- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- home style today articles
- home style today q&a
- traveling today articles
- traveling today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Countertops for Life
Granite and Concrete Counters
By Sue Poremba
When Brian Brandt of Tyler, Texas, was looking to install new kitchen counters, he decided to go with granite. "We wanted a surface that we would enjoy, would be long lasting and easy to clean and maintain," Brandt says. "Also, my wife grew up as the daughter of two realtors, so she understands the value that granite provides for resale."
Granite and concrete kitchen countertops are growing in popularity, despite being more expensive than other countertop materials. They are more durable than almost any other counter, can be color blended to match your kitchen and aren't difficult to care for. However, when purchasing a new countertop it is important to know which surface is best for your budget and needs.
While they may look somewhat similar, granite and concrete counters are different.
"The main difference between the two styles is pretty obvious," says Genevieve Gorder, a designer on TLC's Trading Spaces. "Granite comes from the earth, and concrete is a manmade mixture of various stones, sand and water. Granite is generally the less expensive of the two."
The reason why granite is less expensive, she says, is because of the labor. "Granite is simply tiled or cut, whereas concrete requires a mold template and poured into a custom form," Gorder says.
"Granite has become the industry standard in higher-end kitchen projects," says Dan Thompson, president of DDK Kitchen Design Group in Glenview, Ill. "Concrete fills an alternative niche."
Concrete, he says, is more fragile, not heat impervious and can scratch relatively easily compared to granite.
"Being a natural product, granite needs to be sealed periodically to ensure a long-lasting finish," says Eric Phillips, vice president and general manager of Dreammaker Bath & Kitchen in Apex, N.C. "Because concrete is manmade, it allows for various forms of customization, including color, inlays, inserts, stamps and finishes."
