Elkey Undermount Kitchen Sink. When it comes to home improvements, some present a more lasting impression than others. If you are considering upgrading to granite countertops for your kitchen, wet-bar, or bathroom, you will be delighted in the durability of your investment. Granite is beautiful, extremely durable, heat-resistant, adds elegance to any space, and will delight the cooks in your kitchen for years to come.
Granite countertops can be easily maintained by cleaning them daily with a damp cloth or a granite cleaner. A damp cloth can remove any dust, crumbs, or powders that may accumulate during the course of your day. If your granite surface is to be used for food preparation, such as in a kitchen, a daily disinfecting may be needed.
As granite naturally forms in the earth, minuscule pores and crevices form. These tiny spaces are usually invisible to the naked eye, and cannot be felt.
Your granite countertops appear to be an extremely smooth surface. However, bacteria and germs can make themselves at home in these tiny fissures. If the thought of these tiny microbes lurking in the surface of your countertops bothers you, fear not! To disinfect kitchen countertops, simply clean with hot soapy water. Again, depending on the color and make-up of your particular granite, you may notice a residual film left behind by the soap, which is easily wiped up with a clean, damp cloth.
Granite countertops in the bathroom can be cleaned in the same way. Residual smudges, streaks, fingerprints, grime, stray hairs, soap build-up and toothpaste smears can be wiped away with hot, soapy water.
Acidic cleaners can potentially bleach or stain granite, so we recommend using a soap with a neutral ph, such as a mild dish soap. Although granite is generally stain resistant, it is not totally impermeable to liquid. Water spilled on granite may soak into its surface if not cleaned up promptly. If an oil based liquid is spilled on the granite, it may leave a temporary stain which can be removed using a special paste that will draw the oil out of the stone.
To prevent spilled liquids of all types from marring beautiful granite surfaces, we recommend properly sealing your stone. The amount of time between sealing will depend on the color, nature, and use of your counter tops. If you cook in your kitchen on a daily basis, regularly entertain at your wet bar, or if traffic in your bathroom is especially heavy, more frequent sealing is recommended.
Sealer kits can be purchased at most home improvement stores and are easily applied. Most over-the-counter sealers will need to be given time to cure for proper performance. Some homeowners seek professional assistance from a licensed contractor who has access to higher grade commercial sealing products. These commercial sealers often come with warranties of up to 15 years. Those who decide to upgrade to granite countertops will want to protect their investment by keeping their new surfaces looking timeless.
Is your home ready for an upgrade that will endure? Robert Frost is essentially correct in his assessment in the fleeting nature of all things around us, which is why it is important to invest in things that have longevity and will contribute to the beauty of the space in which you dwell. Granite is less expensive than quartz. Here are some additional details to help you receive a more accurate estimate. Prices can vary based on where the stone comes from and how uncommon it is. Fortunately, the cost of granite countertops has decreased dramatically.
Knowing these going in will make you feel like a pro when you walk into the showroom or slab yard. First off, they are both extremely hard, strong materials. Granite is an igneous rock, which means it was created from molten lava. It cooled slowly, which allowed large mineral crystals to be formed. Granite often has a mottled appearance, with more than one color, because it contains a variety of different mineral crystals including quartz, feldspar, muscovite, and others.
Although quartz countertops are engineered, they also contain a variety of different mineral crystals, which give them distinctive patterns and colors. Quartz slabs may also contain other materials that change their appearance, such as pigments and other inclusions.
Quartz that looks like granite, though, contains many of the same materials, bound together with a durable resin. Since granite is a natural stone that is mined from the earth, it has an infinite variety of patterns and imperfections, making each slab truly unique. On the other hand, quartz can exemplify uniformity.
Engineered quartz slabs are designed to echo the qualities that are most pleasing. So, if you see a luxury surface that has the look of marble or concrete, chances are that it is quartz, not granite. Although the most popular shades of granite tend to be black, brown, beige, and white, nature has created an incredible color palette. These natural shades combined with its unique patterning, from subtle to bold, lend a depth and character that is difficult to replicate.
It has more surface finishing options available than quartz or most other luxury surfaces: honed, brushed, leathered, polished, and flamed. A few are available in matte. Source: A granite countertop may have a label indicating the country where it was mined: India, Brazil, etc. Quartz countertops are not mined, but manufactured typically in either the U. MSI has a huge selection of both granite and quartz countertops, so when you browse our website you can compare both and even see how it will look in your kitchen or bath alongside your choices of flooring, backsplash, and more.
Why Does it Matter? Look Variation Since granite is a natural stone that is mined from the earth, it has an infinite variety of patterns and imperfections, making each slab truly unique. Color Although the most popular shades of granite tend to be black, brown, beige, and white, nature has created an incredible color palette.
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Both types have their strong point. Granite shows slight, natural variations in the hue of the stone. Colors ranges from earth tones to blues, greens and roses. The coloration of quartz is more consistent, and it is available in a wider array of colors since they are produced with pigments added to the quartz. They are both very good looking. While natural granite is strikingly beautiful, it does have its weaknesses.
The stone needs to be sealed at installation and resealed on a regular basis. In addition, natural stone countertops including granite, slate and sandstone stain quite easily. Granite that has been sealed with a resin-based product during manufacturing will be more resistant to trouble than standard granite, but still not as resistant as quartz. Finally, granite can crack and chip more readily than engineered stone.
Both have a lifespan of years depending on the level of care they are given and how they are used. In the area of durability, engineered stone — quartz — has the advantage over granite. Natural granite countertops produce fewer carbon emissions during production than quartz countertops. Neither one emits significant amounts of radon or volatile organic compounds.
Granite has the slight edge as an ecofriendly building material. Are you still undecided about which is the best choice for your home, granite countertops or engineered quartz countertops? If so, here are some of the additional reasons given by homeowners who chose natural granite over quartz. Nothing Beats the Real Thing: This is the approach of homeowners who really enjoy having natural materials in their home.
They choose solid wood flooring instead of laminate or engineered wood.
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