and bleach does a good
> cleaning that. A modest kitchen, about 22 linear feet including and
> island, was under $700.
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