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.

The 5 Steps You Need to Follow For Effective Visualisation

A surprising number of people think that success and money come simple. Well, the only way that happens is if you inherit it, otherwise, money does not come easy. It takes commitment, work and focus. I’m not going to attempt and charm you into thinking that you’ll be able to get what you want by ‘believing’ in it. Nope. You’re going to need to work for it.

Initially you need clarity, and to get that you need to do the real, tough work of visualisation. Yes, it’s a serious part of the wealth-building process, so be prepared to give it the time and focus it deserves. Visualisation can be broken down into 5 primary actions.

Step One: Clarify Your Objectives

I am constantly shocked by how many people I meet have no idea what their goals are. It’s crucial that you actually comprehend your own objectives. Don’t be substandard here. If your objectives are ‘to succeed’ or ‘make more money’ then you either have no creativity or you’re slouching. Believe particularly. The objectives you set requirement to be important to you, something you’re prepared to work your ass off for, and they require to be particular.

Step Two: Live the Goal

In action two, you need to picture that you have achieved your objectives. This is not daydreaming about the future. It is actually reflecting on a reality that you have produced. For visualisation to work, you should produce a vividly real understanding with your conscious and sub-conscious mind that you’ve accomplished your objectives. Push through any awkward feelings, as this is crucial to your future success.

Get yourself into a deeply relaxed state. With your eyes closed, look at your environment. Where are you? How does it smell? What does it look like? Listen to yourself engage with individuals around you. Who are they? How do they respond to you? How does your truth look now that you’ve accomplished your objectives? Relish the sensation of your life now that you’ve done what you set out to do. Let each of your senses inform you about this truth. You can do this for minutes or hours, however do it often enough that you can quickly remember it.

Step 3: Shape the Course

Now, concentrate on the very specific steps you had to take to reach that reality. Picture yourself doing the work. This is the part that can often be missed in visualisation exercises. It’s obviously important to know what you needed to do to reach your dreams.

Step Four: Take Note

When you come out of the visualisation, write it down! File each and every single step that you saw in part three of the visualisation workout. Review what you have written. This is your new life plan if you want to achieve the result you visualised.

Step Five: Take Action

Start at the beginning and don’t end up being paralysed with the fear of failing. This is not the time to procrastinate. Look at what you need to do and do it. This is your life. Do not ignore it.

Conclusion

Visualisation can be easily written off as a new age trend. I understand from my own experience and the experiences of others who have achieved great wealth that visualisation is an important and necessary action in the process of structuring personal wealth.
What do you believe? Follow me on my John Sage website and social networks to talk more about visualisation and other wealth structure tools.