There are a lot of different ways that you can show that you are a fan of your favorite sports teams. From jerseys,to collectables,to even tattoos,fans have shown their appreciation for the teams that they love in a variety of ways. Perhaps no other thing proves your fandom than having some exclusive memorabilia from your team or its players. Owning a piece of sports memorabiliahistory can be invaluable to someone who cherishes it,and a lot of people will go to great lengths just to get it. Maybe you have a signed baseball,a game used hockey stick,the gloves from your favorite wide receiver,or even a signed pair of shoes from your favorite basketball player. No matter what it is,you want to display it proudly,and let the world know exactly what it means to you.

Securing Your Items

In times past,it was difficult to make sure that memorabilia was stored in a way that kept its integrity. It’s no secret that things can deteriorate over time,especially if it isn’t cared for. Now,people have display cases,or sometimes entire rooms,dedicated to displaying memorabilia. It’s important to understand how lighting,dust,and excessive handling can compromise the integrity of your items. We all remember the scene in the movie The Sandlot,where a child decided that a Babe Ruth autographed baseball was ok to play with. Make sure to avoid these circumstances and have your prized possession secured properly.

Lighting and Dust

It doesn’t matter if you have a “man-cave” or just a dedicated display case,take the time to make sure that the conditions are right for storage. Have soft lighting around the items,and refrain from direct sunlight. Also,consider plastic casing around your items to prevent dust,and acting as a barrier between the items and people’s hands. The oils and dirt that are on our hands can severely damage fragile items and will cause lettering and fragile materials to deteriorate over time. With a solid casing,you are eliminating these possibilities.

Check Its Authenticity

The last thing you need to worry about,or maybe the first thing depending on how you look at it,is how to make sure that the item you own is authentic. If you got the item directly from the athlete,or the sports organization,then you 100% know that it is legit. If you go through a vendor though,it can be different. Unfortunately,there are a number of people looking to make a quick buck through fake items. Make sure you are getting a certificate of authenticity with your items if you are planning to buy them from a store,or if you have the means,get it appraised yourself. Getting an authentic piece of memorabilia from your favorite team or athlete is amazing,just make sure you are getting the real deal,and are storing it in the best way possible.

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