At one time I believe I was told crushed glass was non staining. The epoxy holding it together was also not staining, cannot remember the name but it did not look like stone.

 

Formica.

 

White formica is what's there now, and it's actually in nice shape. But they want to make it even nicer to get top dollar.

 

Stainless steel?

 

Basic granites? The slabs with less movement have less stainable filler. Like a black galaxy or absolute black.

Curious why they're so concerned about staining if they're selling it. Seems like the next guy's problem.

 

I don't know why, either. But it's been emphasised twice already. Maybe a reflection of being more high end, or a quirk of the seller. BTW, nothing dark is in the cards.

 

Soapstone. Need to oil periodically though.

 

Quartz, Formica, Soapstone, Corian... with Corian, even if it surface stains (hard to do with any of them unless you're bad at cleaning up after yourself) can be sanded out... you can also get stone type finishes with Formica and Corian... Edges are available for Formica that can take away the Formica tell-tale line, but if the goal is stain avoidance, Corian can be renewed without being replaced... and comes with a 10-year warranty, which is transferable, adding value to the mix...

Corian used to be main competitor against granite, quartz has taken it's place... as a certified Corian fabricator, we have Quartz in our home... so not too worried about the stain factor as there are remedies even it if does happen...

Quartz adds more perceived value... until the next one...

 

Just don't put a hot pan on Corian other than that it works well but not much demand now for it

 

That's true of most tops... it's why they have trivets...

 

Corian and other solid surfaces don't ever really stain. They get scratches that hold contamination and when the scratches are removed the "stain" is gone:

Engineered stone (quartz) is a relative sponge compared to Corian. While it is composed of 33% plastic resin, it can be permanently stained. There are at least 5 threads on Houzz of customers complaining of stains on natural quartzite that cannot be removed.

 

My friend had an off white corian that stained. She didn't go the sanding route, but cleaners wouldn't remove a pinkish tone, probably from wine.

 

Yes they can repaired very nicely, I did one many years ago at a a Corian class I took. I still like corian.
What is the damage from heat on granite? Spalling, cracks, discoloration? I have not seen any

 

If you continually use an area on granite as the trivet, it can potentially cause a stress crack over time from the expansion and contraction... technically, you can use a knife on granite but would end up dulling your knives, and again, potentially find light scratches in the finish...

It all comes to using the countertop the way it was intended to be used... it's not supposed to have hot things set directly on it, cut on it, mix stuff with red dye in it, etc... these surfaces are heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, chemical-resistant, etc. not proof... going outside these parameters and doing those things is considered abuse and generally not covered under warranty...

Why would you spend that kind of money to use it in a way not intended anyway?

When it comes to Corian, these are surface stains and on sinks a maroon or green scotch-brite pad and some Soft-scrub will remove most any stain in the sink... don't use the green one on the countertop as it might dull the surface of a gloss or semi-gloss finish...

 

Scotchbrite pad would remove lots light stains

 

Probably was tried, but thanks. I use those things a fair bit... quite useful.

 

Just have to be careful which one you use and how you use it, it can polish the area and make it stand out like a sore thumb

 

A lot of people have the mindset that...hey, it's a rock. I can put hot stuff on a rock.
No matter how many times you or the company explains it to them, some can't get it through their heads...and still blame the company.
"Nope, never put a hot frying pan down on it"
Sure you didn't.

 

Marble tops are the dumbest choice. I've done punch list work on 2 houses they put it in the kitchen. Both were all scratched and the owners hated them. I gave them both my counter top guys info, not sure if they swapped em' out.

 

I was picking out counters for my addition and was shocked my guy stock 90% quartz now. Says no one wants granite and quartz is easier to get. I found a 3/4" black granite and he gave me a good deal. Said it was the first granite he has sold in months.

 

Hot pot has no effect on soapstone. We set hot pots on it all the time in the same spot and 25 years later there is no change.

 

Gotta go with Kowboy on this, solid surface.

Tom

 

You should see what CLR does to marble and granite, sucks the color right out

 

I shall present both options with some pricing. Up to them.

 

If I had the money and was going to build a home, I'd have a state of the art kitchen with commercial grade stainless steel counter tops. Not bullet proof but close to it.

 

Stainless is about as invulnerable as it gets, but it's just about impossible to keep a "like new" finish on it. Shows minor rubs & scratches really easily.

I'd be okay with it, but most folks want a warmer look for counters.

 

Stainless tops are functional, but fugly. "Order up!"

 

Yeah that's exactly what I had in mind.
Being in a lot of restaurant kitchens, at the end of the night when everything was spotless, I always thought it had a great look to it.
It could be placed in the heavy food/dish areas and accent pieces of granite or whatever used elsewhere, like islands and such.

 

Several years ago I was helping my plumber install a vanity at a house 2 days before a big party. In the kitchen they had an island that was about 7' x 8' triple build up of Carrera Marble. The counter top guys put moving blankets on it and 1/4" luan over it with a sign "do not touch" on top. By monday the top was toast.

Neighbor said the guy hired a chef for the event and he was getting crap all over it the servers were getting crap all over it, people were spilling drinks on it, they were using it as a makeshift bar

 

Maple butcher block and stainless.

Andy.

 

Wow, learned a lot from this thread. I was always told granite was heat proof. Texted my main slab guy and he still said granite was heat proof.

but I know thats not the case now. Never heard of flame finish before.

 

Wow, learned a lot from this thread. I was always told granite was heat proof. Texted my main slab guy and he still said granite was heat proof.

but I know thats not the case now. Never heard of flame finish before.

Flamed edges are common on bluestone.ge

Fireplace hearths, and steps.

Generally it's best to get the stone wet, raise the moisture content in the the stone. Take a really hot torch to the edge and the steam makes the edges explode. Bits of hot rock flying everywhere.

It goes and inch or so at a time.

A dry edge won't pop.

 

Flamed edges are common on bluestone.ge

Fireplace hearths, and steps.

Generally it's best to get the stone wet, raise the moisture content in the the stone. Take a really hot torch to the edge and the steam makes the edges explode. Bits of hot rock flying everywhere.

It goes and inch or so at a time.

A dry edge won't pop.

and a skilled guy can do it evenly with no overlaps