Benefits of Granite
1. Resistance to Scratching & Chipping
Granite is genuinely rock-hard. This durable surface will not scratch, chip, or break. During the countertop fabrication process, it takes steel-cutting lasers to power through this stone because t’s THAT strong. If you’re worried about rowdy kids or nights entertaining, you don’t need to stress over whether this surface will scratch or chip – the durability of granite is guaranteed.
2. Easy to Clean
Keeping your spaces spotless, particularly kitchens and bathrooms, is always a top priority. Granite countertops make this easy. One of the main granite advantages is that all you need is a simple solution, even just dish soap and a soft cloth to get this surface clean. It will be spotless and shining with little to no effort. Plus, it’s resistant to dirt and bacteria – perfect for your kitchen bakeoffs.
3. High Affordability
Even with such a wide variety of stones available, did you know granite is generally the most budget-friendly surface that we offer? With an estimated 30 years life expectancy in your home/office, granite is a budget-friendly investment.
4. Resistance to Stains, Heat, and Moisture
Still wondering, “is granite durable?” Not only will this surface not chip or scratch, but it’s also resistant to heat, stains, and moisture. Is granite stain-resistant? Yes! Granite is a porous stone, so it does require sealing to ensure it is stain resistant. This sealant will need to be reapplied yearly, but this is a comparatively small task as it guards against all of those coffee and wine spills that are sure to occur over the years.
Plus, granite is so durable that you can set your hot pans down on it without causing it to warp. And if it can take the heat, moisture is sure to be no problem, too. While we recommend wiping up spills as soon as you see them, your granite won’t be harmed or discolored in the process.
5. Granite Counters are Perfectly Flat
Ideal for all your cooking and baking needs, granite countertops are completely flat – making for the perfect, even surface for you to take on all your culinary dreams.
6. Adds Value to your Kitchen
Investing in your kitchen is a sure-fire way to increase the value of your home, and a high-quality feature like granite can instantly upgrade your space. Investing in this countertop choice will help you see an increase in your home’s sale price if and when you decide to move.
7. Granite is Family-Friendly
We know the kitchen is where a lot of memories are made, and countertops must withstand all the spills, drops, and bustling bodies that come with that. If you’re wondering, “are granite countertops good for families,” the answer is a resounding yes. The durability of granite allows it to withstand any spill from a child, the accidental setting down of a hot pan, and even the claws of pesky pets getting up on the counters. Your granite surface will serve as the perfect durable stage for your memories to take place.
8. Each Granite Slab is Unique
Since granite is a natural material, no two slabs are alike. This means whichever you choose will be entirely unique to your space, offering a custom kitchen finish that no one can mimic. This is a big benefit of granite countertops as you can seamlessly find a slab that embodies your individual style for a memorable finish to your space.
9. Granite Countertops are Repairable
Never fear – if your countertop takes a big hit and needs repair, this is doable. Typically, the granite countertops used in kitchens are durable and won’t easily break, but every now and then, accidents happen! A professional can handle the repair and get countertops back in tip-top shape – it’s no problem at all.
Granite
Granite is a durable and very hard surface that can last a lifetime when cared for properly. It is not susceptible to scratches, is highly resistant to stains and won’t absorb liquids when it is properly sealed. Each stone shows the true beauty of Mother Earth and adds depth and personality that man-made surfaces simply cannot capture..
Did you know granite is heat resistant? When you set down a hot pan fast, granite can take the heat without being damaged or weakened. In the bathroom, placing a hot hair tool on the surface won’t be a problem.
Granite
Quartzite
Quartzite is a very hard metamorphic rock that originated as sandstone. Through a process of high heating and pressurization, sandstone is transformed into Quartzite, an extremely strong and durable natural stone. When heated, individual quartz pieces recrystallize giving it a beautiful and decorative sparkling pattern. Quartzite is ideal for any countertop surface due to its strength and long-lasting composition. Consider quartzite countertops for its strength, beauty, and overall durability.
Quartzite is heat resistant, doesn’t scratch or etch like some surfaces can, and being a natural product, each slab offers exquisite one-of-a-kind looks to give your countertop a personal signature. In an impressive array of colors, and veining that runs soft and subtle to bold and beautiful, watch this short video and rediscover one of Mother Earth’s richest treasures.
Benefits of Quartzite
1. Budget Friendly
We know you have a budget in mind for your project and whatever that budget amount is, there is very likely a quartzite option that fits within that. Quartzite countertops come in a range of prices, so if you are looking for something exquisite that won't break the bank, quartzite countertops in Capital Granite & Marble LLC, could work for you.
2. Strong and Durable
Quartzite is a natural stone that is similar to granite in regard to hardness and porosity. With quartzite, you will be able to have a completely natural countertop material that can withstand heat and other damage as long as it is sealed and cared for.
If you want something durable that will stand the test of time better than many other products, quartzite is a great choice. Because it is so strong, quartzite is also highly resistant to scratches. Other products such as granite and manufactured quartzite are also scratch resistant when sealed and maintained properly. Even if you do choose a countertop material that seems invincible, it’s still a good idea to always use a cutting board.
Quartzite is highly resistant to UV rays, which is fantastic if you’re using it in an outdoor setting or in a room that gets tons of direct, natural light. You won’t have to worry about fading at all.
3. Stain and Dirt Resistant
As long as you keep your quartzite countertops sealed about once a year, they will be able to withstand stains. Just clean up spills as they happen like you would with any other material and your quartzite countertop will maintain its shine.
Because quartzite is a completely natural material, stains can go below the surface without a proper seal. When it’s sealed as often as it should be, cleanup is a breeze.
4. Beautiful Aesthetics
If you want natural beauty in your home, you can’t go wrong with quartzite. The slabs are literally mined from the earth’s crust and later cut into the perfect shape. Quartzite’s color is usually white or gray, but it is possible to find other colors as well. The other colors in the quartzite mean iron oxide or other minerals impacted the color.
Natural also means you won’t find two slabs that are exactly the same. You will find different streaking and patterns from slab to slab because of the different degrees of pressure that occurred during its formation. While you may not have the color choices you would get with other materials such as quartz, you know what you get will be high quality, completely natural, and unique.
5. Low Maintenance
Cleaning quartzite countertops is simple. Soap and warm water will make the surface look fantastic. There isn’t a need for unusual cleaners. The only thing to consider is you’ll need to clean up spills fairly quickly, but most of us do that anyway.
6. Color Availability
As a natural stone, quartzite countertops are more limited in its color choices than man-made materials like quartz or solid surface countertops. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of really pretty color choices to choose from.
Because of the way the stone is formed–from sand that is heated to form a solid slab–the base color of quartzite is typically white or cream, though it can also look more beige. Aside from the greys and browns, you can also find hues of green, blue, and even red. These colors are imparted from the minerals in the earth where the stone is formed. Nature’s paintbrush can make slabs that are stunning and vivid in color.
Van Gogh Macaubas has streaks of blue and yellow against a creamy white background, while Azul Macaubas is a sea of blues with hints of white and cream. Amazonite quartzite is a blend of soft greens and whites, and there are even shades of pink for fans of the color.
If you’re looking at quartzite for your kitchen countertops, look at more than just the price. Look at the benefits like super durable surface for your hardworking kitchen, a great selection of color choices, and the fact that it’s the hardest material you can get. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great stone for kitchens that get a lot of use and it will look great for years to come.
Quartzite
Benefits of Marble
1. Extremely Durable
Although marble requires more maintenance than granite, it doesn’t mean that it’s not lasting. Due to its combination of strength and beauty, marble has been used as a building material for centuries.
Some monuments were constructed from it hundreds of years ago, and they are still standing. If the stone was fragile, these buildings won’t be standing.
2. Low Maintenance
As mentioned above, compared to quartz and granite countertops, marble requires more care. This is because it’s porous, which makes it more prone to staining and etching. While this is the case, it doesn’t mean you have to go out of your way to keep the countertops looking great.
First of all, you don’t need any specialty cleaner. To clean marble countertops, use dish soap or any other mild cleanser and a soft cloth. Stay away from harsh cleansers such as bleach and vinegar.
When spills happen, especially those resulting from wine and deep-colored liquids, wipe them immediately. You don’t want your countertops getting stained, do you?
When you notice a stain, use hydrogen peroxide to rub it away. Remember that hydrogen peroxide can etch the surfaces, so rinse it thoroughly once you are done.
3. Cool to Touch
This is a unique quality that makes it a staple in a chef’s kitchen. The cool stone surface makes it ideal for rolling out the pastry, so the butter doesn’t heat up and compromise the integrity of the dough. The cool nature of the countertop also makes it easy to prepare other foods.
4. High Affordability
Due to its beautiful nature, marble looks extremely high end and unaffordable. When you are on a budget, you can’t imagine it in your house.
It comes as a surprise that marble countertops cost less than granite, quartz, and other natural stone countertop materials. Although, costs vary depending on the type of countertop and thickness, marble is more affordable than you can imagine.
5. More Design Options
Are you looking for a worktop that requires more than basic fabrication? Marble is your best bet. Marble is soft hence easy to work with. This means you can easily create countertops with fancy edges or give your countertops extra fabrication.
6. Aesthetically Beautiful
This is the major selling point for the countertop. The bright white color of the countertop dramatically improves the look of any home. The white color also makes a room appear larger, which contributes to its elegance.
7. Resistance to Heat
Unlike other countertop materials, you can place hot pans and pots on the marble surfaces and not worry about the surfaces staining or getting damaged.
While this is the case, you should note constant exposure of the countertops to heat puts them at the risk of cracking. Even if the countertops can withstand a lot of heat, always have trivets and pads in place where you place the hot pots and pans.
8. Marbles are Bright
The countertops have a natural glow that reflects light in a room. This makes it an ideal countertop replacement. If you have a small kitchen or bathroom that you would like to make appear larger and brighter, marble would be the best choice.
Marble
For centuries, marble has been a hallmark of luxury and tradition. From architecture to artwork, marble is an ideal building material since it is capable of bearing immense weight. Just think of all those stunning marble columns in ancient architecture! Marble is a metamorphic stone, created when limestone is subject to enormous amounts of heat and pressure over long periods of time. The Parthenon in Athens, Greece, the Taj Mahal in India, and the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. were all constructed with marble, and are regarded as some of the most stunning buildings and structures in the world. Today, marble is still used in architecture – in commercial buildings, places of worship, and more.
Because marble occurs in very large deposits that can be hundreds of feet thick, it’s usually harvested in enormous slabs directly from the sides of mountains, making it ideal for large applications, such as kitchen countertops. Each slab is unique and there’s a great deal of variation from one segment to the next, so every marble countertop, backsplash, and tabletop is truly one-of-a-kind. And in the case of the classic white marble, the bright shade gives the kitchen a fresh, clean sparkle and can brighten up a space with less natural light.
Marble
Quartz
Quartz is made up of about 90 to 95 percent ground up quartz, mixed with about 5 to 10 percent polyester resin and polymers as a binder with pigments for color. It is one of the hardest and most abundant minerals on earth.
One of the advantages of using Quartz is the abundance of color options and the consistency in the slabs, unlike natural stones. Since pigments are added in the manufacturing, there are unlimited colors available, which is not so with natural stones.
Another major advantage is that quartz is nonporous, which means it’s resistant to mold and bacteria. The stone will not harbor harmful bacteria from raw food. In a kitchen this can be a major advantage, particularly for those who are physically challenged. Quartz does not require regular polishing and sealing so it almost maintenance free, other than washing it with warm water and a mild soap.
Benefits of Quartz
1. Strength and Durability
Many homeowners have a vision in their head that’s tough to counter – and it often features marble or stone countertops for their sleek and modern elegance – and we totally get that. Stone is beautiful and loaded with unique character, but natural stone materials also require ample maintenance, regular applications of stone sealant: Quartz is 2 times per year compared to granite and 4 times per year compared to marble.
Natural stone is also prone to scratching and chipping over time, you begin to see the vast strength and durability advantages of quartz countertops. Unlike granite, for example, quartz is easy to care for and is similar in scope to the visual appeal of natural stone. It’s also non-porous, and resists bacteria and mold.
In terms of strength, quartz is by far the most durable surface available on the market today thanks to its high percentage of quartz mineral content in combination with hard resins. In fact, quartz is approximately twice as strong as granite, and retain an element of flexibility that allows them to slightly warp and adjust to their surroundings. Quartz is also heavier and more structurally sound than its granite cousin.
2. Popularity and Sustainability
Part of the reason quartz is so popular is its relative Eco-friendliness and reputation as a lifelong investment.
Since quartz is so abundant in the Earth’s makeup, it’s a sustainable material, although it’s certainly not a renewable resource. Environmentally, the acrylic resins and polymers used in the creation of quartz are a byproduct of the petroleum, but many mining companies are committed to refining and improving the conditions of their sites, meaning positive change is in the works.
The popularity of quartz in recent years is thanks to its extremely durable nature that makes it a perfectly suited countertop material for very high-traffic areas like the kitchen. Further, quartz is also stain resistant and heat resistant.
3. Cost Effectiveness
The old saying "you get what you pay for" never met a quartz countertop, we suppose. Quartz is a marvel of strength and durability, while fetching prices nearly half as much as marble, for example. Marble can sell for as much as $75-250 per square foot, and granite for as much as $45-200 per square foot – while the cost effective popularity of quartz can fetch as much as $55-155 per square foot, and as low as $40-90 per square foot installed – as noted by Houzz.
Quartz is also cost effective thanks to its lifelong legacy as a one-time investment. Quartz is ridiculously hard and durable, giving it a lifespan of many decades. Install once and never worry about damaging or replacing your countertops again – making it a worthwhile investment that retains its value and has a positive impact on the resale value of your home.
4. Style and Beautiful Aesthetics
All engineered products will inevitably vary slightly less than their natural counterparts, and this can have an impact on the visual splendor of your countertops, but the advances to quartz coloring, patina, and manufacturing process are gaining massive ground on the visual allure of quartz.
Capital Granite & Marble LLC's 2021 Metropolitan Collection is nothing short of jaw-dropping, leading the industrial-inspired trend with 7 unique colors that are indecipherable from natural stone.
Quartz can be engineered to look exactly like Calacatta marble, natural granite, shale, and even solid surfacing, giving homeowners complete control over the visual style of their dream kitchen while harnessing the power, strength, and cost effective prowess of quartz.
With undisputed strength, durability, style, a dedication to sustainability, and rampant popularity under its wings, quartz is poised to continue its ascent to the throne of coveted countertop materials in 2018 and beyond. Its adaptability and beauty make it one of the most sought after and savvy choices the discerning homeowner can make to elevate their dream kitchens to new heights.
5. Quartz is Non-Porous
Quartz countertops are made from roughly 90% quartz, and this benefits you in two ways.
First, quartz is non-porous which makes it stain resistant. This means that as long as liquids are wiped away soon after a spill, there shouldn’t be any concern. Natural stones are porous and will absorb liquids and moisture (without sealing). Over time, a kitchen countertop may absorb oils, wine, juice, and other substances that will be difficult to remove. This is because the pores let the substance in below the surface where it can’t be wiped away.
The second benefit of the non-porous nature of this countertop is the fact that it won’t require sealing. To help prevent stains in other materials, it needs to be sealed periodically. This is time consuming and if left undone, can harm the material. Quartz doesn’t require sealing, so it takes less work to have in the home.
6. Low Maintenance
In addition to being non porous, quartz countertops are also low maintenance. Any spills can be quickly wiped up, so no scrubbing, poultices, or special cleansers are required. In fact, while stone needs very special cleansers to avoid things like etching - the removal of surface particles from the stone - quartz can be cleaned with your basic household cleansers, or with soap and water. It is scratch and stain resistant, so you’ll think about it and its maintenance a lot less.
7. Reduced Imperfections
If you take a close look at a slab of granite or marble, you’ll notice many small naturally occurring imperfections. Pits, fissures, cracks, and color streaks are present in nearly every type of stone. Some may be small, some may start small and grow over time, and others are noticeable right from the beginning.
Quartz countertops are made with precision, using controlled quantities of materials, as well as quality control and care which minimizes the occurrence of pits, fissures, and other imperfections that so often show up in stone countertops.
Quartz
Stone Options
Which is the best surface for YOU?
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