ᐅ Kitchen consultation: granite countertop and Siemens appliances?

Also, I think you can’t really go wrong with a granite countertop... However, when I was buying a kitchen, the price really put me off. Honestly, I don’t necessarily see a huge advantage either. In other words, in my opinion, the price-to-performance ratio just doesn’t add up here.

Other than that, I can only say that I once left tomatoes on my granite windowsill. At some point, they sort of “moved on their own,” and the stain never came out 😀 Whether that might apply to the granite countertop you were offered in your kitchen, I obviously can’t say xD

Take a look at the other options as well... There are also nice countertops with a granite look. Much cheaper and visually probably “almost” just as nice 🙂

The additional cost for granite is currently only €2000 (about $2150), as this granite slab is on sale at the studio right now plus Black Friday discount.
Kitchen 9 m² (about 97 sq ft) in a U-shape

The feel of a stone countertop compared to a wooden countertop with a decorative vinyl overlay is, of course, a huge difference.

What alternatives are there to granite if we exclude the standard wooden countertop with decorative vinyl?

Pwnage619 schrieb:

The additional cost for granite is currently only 2000€ as this granite slab is currently on offer at the showroom plus Black Friday discount.
Kitchen area 9sqm (97 square feet) in U-shape.

The feel of a stone countertop compared to a wooden countertop with a surface sticker is of course a huge difference.

What other alternatives are there to granite if we exclude the standard wooden countertop with surface sticker?

Well, I have no idea what the total price for your kitchen is – however, 9sqm (97 square feet) in a U-shape is not "massive," so a Nobilia kitchen is probably well under 15,000€. I think 2,000€ just for the countertop is quite expensive.

For us, it’s a plastic countertop (laminate). These are very easy to maintain and harder than wood, for example.

The downsides here are that you shouldn’t cut directly on it (which I wouldn’t recommend on any countertop) and you shouldn’t place hot pots directly on the surface. You can actually choose any pattern or finish here (depending on the manufacturer).

Personally, I find some of the patterns really beautiful – and even the marble look (for example, in our Schüller kitchen) incredibly nice! You should be able to see some samples in person. The price is definitely right here…

I’ve already written this on a different topic:

The tiled countertop I’m familiar with is made from a single tile, but it can only be up to 320cm (10 ft 6 in) long, so there are no joints. Two tiles are glued together, but reversed, so the countertop overhang looks the same from underneath as it does from above. The tile is 6mm (1/4 inch) thick, which means the countertop is only 12mm (1/2 inch) thick. Cutouts for the sink and cooktop were made using a waterjet (you can’t get that level of precision with natural stone slabs, maybe wood). There’s no problem with moisture from the sink or dishwasher.

One drawback: it’s an L-shaped kitchen, so at the 90° corners there is, of course, a joint, just like with all countertops.

Pwnage619 schrieb:

The additional cost for granite is currently only 2000€ (about $2,200) because this granite slab is currently on offer at the studio + Black Friday deal.
Kitchen 9sqm (97 sq ft) in a U-shape

exto1791 schrieb:

I think 2000€ (about $2,200) just for the countertop is quite expensive.

I find the surcharge (depending on the granite) quite reasonable. It’s not just the countertop itself. Also, all the cutouts are very labor-intensive. Example – net prices (plus installation costs):

Besides, comparing granite to a plastic countertop is like comparing a Trabant to a Benz. Both drive and use fuel. That’s about all they have in common.

Pwnage619 schrieb:

What alternatives to granite are there if we put aside the standard wooden panel with decorative film?

Engineered stone like Silestone, solid wood (also great), stainless steel, glass, ceramic, Corian, GetaCore, etc.

Benutzer200 schrieb:

I find the additional cost (depending on the granite) quite manageable. It’s not just the countertop itself. All the cutouts are also very labor-intensive. Example – net prices (plus installation costs):

Besides that, comparing it to a plastic countertop is like comparing a Trabant to a Mercedes. Both run and use fuel. That’s about all they have in common.

Engineered stone like Silestone, solid wood (also great), stainless steel, glass, ceramics, Corian, GetaCore, etc.

We also asked about the extra cost for granite out of curiosity back then. It was roughly 1,500 - 2,000€ (we have a very large kitchen).

I actually don’t find that comparison very fitting. I see the price advantage of the Mercedes, but not for the granite countertop—at least not with such a huge price difference (and yes, looking at just the countertop, that would be the difference between a Mercedes and a Trabant).

I think that due to ongoing developments in materials (see plastics, laminates, veneers, etc.), granite countertops will sooner or later "disappear," or only be affordable to those who simply can afford it 😀

In my opinion, the benefits of a granite countertop are only marginal and today more of a status symbol (you have it because it’s expensive and high quality) rather than offering a clear added value.

But of course, if someone really wants it, they shouldn’t miss out—no question!

Ultimately, everyone has different priorities when buying a kitchen. One person invests in a granite countertop and installs a range hood for $500 (about 370€). I will never understand that, but it is what it is 😀