r.e.n.a.e. speaks on it….all! (the great countertop debate)
Ask me again and I’ll tell you the same. We have to get down to the bottom of this debate of all times! Quartz versus Natural Stones (Granite, Marble, Onyx, Quartzite, etc.) in regards to COUNTERTOPS!
LIKE HONESTLY, WHICH COUNTERTOP IS PERFECT FOR ME???
Help is on the way! So you ask, which is actually BETTER, and even more so, WHAT THE HECK IS THE DIFFERENCE? No worries, my friend, I will guide you through the big countertop debate regarding placement, durability, maintenance, and of course, the most important: COST of the world’s countertop options!
I will completely guide you through the differences between all the slabs and selecting the best countertop option for YOU and your family! Let’s talk this one out….Once I break it all down, you will choose your battle and see who reigns supreme in your household…well, kinda sorta.
Honed, Leathered, Polished….
So many choices, so little time, well yeah…we are definitely not promised tomorrow…
GOD IS GOOD!!
All the time! Yessss…Marble…Yessss!
Let’s start with my fave, Marble! Why is marble my favorite? Well let’s start with the obvious, marble is timeless, elegant, unique, and high-maintenance, which is why I love and admire her so! She is a true beauty, with the most exotic veining anyone could imagine. Marble is definitely a “refined taste” like no other. Soft yet durable, marble is the top choice for stone sculptures and almost always is the preference for countertops globally. Now with that prestige, nobility, and opulence comes a pretty price tag and lots of maintenance. Marble is a porous natural stone, made by God, yes God via Earth, or Earth via God, that is created by minerals in the Earth’s crust before crystallization of a limestone. You can travel the entire world and see marble at every turn. From Carrara to Calacatta to Bianco to Statuarietto , you will discover its cultural symbolism and tradition. It’s beauty and composition is unmatched, but the less veining you prefer triples or even quadruples the price point. Marble needs to be sealed twice a year at a minimum and once it is penetrated without proper sealing, it is there FOREVER. Yes, FOREVER! So if you are entertaining guests and a glass of red wine is set on your countertop, oh boy oh boy, you will have a forever red wine tattoo etched in your marble, and NO, it cannot be removed. So for those of you that prefer less maintenance or no maintenance at all, stay clear of marble! But for those of you who are extremely mollycoddle and indulgent, this stone is for YOU!
More views…Less worry!
You too could spend less time cleaning, more time for life…real life…like for instance this view. I’ll take three for 5 thousand, Alex! (Rest in Peace)….
Which, brings me to Quartz. What is so special about Quartz? Well lemme break it down for you. Quartz is a non-porous material that is highly resistant to stain, scratches, and heat. Now one would automatically say, “well why would I not choose a quartz countertop?” That’s a good question and I will touch on that. Quartz is a man-engineered material that consists of natural material pieces, glass, etc. Quartz is extremely popular now with the high resemblance to natural stones, especially marble. Unlike marble, all quartz will be the exact same as it comes off the assembly line, well there is not really an assembly line, but you get the idea. Same quartz, same look, same everything. So when you are entertaining that same guest with the red wine, you are indeed in luck my dear, as quartz will stay in tact, without any stains and requires no sealing! That alone is why people pay $$$$ for quartz, absolutely no maintenance required. None. Zilch. Zero. Nada. Nothing…..you get the point!
Quartz is sooooooo
versatile, I mean let me put it this way, quartz has a pre-determined movement, since it is man-made. With that being said, you can calm the space with quartz, spice up the backsplash with some oomph, or just simply design your true dream aesthetic…but remember if I have this particular quartz, and my neighbor down the street has this particular quartz, we are indeed identical…and let’s be honest who really wants that??
Granite is a fan-favorite with one-of-a-kind speckling, movement, and variations, also produced by none other than the almighty God via Earth. It is a durable natural stone, that also requires sealing, but only once annually versus marble twice as much. Let’s face it, if it can develop from the Earth’s many crust layers with the amount of heat that comes with the layers itself, it can survive in your kitchen, hopefully. Granite is resistant to scratches, cuts, chipping, but you still need to maintain it for beauty not durability. Granite is also timeless, but the slabs we have seen in countertops of the past are making a COMEBACK. The more negative space of a granite, the more $$$ you will spend. No two are alike, and in fact, within the same family, you will still have a unique aesthetic that is unmatched. That is what one with a refined taste absolutely loves about natural stone. The unexpected, the unknown, God’s natural randomness. Granite is popular due to it being readily available all over the world. You can pretty much find granite in almost every region and corner of the earth, so it remains sought after for that purpose alone. Granite makes for a great countertop option for busy families, as it is the best of both worlds: unique beauty and heck yeah, lower maintenance. A win-win for sure! I’ve always laughed at how my kids would hide crumbs on our granite countertops, because in all honesty, it is extremely difficult to see dirt, which is another reason why it is so popular amongst active families. For those teenagers who try to finesse the chore of cleaning the kitchen properly, especially countertops, use the ever so clever “hand test” and swipe all the crumbs to the floor. Parents, you can thank me later!
Quartzite…not to be confused with quartz, is a natural stone that is exotic in nature and highly porous. Also created by God via Earth, quartzite is worth every single coin you will muster to come up with to pay that price. The richness and depth of colors and variations that this natural stone offers is second to none. Quartzite is harder and more resistant than most other natural stones, which makes it a fabulous option for a countertop, in my opinion. With all that beauty comes with high high high maintenance and the price tag to match it. The character of quartzite, alone, by far exceeds any aesthetic you will ever find, in other words, you WILL NOT be disappointed!
OH, HOW I LOVE THEE…..
Lemme count the ways…..and mula!
Can you see me now?
Yes, indeed!
Onyx…well, it is typically not the best choice for a countertop, but when I tell you, eyes will pop….hunti, that is an understatement. Onyx is fragile. Onyx is rare. Onyx is soft. Onyx is EXPENSIVE, but that means not a thing to the client who loves its beauty and translucence, especially when making a statement. But, but, but she is a beauty! For sure! Great option for basements bars or as a cool backsplash…but I will continue to focus on countertops…
Do’s and Don’ts when it pertains to your countertops, especially all of the natural stone countertops!
Do clean up spills immediately with a wet cloth.
Do use trivets or mats under hot dishes and cookware, even though it can technically stand the heat, why would you burn your investment?.
Do use place mats under china, silver, and other objects that can scratch the stone’s surface.
Do use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices, get dem babies used to using coasters on a regular basis.
Do clean surfaces with mild soap and water.
Do seal your natural stones, at the minimum, twice a year for Marble, Onyx, Quartzite and once a year for Granite…none per year for Quartz.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners, like Bleach and Fabuloso. If you cannot use on your body, do not, and I repeat do not use on your countertops.
Don’t use scouring powders and abrasives because they will scratch the surface.
Don’t cut food directly on your countertop, use a cutting board.
Don’t use vinegar, ammonia or other general-purpose cleansers and if you do DILUTE with warm water.
Take good care of your countertops and I promise they will take good care of you! Routine cleaning, care and maintenance with sealing, and avoiding direct contact with food will ensure a beautiful countertop for years to come!
Sola Design’s team wants to wish you and your family a safe and abundant New Year! We have truly shown ourselves just how important life can be over the course of 2020 and we will continue to speak life, love, blessings, and abundance into our futures and within ourselves. As always, thanks for rocking with me, stay safe & chat soon!
Live..Love..Design!
xo Renae
