Home Makeover Diva

Home Design Makeover Ideas

Help With Choosing Granite or Quartz Countertops

02.26.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Mitch writes:

I’m picking out new countertops, but I am not sure which one is the best choice.Granite or Quartz? Please help!

Mitch, if I had a dollar for every time I got asked that question. . . I wouldn’t be a millionaire, but I would definitely be a couple hundred dollars richer! When it comes to picking out granite or quartz countertop surfaces, many people are at a loss of what to choose. Rest assured though that you’re not alone in your quest for the best countertop surface!

Let me also assure you that there’s no real right or wrong countertop when considering these two wonderful surfaces. Simply put, both granite and quartz are great countertop options. To better help with your dilemma, I’ve got a couple of questions to help us narrow down which countertop will work best for you.

Naturally occurring beauty that will be unpredictable or a consistent countertop pattern and color?

Granite is a beautiful choice, but it’s not appropriate for everyone or every kitchen. This comes into play because granite often makes for a bold statement, especially considering that some granite patterns are difficult to ignore. Confused by that last statement? Think back to the last kitchen you saw with a bold granite countertop. Do you remember anything else about that particular kitchen? Often times granites with large designs and a lot of color can become the focal point of the kitchen, making the rest of the features barely noticeable by contrast. There is nothing wrong with this, but it is something to keep in mind when you go countertop shopping! If your kitchen already has a lot going with patterns and colors, then you may wish  to find milder colors and patterns when looking into a new countertop. With regard to style, typically speaking, granite fits in more with a traditional design.

Granite or Quartz CountertopsI also strongly recommend going to the warehouse yourself and picking out your own granite slab for your countertops.  This way, you can avoid any “surprises” that may arise after installation.  As splotches may be bigger or smaller than at the showroom, a tone or hue may be different or the rock formation could change the pattern as the granite is mined, it’s best to be there in person to inspect things. You just don’t know what little change may happen in the rock from the time it was mined and put in the showroom to the slab that actually gets installed in your kitchen.

While granite is natural and unpredictable, Quartz is man-made and more uniform.  What you see in the showroom is almost exactly what you’ll get installed in your home.  The two biggest brands of quartz are Silestone and Zodiaq, each have between 30 to 50 different colors.  Some have small splotches while others are bigger.  They even come in different textured looks. For example, Silestone has a line that reminds me of honed limestone or marble.  Because of the uniform appearance and smaller splotches some colors in quartz work well with a heavily patterned kitchen backsplash. This makes quartz perfect for more modern kitchens.

How much countertop upkeep are you looking for?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54BKL7jvhks

Most granite surfaces require sealing.  There are some that do not, but many granite countertops do.  For those surfaces, you’ll have to seal them when they’re installed and then you will need to re-seal the countertop every 1 to 2 years. This will help protect your investment and keep your countertop from staining. If you’re instead looking for a countertop with minimal upkeep, I’d suggest quartz. Because quartz is nonporous and doesn’t require sealing like granite.  This makes for a great selling point for quartz since it makes it’s more difficult to stain and happens to be antimicrobial.  Neither granite or quartz is completely stain proof, however quartz offers greater stain resistance.  The final point I would make between the two countertop surfaces is that  quartz is slightly harder than granite. This means that it’s less likely to see scratches during daily use than a granite countertop.

Now I must tell you that I’m slightly biased when it comes to choosing countertops because my countertop happens to be quartz. That said, understand that I chose my countertop based on its color and pattern, not the type of surface. At the time, I was going for a modern look that matched well with my cabinets and flooring. The fact that it is low maintenance turned out to be a bonus.  So when it comes to choosing your own countertops, you’ve got to decide which is the best for you and your kitchen. As I mentioned earlier, there is no true right or wrong answer for your question.  What it boils down to are the above benefits I’ve explained, your own personal preference and which countertop surface looks best in your kitchen.  Either way, whichever countertop you choose will be great I’m sure!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog.

Categories // Countertop Tags // Countertop, countertops, granite, granite colors, granite patterns, Quartz, quartz colors, quartz patterns, Silestone, slab, Zodiaq

Silestone Zen Series Countertop

02.05.2011 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Natasa writes:

I am having a very hard time deciding between different countertop colors. Part of my problem is that I have new Gloss Bird’s Eye Thermophoil (European style) kitchen cabinets. My floor is Brazilian Cherry. Since the cabinets are glossy and have a subtle pattern I would like to go with solid colors, like the ones offered by Silestone. I am particularly attracted to Silestone Zen series countertop. Could you please give some advice?

Personally speaking, I’m a big fan of Silestone and quartz countertops. The solid color will help you highlight your beautiful new cabinets, without competing for attention. Your own personal design style, how contemporary you want to go, and how much light you have in the room are all important factors in deciding between different countertop colors.

For example, what is your own personal design style? Because you choose Silestone’s Zen series countertop and not the “Life series”, I’m going to assume that bright colors are not part of your design style for the kitchen? Well at least not where the countertop is concerned. I’m also going to guess that you do want your kitchen to have a little bit of drama because of the Brazilian cherry floors. I don’t mean drama in a bad way, I just mean that you want your choices to have a little bit of an impact or “wow factor”, if you will. That and you like the wood styles you chose because of the interesting grain patterns and because they weren’t your typical oak or boring kitchen.

Silestone Zen Series CountertopHow contemporary are you? Are you going for a light and open contemporary feel? If you are, consider using Haiku or White Zeus as your Silestone Zen series countertop color. Using a white or light color countertop is very contemporary. It also gives the room a light and airy feeling. Especially if there is a lot of natural light in the space. If are not looking for the light an airy look, are you looking for more color? Or maybe something darker and more dramatic like Tao? All of the colors in the Zen series will fit into a modern kitchen, it just depends on which direction you want to go in. Depending on the exact of color of your Gloss Bird’s Eye cabinets and cherry hardwood flooring one of the reds might go nicely as well.

Usually my standard bit of advice for people who aren’t sure what color countertops to go with is to choose a color that is in between the color of your countertops and flooring. This way your countertops help bridge the gap between your flooring and give the room a good visual flow. However this rule does not always apply, it just depends on your own personal style.

You’ve done a great job so far choosing items for your kitchen, and the Zen Series by Solistone will be a wonderful addition, no matter color you go with. Just remember the tips above and you will make a great decision.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Categories // Countertop Tags // deciding between different countertop colors, Silestone, silestone countertops, silestone zen, Silestone Zen Series Countertop, solid surface countertops, zen countertops, zen series

Zodiaq Countertops

05.15.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Nothing is more daunting than a kitchen makeover.  There are so many things to choose from and so many decisions to make.  That’s why when my husband and I made over our kitchen two years ago we chose the first countertop we both agreed on.

Often when you are redoing a room in your home progress doesn’t start happening until you make the first decision, whether that be paint color, flooring, cabinet color or countertops.  You need something to help pull the rest of the room together.  Our something for our makeover was a Zodiaq countertop.

We were looking at all types of countertops: Vetrazzo, laminate, granite, Silestone, tile, and concrete.  And in every single category we both liked different colors.  I felt like we were never going to make a decision.  Then we walked into a Zodiaq countertop dealer and we both were drawn to the same color!

We choose Coriander from the Terra Collection.  The great thing about the Terra Collection is it is made from 25% post consumer recycled glass content.

This number is not as high as the Vetrazzo countertops, but considering we couldn’t agree on a color in Vetrazzo and the nearest dealer was over 200 miles away. Zodiaq countertops ended up being less expensive and better for our marriage!

After 2 years with Zodiaq countertops they still look brand new. It has endured well.   Basically a quartz countertop it is hard enough to withstand everything we dish out. Our Zodiaq countertop still has no scratches and looks great.  And I love that I don’t have to reseal it, like you do with some granite or marbles!

Zodiaq has been a great countertop and I love that it is low upkeep. It was a great find and really helped us bring the rest of our kitchen makeover together!

Categories // Countertop, Kitchen Tags // concrete, countertops, granite, Silestone, Tile, Vetrazzo, zodiaq counters, zodiaq countertop, zodiaq countertops, zodiaq quartz countertops

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