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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

This is basically the ideal leather duffle travel bag if you are spending the evening out and about, taking to a health club, or going on a weekend trip. This is a waterproof bag, so there isn`t any probability of your items becoming damaged in your travels. The bag is crafted from leather, is tear-resistant, and has an extremely thick lining. The leather is a very high-quality PU leather, making the bag quite durable. 

This is a large leather duffel travel weekender that measures 11.7 inches in height, 10.8 inches in width, and 21.2 inches long.  This feature can make it suitable for long weekend trips. Also, it opens up wide because of the angle of your zipper, rendering it very easy to store items inside the bag and unpack them when your errand or trip has finished. 

You will discover a zippered side pocket for storing small items you want to take in your trip, such as your passport, wallet, and phone charger. This side zipper is quite convenient so it helps to actually won`t have to dig into your luggage to retrieve your items. Additionally you won`t have to carry around a reduced leather duffle weekender bag along to store your smaller items. It is really an all-in-one feature. It comes down in brown, which is actually a great color for traveling since it doesn`t easily stain.

Hotels and motels are full of signs,and they’re all essential for the smooth operation of the business. From the sign out front to the ones inside the rooms,they inform guests of vital information and make things go smoothly. Here are the top five must-have signs for every hotel.

1) The main business sign. This is the big lighted sign out front that lets people know your hotel exists. For a hotel,this sign can be at the top of a pole large enough to allow it to be seen from the freeway. If the hotel’s not near a freeway,the sign will still be very large so it can be spotted by people who don’t know exactly where they’re going. This makes it easy for tourists to find the business.

More information on business signs

2) The reception sign. This is the sign that lets guests know important aspects of their hotel stay,like prices,checkout times and room options. It can be made with permanent printing or use changeable lettering. The office will usually have other signs as well. These signs will inform people if the need to use a night door after certain hours,show credit card logos or the logos of travel associations the hotel belongs to.

3) Room number signs. These basic signs are often custom made to reflect the hotel’s style,and they should all have the same design. If the hotel rooms open to the outdoors,the room number signs also need to be weatherproof. Room number signs should always be large enough to be read easily without having to walk up to each door to check it.

Read more on custom signs and banners

4) Emergency route and exit signs. Route signs are typically posted near main entrance doors,stairways and elevators. The inside of each room door also must have the exit route map clearly visible. Emergency exit signs are another necessary part of hotel signs hotel signage. These signs are the ones that say “exit” and stay lit even if there’s a power failure. They make it easy to evacuate the hotel in case of fire or other emergencies.

5) Smoking and no-smoking signs. These signs go on the outside of room doors so guests know whether smoking is allowed in each room. Whether or not guests are smokers,they like to know for sure that they’re in a room that matches their preference. Putting these signs up also helps prevent mix-ups in room assignments.

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These five sign types are some of the most essential for every hotel. Some others you will likely want are handicapped signs for specially equipped rooms,parking lot signs,and directional signs for amenities like the ice machine,pool and exercise rooms. Order all the signs you need to allow everyone to find what they need without having to ask for directions. The increased efficiency will be appreciated by hotel workers and guests alike.