There are few design elements that spark heated debate and divide homeowners as much as granite and quartz. Don’t believe me? Tune into any show on HGTV and you’ll likely hear the prospective buyer/renter wax poetic about their preferred counter top material and shun the other vehemently. But is one really better than the other or is it merely a matter of aesthetics?

To help break down the granite vs. quartz quandary,we thought up five categories to help show the differences between both. By the end of this article,you can decide which one you prefer. Before we get into all of that though,exactly what is granite and quartz?

Granite is a very hard stone and 100 percent natural. It’s mined from quarries all around the world,cut down to a manageable size,then afterwards polished to a fine finish.

Quartz is slightly different because it is not 100 percent natural. Instead,countertops are produced using 95 percent ground natural quartz and 5 percent polymer resins.

Now that you know the basics,let’s see how they compare against one another.

1: Appearance
Granite

Granite comes in various colors and patterns due to the way it’s formed (cooling and strengthening of molten materials). Whether you’re looking for a subtle complement to your kitchen or a standout slab with unique mineral inclusions,there is an almost unlimited selection to select from and no two granite countertops are the same.

Quartz

Among the main reasons quartz has exploded in popularity is because of appearance. Quartz has the look of stone while also allowing property owners to customize the design. While granite offers many options in regards to appearance,you may have to search for the right piece that matches your color scheme. With quartz,the selection process is a lot easier.

2: Price
Granite

According to HomeAdviser.com,the average cost to purchase granite and have it installed can cost between $2,000 and $4,000. You can save money by purchasing the material from a wholesaler and doing a portion of the preliminary work yourself but the actual fabrication and installation of the countertops should be left to a professional.

Quartz

Depending upon the quality of quartz and style of edging,HomeAdvisor.com places the average cost to install quartz countertops between $1,500 and $5,500. You can do some of the preliminary work to save money,but because engineered quartz is heavier than other stone surfaces,a professional installer needs to make sure the space is structurally sound.

3: Environmentally-Friendly
Granite

The only way granite ends up in your kitchen is if it’s quarried which uses a lot of energy. If you select a high-end slab from Italy,for example,there will be considerable transportation involved. Try using indigenous stone when possible or visit salvage shops for pieces that can be cut to fit your needs.

Quartz

Since quartz is engineered,it can be more environmentally-friendly than granite if you use regionally manufactured stone and local fabricators. This cuts down on the distance the material needs to be transported.

4: Maintenance
Granite

Granite countertops should be cleaned daily with soap and water or a mild household cleaner. Some oils and acids can stain so do your homework first to avoid stains. To ensure the longevity of your investment,consider having your countertops resealed once a year.

Quartz

Like granite,you’ll wish to clean any spills on quartz countertops with soap and water or a household cleaner,but that’s about it in terms of maintenance. The solid surface means that there is no need to have your countertops resealed.

5: Durability
Granite

Granite is a durable material that’s resistant to heat and many other kitchen elements. Due to its porous nature though,there can be some staining if spilled liquids are left sitting and damage can be done if your counter receives a high impact blow.
Quartz

Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus,more durable. In point of fact,quartz is nearly indestructible,and because it isn’t porous like granite,it’s easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat,so use heating pads at all times.
If you ‘d like to explore the differences yourself,contact Peakstone Granite at (336) 324-2875 or visit them at http://PeakStoneGraniteMarble.com

Essential Tools for Electricians

Without the right tools,electrical work cannot be well done no matter how experienced an electrician is. The list of electrician tools is getting longer every day because of the improvement of basic tools and development of new specialized tools over the years. There are must-have tools an electrician can’t do without no matter the type of work.

Choices must be made wisely to avoid being loaded with too many tools. To tackle different jobs with ease and efficiently an electrician needs the following hand and power tools.

Hand Tools

Electricians need basic hand tools to perform daily tasks. Today’s basic hand tools are safe and easy to use than their predecessors. They have improved designs that have reduced wrist and hand injuries caused by repetitive movements. You can now easily perform the same motion over and over again comfortably. Here are the basic hand tools an electrician should never lack.

1. Pliers

Pliers are critical tools especially for electricians who cut and manipulate wires. Pliers with contoured and cushioned handle provide a comfortable and powerful grip that allows an electrician to use them with ease. An electrician can have an array of pliers but the side cutting pliers,needle-nose pliers and reaming pliers are must have pliers.

2. Screwdrivers

An electrician should be armed with a variety of screwdrivers and nut drivers for a fast loosening and fastening of various hardware. Professional electricians carry adaptable screwdrivers such as Klein’s 10-in-one screwdriver that have interchangeable bits. Screwdrivers with heat treated shafts and well-cushioned handles are more preferred as they give the electrician an excellent and comfortable experience.

3. Wire Strippers

A wire stripper has a pair of opposing blades just like in scissors and a center notch that lets you cut insulations without cutting the wire. Wire strippers with curved handles are more preferred as they reduce fatigue caused by repetitive movements. Wire strippers with non-strip textured grips and a thumb guide are more comfortable and allow for faster wire stripping.

Power Tools

The ergonomic consideration in today’s corded and uncorded power tools makes them safer and easier to use. Cordless power tools are more convenient and versatile than the corded as they allow the user to move freely making the electrician more productive. Here are the two must have power tools for electricians.

1. Power Saws

The type of saw needed vary with tasks. There are various types of power saws. The portable band saw,hole saw,reciprocating saw,spiral saw,and cut-off saws are the common saws used for electrical works. They differ from one another based on how they operate. When buying an electrician’s power saw go for the one with a higher speed and has the ability to make clean cuts on metals.

2. Power Drills

Electricians like -need power drills when installing fixtures or disassembling the installed hardware to access wires. The drill and the power required is determined by the material being drilled. Multipurpose drills reduces the number of drills an electrician needs. A handheld electric drill with various grips can be used in different tasks. When buying a power cordless electric drill,battery run time and superior ergonomics should be considered.

Most online credit card and loan services offer their customers an Autopay feature. There are lots of people that use Autopay but there are many that don’t want to have anything to do with Autopay. It’s not for everyone but it does have its benefits.

What is Autopay

Autopay allows customers the option to automatically pay their bill on a certain date each month every month. For example a Citizens Bank customer can pay their car payment via- and have their payment scheduled for electronic debit from their checking account on the 15th of each month.

There is nothing else the customer has to do except make sure they have their loan payment amount in their bank account from drafting.

Won’t Forget To Pay

There are times in any given month that you get busy and forget due dates. If you forget to pay your mortgage payment then you will be hit with a late fee. The autopay features eliminates the prospect of this happening.

Each month like clockwork your monthly payment will be paid on that scheduled due date.

Credit Score Improvement

The positive effects of making on-time payments is your credit score will eventually go up. You won’t have to worry about your credit score at some point if you’re paying your bills on time and reducing debt. The Autopay feature helps a lot with this. Your payments will always be on time.

No More Paper Balance Statements

When you select to pay your bill automatically then you can shut off receiving paper statements in the mail to keep you updated. You can simply login to your account and view all of your information online. There’s a lot of costs that go into you receiving your bill each month so this can be eliminated immediately through the Autopay feature.