[Shop-talk] Alternative kitchen countertops?

[Richard George]

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.