Natural Stone (Granite) vs. Engineered Stone (Quartz)

Drawbacks of quartz

The biggest complaint about quartz products is that if something does manage to scratch or somehow deface the surface of your counter top, it is almost impossible to repair. This is because engineered stones have a surfacing substance applied to them.

With granite it is possible to repair a chip or fill a scratch and to cover your tracks by surface polishing the material. Afterward the repair can often be unnoticeable. This is something that is difficult or impossible with many engineered stones.

Drawbacks of Granite

Granite counter tops occasionally need to be sealed because they are actually porous. Also over time each color of granite will tend to shift (get one shade darker or lighter, change hue slightly) as it is mined from deeper and deeper in the Earth. So if you ever wanted to replace a piece or add to your job, the odds become increasingly thinner and thinner of finding a good color match, even of the same color.

(US) Granite Special:Free Estimates your Source for Granite & Marble Countertops and more. Free Instant Granite Estimate to Makeover your kitchen with direct access to local sales, fabricators and installers of Custom fabricated counter tops in 1,000's granite colors, | Your Dream Kitchen Awaits.

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Source: http://knol.google.com/k/natural-stone-granite-vs-engineered-stone-quartz#

What do expert scientists say about adding Microban to consumer goods?

Several noted microbiologists have said that adding Microban to many consumer goods is unnecessary, and some have even called it a "marketing gimmick."

Not only have experts said that the benefits of Microban are questionable, but many are also concerned that the wide-spread use of these substances may cause a major public health problem. Researchers are concerned that repeated use of products containing triclosan could be breeding resistant bacteria, or "superbugs." A 1998 Tufts University study showed that over-exposure created five different triclosan-resistant strains of E. coli. According to Tufts' Dr. Stuart Levy, "If the idea is to sterilize surfaces, it is misguided. You can't sterilize surfaces that are open to the air. You will not eliminate bacteria, but rather replace them with other micro-organisms which could be potentially harmful."

[more http://www.rhtubs.com/microban.htm]

(US) Granite Special:Free Estimates your Source for Granite & Marble Countertops and more. Free Instant Granite Estimate to Makeover your kitchen with direct access to local sales, fabricators and installers of Custom fabricated counter tops in 1,000's granite colors, | Your Dream Kitchen Awaits.

FireUps.com Provides local internet Marketing services for granite fabricators in the US canada and the UK.

Microban protection inhibits the growth of microbes ...

such as odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew. While Microban protection does not protect users from foodborne illness and is not a substitute for normal cleaning practices, it does result in countertops that are easier to clean and stay clean.

[more http://www.silestoneusa.com/]

(US) Granite Special:Free Estimates your Source for Granite & Marble Countertops and more. Free Instant Granite Estimate to Makeover your kitchen with direct access to local sales, fabricators and installers of Custom fabricated counter tops in 1,000's granite colors, | Your Dream Kitchen Awaits.

FireUps.com Provides local internet Marketing services for granite fabricators in the US canada and the UK.

U.S. Consumers Overwhelmingly Prefer Granite Over Any Other Countertop Surface for...

CLEVELAND, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national survey finds that by
overwhelming majorities U.S. consumers prefer granite countertops to any other
countertop surface for their dream kitchen and believe that granite
countertops increase the resale value of a home.

The survey of 2,021 U.S. adults aged 18+ was conducted by Harris
Interactive on behalf of the Marble Institute of America. It asked respondents
which countertop surface they would most want in their dream kitchen. At 55
percent, "granite countertops" was by far the most popular response, followed
distantly by synthetic stone at 12 percent. The survey was conducted Oct. 7
through 9.
When asked how much they agree with the statement "granite countertops
increase the resale value of a home," 90 percent of the surveyed consumers
either strongly or somewhat agreed.

[more http://www.reuters.com/]

(US) Granite Special:Free Estimates your Source for Granite & Marble Countertops and more. Free Instant Granite Estimate to Makeover your kitchen with direct access to local sales, fabricators and installers of Custom fabricated counter tops in 1,000's granite colors, | Your Dream Kitchen Awaits.

FireUps.com Provides local internet Marketing services for granite fabricators in the US canada and the UK.

Survey Finds Granite Countertops Still No. 1

Survey Finds Granite Countertops Still No. 1 January 26, 2009

(NewsUSA) - By overwhelming majorities, American adults prefer granite to any other countertop surface for their dream kitchens, and believe granite countertops increase home resale values, according to a new national survey�s findings. [more http://www.homedesign.com/]

(US) Granite Special:Free Estimates your Source for Granite & Marble Countertops and more. Free Instant Granite Estimate to Makeover your kitchen with direct access to local sales, fabricators and installers of Custom fabricated counter tops in 1,000's granite colors, | Your Dream Kitchen Awaits.

FireUps.com Provides local internet Marketing services for granite fabricators in the US canada and the UK.

NATURAL QUARTZ???

Another thing to keep in mind is that some manufacturers, particularly those that make quartz countertops, advertise their products as "natural quartz". And natural quartz it is - but it's not purely a slab of quartz that's been quarried and cut to size. Quartz is the key ingredient (usually about 93%), but the product you're getting is still the combination of quartz and other materials.

Some Products Can Be Expensive - Some, not all, engineered stone products can be costly. Cost per square foot will vary based on manufacturer, color and edge treatment.

It's Still Not Real Stone - This is one of those considerations that's dependent on your personal taste. Engineered stone can come "pretty close($$$)" to looking like real stone but it's not the real McCoy and doesn't have the natural variation of real stone.

[more http://www.home- style-choices.com/]

Microban in quartz countertops

Quartz is also a non-porous material, which means it will not promote the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria. One popular brand, Silestone quartz, is taking bacteria protection one step further as the only quartz countertop available to offer built-in Microban (pesticide) antimicrobial protection. However, many consumers view this additional pesticide protection as more of a health risk than a benefit.

Some Quartz Products have a product called Microban (Pesticide) do you want a surface to contain a pesticide? If the surface is solid what is the pesticide for? If it kills bacteria, How, If it can't get to food on the sirface? If it is on the surface then how can it not be attacking my food on the counter or my hand on the surface. Personally I would rather use my own cleaning products.

[ more http://fwnextweb1.fortwayne.com/]