Quartzite countertops
Pros of natural quartzite countertops
Many people love natural quartzite for several reasons. It’s excellent ease of use and many other reasons, starting with its stunning physical appearance.
Of course, before you use natural quartzite, you need to know why people like it. Here are some of those reasons:
The texture is similar to marble
One of the reasons why so many people love quartzite is because it looks so much like marble.
The design is unique, with a combination of gray and white. These colors are sure to be very attractive and create an impressive room.
On top of that, natural quartzite is also more affordable than marble. So, if you are looking for an alternative to marble, natural quartzite may be the best choice for you.
With a similar appearance but still an affordable price, it will definitely benefit you.
Easy to maintain
The next point is about the pros and cons of maintaining natural quartzite countertops. Many people think that natural quartzite is very easy to clean and maintain.
Even with a little soap and warm water, you can clean natural quartzite.
You should avoid cleaning quartzite using chemicals. This can damage the beauty of these natural rocks.
So, not difficult at all in terms of maintenance, right? This is one of the reasons why many people prefer natural quartzite.
It is very durable
Natural quartzite has very similar characteristics to granite, including durability and hardness of texture.
Therefore, this rock is very resistant to water and heat. It is therefore very durable. Of course, this information can also answer the question of whether quartzite is as good as granite or not.
You don’t have to worry about this natural quartzite getting damaged easily anymore. That will never happen. Second, on the texture hardness scale, natural quartzite ranks 7 out of 10.
Interestingly, this rock also has excellent resistance to acids, which create etching.
Positive appearance and UV resistance
The next pros of natural quartzite countertops are appearance and UV resistance. Quartzite has a beautiful shape.
Quartzite is also ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. The visual appeal is absolutely incredible and highly recommended for a contemporary look.
The best choice is to make it a room beautifier. In addition to that, quartzite also has good UV resistance.
So it is not impossible for those who want to build an outdoor kitchen. Quartzite countertops are UV resistant, they do not fade when exposed to direct sunlight.
Very versatile
Quartzite has a unique color palette that makes it very attractive. Most color combinations are gray and white.
The dominant color depends on the mineral content of the rock. This is why quartzite has so many fans.
Natural quartzite is very suitable to be applied for those of you who want to have a minimalist, rustic or industrial style kitchen.
This type of rock will give a very distinctive, unique, and positive feeling that will make anyone feel at home and comfortable.
Cons of natural quartzite countertops
The Cons of natural quartzite countertops are really interesting to know. Some people are for against the normal quartzite.
However, some people are also reluctant to use this material. So, why do they dislike this material?
Easy to scratch
The cons of natural quartzite countertops lie in their scratch resistance.
Quartzite can be damaged by different types of sharp objects such as knives. So you have to be careful when applying this quartzite.
It is difficult to apply
Cons of natural quartzite countertops – Difficult to apply
Do you know that many people are against quartzite because it is difficult to apply?
So it requires skilled craftsmen using sophisticated equipment to apply it because this material is relatively hard, dense and heavy.
This material is porous
The next pros and cons of natural quartzite countertops are texture. Quartzite is a porous material that requires sealing. Without sealing, spills can easily seep in.
This will only lead to stubborn stains. In addition to that, these stains can also cause bacteria, especially if the spill is not cleaned up immediately.
Many people say that this material is still quite expensive
The price of quartzite is indeed much lower than that of marble. However, many people say that this material is still expensive for countertops.
This is one of the pros and cons of natural quartzite countertops that you need to know.
The installation of the material tends to be complicated
The installation of the material tends to be complicated
On the other hand, some people say that the installation of quartzite for countertops is complicated and tends to be complicated.
It would be better if you have a diamond cutter to cut this quartzite. Therefore, it is better to hire a skilled craftsman.
Buying is better than doing it yourself
The next pros and cons of natural quartzite countertops are that buying is better than making it yourself.
Due to the complicated process of making quartzite countertops, it is highly recommended to buy them.
You no longer need to hire skilled craftsmen. However, you need to prepare sufficient funds to buy it.
granite countertops
The amazing look of granite
Granite has great durability as it is a natural rock that was formed in the middle part of the earth. However, when it comes to its appearance, there is a wide range of color and pattern combinations, which is an interesting choice for people who like beautiful surfaces. Most commonly, granite comes in red tones, brownish shades, gray, and natural color like white.
It doesn’t matter if you like more fascinating shades because they are available in green and blue. The majority of their surfaces are made up of white and gray sprinkles.
Many of them also feature a combination of swirls and capillaries that make the look even more interesting to see.
In addition, you can find particular types of granite with crystals that glow when struck by light. All these elements are natural and irregular.
The different types of minerals that make up this stone contribute to their particular color. No two granites are alike, so their natural formation process produces countless granite choices today.
Now there is more granite that people are interested in. Not only because of its great durability but also because of its great structure that suits this durability. According to history, granite was used to make some pyramids in Egypt.
How durable is granite?
Another reason granite is a great material for kitchen countertops is that it can resist abrasion. It is suitable for receiving daily scratches while preparing meals. It is even harder than other kitchen tools. It is also completely resistant to any kitchen knife.
Due to its good structure, it can bear a certain amount of weight. It won’t break even if you put many kitchen items on its surface. It won’t scratch or damage easily during daily kitchen use.
Granite is a solid rock because it can withstand the elements. Like ruby, granite receives a lot of underground pressure during its manufacturing process. Therefore, it can hold a hot pan as well as a frying pan without getting damaged easily.
The reason granite is stronger than other artificial counterparts made of resin and polyester. When subjected to heat, granite does not melt, bend or even discolor. It retains its natural hues and luster when exposed to specific types of elements.
Granite is completely unbreakable. The countertop is used as a workspace in the kitchen. Therefore, avoid using it for sitting or unrelated activities. Don’t step on it. Instead, use a stool when you want to change the top light fixture or reach the upper cabinet.
Never put heavy objects on it, even if it can support some weight. This abrasion can damage the surface over time. Remember, proper treatment and maintenance can make granite countertops last longer than your house.
Repairing a granite chip is much easier
Considered the most used space in the house, the kitchen is more prone to accidents, including dishes falling off the shelves and any falls on the countertop. Any time you drop a heavy object or hit the corner with anything, the countertop is usually difficult to repair.
However, granite chips can be repaired easily and you can even do the repair yourself. The repair is simply done using granite repair kits available at many home improvement stores.
Granite is fairly inexpensive
Cost becomes perhaps the main factor when people choose granite as their kitchen countertop material. The total cost of the countertop is actually affected by some factors.
However, in general, the cost of a granite countertop is around $40 to $50 per square foot with its installation. This can actually help you save money and use the budget for other kitchen fixtures.
This is the best choice for you who wants to have a fancy countertop without paying much. It would be cool if you could install the granite countertop yourself, but proper granite installation requires the hand of an expert.
Installing a granite countertop requires skill, precision, experience and certain types of tools. If you’ve had the opportunity to do it before, you can do it yourself with care. However, if you haven’t, you’d better ask an expert for help because any mistake will cost you more.
The durability of granite makes it a lifetime financial investment. Even if you only buy it once, you can enjoy its function for a long time.
This is why granite is the ideal choice for the kitchen because it is more practical than other types of flooring that need to be replaced after a few years.
Granite is easier to clean
Granite countertops don’t need a special cleaner. It is quite easy to clean this countertop. People usually like to use warm, soapy water to do regular cleaning.
Although it doesn’t need any special cleaning products, you need to know the right guide to clean it. Before the cleaning process, you need to make sure that the countertop is properly sealed after being installed. This prevents any moisture from getting into the porous stones, which leads to long-lasting stains.
Next, avoid using an abrasive cleaner because it can form scratches and damage the surface. Under these conditions, countertops are prone to germs and stains.
There are special granite cleaners on the market but you don’t have to buy them completely. Whatever cleaner you use, be sure to wipe the countertop surface dry with a microfiber cloth after you finish cleaning.
It is important to avoid moisture being trapped on the surface for a long period of time. Although warm, soapy water is sufficient for daily cleaning, it is better for you to buy cleaners intended for daily cleaning of the kitchen countertop.