Hazel P.

Quartz and Granite are the most popular and luxurious countertop options. but quartz vs granite, which is better? Granite countertops have been the darling of many homeowners and interior designs. Quartz, on the other hand, has proven to be a popular alternative for granite.

But, how do these two countertop materials compare to each other? What sets them apart?

Below are features to help you choose between Quartz v Granite countertops for your home.

Attractiveness and Style

There is no doubt that quartz and granite countertops are best. Nevertheless, there are underlying features that make them different and unique. Granite countertops are made from natural stone and this is what makes them the perfect option if you are looking for natural colors and durability.

Quartz countertops are engineered surfaces made from natural quartz and polyresin. Nonetheless, the countertops made from Quartz are incredibly attractive and come in different color variations and patterns. Since it is engineered the color combinations fit well with any style.

Care and Maintenance

Granite countertops in all their glory have one major downfall. They are porous since the granite is extracted from a natural rock. Due to this, granite countertops need to be resealed whenever they crack or chip to retain is aesthetics. On the good side, they are heat, stain, and scratch-resistant meaning they have a low maintenance cost and are long-lasting.

As for Quartz countertops, they are nonporous due to them being engineered a key factor that separates them from Granite countertops. Nonetheless, they are susceptible to excessive heat. So, if you decide to install it, avoid putting on the hot pots and hot metallic items as the resin will melt and damage the surface extensively.

Where to Place the Countertop

Quartz and granite differ when it comes to how they are affected by natural light. Granite countertops are not affected by natural light hence cannot fade unless it has been coated with resin. As for quartz countertops, they are affected by natural UV light and will fade over time mainly due to the degradation of the resin.

So, how do work your way around this problem? Place your quartz countertops in areas where they have no direct exposure to the UV sunlight. If it is not possible, you can install windows with the UV blocking capabilities to protect it.

Overall, this distinguishing feature makes quartz unsuitable for outdoor settings, unlike granite which can withstand the UV rays.

Installation Area and Seaming

Both granite and quartz countertops require a professional to install them. Still, they differ when it comes to the size of the area they are being installed on. Quartz countertop slabs have a standard size of no more than 65 inches making them inappropriate for large countertops area.

On the other hand, Granite countertop slabs are easy to work with on a large area as some can measure up to 70 Inches wide hence no need for seaming. If seaming is necessary, then a quartz countertop is the best option. With dark or solid color and a qualified professional, the seam will not be obvious.

It is important to note that granite countertops are not suitable where seaming is required.

Running a restaurant is a hard task, especially if you don’t have a functional kitchen that you can rely on. If you watched a lot of Gordon Ramsay shows, you should know by now that one of his main kitchen criticisms is not having functional kitchen equipment. There’s a lot of things that you can miss in setting up a kitchen, especially if you’re new in the industry. Continue reading to find out the importance of a great kitchen and what components are needed to have one. 

Importance of a functional kitchen in business

There’s a lot of reasons why Gordon Ramsay gets angry when you serve him food from the Microwave: and one of these reasons is a dysfunctional kitchen. If you’re always serving microwaved goods, it means that your food menu is always frozen and not as tasty compared to freshly made food. 

A functional kitchen not only allows chefs to make better food in a faster and more accurate manner. Functional kitchens also enable customer satisfaction and a lesser probability of food contamination. Here are some of the things you need to have a smooth kitchen workflow.

Four must-have kitchen equipment for professionals

1. Good workstation kitchen sink

A good Workstation kitchen sink is a must if you want an efficient workflow. Continuous cooking means the cooks will also need constant cleaning of cooking equipment. If the kitchen sink can’t handle the regular beating and usage, hot or water, and possible scratches, your cooks might find themselves in disarray every morning.

2. Spacious counters and storage area

Cooking is a very demanding job. There is always a constant need for chopping spices, cutting vegetables and meat, and more. Chances are, there is always one or two cooks that need to get into chopping. Waiting for the counter to clear out is a waste of precious kitchen time. Hence, a spacious counter a necessity in every kitchen. 

In addition to spacious counters, you must also consider getting a good storage area. Not all materials are being used each day. Efficient storage gives more shelve life to the food. It also prevents any food contamination from happening, which can be deadly depending on circumstances. 

3. Commercial oven and small appliances

Appliances and oven make cooking easier and less time-consuming. Make sure that your cooks have basic appliances like food processors and mixers for fast food turnover and a better experience (for both your cooks and the customers). The appliances you should get depends on the food available on your menu.

4. Lighting and positioning

And last but not least, the lighting and positioning of this equipment should be considered in building a kitchen. One of the most annoying things in the kitchen the lights are dim, and the cooks keep bumping into each other because of small spaces. Getting a wide space and dependable lighting makes it easier for the cooks to carry on with their tasks in the kitchen.

Any time you think of natural stone countertops, you must think marble as well as granite. There are, of course, numerous varieties of such stone-based countertops. Every option has its pros and cons. So, whether you are just remodeling the kitchen space or bathroom, or the wet bar basement, you need to compare all existing options of natural stone in the market. It would help if you also were better placed to pick one that better suits your needs.

Here is a quick comparison of the best options on the market.

Deciding the material that’s best for your remodel needs comes down to your specified needs. In the real sense, you should have a budget that is critical to making your selection. It would help if you also weighed in on the durability and maintenance of the natural stones altogether. Here are a couple of things you need to look at.

Every time you think about stone countertops, what leaps into your mind the ubiquitous squares often are separated by grout lines tore out of the last kitchen when you last remodeled the space. Of course, the pieces may have been a hassle to clean, followed by a relatively unattractive retro project.

You might have decided to replace the said surfaces with various natural stone slabs such as granite if you renovated before the housing crash. You may also have decided to renovate using engineered stone, which is also often known as quartz. Therefore, learning more about tile countertops may obviously come as a surprise as they are making a huge comeback- this is in a way that has never been witnessed.

Features and benefits

 If you look at the countertops industry, a lot has emerged over the past three years. This is mainly from sectors in Spain and Italy where there are oversized porcelain slabs similar to granite, wood, linen, in addition to other natural stone materials you may want. Just as the competitive quartz as well as solid surface such as Corian materials, it is clear that porcelain slab slots are known to be nonporous. They are therefore safe and a healthy option for the preparation of food. Unlike the two materials, we have stated earlier, though, porcelain can easily be installed outside.  

• Granite and its characteristics– This is a well-known choice for natural stone. It provides high-heat as well as scratch resistance coupled with harsh chemicals. This should not etch the surface. Granite is also easy to maintain. It needs sealing only once every other year. Therefore, if you intend to have natural stone, this is your best option. Besides, granite comes in various colors as well as patterns, including others that have taken the marble look. Cost-wise, granite is budget-friendly. It adds value to a home.

• Choosing the Right Marble for Your Needs– Marble is a natural stone. It is not just an elegant stone but heat resistant too. But when it comes to making the right selection of stone countertops, you may realize that if not correctly sealed, it could be prone to stains. You would not clean it using harsh chemicals as well since the surface will etch away. Maintenance is important. It is in-depth. For that reason, you should pick marble if you are in a position to keep up with that maintenance. Lastly, patterns are well as colors are slightly harder to find in sculpture. Therefore, you won’t have plenty of choices.  

• Solid Surface– Evidently, the solid surface looks just like natural stone. It is made of acrylic resins. Although you may find it in various colors too, it does not hold up as ideally as natural stone countertops, particularly for heat or harsh weather conditions. But one aspect you will like about this stone surface is how affordable it is.

In Closing

You can now find your ideal natural stone countertop in our office. Whether you need granite countertops, quartz, and marble, or just want to spruce your kitchen with the butcher block, we have the choices to complete your remodel successfully. Feel free to visit our showrooms to take a look. Happy shopping!

Here are a modern minimalist kitchen table that built in fireplace. Very creative idea combining a kitchen table with fireplace. a combination of a kitchen table and a stove. The table and stove both have the property of people gathered for the designer’s idea is really creative. In addition, the stove pipes run along the surface of the table. Thanks to this table Corian material is able to withstand high temperatures and cools the heat of a warm and comfortable feeling.

Kitchen cabinets, it’s the important part of your kitchen, or maybe it’s the most important thinks in kitchen. So, your cabinets must have a good design, cause, it will make your kitchen more have a good taste, when you cooks some food for your family. The kitchen design today is really of great art and style inspiration, has Kitchen design issues that made the entire room kitchen run, patterns and materials from the kitchen cabinets modern materials and a stylish, modern kitchens in many styles out there to choose out. You can your kitchen cabinets of files that are available at hardware stores or you can select your own specific flavor. own kitchen design can be applied to an innovative and unconventional style for your kitchen cabinets. Here are some ideas kitchen cabinet design. Here’s a style of modern kitchen design that may limit or your ideas for the design and kitchen cabinets are made. Named Mission Style, which is famous kitchen cabinets in the 20th Century and was a popular choice so far for people who want the flexibility and simplicity, without removing the powerful impression that kitchen cabinets.

The same American Mark Wood kitchen cabinets collection gets a new face with a different interface and door style. The doors are from Mission-style furniture inspired and chocolate cherry. Cabinet fronts on the look and provide visual interest.

Contemporary kitchen cabinets with beautiful lighting and design firms are always on board with new cabinet offer. For example, Merillat Fusion door style comes in one piece plate for a clean appearance. The simple, semi-stock cabinets can be transformed into more comprehensive versions Merillat lists and other decorative accents.

Mizuya the kitchen cabinets are made of solid Elm or Gingko salvaged wooden beams from old houses. The modular pieces can be used kitchen cabinets in different configurations and adapted for any purpose.

Here are a modern kitchen design ideas with unusual and unique decorations. A different atmosphere at kitchen design and decorating. Using an antique decor element. There are many things that simplify the tasks of kitchen such as cooking, washing dishes, and storing food and all the other things like table. To do all this stuff you need units modern kitchen, a good sink, a mixing faucet, an oven, high technology and a high quality cooler. Although what if you want your kitchen to have the look of comfort and unique? You can add decorations and antique furniture. Let’s see some photos of this Modern Kitchen Design with Unusual and Unique Decorations.