[Shop-talk] Alternative kitchen countertops?

[Pat Horne]

Wayne,

If you like the looks of the tile and the grout is the only thing you 
don't like, there is an epoxy-based grout that is great. You have to dig 
out all the old grout and replace it, but after that you have no 
maintenance. I used it on several jobs, bathroom floor, shower floor and 
surround and kitchen counters, all with great results. The stuff I used 
came from Lowes and is made by Laticrete. It is not cheap, but for my 
uses it was fine. Laticrete has a calculator on their site that will 
help you figure out how much it will cost you. Be warned, the number of 
units they calculate will be 1/4 the number of units you buy at Lowes 
because the Lowe's packages are 1/4 unit. Each quarter unit is about 
$18. Be sure to clean up the haze as you go, this stuff is really hard 
to clean up later.

<shop content> If I had tile in my shop I would have used it there!

Peace,
Pat

Thusly spake Wayne

> On 1/30/2013 9:41 PM, Jim Juhas wrote:
>> We considered tile and that turned out to be our second choice once we
>> thought about the issues of keeping the grout clean.
>
> True That! I bought my place in 2001 with 4x4" tile countertops, and 
> thought they looked cool and classy, and had previously seen them in 
> some supposedly high end homes. They are a MAJOR PITA to clean. On the 
> positive side: they are actually [usually] cheaper to install then 
> laminate. That should tell you something. I am ready to tear the crap 
> out and throw down cheap formica before I scrub grout again!!!
>
>> We settled on granite and fortunately found a particular piece we liked
>> that was near the bottom end of the price range.  I suggest you check
>
> Granite is top of the price range, but can be stained and supposedly 
> needs some kinda sealant on it periodically. I was gonna go with one 
> of the synthetic or "quartz" intermediate ones, like Corian or 
> Silstone, or -- can't remember all the brands now, but if you've been 
> looking you know.
>
> Got divorced instead and had to pay to keep the place (fair deal, but 
> still sux) so tile it is  :(
>
> -wayne
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-- 
Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems
(512) 797-7501 Voice & Text	5026 FM 2001
Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com	Lockhart, TX 78644-4443
www.hornesystemstx.com
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