Some of you may know me VERY well. Maybe I have been in your home before?  Some of you may kind-of-sort-of know me?  Then, there are you, my friends.........Whom may be hearing about me for the first time! Let me tell you, I am kind of a big deal. Shout out to Pinterest for helping with my popularity.  I've seen the #tags of your desired kitchens.....and a lot of them are of white countertops. And that is where I come into play.  I am a SOLID choice (pun intended)if you want a uniform look with a "no surprise in variations" countertops.......I am HERE for YOU! However, I am so much more than a color.  I actually have quite eclectic taste.  You can find me in all different colors, patterns, and sizes.  You may also find that I am "manufactured" in different areas around the world.  Yes, I am man-made. Which means I have qualities about me that some find appealing....because I am consistent. Not 100%.....but close to it. There are some things about me that you need to be informed of.....

Be aware that the heat may break me, literally.  I am heat resistant...NOT heat proof! Because I am made of a multitude of products, natural quartz, dyes, and resins, you need to be more protective of me.  You will need to use "trivets" to protect me from crockpots, electric fryers, hot pans, etc. If direct heat IS applied, the resin in the material may break, and that is NOT good!  In addition to being heat resistant, I am also scratch and stain resistant.  I may dull your knives if you cut on me,  and you could scratch me with a sharp object  if you take the wrong approach! Lastly, if you spill on me, don't take any chances.  I could stain if left to fend for myself for too long! Side note: I rarely have any of these issues....I'm just an "upfront" kind-of stone.     

I am pretty perfect as is, but sometimes I have to be "manipulated" to fit the needs of my environment. This requires cutting me and putting me back together.   The one thing most people are concerned about with solid quartz are the seams.  I don't like them either! I have friends in the business (aka Elegant Creations) that will help you determine the best supplier to choose for material to eliminate seams at all cost.  If you're choosing new cabinets.....ask the designer to NOT exceed any run/island that is in excess of 128".  MOST suppliers do not manufacture slabs larger than 130".  If a seam IS required, the programmers, fabricators, and installers will use their expertise to determine the best placement and the best color match adhesive to make it as least noticeable as possible.

If you would like to come meet me in person, I welcome you to visit Elegant Creations.  They have 6 towers of "mini versions" of me in their showroom(HanStone, SileStone, Daltile, Zeal, Vicostone, and Q-Quartz).  There are also a half dozen full slabs in the Warehouse!   #checkmeout 

The time in your life has come to purchase new countertops.  Sounds like an easy breezy process, right?  Well, it can be, if you know what you are up against.  What material should you choose?? Butcher Block, Laminate, Quartz, Granite, Soapstone, Quartzite, Marble….and the list goes on!  Most people are familiar with laminate, they know what butcher block looks like, but when it comes to stone, there can be an array of questions.   The most common question we here when our customers have their initial visit is, “What is the difference between Quartz and Granite?”  Short answer is: Granite is a natural stone and Quartz is a man-made stone. 
 
Granite is a popular choice for those that appreciate the natural beauty that it has to offer.  The uniqueness of each stone will vary from VERY exotic to semi-solid patterns.  The more exotic the stone, typically means the more movement or variation you see, and every time you look at it, you will more than likely notice something you didn’t notice before.  This is especially true when the granite covers a large area, such as a Kitchen Island.  Since granite is made from extreme heat and pressure, it is typically VERY heat resistant.  Meaning, that the use of trivets under your cookie sheets, hot pans, etc., can virtually be eliminated from your life.  Granite is also scratch and stain resistant, you will want to clean up any spills as soon as you notice them, but staining should not be a concern, as all slabs are protected with a sealant.  Sealing your granite is recommended every year, but many customers find themselves only needing to do it every 3-5 years.  This is a very easy process that homeowners can do themselves (we will revisit this process in another blog).  Sealing granite has gotten a bad rap, and is ONE of the reasons people lean towards Quartz. 
 
Quartz is an umbrella term for a man-made stone that consist of approximately 93% natural Quartz and 7% resin, dyes, and epoxies. The quartz contains dyes that are appealing to the consumer as it allows for a “clean uniformed look”.  If you are not a fan of the natural movement of granite, but want some of the similar “benefits” that granite has to offer, then Quartz is an excellent option.  There are A LOT of Quartz Suppliers out there: HanStone, Vicostone, SileStone, Q-Quartz, Daltile, and the list goes on.  We currently have about 8 main suppliers that we work with, giving our customers a large array of options to choose from.  As with Granite, Quartz is also stain, scratch, and heat resistant.  We recommend that you clean up any spills as soon as you notice them, as we do with granite.   With Quartz you will want to use a trivet under any heat, i.e.: crock pots, electric frying pans, etc. The reason is that when heat is applied, the resin CAN expand causing tension resulting in the stone to crack.  However, just like sealing granite shouldn’t “scare” you, neither should heat on quartz scare you!
 
At the end of the day, making the material choice that is right for you, comes down to the aesthetics you are trying to achieve.  Most recently we have had several customers choose granite and quartz for their kitchens. When it comes to stone, there really is no right or wrong answer.  You just need to be informed of your options and choose the one that best fits your lifestyle.  We promise to assist you in any way we can to make the purchasing of a countertop enjoyable!  We are here for you before the sale and LONG after your countertops have been installed.