Granite Vs Ceramic Tile Kitchen Countertop

[tangcoral]

Deciding between granite and ceramic tile counter top.

Other than the aesthetics of granite, what would make it beneficial to install granite over ceramic counter top?

Ceramic tile come in sizes that are large enough to minimize grout usage between joints,

Ceramic tiles seems hard enough to be non porous for easy easily clean up. (I dont like bacteria). And also seems to be heat and stain resistant?

Only thing that worry me is that ceramic tile may be more prone to chipping or cracking.

It seems the I am paying the cost of granite for aesthetic look. Or are there other benefits that granite would offer that ceramic tile can't?

[juehoe]

I have chosen local granite. My main reasons (besides aesthetics) were:

• Granite is one of the best materials for countertops in case of resistance and hygiene.
• Tiles and especially the seams are not very easy to clean from oil and fat. They can look dirty, soon.
• My other top favourite material for countertops is stainless steel. I didn't apply it because my spouse don't like it and it was hard to find a good craftsman.

[sezze]

IMHO , granite is soooo much nicer then ceramics . In the total price , granite worktop is just a very small part . . Local Thai granite is not expensive and unless you got a huge countertop or a very complicated construction , i see no reason to take ceramics . If any alternative , i would choose a polished concrete worktop which looks very nice also . It is all depending on what you want . Ceramics are cheaper , easier to replace and above all , available in any kind of design or color what you want . In terms of hygienics , i think both got their benifits . Ceramics in general are smoother and since you can choose a 1 color one , dirt would be easier to see ( so making cleaning easy ). However , the seams need to be sealed very good and you need a very good tiler to make them absolutely straight ( no higher or lower levels between different tiles ) . Also edges of the countertop might be a problem since many times they use a plastic strip to go around the edge ( you can do it different , but most times they do not do it ) .

Cheaper granite can be soft ( depending on type ) and quite porous , which might lead to stains, chipping etc . Colors , you do have quite a large choice but i can imagine you might not like them .

Both got their pros and cons and the differences are not that big in the long run . So i think the biggest difference is the price , with tiles being a lot cheaper . However , granite can go as low as 500baht/m2 and tiles can also be around that area , the difference might not be big at all . The bigger the countertop , the price of the granite will rise exponentially and will require special care while placing , while tiles will be tiles .

1 more thing . If you use a granite countertop , i think you can just put it on the supportwalls below ( i think ) while tiles need to be glued or cemented on a solid underlayer .

[tangcoral]

Thanks for the advices, didnt know granite could be quarried right from our own backyard.

I wonder what the overall quality is compared ones coming from India, brazil etc..

[sezze]

Look at the internet ... siamtak and silatak are have a extensive range in import and local granite and deliver anywhere in Thailand . Most places in Thailand have a couple of shops and you have to check the prices .

Granite is a famous product all over the world and many sources will tell you the qualities involved in each kind of granite offered .

[katabeachbum]

Look at the internet ... siamtak and silatak are have a extensive range in import and local granite and deliver anywhere in Thailand . Most places in Thailand have a couple of shops and you have to check the prices .

Granite is a famous product all over the world and many sources will tell you the qualities involved in each kind of granite offered .

The less seems and grout, the better kitchen counter works

If you can manage with 60x60 cm ceramics, it is very inexpensive

as for bacterias, nothing beats the blue alchohol. Inexpensive at pharmacies, and all dead, like a medical lab

I have black granites in my kitchens, and one disadvantage it needs huge amount of light

polished concrete is cool, but absorbes color like blood and red wine

[trogers]

If you can manage with 60x60 cm ceramics, it is very inexpensive

Not advisable to use 60x60 cm polished tiles as they are only 8mm thick. Drop anything hard and heavy and the tiles will crack. If you want to save, use linoleum on concrete. Easily replaced every 5 years.

[bankruatsteve]

Definitely granite is best for counter top. You pay for the "color" - otherwise granite is granite (or it's not - so be careful there.)

[sezze]

Look at the internet ... siamtak and silatak are have a extensive range in import and local granite and deliver anywhere in Thailand . Most places in Thailand have a couple of shops and you have to check the prices .

Granite is a famous product all over the world and many sources will tell you the qualities involved in each kind of granite offered .

The less seems and grout, the better kitchen counter works

If you can manage with 60x60 cm ceramics, it is very inexpensive

as for bacterias, nothing beats the blue alchohol. Inexpensive at pharmacies, and all dead, like a medical lab

I have black granites in my kitchens, and one disadvantage it needs huge amount of light

polished concrete is cool, but absorbes color like blood and red wine

Yes , standard polished concrete will absorb blood etc . For use on countertops you can seal it with a inpenetrable layer , leaving the concrete a littlebit shiny but very nice and industrial look .

IMHO granite is nr 1 , due to having all the qualities needed in a kitchen . Easy to clean , very strong against everything , available in large slabs , ultra smooth . Unless you are on a very very thight budget , i would allways take granite . It makes the kitchen look nice allready . It is worth the couple of 1000 baht extra . There are other areas in the house where you can save on , which in fact bring nothing ( wood floors , expensive tiles , design lights etc etc . ) .

[shepsel]

When I was doing some minor upgrading to my rented condo -- putting drawers and cupboards in under the counter and extending the counter, I initially thought of trying to match the existing tiles because it was a rental. However, when I was told that local granite and tiles were about the same price, it was a no brainer. GRANITE (local not imported) was my choice.

And when the project was completed the kitchen counters look so good, and the surface is so easy to maintain.

[steve187]

I am a ceramics tiler, and if i was you i would choose granite, to make a really good job of tiles, you will require a skilled tiler, edges of the tiles can be mitered, to avoid plastic edging. Use epoxy grout on the joints for a hygienic seal.

with granite be careful of lemon/lime stains, see here , ensure a good impegnator is used on the finished worktop

Edited December 22, 2010 by steve187

[trogers]

When I was doing some minor upgrading to my rented condo -- putting drawers and cupboards in under the counter and extending the counter, I initially thought of trying to match the existing tiles because it was a rental. However, when I was told that local granite and tiles were about the same price, it was a no brainer. GRANITE (local not imported) was my choice.

And when the project was completed the kitchen counters look so good, and the surface is so easy to maintain.

I use local grey granite with a slight pink to match the stainless steel backing and white cabinets.

[katabeachbum]

If you can manage with 60x60 cm ceramics, it is very inexpensive

Not advisable to use 60x60 cm polished tiles as they are only 8mm thick. Drop anything hard and heavy and the tiles will crack. If you want to save, use linoleum on concrete. Easily replaced every 5 years.

have 60x60 in my 80sqm garage. non cracked yet despite heavy tools dropped frequently, like on and off pickup. They have a much tougher job than my kitchen counter

while my granite counter tops cost +100k baht, it would have cost less than 10k in 60x60 tiles

thinking of it, one is cracked in garage, but due to poor installation (boom)

[trogers]

while my granite counter tops cost +100k baht, it would have cost less than 10k in 60x60 tiles

Bt100k just for granite countertop? My whole kitchen counter (woodwork, stainless steel backing and granite top) cost me less than Bt100k, and that's a L-shape 2.0x2.4m.

[katabeachbum]

while my granite counter tops cost +100k baht, it would have cost less than 10k in 60x60 tiles

Bt100k just for granite countertop? My whole kitchen counter (woodwork, stainless steel backing and granite top) cost me less than Bt100k, and that's a L-shape 2.0x2.4m.

large kitchen, imported black granite with gold, 15 meters counter/barcounter (different height) 0,6m, and 10 cm on the walls, all round polished edges. in 60x60 tiles it would be less than 5k for tiles and 5k for work. wouldnt get the round edges though

3 years ago 100k

[juehoe]

I would recommend local granite because it is more sustainable.

[sezze]

while my granite counter tops cost +100k baht, it would have cost less than 10k in 60x60 tiles

Bt100k just for granite countertop? My whole kitchen counter (woodwork, stainless steel backing and granite top) cost me less than Bt100k, and that's a L-shape 2.0x2.4m.

large kitchen, imported black granite with gold, 15 meters counter/barcounter (different height) 0,6m, and 10 cm on the walls, all round polished edges. in 60x60 tiles it would be less than 5k for tiles and 5k for work. wouldnt get the round edges though

3 years ago 100k

I do not know the prices etc in your area and neither the complete picture but 100k seems even for this size very expensive .

I've seen prices for 3 m by 1.6m 60cm wide for 5500 baht Thai Black up to 10k for a Black Africa with Chinese and Indian Black somewhere in the middle of those 2 . This prices where including placement . A rough priceguide is that granite costs are between 500 and 3000 baht sqm for a 60cm by X size .

[malcolminthemiddle]

Anyone have experience of using Corian as a kitchen work top in Thailand?

Edited December 22, 2010 by malcolminthemiddle

[katabeachbum]

while my granite counter tops cost +100k baht, it would have cost less than 10k in 60x60 tiles

Bt100k just for granite countertop? My whole kitchen counter (woodwork, stainless steel backing and granite top) cost me less than Bt100k, and that's a L-shape 2.0x2.4m.

large kitchen, imported black granite with gold, 15 meters counter/barcounter (different height) 0,6m, and 10 cm on the walls, all round polished edges. in 60x60 tiles it would be less than 5k for tiles and 5k for work. wouldnt get the round edges though

3 years ago 100k

I do not know the prices etc in your area and neither the complete picture but 100k seems even for this size very expensive .

I've seen prices for 3 m by 1.6m 60cm wide for 5500 baht Thai Black up to 10k for a Black Africa with Chinese and Indian Black somewhere in the middle of those 2 . This prices where including placement . A rough priceguide is that granite costs are between 500 and 3000 baht sqm for a 60cm by X size .

yepp, ad 45 meters of round polished edges at ?baht

and forgot 10 cm vertical beneath counters

have done several kitchen with granite counters from 20-120k, and 100k was right for this one

I am not going to bother take/post a picture, just remind 60x60 tiles is a nice and inexpensive solution. so is 40x60 granite or marble

like this

[steelepulse]

>>A rough priceguide is that granite costs are between 500 and 3000 baht sqm for a 60cm by X size .

I bought and had Dum Af ( Black African) granite put in 8 years ago when building my house. Cost was 2200 baht/sqm for the 60X60, but the huge custom pieces certainly cost more than that for a nice solid countertop. Add in installation, finishing, double thickness on the edges etc. and kbb's cost of 100K doesn't seem far off the mark at all.

[sezze]

>>A rough priceguide is that granite costs are between 500 and 3000 baht sqm for a 60cm by X size .

I bought and had Dum Af ( Black African) granite put in 8 years ago when building my house. Cost was 2200 baht/sqm for the 60X60, but the huge custom pieces certainly cost more than that for a nice solid countertop. Add in installation, finishing, double thickness on the edges etc. and kbb's cost of 100K doesn't seem far off the mark at all.

Like i said , i do not know his exact setting since he has a huge countertop , with a lot of expensive features . This adds up the price significantly . I cannot call this a normal kitchen/countertop . This is without a doubt a very luxury house and for most people not exactly the reference . For people having a normal kitchen and countertop , like 3 by 2 m kitchen with L shape or just a I shape countertop with only some holes drilled for sink , then the price is not near the 100k mark . I'd say , Everything included ( transport , cut to size , placement ) would be less then 20k , and probably more in the area of 10000baht . A simple I shape , lets say 2.5 m long , would cost less then 10k .

[Pib]

Another thing about tile that's not so good for a counter top is since the top surface layer is thin/baked on, dropping a dish, glass, heavy kitchen utensil, etc., on the tile can easily chip off the top layer exposing the underlying layer which will probably be a completely different color and rough in texture...then the tile ain't so pretty/perfect any more. You won't have that problem with granite. Sure you could change that one tile, but unless you bought extra tiles in the original buy that replacement tile bought later on probably won't exactly match the other tiles.

[katabeachbum]

Another thing about tile that's not so good for a counter top is since the top surface layer is thin/baked on, dropping a dish, glass, heavy kitchen utensil, etc., on the tile can easily chip off the top layer exposing the underlying layer which will probably be a completely different color and rough in texture...then the tile ain't so pretty/perfect any more. You won't have that problem with granite. Sure you could change that one tile, but unless you bought extra tiles in the original buy that replacement tile bought later on probably won't exactly match the other tiles.

you d be amazed how strong the quality 60x60 porcelain? tiles are, and they are same color all through.

as said they cover my garage floor where I jack up 2,5 ton pickups resting on 4 spots of 1 square inch, pick motocy apart, drop jackhammers and 40 kg welders, and not one damage in 3 years.

I am considering building another home riverside in Nong Kai, and it will be high quality but low cost/sqm. The concrete pool will still have classic 9x9 tiles, but 60x60 tiles will def be the kitchencounters

and most floors

[craigt3365]

Be careful with cheap granite. It stains easily. We had it in our rental condo and some stains never came out.

We got a higher grade of granite, but it now has a few small chips on the edge from a party we had recently. Seems it was a good party...I think the maid banged some pots/pans on it while cleaning up.

As for ceramic tile, we have chipped them in the back in the Thai kitchen. You can chip them for sure, but very easy to replace. Ours are a different color underneath.

[bankruatsteve]

<br />Be careful with cheap granite.  It stains easily.  We had it in our rental condo and some stains never came out.<br /><br />We got a higher grade of granite, but it now has a few small chips on the edge from a party we had recently.  Seems it was a good party...I think the maid banged some pots/pans on it while cleaning up.  <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <br /><br />As for ceramic tile, we have chipped them in the back in the Thai kitchen.  You can chip them for sure, but very easy to replace.  Ours are a different color underneath.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Just wondering... where do you get granite that's "cheap" or "higher grade"?? Perhaps I am mistaken, but from my experience, granite is granite - or it's not. To my thinking, the cheap granite is the one with the gray/white kind of splotchy dots - I think about 1700B/m for 65cm wide. I have also bought a rosy kind of color granite for (I forget now but maybe) over 4K for 1m2. The point is: if it's true granite, it won't chip or stain unless you REALLY bugger it somehow.

[sezze]

<br />Be careful with cheap granite. It stains easily. We had it in our rental condo and some stains never came out.<br /><br />We got a higher grade of granite, but it now has a few small chips on the edge from a party we had recently. Seems it was a good party...I think the maid banged some pots/pans on it while cleaning up. <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <br /><br />As for ceramic tile, we have chipped them in the back in the Thai kitchen. You can chip them for sure, but very easy to replace. Ours are a different color underneath.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Just wondering... where do you get granite that's "cheap" or "higher grade"?? Perhaps I am mistaken, but from my experience, granite is granite - or it's not. To my thinking, the cheap granite is the one with the gray/white kind of splotchy dots - I think about 1700B/m for 65cm wide. I have also bought a rosy kind of color granite for (I forget now but maybe) over 4K for 1m2. The point is: if it's true granite, it won't chip or stain unless you REALLY bugger it somehow.

No , granite isn't granite .

1st you have the color which is in fact the base level for price . Available also in different grades .

2nd imperfections in the same stone can make a 2nd quality also and are not always visible on the outside

3th and very important . Granite is not always granite . There are many variations possible , which for normal people are still granite but for specialists have a different name .

example . A famous type is Shanxy Black which in fact is a basalt .

Another one is Blue Diamond which is a amphibolite

And another one Paradiso is a migmatite .

Does the different classification mean something . No it doesn't really . In general it is still granite and might be just as strong or stronger as other ones who are real granite . A granite is a stone formed from from magma from a vulcano . Depending on the pressure and the minerals inside it gives different colors and different qualities . Some have more open pores then others , making it more possible to stain . A bit of looking on the internet can give you many info about any type of granite you want , just type in your desired name/color .

[craigt3365]

In our rental condo, I left some glasses I had washed just sit on the counter top for a few days. They were wet and ended up leaving rings that I could not get rid of...even 4 weeks later when we moved out. Crazy.

About that time, we were picking out granite counter tops for our remodel. The builder took us to Boonthavorn and discussed "good" vs. "bad" granite. Some of the cheaper stuff will stain easily. I guess it is more porous? He has a lot of experience with this and obviously didn't want us coming back at him with problems. So, we bought a higher grade and it is working out great. It doesn't seem to stain easily...at least not yet!

P.S. Boonthavorn is great here in Pattaya. The main sales guy speaks great English and was fantastic to work with.

[sezze]

Boonthavorn , i saw the site many times and they do have a lot of stuff . They are however , just like Homepro and Homemart very expensive ( sometimes unavoidable sometimes , due to the large amount of items they have in stock ) .

[trogers]

Boonthavorn , i saw the site many times and they do have a lot of stuff . They are however , just like Homepro and Homemart very expensive ( sometimes unavoidable sometimes , due to the large amount of items they have in stock ) .

Yup...I know I can buy rice directly from farmers at Bt5/kg instead of Bt26/kg selling at Tesco.

[katabeachbum]

cheap granite can crack at as low temp as 100C, while excellent quality can manage +200C. Try leaving a hot kettle on it, and you ll see what quality you have