Maplewood Covenant Business Which is Better Granite or Quartz?

Which is Better Granite or Quartz?

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

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Car Wraps InstallationCar Wraps Installation

Car wraps are becoming a huge marketing and fashion tool these days. Companies all over the place are starting to put custom wraps and graphic on their business vehicles to make them stand out against the otherwise bland traffic. The wraps look incredibly complex and flashy,and that’s the point. The truth is,while designing and printing these graphics is difficult and complex,the actual installation isn’t. And the removal of these graphics is even more simple. These truths can end up saving you hundreds of dollars,if you know what you are doing when you get your wrap.

There are two different basic ways to install car wraps. One is known as wet application and uses water to help apply the wrap to the car,similar to some wallpapers. While most people think that attempting a wet application is the easiest way,experts say that isn’t the case. Almost every application expert will tell you that a dry application is the way to go. This means that you simply pull the wrap over the car without anything additional.

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Once you know the way that you are going to attempt to put on your car wrap,you will want to make sure that the wrap is going to fit your car. It should obviously fit since car wraps are made specifically for certain vehicles,but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t test it. The best and easiest way to do this is simply with masking tape. Lay the sections of the wrap over your car and tape it on. Once you have all of the pieces taped on,step back and take a look at how your car will look once you are finished.

Now that you know that everything is going to work for your car you can start removing the backing of your car wrap. You will want to use a squeegee to apply the wrap to the sections of the car. You will want work slowly and use the squeegee to make sure the wrap is laying flat on your vehicle. Many people think that you should have to pull and stretch car wraps to make them fit. While the wraps are made to stretch,pulling them tight will actually create weak spots and potentially tear your wrap.

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Your next step is going to be looking over the car for air bubbles. These bubbles will ruin the appearance of the wrap on your car and will also no ensure a strong attachment to the car. The best way to solve this problem is to use a pin or needle. Poke a small hole in the center of the bubble and slowly press the air out and use your squeegee to smooth it out. Avoid using razor blades on car wraps. Cuts are hard to make small enough with a razor blade and will often form weak spots on the wrap. With these weak spots,the wrap can actually start ripping and then be useless.

Finally,now that your car wrap is on the car,you have to start cutting the wrap to allow you to open the doors,use the mirrors and operate the windshield wipers. The hardest thing about this step is make sure that you aren’t cutting too deep so that you don’t cut the paint on the car underneath. It is always better to have to make more than one cut,than put a slice in the paint of your car. If there is ever a question or hesitation when installing car wraps,always consult a professional. If you are uncomfortable with these steps,don’t attempt installing car wraps alone.

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Factors That Can Affect Self-Storage PricesFactors That Can Affect Self-Storage Prices

Self-storage facilities are rented out by UK Residents to save money. After all,it is cheaper to rent out a storage facility than getting a house big enough to fit all your items. There are a lot of factors that driveself storage prices up or down. Just like real estate,the size,location,and amenities are just some factors that affect its pricing.

The location and demand also drive up the prices. It is just simple economics. When the demand for an item is high and the supply is limited,it is inevitable that the price for that specific unit also increases. For example,because space is limited in the overpopulated city of London,it can’t be helped that the rent for both real estate and storage units become more expensive.

It is in cities like Manchester,Birmingham,Glasgow and obviously London where it is advised more to rent a storage facility. It is because it would be far cheaper to rent a storage unit for your items than to get a place that can fit you and all your items without making you look like a hoarder.

When renting a self-storage facility,the objective is to save money. That is why you should get a storage unit where your budget and cost spend is optimised. Don’t get a unit that is too big or filled with unnecessary amenities as you will just lose the money that you have saved.

Here are six factors that affect Self-storage prices. From here you can determine how you can get the best unit without burning a hole in your bank account.

  1. Size

Get a storage facility that is just the right size for you. Often,tenants get a self-storage facility that is way too big for their items. This leaves them with a unit that is filled with air and burns through their wallet. On the other hand,some get units that are too small for them which leaves them with items still that they can’t fit in their units.

Don’t just sign to a unit because it is the cheapest you can find. Get the one that is actually ideal for you and your items. It is recommended that you also organise your stuff so you take up less space.

Furniture also needs to be disassembled for their safety and to save up on space. Personally check out the storage unit that you want to get so you know how big it actually is.

Self-storage facilities come in different sizes. You can get a unit that can only fit the contents of your home closet but also there are units that can easily fit all the items of a six-bedroom house,furniture included.

  1. Location

If you have ever looked for real estate then you would know that the location is one major factor. Prices of residential areas go up the closer it is to the city. The same logic applies to storage units. Units in big cities like London,Manchester and Birmingham are more expensive than units in the countryside. The cost of a small storage unit in London can be the same cost as a large unit in a different county.

We recommend getting a storage unit that is far from the city so you can save money. However,if you’re going to store items that you will constantly need over the week,then get a unit nearer to save you time and gas money.

  1. Population

As the population numbers increase so does the price of real estate. This is because the demand for space is quite high. Student populations in the area also affect storage prices. Student towns like Sheffield,for example,have higher prices compared to non-student towns like Arbroath.

  1. Type of Unit (Indoor or Outdoor)

Choose whether you want an indoor storage unit or an outdoor type. The price will depend on what unit you choose. Outdoor facilities allow tenants to drive up and access their items from the outside thus making it more convenient and easier to go in and out. Indoor access facilities,on the other hand,can only be accessed from the inside of building premises. Outdoor access units are more convenient and far cheaper. However,certain amenities are not available with Outdoor facilities like Climate Control. On the other hand,Indoor storages may be more expensive but they are more secure and can give you many perks. Moving into Indoor facilities can also be a daunting task as you need to haul them yourself to the unit.

  1. Amenities

As mentioned before,storage units have various amenities like climate control,24/7 access and CCTV cameras. Each of these amenities has their own use – for example,climate control protects wooden furniture and old books from humidity damage and mould. 24/7 access grants you access to your items whatever time and day it is. A CCTV camera on your unit,obviously,will put your mind at ease of leaving your items. Each additional amenity will drive up the price so make sure that you get only the amenities that you really need.

  1. Duration of Stay

Your duration of stay is a factor as to how much rent you have to pay. Self-storage facilities would be more than happy to give you a discount if you intend to stay for a long period of time.


Modular Construction and Structural Parts Of A Modular BuildingModular Construction and Structural Parts Of A Modular Building

Modular construction is the practice of constructing or building the building structure using prefabricated,pre-assembled parts instead of individual elements. Modular construction is a very practical,cost effective,and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional construction. It eliminates waste by eliminating the need for materials and labor.

In modular construction uses large pieces of metal. These sections are “assembled” together to form the “frame”. These frames can be made of one material or several different materials. One popular material used in construction of this type is steel.

The frame structure is constructed with screws,which then anchor the assembled sections into place. The holes in the frames serve as entrances and exits for the sections. A variety of industrial methods are used to produce the frames,which can be one or several pieces of steel.

Prefabricated sections can be manufactured for sizes up to six by six feet. When several sections are to be installed,a smaller section is “cut” into two sections and attached to each other. When these sections are secured to each other,they are now called a “column” section.

The next section,the “pan” section,is then attached to the pan section. The pan section can also be joined to the other sections. These pan sections are not used alone but are joined together in order to create the entire frame. All of these sections must be purchased separately.

The use of modular construction uses panels to make the frame. All panels,which are made from a variety of materials,must be purchased before they can be used. Panel fabrication can be done in a variety of ways,such as via CNC machines,through hand-forging,and using sheet metal,aluminum,and fiberglass for the panels. The panels that are constructed from the frame are attached to each other via welds,rivets,or glue. These panels are then fastened into place. Each panel has either four,five,or six threaded inserts that fit into holes on the frame. The inserts then provide mechanical connections.

The vertical connections are made through rivets,screws,and hex nuts. The bottom holes are used to screw in the panels that are used in the frame. The panels can be stored in the sections until they are needed.

Sections can be purchased for all of the panels that have to be constructed. A single panel can be used for the frames,or it can be used for a variety of purposes. For example,the sections can be used to build a loft bed for a small bedroom or bathroom.

The frame and sections can be purchased together or separately. The frame sections,when purchased together,can be used to build a single room or it can be used to build multiple rooms. The frame sections can also be used to build a combination of rooms,such as a bathroom and living room or a bedroom and kitchen.

Once the frame section is built,it can be bolted to the bottom portion of the frame. An outside framing strip can then be attached to the top portion of the frame. A roof can then be constructed using the aluminum strips.

The manufacturing process of modular construction is also significantly less expensive than traditional construction. This process allows for mass production and relatively large quantities. The parts are also able to be assembled and disassembled much more quickly than with traditional construction.