Welcome to Phillipsburg Marble Company’s 1st of many informative blogs.
When it comes to elevating the look of your kitchen or bathroom, few materials rival the look and resilience of granite or quartz. Countertops are often the centerpiece of the room with kitchens being the heartbeat of the home. It’s where the day begins, where the day ends and where memories are made when friends and family gather. Whether you have a classic colonial, rustic farmhouse or sleek modern design, granite and quartz offer the foundation to create your masterpiece.
Both materials have their own personality.
Granite is mother nature’s geological artwork, providing a canvas with a wide array of colors, bold veins and shimmering flecks. Also, a solid pick for outdoor kitchens.
Quartz, on the other hand, provides a consistent pallet that covers everything from marble like veining to consistent solid colors. A great choice for bathrooms and laundry tops.
Both surfaces look great and provide resilient surfaces that hold up to kitchen activities.
Granite and quartz do more than finish a room, they define it.
Let’s get started with some information on Granite and Quartz.
GRANITE:
Granite: A 100% natural stone quarried from the earth and cut into slabs. Slabs most often have a polished finish but can be available in honed(matte) or leathered(textured finish).
Granite comes in a wide variety of patterns from even grain to unique one of a kind patterns with a variety of colors created by mother nature. Granite is formed from the slow cooling of magma beneath the earth’s surface. This can take a million years or more. A typical granite is 20-60% quartz and 30-50% feldspar with other minerals such as mica, horneblend, muscovite and pyrocene.
Granite provides a very hard and heat resistant surface. Hot pans can be placed directly on the surface.
It is recommended to use a cutting board as the hard surface can dull knives quickly.
Granite is a natural material and slightly porous. It is recommended to seal the surface every one to two years. All natural stones receive an application of a high quality stone sealer before leaving the fabrication shop.
QUARTZ:
Quartz is a man made(engineered) stone that is made of 90-95% quartz with the remainder a polymer resin. The result is a surface that is non-porous and highly durable.
Quartz offers a uniform appearance. Many offer a marble like appearance with a range of fine, medium and broader veining and a clear background. Solid colors are also available.
Some are available in a honed(matte),suede or leathered finish.
The surface is highly scratch resistant, but use of cutting boards is recommended.
The non-porous surface means never having to re-seal the surface.
Quartz is heat resistant however, the use of hot pads or trivets is always recommended.
Some manufacturers provide an anti-microbial formula to provide additional protection again surface bacteria.
Ready to find the perfect countertop for your project?
Contact our showroom to schedule an appointment to discuss your project or to receive an estimate at www.pburgmarble.com or email us info@pburgmarble.com
