Question for old folks: granite and hardwood, long term trends

[gzz]

Midwest of the 1990s everyone had carpet and some variant of petrochemical based countertops. Even the nicer new places. No hardwood floors in any house I can think of built between 1960-1990.

My grandmother’s house built around 1960 was high end and large for that era. It’s original hard plastic countertops in the kitchen and baths are still in perfect new condition after 60 years. They are still bone-white without any stains. (The aluminum and acrylic master bath shower enclosure are also completely perfect.)

Granite now isn’t that much more expensive that other choices. When did that happen? Or was it available but just out of style?

Perhaps the opening of China is to thank for cheap granite?

Hardwood floors never completely went out of style, but I feel there was a period from about 1955 to 1995 when they were relatively unpopular.

[spdrun]

Depends on where — in NJ and NYC, wood (hardwood or parquet) never went away at all. Carpet was seen as cheap crap for rentals. Maybe it has to do with climate. When you come in with wet/dirty/snowy shoes, crappet is not ideal.

[FlyerInHi]

Granite is cheap thanks to China and innovation. The industrial diamond blade makes it possible to slice through boulders of granite like butter.

Granite is busy and old fashioned looking. It works in some applications but if you want something to stand the test of time, go with quartz. I am remodeling my condos with the plan not to have to do again until I die.

In a world of commodities, material is not as important. Good design is.

I use tiles in bottom floors and luxury vinyl upstairs.

A 1960s house would be an awesome remodel opportunity. Mid-century modern is making a comeback and good design will last decades.

[spdrun]

Stainless steel countertops (maybe over plywood for noise attenuation). Resistant to virtually anything, cheap if you buy castoffs from a restaurant supply place, and once they scratch enouh, they become dull but look decent.

[Coronita]

Go visit HCabinet in Scripps Ranch or Miramar to see for yourself.

[gzz]

“A 1960s house would be an awesome remodel opportunity.”

Grama’s house in a time warp. Everything well maintained until it breaks, and origional if it didn’t.

The wood paneling in the living room is still there. I don’t think the interior has ever been repainted.

[moneymaker]

My grandparents had wood paneling. Now about the only time I see it is in a mobilehome. I think it runs about $80 per sheet which is way more expensive than dry wall. We have hard wood floors and butcher block counters with a granite island, tile in kitchen and baths. That’s the way the house came and I am happy with it the way it is. When I go to an open house I always see the exact same flooring a grey wood looking laminate.

[FlyerInHi]

I love the mad men 1960s look. It’s back in style in a big way.

[svelte]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7081345/How-living-rooms-changed-six-decades.html

[Coronita]

where do you guys go for granite locally in SD?

[Author]

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