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Decisions, decisions! With the many varieties of counter top materials available, its often challenging to determine which will be the best choice for your home. To help you decide, you may want to consider quartz versus granite as your top choice based upon the below attributes:

1. COST - Based upon your budget, you want the best value for your money. Quartz is often less expensive than exotic granite. If your kitchen is large with lots of counter space, the cost of your counter top can quickly rise to high numbers. With quartz you don't have to compromise a great look for an affordable price.

2. APPEARANCE - Quartz, unlike other stone slabs, can be crafted with a controlled appearance. The way quartz slabs are produced, allows the manufacturer to ensure that the slab is exactly the color, texture and pattern you want. There are no defects in the slab to cut around and run up the cost.

3. STRENGTH - Quartz counters are made by combining 93% natural quartz stone with 7% resin binder, with some colorant. This creates an extremely hard stone that is stronger than granite or marble, so less likely to chip. The slab is the same working thickness and is shaped, cut and finished using the same stone-cutting equipment.

4. NON-POROUS - Granite and marble are both porous stones with tiny capillary channels between the minerals. If you spill wine on unsealed or (fading sealant) the wine can sink into these channels and potentially permanently stain the stone. Quartz does not have channels and never requires sealing.

5. HYGIENIC - Top brand quartz are manufactured to be hygienic to reduce the opportunity for bacteria to grow, make quartz appropriate for safe food preparation and consumption. (Commercial kitchens are not allowed to use granite)

6. MAINTENANCE - Granite and marble counter tops must be sealed regularly to prevent staining which adds maintenance costs Quartz does not require sealing or other routine maintenance to maintain it's beauty and functionality. (BTW have you seen the Cambria counter tops... really beautiful!)

7. COLOR CONSISTENCY - Most folks don't know that some granite slabs are commercially dyed to improve their sales profiles. The most common dyed slabs are the family of black granites. Over time these dyes can change color and not be what you expected. Quartz is manufactured in many colors and the color is consistent throughout the entire slab.

8. SCRATCHES - Because of its design in the manufacturing process, quartz is a durable and scratch resistant product. With standard care, your finish will look fabulous throughout your countertop's lifetime!

9. CLEANING - Quartz is user friendly and cleaning is easy with simple soap and water. You don't need to use special bacteria-preventing soaps or chemicals.

NavigatorBrenda@NavigatorKitchensandCabinets.com

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