I have to admit that I am very frugal, but I have to be with my large family. When heating and air-conditioning bills were just becoming too much to bear, I finally caved in and bought new windows that I was told were more energy-efficient. They weren't as expensive as I thought they would be, which was great news. I had them installed just before winter began, and I received the lowest heating bill for the month of November that I had received in years! I was so happy that I had those windows installed, especially after being so hesitant to spend the cash on them. I created this blog to help other frugal people like me realize that sometimes spending money on home improvements really does pay off in the long run! I am now looking into new home insulation to save even more cash!
Are you ready to replace your kitchen countertops, but are torn between using granite or quartz? It will help to know the following information about these two countertop surfaces that are currently very popular.
Manufacturing
What makes granite so unique is that the stone is sourced from the earth, which means that all of its colors and patterns are completely natural. It means that no piece of granite is going to be identical to another. The large stone is cut into thin slabs, with one side being polished to reveal its beautiful surface. Any minor cracks and holes in the granite is filled with an epoxy resin to create a smooth surface.
Quartz is different from granite because it is a man made material, which should not be confused with quartzite material that is found in nature. Quartz countertops are made by grinding white and clear quartz until it turns into a fine powder. The powder is then mixed with other ingredients, such as plastic resins, recycled glass and pigments, which is turned into a paste. The paste goes into a mold that is compressed, then dried and baked to solidify the material. The surface is then polished to reveal the patterns that are created.
Porousness
One factor of your countertops that should be very important is how porous the material is. Granite is going to be the more porous material, with it being capable of absorbing oils and liquids that rest on the surface. You should also avoid using harsh chemical cleaners on granite because it can absorb into the surface. Thankfully, you can seal a granite countertop to prevent liquids from getting into the material.
Quartz countertops are completely sealed, which makes it less likely for bacteria to grow in the countertop material or for the countertop to stain. Many people prefer quartz countertop material because it gives them peace of mind since the material requires less maintenance to keep it looking good. .
Heat Resistance
These two countertop materials are also very different when it comes to heat resistance. Granite is known for being able to resist heat, so you can place a hot pan right on the surface of the stone and not cause any damage. Quartz is quite different, since the material can scorch if you put a hot pan directly on the surface. It will require you to use a trivet so that your hot pan is not resting directly on top of the quartz.
To find out more, contact a quartz countertop fabrication service near you.
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