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

By John Sage Melbourne

You’ve functioned all your life,placed in the hard lawns,and also now you’ve reached that factor in your life that has always felt so far away: retired life.

You need to think of this date well prior to you reach it to take advantage of your retired life years.

Begin by asking yourself when you intend to be cost-free to not need to help an revenue. Then think about,if that was to be tomorrow,just how much revenue would certainly you need past what is needed for paying off your finances?

That amount then requires to be indexed by inflation (the price that you put down as an assumption) through of time in between now and also the time that you have targeted for monetary liberty. As an example,$50,000 per annual revenue today would certainly be indexed to simply over $90,000 per year in 15 years,given an inflation price of 4%.

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Next you need to work out what amount of revenue producing assets will be called for to generate that type of annual revenue. As an estimate,multiply the above number by 20. So,$1.8 million would certainly be your target possession base to generate an annual revenue of $90,000 in fifteen years which is equal to $50,000 in present spending value. The possession value determined as called for is that amount needed for revenue producing assets and also does not include your residence,auto or watercraft or unique demands and also one off expenditures.

It’s a large ask to anticipate individuals to have a complete understanding of their retired life demands. There are a lot of unknowns and also supposition. It’s a great concept to talk with a monetary consultant as soon as you can to work out two significant points:

• What you desire from your retired life

• What you need to do now to be financially able to do those points once you retire

Once you know those points,you can put systems in position so you wind up where you intend to be.

For more information regarding developing your wealth way of thinking,visit John Sage Melbourne here.