shop around are came out of Chicago an was half the price they cut to your size it was a 6 hour drive but worth it I think

Silestone... it only hurt once.

My boys are in the business and most high-end kitchens end up with granite. If the weight doesn't bother you.

I did my kitchen myself in granite that was leftover from a bank building. I had it bull nosed and had the backsplash cut but I cut the slabs myself with a diamond blade. Maybe not a 100% pro job but after 20 years it looks great and it cost me 30% of a pro job.


As for durability it is the best. No stains or damage. My buddies who did marble all have stains from red wine or oil.


I don't dislike quality formica and it is easier.

Pete

Before you have to re-mortgage your home for granite and quartz , check out stone coat.

I talked to Canadian stone dealer that deals in countertops. He says that the granite often comes from China. Just something to think about.

Beautiful counter tops, Wetdog.
I have a bunch of KD sugar maple, birch and black cherry stored that I use for projects from time to time and I've been thinking of doing as you show. What do you finish them with and how hard is it to maintain?

Stone surfaces seem so klinky loud. Granite is cold. We did granite colored formica because of maintenance free and cost. We figured whoever might buy the house in the future could choose the color and material of what they prefer. Bottom line is buy what you like and can afford.

That wood countertop has a warm, authentic look.

Gryhkl, if you are making a countertop with strips of different colors, use the same wood for all pieces. Stain them different colors. They sell every color in the rainbow.
If the strips are different types of wood they will sand according to their hardness, leaving dips in the softer wood.
I learned this the hard way. I did save those countertops by pouring my final coat of oil on and letting it self level.
But that is the hard way. Many light coats is the correct way.

YouTube "epoxy countertops" and check them out...

Ol dad

Wife is planning a new kitchen. Of course it will be in a new house to be built. Ha. She says the counter tops will be Stainless steel.

[quote=wetdog]Gryhkl, if you are making a countertop with strips of different colors, use the same wood for all pieces. Stain them different colors. They sell every color in the rainbow.
If the strips are different types of wood they will sand according to their hardness, leaving dips in the softer wood.
I learned this the hard way. I did save those countertops by pouring my final coat of oil on and letting it self level.
But that is the hard way. Many light coats is the correct way.
[/quote

The woods I use will be very similar in color and grain(hard maple and birch) and will not be stained.
I think multi-colored woods glued side by side looks too busy in most any place except cutting boards-though some folks love the look.
Our kitchen has a fairly large cherry base cabinet I made a few years ago and cherry in the counter top would be too much dark wood for my taste-and I won't have to worry about sap wood.

How often do you reapply oil to the top?