Home Granite Transformations--your opinions of this product

[dianne]

Granite Transformations is an alternative to slab granite and other solid surface countertops. I was wondering if anyone chose this product and why...and any regrets?

I am considering this for my kitchen...I currently have laminate and hate it. I called GT and was told the product is 50% harder than granite, requires no sealing, and is stain and heat-resistant. I like the fact they put it over your existing countertops so I can avoid demolition and any additional damage that can happen to the cabinets in that process. I also like the idea of using recycled glass, too. Downside is the cost is about the same as a high quality granite.

I did a PS search to see if this had been discussed before. I found this link:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/this-could-be-fun.99020/
Obicoo posted a beautiful pic of a countertop using recycled glass but Italiahaircolor had seen it in person at Granite Transformations and was disappointed. I''m hoping Italia will see this and share a few more details of why she was disappointed and maybe others will share their opinions, as well.

Here''s the product site:
http://www.granitetransformations.com/

 

[soocool]

My prentsput this in their kitchen about a year before my mom died. They loved it and on the plus side it immensely helped when my dad sold the house later.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I don''t have any experience but just wanted to let you know we bought some granite for $40 sq ft installed in you want to go the traditional route.

 

[dianne]

Well, I couldn''t stand it so I went to the gallery today to check it out. It''s beautiful...I was very impressed!!

soocool: Good to know they loved it and it increased the value of the home. I don''t plan to be in this house forever so getting a return on this project would be nice.

Tacori: I imagine it''s going to cost more than that. They have to come to your home for a quote and we are not ready to do anything yet...just looking...so I won''t waste their time until we are ready...but I really think it will be much more than $40 sq ft. May I ask where you went?

 

[Hera]

I have heard good things about ecounters for a price quote on granite/quartz/solid surfaces. I have to say that I don't care much for the look of it and would much rather have the granite or quartz.

 

[CasaBlanca]

Diane, In my city there are subcontractors with slab listings in CL. So I would check there.

I had a contractor tell me he could get me granite for 28...something about a bulk rate deal they obtained with Mexican granite? ( I remember thinking drug cartel at the time and pictured some sort of contraband-hey imagination can be fun if you let it.) It has been three years so I may have the details wrong. But over the time in my mind I assumed Mexican granite was cheaper. I don't even know if they mine granite there. SO again I could have the details off. He was a high end contractor, so I assume the quality wasn't an issue...his reputation was on the line. I said all of that to see if the buzz phrase "Mexican Granite" can help you get a better price?

I think your idea is great as you aren't going to stay there forever. Wish I had experience on the product to help you. The only alternative substance I knew of is some sort of light weight epoxy used for cases where your cabinets or flooring can't take the massive weight of granite or concrete slabs. I think I saw it on HGTV Red Hot Green...on Hulu/fan cast. It was so light two guys just carried it in the house. But once installed it looked as great as any slab countertop.

Not sure what region you are in...but building homes has significantly stalled in our area. I just learned that materials quality laborers can be obtained cheaper than before the boom. SO I would exhaust all avenues before I pulled the trigger. Good Luck on finding a great deal!

 

[Giada]

Dianne,

I had quotes done for both Granite Transformations and slab granite. We thought that Granite Transformations would be much cheaper than slab, and were very surprised to find out that we could get slab for $800 less. We stayed with level 2 granite. There are several levels of granite and the levels are assigned based on the granite''s rarity. The more rare the granite, the more expensive. If you stay with level 1-3, you can keep costs down. The lower levels are not "quality" related, just easier to find.

We were able to go to the slab yard and pick two slabs to be used. From there, the fabricator measures, cuts the pieces and then installs. My installation was done in 2 days and we are very happy with the results. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Hope this helps.

 

[Giada]

Date: 1/23/2010 11:04:06 PM
Author: dianne
Well, I couldn't stand it so I went to the gallery today to check it out. It's beautiful...I was very impressed!!

soocool: Good to know they loved it and it increased the value of the home. I don't plan to be in this house forever so getting a return on this project would be nice.

Tacori: I imagine it's going to cost more than that. They have to come to your home for a quote and we are not ready to do anything yet...just looking...so I won't waste their time until we are ready...but I really think it will be much more than $40 sq ft. May I ask where you went?

If you are concerned with getting a good return on this project, you might consider going for the slab granite. That was also a conern of ours. We have done several other upgrades to our house recently (wood floors, outdoor patio/living space) and we didn't want to seem like we "cut corners" on the countertops. Just something to consider...

 

[dianne]

Date: 1/25/2010 11:01:53 AM
Author: Giada

Date: 1/23/2010 11:04:06 PM
Author: dianne
Well, I couldn''t stand it so I went to the gallery today to check it out. It''s beautiful...I was very impressed!!

soocool: Good to know they loved it and it increased the value of the home. I don''t plan to be in this house forever so getting a return on this project would be nice.

Tacori: I imagine it''s going to cost more than that. They have to come to your home for a quote and we are not ready to do anything yet...just looking...so I won''t waste their time until we are ready...but I really think it will be much more than $40 sq ft. May I ask where you went?

If you are concerned with getting a good return on this project, you might consider going for the slab granite. That was also a conern of ours. We have done several other upgrades to our house recently (wood floors, outdoor patio/living space) and we didn''t want to seem like we ''cut corners'' on the countertops. Just something to consider...

Giada, You make some very good points. I was so impressed with the Granite Transformations that I didn''t think it would look as if we had cut corners...but if someone really likes slab granite their opinion may be different.