Mythbusters!

Selecting paint colors, tile, stains, finish techniques...that stuff is all stressful...but...​
COUNTERTOPS?!

​Countertops can be difficult to select for a number of reasons...so let Vaughn's Cabinets help you to debunk some of those myths you might have heard along the way!

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Granite

• Granite is scratch resistant, heat resistant, and incredibly durable. You can technically scrape granite, but according to a granite installation company's website...you pretty much have to MEAN to scratch it: 

"Granite is one of the hardest stones in the world and is highly resistant to scratching in ordinary use. A knife blade will not scratch granite. It can be scratched by another piece of granite or with specially sharpened tools designed to work with granite like tungsten and diamond blades." [Source]

• While granite can be relatively expensive, it is a long-term investment that will last for years.
• Contrary to popular belief (cough...HGTV...cough), granite is not going to be consistent across the board. Granite is a natural stone that contains imperfections (if you'd call them that)​. For example...your sample piece might look something like the 3CM White Alpha sample on the left (below), but when it comes in you might see an imperfection like in the photo on the right (below):

3CM White Alpha

"Imperfections" found naturally in granite

Yes...that is an extreme case...but what would blogging be without a little drama?

• Cleaning granite is relatively easy. Granite is technically porous; however it is also stain resistant. Any mess wiped up within a few minutes will come off completely. Should an oily substance be left on the granite surface for a long enough period it will soak in and leave a dark spot. That being said, this oil can be drawn out...it is not permanent. 
• Vaughn's Cabinets carries a line of all-natural, made in America cleaning products manufactured by Howard Products.
• Here's a great article on how to clean and disinfect your granite countertops.
• Here's a great article on common myths associated with granite.

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Quartz

• While quartz countertops are also scratch resistant, heat resistant, and quite durable...the one kicker is that granite can almost always be repaired while man-made stone damage is often permanent, which gives a slight edge to granite in this department.
• The price of quartz is comparable to granite.
• Quartz is also a natural stone; however, quartz countertops are "man-made" in that the manufacturing process involves mixing approximately 95% ground natural quartz (smaller pieces) with 5% polymer resins together to form the desired color, design, etc. Check out the videos below to learn more:

Typical quartz samples ​(notice how cookie-cutter they are):

A quartz countertop example:

• Cleaning quartz is also easy. Quartz is non-porous, so it is stain resistant. Any spill should come off completely. 
• Vaughn's Cabinets carries a line of all-natural, made in America cleaning products manufactured by Howard Products.
• According to major Howard Products resellers, this product is also very safe on quartz. Stop in to Vaughn's Cabinets to grab a bottle!

Here's what HGTV has to say about quartz

Learn how quartz countertops are manufactured!

Learn about the pros and cons of quartz countertops!

So then...what's best?

After looking at all the pros and cons of quartz vs. granite...it's pretty even across the board. It all just depends on your own style!