Granite vs Quartz Countertops: Which One is Better?

Many homeowners took in consideration by comparing quartz versus granite countertops while remodeling or renovation on kitchen and bathroom. This article will evaluates the pros and cons between these two materials by highlighting the perspectives from sides of strengths and weakness so you will be not confusing or get dilemma to choose the better one.

Which one is more natural?

In fact, there is not apparent for difference between quartz versus granite material, but granite is known to have 100% natural stones (quartz, feldspar, and mica). The slab of this material is formed from large block in various colors and shapes. Meanwhile quartz is made from 93% natural quarts. The 7% material comes from other polymer resins and pigment in order to make it non porous.

What are pros and cons of the materials?

Quartz

Quartz is known as non porous material. Therefore many homeowners prefer choosing it because of its characteristics, scratch and heat resistant. Yes, people love to choose quartz for kitchen countertops because it requires less maintenance or continued sealing and it will not be damaged from any debris and split liquid and the patterns are admired. It also has consistent form with different choices of colors and shapes. Many manufacturers offer it as lifetime warranty product. It is understood because quartz is less prone to get staining.

The cons are on its seams because of its dimensions in manufacturing process for using higher slabs. Of course the seams can disturb the overall appearance of your countertops. It is also not easy to repair the quartz countertops although it has heat resistant. Sometimes, if you are not careful, high heat appliance such as hot pans can cause damage on countertop.

Granite

This material offers unique appearance, heat and scratch resistance. The bad sides are that it contains very little amount radon in its engineering process. Radon is known as radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. For the maintenance, granite needs to be sealed regularly (one sealing for one year). Yes, it is known as porous material so the regular maintenance is a must to prevent bacteria, virus or fluid are trapped in the porous of this material.

Conclusion

For homeowners who need easy maintenance countertops, quartz material is recommended to choose. The colors are also available for huge amounts of choices with characteristics on symmetry or consistency. So you can choose it based on your style to match it to the appearance of your kitchen including backsplash and cabinets. But for whoever loves combination of love and hate style, granite will be your primary choice because of its unique style.

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How to Clean Granite Countertops in Your Kitchen

Is there an easier way to clean granite countertops? So how can we do to do it naturally particularly in kitchen? Of course, granite can be recommended option for homeowners because it is so easy to clean and maintain it while this material is relatively durable and can improve the look of kitchen if it has beautiful and stylish design.

The first thing to do is to know the type of countertop that you have because each one has different characteristic. Here are some recommended steps on how to clean granite countertops.

Do regular maintenance

It is advised to clean as you cook by removing debris and all appliances so you can do proper cleaning for all areas by wiping up any spills and all residues such as liquids and sauces. For complete cleaning, it is advised to wash using warm water so crumbs and debris are completely removed.

Using good cleaning formula and white cloth

For better result, it is advised to use homemade cleaning formula with balanced or neutral pH (no acid or acidic chemical type). So lemon, ammonia or vinegar cleaner is not recommended due to its acidic characteristic so the surface will be taken away. Alcohol is also useful because it can be antiseptic to provide best cleaning if mixed with soap with right balance.

For white cloth, diaper and microfiber cloth is best choice for cleaning and wiping in the solution. This cloth can allow cleaning fluid to permeate and remove excess fluid by running hand over the counter.

Finding the type of stain and using baking soda

There are wide ranges of stain types. So it can be cleaned by using different ways. For tougher stains with bad odors, it is easily to clean out by using baking soda. The granite cleaning formula is also recommended if you wait for 10-15 minutes so sealant can penetrate all surface areas on countertop. But remember to wipe it using white cloth or paper tower for maximum result.

There are many tips and guides online those may be useful including for home decoration. You can do it by doing research online. Here is some video that I get from Youtube that can be your suggestion to clean granite countertops.

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Design Ideas of Glass Tile for Your Kitchen Backsplash

Are you lacking ideas of choosing glass tiles for your kitchen backsplash behind the counter area? In fact, there are wide range of choice online with awesome style, decorations and colors. There are some reasons why glass tiles are recommended to install. First, glass tile has huge amounts of varied colors. It means you will have million clues and choice with different size and shape. You can check it online to look for the suitable hardware store that provide glass tile based your needs and budget with excellent colors and dimensions for your kitchen.

Second, backsplash kitchen with glass tiles is easy to clean and maintain, compare to other materials. Remember that there will splash, messes and water while you are cooking in kitchen even you do it carefully. Third, this material is known to have resilient characteristic and durability. So it can save your money because it lasts longer more than any materials.

It will be good idea if you short in cash and want to do DIY (Do It Yourself Projects) because it is advised to put manual all each piece of glass tile by hand and this idea will save your cost. Alternatively, if you do not have capability doing DIY jobs, it will be good idea to hire reliable professional to make excellent installation. It is advised to ask him to show his past works examples to guarantee his jobs. You also can get better ideas when he is showing the examples. For affordable choice, you can see this Backsplash Kitchen Tiles Ideas article

Here are some design ideas of glass tile for your kitchen backsplash that I search online that can be your suggestions to make beautiful look of your kitchen.

Blue glass tile

The blue in the back can be great choice. The black granite with the sky blue backsplash is also recommended. As alternative, you can install blue LED light to get stunning effects to your kitchen backsplash.

Recycled Glass Pebbles

It is also unique because of its style and beautiful smooth glass. It is perfect on dry and clean areas.

Green glass tile

You can combine it with other color to get stylish mixture tiles on bamboo countertop.

Grey glass tiles

Grey color means that it tends to reflect the surrounding hues. It makes different in different areas

See other ideas of glass tiles

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Backsplash Kitchen Tiles Ideas on Affordable Price

The presence of kitchen backsplash is very important to protect the walls and cabinets from stain while you are cooking. No matter what you cook and do in kitchen, there will be splatter even you are careful person. Yes, it is placed on kitchen wall to protect wall, between cabinets and countertops.

With kitchen backsplash tiles, it is easy to clean and maintain the kitchen wall. It also improves the aesthetic value if you choose right colors and patterns. So what we should do to get reasonable price while designing kitchen backsplash. Many people suggest using ceramic type for backsplash tiles. The size in market is available for 2-4 inches for anyone short in budget. Of course, the price of tiles depends on various factors including size, pattern and color.

Here are some ideas on materials of kitchen backsplash tiles those you can choose based on needs, style and prices.

Glass Tiles

It is recommended choice because of its characteristic. Yes, glass tiles are easily to clean and durable. Custom made can be an option if you need additional decoration. In general, normal glass tiles will be on range price of $30. See this article about this tile

Mosaic Tiles

As trendy choice, this material is very popular now because it gives unique look and adding values to your kitchen appearance. The price is relatively affordable because it only costs for $12 per square foot.

Ceramic Tiles

People also love the ceramic style because of its low maintenance and durability. Meanwhile, the price is also affordable.

Stainless steel

If you have many activities on your kitchen, stainless steel material can be preferred choice because it is easier to clean rather than other materials. Therefore, restaurants prefer to use this material. The weakness of this material is maintaining issue. It means there will be regularly maintenance to avoid staining. Depending on quality, the stainless steel is relatively more expensive than others. It would be range of $30-$100 per square foot.

It is not recommended to make handmade ceramic tiles because the price of consideration. Mosaic or glass titles can be great choice due to the price and style. It will be great idea if you can choose it with neutral color above a dainty cooktop with various decorations. Here are some popular options for materials on kitchen backsplash.

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Under Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Design Ideas

Kitchen cabinet lights fall into two main categories: in cabinet lights and beneath cabinet lights. In cabinet strip lights present inside lighting for cubic area and shelving. Under cabinet lights provide process lighting for actions accomplished beneath a cabinet, akin to meals preparation and after-dinner cleanup for new stylish kitchen cabinets.

Up till just a few years in the past, very particular forms of kitchen cabinet lights have been used for both in cabinet or below cabinet lighting needs. For many beneath the cabinet or process lighting purposes, the puck light was a favorite fixture because it forged a vivid circle of sunshine onto the countertop that made it straightforward to see and work. Kitchen cabinet lights should now shield the eyes from reflective glare along with offering the same levels of light as they did before.

Each custom lighting strip is custom fabricated to actual kitchen cabinet or shelf dimensions. A extremely popular bulb type for beneath cabinet kitchen lighting is xenon. Linear strips, fitted with incandescent festoons are ideally fitted to inside kitchen cabinet shelf lighting. Restaurants should think about retrofitting any current kitchen cabinet lights strips with LED alternative festoon lamps. LED power saving mild bulbs will probably be merely an excellent investment.

Fluorescent strips for kitchen cabinet lights

For a while, it was well-liked to put in fluorescent tubes under the wall cabinets. For one factor, the fluorescent fixtures had been virtually all the time put in alongside the angle the place the cabinets meet the wall. The fixture needs to be mounted near the entrance edge of the wall cabinets, so that as much mild as doable will likely be on the objects you're working with, or looking for.

It ought to produce a non-obvious light. The fixture must be small and lightweight, not heavy or bulky. To the extent potential, the fixture needs to be simple to wire. And there's another characteristic that isn't a problem with fluorescent strips: An under-cabinet light must be cool.

Round Lights

Xenon bulbs don't have a filament, so that they typically last as long as thrice longer than halogen bulbs. In addition they give off a whiter light, which may also help visibility however may additionally produce glare, they usually burn hotter than equal halogen bulbs. Round lights are designed to be attractive. Spherical lights are sometimes relatively straightforward to wire. These round lights can get sizzling - particularly the ones with the xenon bulbs. Round lights are likely to throw pools of light.

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Decorative Glass Inserts for Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Kitchen cabinet doors can be considered as best aspect to add value of appearance of your kitchen. Adding decorative glass inserts can improve the look of your kitchen cabinets.

If you have strong wooden or panel kitchen doors, you may wish to change the design of your kitchen by including glass instead of the panels. Luckily, this process is a relatively easy home challenge that you are able to do by yourself. The result is a extremely rewarding and visually interesting change within the appearance of your kitchen area.

Create a ledge for your glass insert to suit into once the wood panel is removed. Two-piece doors should have a ledge already. You You can take away any dried glue that is left on wood paneling. It is also advised to put silicone on the ledge of the door and then getting the silicone on the door, fastidiously press the glass into the silicone.

You'll be able to obscure with patterns inside the glass distort photographs of what is into the cabinets. If you want glass inserts in a person's cabinet doors, and also you'd fairly that nobody have the capability to view the interiors, opaque glass is a clever choice that can probably block hold anybody from seeing inside.

It is also to change wood door energy to glass to provide some area in your kitchen by giving image for different cabinets utilizing glass inserts. As soon as you already know which cabinet fronts you have to substitute with glass, cease and analyze the contents of the individual cabinets. Including glass to vital cabinet door is a job you may simply do yourself to helpful cost down. It's best idea to purchase new wood trim to hang the glass in place plus 1/8" mirror hangers along with wooden screws. You also can improve your cabinets by adding glass fronts. Then, if you have finished it, it is time to insert the glass systems for beautiful decoration with stylish cabinet lighting for low budget.

See Other Pictures of Glass for Kitchen Cabinet Doors

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Choosing Your New Style Kitchen Cabinets On A Budget

If you're tired on similar kitchen cabinets on your home, you could need to think about reworking your stylish kitchen cabinets. That false impression is strictly what kitchen reworking is. Viewing each of the kitchen cabinet is a good way to determine which cabinets would look great installed in your kitchen.

In addition to visiting your native home improvement, you may additionally wish to examine kitchen cabinets online. When trying to find the right set of kitchen cabinets, for your next kitchen reworking project, it is very important hold a number of things in mind. One of those issues is what you'll be utilizing your kitchen cabinets with decorative glass inserts. Whereas ornamental kitchen cabinets are nice, they're typically limited on the storage space that they have.

In the United States, most home improvement stores promote kitchen cabinets that are not fully put collectively, however they are typically precut to size. Even probably the most stunning kitchen cupboard set won't do you any good if it can't be installed in your kitchen. Upon getting discovered the kitchen cupboard set of your desires, the remodeling can begin. Here are some issues that you can take into consideration while choosing new kitchen cabinets.

Planning a Kitchen Remodel

Most kitchens have one sink, however many occasions there are two folks cooking - which makes for a crowded kitchen. Storage in your cupboards is a giant consideration. I really think cupboards with doors and roll out shelving are a waste of money. The one place I'd use cupboards that are not drawer banks could be in a sink base - the place you've got plumbing. Drawer banks work great for almost all decrease cabinets.

You should plan lighting for prematurely of kitchen cabinet construction. Lighting and controls are also essential design elements, in the planning stages. This in-built freezer is an enormous unit. The unit appeared form of squatty on the present-room floor, due to width, so we deliberate a toe area upfront to elevate the unit 4 inches. The models' trim package had a very tall aluminum panel that goes over the top. Details: The peninsula has a nice overhang that provides extra countertop area and doubles as a bar counter. It gives extra curiosity than granite slab backsplashes.

The Costs of Remodeling a Kitchen

Kitchens are one of the crucial up to date rooms in American homes. The common kitchen rework costs between $40,000 and $50,000, and lots of value greater than that. The return on funding (ROI) of a kitchen transform is between 80and 95 % on resale. However, if a transform costs lower than $15,000, the ROI is a 99%!

Many points of a kitchen rework might be completed by most homeowners. Most owners can install new cabinets. Putting in them your self can prevent literally hundreds of dollars in set up prices, depending on the size of your kitchen.

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