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

Do you need water heater repair? In many situations,these systems will begin not working well due to normal wear and tear. In other cases,though,you may find it possible to improve the function of your system through regular maintenance. The most important thing to do when your system is not working well is to call in a professional. Though you think you may know what’s wrong and how to fix it,this type of system is best left to the professionals in nearly all cases. What should you know before getting things fixed?

The Water’s Too Cold

One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to water heater repair is not taking a look at their system before calling for help. Often times,especially when you have warm temperatures but not hot temperatures,this is due to the thermostat being set improperly. Be sure to look at it and see if it’s changed or if you can increase it. This is all you may have to do before the system gets back on and working the way you want it to. In other cases,that thermostat may not be working properly at all.

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It’s Not Turning On

It is possible that this system could be malfunctioning due to a serious problem. In other cases,the gas line may be blocked. You may also need to reset it. Check the owner’s manual to learn how to do this on the specific system you have. It’s a good idea to invest in this type of repair from a professional if your system is getting power and still is not turning on.

Emergency plumbing service

It’s Making Noise

If you hear clanks and pounds coming from within the system,chances are good that there is a buildup of sediment at the bottom of the tank. This can be problematic in the long term. It is a good idea to either drain the tank and clean it or to allow a professional to handle it for you. You don’t want to keep that sediment present because it can further damage the tank and make a small repair a much more costly one.

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Should you get water heater repair or just replace the system? Don’t make that decision without talking to a professional about what’s wrong and what it will cost to get things back up and running again. You may find that it is possible to save a significant amount of money replacing a very old system with a more modern,efficient one. However,that’s not always necessary,especially when you don’t want to pay more money upfront.