Top Rated Fabricator.
Serving VA | DC| MD
3 days Turn-around time.
3 Convenient locations Cville. Chantilly. Fairfax
Showroom
6345 S. Seminole Trail. Madison, VA 22738
SIMPLE PRICING!
NO GAMES. NO GIMMICKS. NO ADD-ONS
ONLY PAY FOR SQUARE FOOTAGE
$39psft
INSTALLED
* FREE REMOVAL & HAUL AWAY
* FREE TEMPLATE, FABRICATION, INSTALLATION
* FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATE
* FREE SEALER APPLICATION
* FREE EDGE: EASED, 1/4 BEVEL, 1/2 BEVEL, 1/2 BULLNOSE
* FREE UNDERMOUNT SINGLE BOWL SINK
* FREE UNDERMOUNT SINK CUT OUT & INSTALLATION
* FREE SINGLE HOLE FOR KITCHEN FAUCET
Granite Countertops
Kitchen Countertops
Granite Countertops
Granite Counterotps
Granite Countertops
Granite Countertop
Granite countertops charlottesville
kitchen countertops charlottesville
Granite Countertop
marble countertops charlottesville
Granite countertops charlottesville
$55psft
INSTALLED
$45psft
$45psft
$45psft
QUARTZ
SIMPLE PRICING!
$59psft
NO GAMES. NO GIMMICKS. NO ADD-ONS
ONLY PAY FOR SQUARE FOOTAGE
INSTALLED
* FREE REMOVAL & HAUL AWAY
* FREE TEMPLATE, FABRICATION, INSTALLATION
* FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATE
* FREE SEALER APPLICATION
$65psft
$65psft
Quarz countertop charlottesville
charlottesville quartz countertop
kitchen quartz countertop
quartz counter tops
quartz counter top
granite counter top
kitchen counters charlottesville
INSTALLED
$65psft
$75psft
INSTALLED
Quartz countertops charlottesville
calacatta quartz
kitchen countertops charlottesville
kitchen countertops culpeper
Set up your appointment at your convenience.
We will bring you an exiting selection to choose from & get measurements
You will be provided expert advice & decide edge profile
We will install the room you envisioned on time and hassle free
FREE
Quartz countertop vs. Granite countertop : Which One Comes Out on Top?
So maybe you’re at that point in your renovation where you’re considering materials for the all-important Kitchen countertop. You’re browsing places like Pinterest and Houzz and asking friends on Facebook and Twitter. You keep hearing about two popular surfacing materials: natural stone (which people typically refer to as granite) and quartz. Problem is, you’re not sure what the difference is.
Don’t worry: We are here clear things up.
Before We get started, however, it’s important for us to say this: when it comes to Kitchen countertop materials, don’t get hung up on which one is the so-called “best.” Figure out which countertop material is best for you—your lifestyle, your overall design vision, your budget.
After all, at CommonWealth kitchens | Baths we feature both quartz and natural stone (in addition to solid surfaces). So it’s not an “either/or” scenario for us either.
Natural Stone vs. Engineered Stone: Understanding the Difference
Natural stone—granite—is indeed 100% natural since it is quarried directly from the earth in large blocks. These blocks are then sliced into slabs and polished on one side at the quarry before being shipped to the broker or fabricator. Fabricators cut shapes from the slabs according to your countertop specifications. They then profile and polish the edges.
Quartz, on the other hand, is an “engineered” stone, meaning a manufacturing plant uses various grades and sizes of quartz crystals and mixes them with resin and pigment (for color) in a ratio of 93% quartz to 7% resin (yes, we’ll still refer to quartz as natural stone, but it’s not as natural as granite). Fabricators create quartz countertops in much the same way as they do granite countertops: by cutting the shapes from the slab and then profiling and polishing the edges.
Quartz: Pros and Cons
Pros:
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Quartz is one of the strongest materials on the planet. Quartz countertops are stronger and more flexible than granite. This makes them easier to work with during the fabrication and installation process.
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Quartz’s inherent strength makes it extremely durable. That said, don’t confuse “durable” with “indestructible”—there’s no material like that.
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Quartz surfacing is non-porous and doesn’t require any sealing.A non-porous material is a huge benefit because that means you don’t need to worry about bacteria and other germs growing in any nooks and crannies. Bottom line: quartz is incredibly easy to clean and maintain.
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Quartz countertops are stain-resistant, so dropping a glass of wine on them simply requires a damp cloth to clean (NOT that you’ll be spilling any wine, right?).
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Quartz colors are uniform. What you see in the showroom or from a sample is what you can expect to see in your home.
Cons:
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Quartz countertops can discolor over time when exposed to direct sunlight. For this reason, we don’t recommend quartz surfacing for use outdoors, since you’ll see the difference in color over time.
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You can expect to see seams with a quartz counter, but they will be less visible if you choose a slab that has more patterns. Seams tend to stand out on solid colors while patterns help conceal them.
Granite: Pros and Cons
Pros:
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Mother Nature made this material. It’s 100% natural, which is why it’s such a popular choice with homeowners, designers, and architects.
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Granite isn’t as strong as quartz, but that doesn’t mean it’s a wimpy choice, either. It’s still a strong stone and extremely durable. But, just like quartz, it’s not indestructible (it can break or chip if abused). And if you happen to spill red wine on it (oh, the horror!), it will stain.
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Granite is one-of-a-kind. Yep, I’m going to use the word unique, because each granite slab is exactly that. For many people, this is a pro. For others, this is a con, so I’m going to include it in both lists. So why would I consider this a pro? Well, many people like the concept of exclusivity—they like the idea that no one else will have the exact same countertop as they have.
Cons:
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Granite doesn’t offer color consistency. Remember how I said “one of kind” is a pro and a con? Well, on the con side, this means the appearance isn’t uniform. No two stones are alike. Even the sample you see probably won’t look like what you end up installing in your home. It’s a beautiful stone, for sure, but it might not be the beautiful stone you were imagining.
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Granite countertops need to be sealed. You need to seal them when they’re installed and every year afterwards. Why? Because granite is a porous material, which means it can harbor bacteria, germs, mold, and other unhealthy things in its nooks and crannies. Sealing takes care of this issue. While some people seal their granite countertops every three years, I recommend doing it yearly. If for any reason the sealant on the counter becomes compromised, your countertop can harbor germs and easily stain.
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It’s impossible to hide the seams in a granite counter, especially if your stone has veins or directional movement in the pattern. Expect the seams to show up once the fabricator installs your countertop.
So what do truly “objective” sources have to say in the debate between granite and quartz? Every year, Consumer Reports puts out an issue that ranks kitchen countertop materials. Quartz and granite are always neck-and-neck (quartz was the number one material in 2013, edging out granite by just a couple of points).
But as we said in the beginning, the debate comes down to this: what’s the right countertop material for your specific needs, your lifestyle, your design? Do your homework, answer those questions, and then decide.
Granite countertops Quartz Countertops Marble Countertops
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