speedgeezer

Right on (as we used to say). We sold--halleleuia--and now we're halfway through a build, and we are voting with our checkbook. Bought granite to sex up the house we sold, but that was the only reason. Pro: looked good. Cons: expensive; cold to the touch; horrible sound when putting down metal utensils, glass, or china; finicky in regard to standing water, acidic liquids, etc. Thought about a man-made stone top, but it shares many of the same problems. Going with the solid composite. And even that is something with an eye to future resale. Frankly, we liked best the laminated surface we ripped out to put in the granite. Almost 20 years with only one scratch and one small ding. PS: Speaking of future obsolescence, what's the stylistic half-life of those glass backsplash tiles?

This is no more, nor less, than yet another government seizure of individual rights, responsibility, and risk. There is loose in the land the underlying mindset that a government large enough and intrusive enough can somehow remove all hazard from your life. Historically, such governments, given such power, have caused the deaths of many more millions of people than all the housefires in recorded history. How many times will the government--at all levels--come to you with yet another restriction or requirement in your life, with the promise of greater security? And how many times will that promise really turn out to be just increased expense, increased inconvenience--all at the price of reduced liberty? And (the real question) how many times will this happen before the people affected will cease to believe the false promise, and reinvigorate their capacity for rational, critical thinking? Not one more çode imbecility should pass into law without a review from a public panel of builders and homeowners (i.e., the poor souls who will have to implement and pay for the imbecility). Fine Homebuilding should be less gullible in regard to these touted "improvements" and "safety measures," and become more of an active advocate for sensible building standards.