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I used Rustoleum Tub & Tile about 5 years back, on our three decade - old house/bathroom in Blor. Avoided all the dust associated with tile breakage, the cement stage and fixing. This covers fittings and ceramic-ware as well. The glossy 'porcelain' finish is holding up just fine. It cost me Rs 1800 a litre in Dubai

Has anyone explored use of Corian Solid Surface counter tops for their kitchen? Any feedback on whether one should or should not go for it?

I am fed up of the typical black granite counters and the way they look. Wanted lighter colours for brighter kitchen.

Can I use lighter granite slabs for the counter top? Here's what a dealer told me:

"Light granite colour are porous and have iron content....it will start rusting in patches with use"

Corian is a fantastic product, well established overseas - (for decades even). We have only Corian, in fact. No Granite options as such. Blindly go for it

Do you have pictures you can share of your corian counter? Any downsides to it based on your experience so far?

Oh that will take some time, since I'm currently in India. But you can look up tons of pics I guess

Oh ok, so this is at your place in Dubai. I have been reading lots of conflicting info online. And most people in india seem to gyrate to either granite or quartz. Does corian scorch easily with heat? What about staining related issues in an Indian kitchen?

The material doesn't burn nor strain. Thats its beauty. Very easy to maintain/sturdy. Anyways, we dont keep stuff directly on counter

We have had dark coloured granite kitchen countertops always - first it was black, then green, then replaced with chocolate brown when we renovated again! All of them have been resistant to stains.

I've been intrigued by epoxy-pour (self leveling) countertops - tons of videos on YouTube, especially of a company named Leggari products (many DIY videos too). I don't know if there are vendors in Bangalore who do such work with epoxy resin. But these looks fabulous :thumbs up

Back here again. Been a bit to and fro with this counter top thing.

Which granite did you finally opt for? Do you have pictures? I have been told to stick with galaxy black or black granite as they are non porous (technically this stone is apparently not granite at all).

My biggest concern is choosing something against the person who is going to use the kitchen and then getting flamed for it later.

I would have explored more about Corian if I could have afforded it. It was very slim in width and yet sturdy enough for our heavy pots and pans. If I had been more serious about it, I would have done what I did with every non-granite option- get a small sample home and put oil and turmeric over it for some time as well as try scratching it.


I have a brown shade of granite which they call Coffee Pearl. Now each store can call different stones with the same name especially considering even the lots of granites are different based on when they are quarried. Have attached a picture but it doesn't really show the deep patterns it has. Neither is it as busy as it is looking in the picture (infact the picture is making it look unattractive), I find it very beautiful :)

There are many non-black Granite options I have seen and been used in family including a shade of red (or maroon) which has lasted since last 30 years. Haven't seen any rust/ oxidation in that slab.

Am also attaching a few pictures of light quartz and light stone which I didn't use as they stained with oil left over for few hours. I was so tempted by them as they change the look of a kitchen but like I mentioned in an earlier post, we were not willing to bet changing our lifestyle to try and maintain it.

I've been there and done that. Luckily, my better half also wanted something other than the standard black, so got a reddish pinkish granite.

Heard all the same caveats, but went ahead. The only thing I did was put some Silane compound (Zycosil+ IIRC) to waterproof the granite. I have no idea if it helped in any way. But we are quite careful, so no stains so far. But you will get stains from something or the other around the sink (algae?) so it has darkened a bit. I feel it was worth it.

There are Corian type artificial stones, (some Korean make) but quite expensive. There is also engineered quartz (I don't know if this is the same as Corian). Granite is so cheap, you can replace it with a new piece if the old one gets stained. Sorry, I don't have pics right now of the granite top, will try to post sometime next week.

Granite has particles of quartz distributed throughout. So if you glance it at an angle you will see specs on the surface. The hardness varies. Here is a link to granite slabs
https://www.regattagranitesindia.com...natural-stone/

There seem to be mixed reviews when it comes to Quartz Stone for Kitchen counter top. Few say it is not heat resistant but some users say not an issue post using it for for 3-4 years. Would like grey or khaki shades to go with the modular kitchen shades I have in mind. Any idea if we would get grey or khaki shades for Granite slabs in Bangalore. If so which area or dealer will have these in stock to check for samples.

Also would like to have a wooden swing (plank type) in the hall. Could anyone please point to dealers who are good and can make sturdy ones to last many years?

Also, any specific areas or dealers to check for tiles for kitchen, bathrooms and vitrified tiles for floors?

Guys!
It's been 11+ years since we constructed our home in B'lore and it's time for re-polish for our windows(42) and doors(27). The window frames are done in 'Sal' and shutters in 'Teak' wood. The wood finish was, melamine on the inside and paint on the outside for all the windows. The doors were done with melamine inside and out. Now, the inside polish on 'Sal' window frames have come out like 'peels' BUT shutters have some melamine finish left. As I wasn't there when the windows/doors were polished, later came to know they had applied some powder to the frames and polished the same along with shutters to get similar look.

Now, would like to know how to go about the re-polish and NOT face the issue of 'peel' on the 'Sal' window frames in future.

- Would it be better to paint the frames and polish the shutters with melamine? Can we get similar look?
- Some of the polishers, I consulted, advised me on MRF exterior PU polish which is long lasting BUT expensive.
- As the house faces west, am thinking of having the 5 windows on the front to be polished with MRF exterior PU. Does the rain/sunshine make the MRF exterior PU deteriorate faster?
- Also, the advise is about MRF exterior PU for doors which is exposed to the elements.

Please advise!

Yes you will get granite slabs in grey and khaki (close colours) You can go to any dealers on Bannerghatta Road, Jigani, Sarjapur road etc. I have bought previously from HMG Lalbagh Road as their service and quality of stone i found superior in terms of lesser defects in the slab. Please do inspect slab thoroughly in proper light.

Before putting a swing you will have ascertain if there are support hooks already provided in the roof to support the load.

Tiles you can visit the company showrooms of Kajaria, Somany, Johnson etc and select the pattern you want. there are also major dealers in all areas of Bangalore for tiles.