Granite Countertop?

[quote author="freedomCM" date=1237888701][quote author="tmare" date=1237884801]I think tile is pretty timeless.........but a major pain in the a**. I've had tile in every house I've owned, would love to get rid of it but I'm not sure what to replace it with since my house was built in the 30's and I hate it when people put in modern things in their vintage homes.</blockquote>


butcher block.</blockquote>


Butcher block splits when the counter top is wet and a hot pot is placed on the wet surface. Moisture forces the wood to expand on the surface while the bottom is fixed, The expansion would look like a Chinese paper fan. The problem is the individual lamination could not retract to its original form thus leaving gaps that trap food and bacteria.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1237893675][quote author="freedomCM" date=1237888701][quote author="tmare" date=1237884801]I think tile is pretty timeless.........but a major pain in the a**. I've had tile in every house I've owned, would love to get rid of it but I'm not sure what to replace it with since my house was built in the 30's and I hate it when people put in modern things in their vintage homes.</blockquote>


butcher block.</blockquote>


Butcher block splits when the counter top is wet and a hot pot is placed on the wet surface. Moisture forces the wood to expand on the surface while the bottom is fixed, The expansion would look like a Chinese paper fan. The problem is the individual lamination could not retract to its original form thus leaving gaps that trap food and bacteria.</blockquote>


Ok, bk, then what is someone who lives in a house circa 1939 with white kitchen tile who actually can't stand tiles in the kitchen supposed to do? Thanks for the info on butcher block, I was getting close to doing some research on it, but if the great bk says no, I will listen. I guess I really don't hate tile as much as I say I do, I don't mind how they look, I am just jealous of those who don't have to clean grout like I do.
 
[quote author="tmare" date=1237894033]I guess I really don't hate tile as much as I say I do, I don't mind how they look, I am just jealous of those who don't have to clean grout like I do.</blockquote>


Use lemon juice. Hat tip to EvaL for that one.
 
[quote author="no_vaseline" date=1237897929]Easy, my dear.



<a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,384695,00.html">Modern grout and sealers.</a></blockquote>


Or that.
 
[quote author="graphrix" date=1237897897][quote author="tmare" date=1237894033]I guess I really don't hate tile as much as I say I do, I don't mind how they look, I am just jealous of those who don't have to clean grout like I do.</blockquote>


Use lemon juice. Hat tip to EvaL for that one.</blockquote>


graphrix - I'll see your lemon juice and raise you.



tmare - the Tide "bleach pen" is your friend (gets the grout and doesn't oxidize the finish on your tiles).



Also, you may be interested in some details in the publication associated with this site: <strong><a href="http://www.oldhouseinteriors.com/">www.oldhouseinteriors.com</a></strong>



Just promise not to go crazy with the embossed tin backsplash (like the stuff that still hangs in my grandmother's Long Beach kitchen).



-IR2
 
[quote author="IrvineRealtor" date=1237898544]

tmare - the Tide "bleach pen" is your friend (gets the grout and doesn't oxidize the finish on your tiles).



-IR2</blockquote>


I second the bleach pen - it's my buddy, especially around the stove!
 
To answer the 1930's home with tile counter top question. I would not recommend an all white ceramic tile counter top with white grout. Here is my solution: create a back splash by using some Malibu tile accent and take the buff color from the accent tiles and apply solid buff color tiles to counter top and also use beige color grout. Most staining is beige anyway so there is no need for bleaching.



<img src="http://www.tierrayfuego.com/Ceramic_Tiles/SantaBarbara/images/60186-3-santa-barbara-malibu-carpet-mural-630.jpg" alt="" />
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1237954737]I'm going to use a garage door for my countertops.</blockquote>


resawn finish works great. The splinters will grip the sashimi while you cut.



<img src="http://barnwoodamsalvage.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/resawn_Doug_fir_1x_016.27671904_std.jpg" alt="" />
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1237965151][quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1237954737]I'm going to use a garage door for my countertops.</blockquote>


resawn finish works great. The splinters will grip the sashimi while you cut.</blockquote>


LOL!!! You funny, BK.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1237954737]I'm going to use a garage door for my countertops.</blockquote>


Better yet use the hood of your car as a grille when your motor is still hot. 3 minute for medium rare and 15 minutes for well done. I just added another use to your fantasy garage.



Fantasy is want you really really really desire and can't have.



Your 3 car garage in Irvine is like this water on this road:

<img src="http://www.warren-wilson.edu/~physics/PhysPhotOfWeek/2007PPOW/20070921RoadMirage/IMG_1444MirageCrop500.jpg" alt="" />
 
[quote author="Astute Observer" date=1237957064]aluminum or good old wooden garage door?</blockquote>
Aluminum... it's lower maintenance.

<blockquote>

Are you going to mount it on a track, so that with a push of a button, it will roll up, dump the trash and unroll a clean countertop? Kewl!</blockquote>
That's a good idea.



I should go register www.garagenite.com for my new countertop business.
 
Donald,



Please set aside one lot with extra 10' width and 16' depth and build a home with a 3 car garage with full driveway. I need to end my IHO misery.



BK
 
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