There are few design elements that spark heated debate and divide homeowners as much as granite and quartz. Don’t believe me? Tune into any show on HGTV and you’ll likely hear the prospective buyer/renter wax poetic about their preferred counter top material and shun the other vehemently. But is one really better than the other or is it merely a matter of aesthetics?

To help break down the granite vs. quartz quandary,we thought up five categories to help show the differences between both. By the end of this article,you can decide which one you prefer. Before we get into all of that though,exactly what is granite and quartz?

Granite is a very hard stone and 100 percent natural. It’s mined from quarries all around the world,cut down to a manageable size,then afterwards polished to a fine finish.

Quartz is slightly different because it is not 100 percent natural. Instead,countertops are produced using 95 percent ground natural quartz and 5 percent polymer resins.

Now that you know the basics,let’s see how they compare against one another.

1: Appearance
Granite

Granite comes in various colors and patterns due to the way it’s formed (cooling and strengthening of molten materials). Whether you’re looking for a subtle complement to your kitchen or a standout slab with unique mineral inclusions,there is an almost unlimited selection to select from and no two granite countertops are the same.

Quartz

Among the main reasons quartz has exploded in popularity is because of appearance. Quartz has the look of stone while also allowing property owners to customize the design. While granite offers many options in regards to appearance,you may have to search for the right piece that matches your color scheme. With quartz,the selection process is a lot easier.

2: Price
Granite

According to HomeAdviser.com,the average cost to purchase granite and have it installed can cost between $2,000 and $4,000. You can save money by purchasing the material from a wholesaler and doing a portion of the preliminary work yourself but the actual fabrication and installation of the countertops should be left to a professional.

Quartz

Depending upon the quality of quartz and style of edging,HomeAdvisor.com places the average cost to install quartz countertops between $1,500 and $5,500. You can do some of the preliminary work to save money,but because engineered quartz is heavier than other stone surfaces,a professional installer needs to make sure the space is structurally sound.

3: Environmentally-Friendly
Granite

The only way granite ends up in your kitchen is if it’s quarried which uses a lot of energy. If you select a high-end slab from Italy,for example,there will be considerable transportation involved. Try using indigenous stone when possible or visit salvage shops for pieces that can be cut to fit your needs.

Quartz

Since quartz is engineered,it can be more environmentally-friendly than granite if you use regionally manufactured stone and local fabricators. This cuts down on the distance the material needs to be transported.

4: Maintenance
Granite

Granite countertops should be cleaned daily with soap and water or a mild household cleaner. Some oils and acids can stain so do your homework first to avoid stains. To ensure the longevity of your investment,consider having your countertops resealed once a year.

Quartz

Like granite,you’ll wish to clean any spills on quartz countertops with soap and water or a household cleaner,but that’s about it in terms of maintenance. The solid surface means that there is no need to have your countertops resealed.

5: Durability
Granite

Granite is a durable material that’s resistant to heat and many other kitchen elements. Due to its porous nature though,there can be some staining if spilled liquids are left sitting and damage can be done if your counter receives a high impact blow.
Quartz

Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus,more durable. In point of fact,quartz is nearly indestructible,and because it isn’t porous like granite,it’s easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat,so use heating pads at all times.
If you ‘d like to explore the differences yourself,contact Peakstone Granite at (336) 324-2875 or visit them at http://PeakStoneGraniteMarble.com

A Mexican tile mural is a work of art and imagination that is durable enough to hang above a kitchen back splash,in the shower area or in the courtyard. They are functional,beautiful,and affordable and can also create attractive additions to walls in hallways and living rooms.

These murals can be integrated into a larger tiled wall or they can stand alone on a different area. The tiles are usually hand painted,generally using very bright colors,which is important to keep in mind when planning how a tile mural might fit into a room(s) in your house.

The murals are made of standard Talavera Mexican tiles,but are painted in groups to show colorful depictions of flowers,landscapes or street scenes,they can even be customized from a given scene.

Talavera Mexican murals blend the best of California revival home design and architecture with Mexican artistic traditions that extend back for hundreds of years. The brightly colored murals often depict pastoral scenes from an older,nostalgic Mexico,while today’s finishes allow these murals to maintain their beauty even when placed outdoors.

When installing the tiles it is recommended to find the ideal location where the mural is going to be installed. It is recommended to start from the bottom line and up. It is best to place this tile line and then build up line by line,leaving an 1/8″ inch space between each of the tiles for grouting,which should be applied after the tin set is strong enough to hold the tiles in place. Ceramic tile tin set and grout can be found at home improvement local stores. The grout should be non-sanded preferable,sanded grout is used for 1/2″ wide grouts and over.

An advantage of ceramic tile mural designs is the fact that you can choose the size that fits in the area you are planning to install it. Other advantage includes the fact that you can remove it from the original location (as long you installed in a separate panel) if needed. A Talavera Mexican tile mural the ideal middle ground between wall murals,canvas art,and tile walls.

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