Granite Countertops, Quartz Countertops, Recycled Countertops

Which countertops should I choose Granite Countertops, Quartz Countertops, Recycled Glass Countertops, Butcher Block Countertops, or Laminate Countertops? With so many options these days and styles coming and going its hard to decide which is best for you and your family. Here is some basic information that will help you decide which one might work best for your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room remodeling project or new home.

Granite vs. Quartz Countertops

Granite Countertops -Granite is one of the oldest, hardest, and strongest stones available. Granite comes in many different sizes but the most common are 2cm and 3cm countertops. You may ask what is the difference, well one is thicker then the other. I personally like the 3cm countertops better in a kitchen. It looks more substantial and it is. The 2cm is commonly found on shower walls or bathroom vanities. It is thinner and gives a clean look. 2cm is also less expensive then 3cm but most Granite Countertops Supplies only carry the 3cm because it is the most popular in the Northwest including Spokane, WA and Post Falls, ID and Coeur D'Alene, ID. Some folks do not want Granite because they have heard people complain that they have to seal it every year. Here is the answer to this, Yes, if your Granite does not come sealed with a XX year guarantee then you will need to seal it. The good news is you can purchase the sealer from Northwest Trends Flooring America in the Spokane Valley and easily apply it in about 10 minutes. So its definitely NOT an all day project. The look of Granite can definitely be more exotic then Quartz as it is an actual stone cut from the earth with many variations which contribute to its beauty. Common Granites like Santa Cecelia or Uba Tuba are less expensive because of the availability and less exotic features. Exotic Granites can be very expensive and range in price from $75sq ft and higher.

Quartz Countertops - Quartz has become a very popular options since the prices have come down a bit and are comparable to Granite. Quartz, like Granite comes in 2cm and 3cm. The opinions vary over the widths. Some folks in the Northwest will use 2cm Quartz in the kitchens, bathrooms and laundry room. Again the 2cm is less expensive then a 3cm but also some manufacturers only manufactures certain Quartz in 2cm. In this case if you decide you prefer the look of a 3cm better, your fabricator or Northwest Trends Fabrication Division can add an additional 2cm to the edge to "Build it up". This gives the appearance of a 4cm edge. You will also notice a visual appearance difference between Grantie & Quartz. Because Quartz is a man made material, its more consistent in its patterns then Granite. Another distinguishing factor of Quartz products like Silestone is that they have a resistance to bacteria built into the product. Silestone calls theirs Bacteriostatic Protection. This property ensures that bacteria do not proliferate on the surface, providing active protection for the material in any of its applications. This protection is effective throughout the life and normal use of the material, and protects the entire volume, including edges and hollows.

Recycled Countertops - One of the most common "GREEN" products in the home market is countertops made with recycled glass. Crushed recycled glass is bonded with epoxy resin to create a variety of colors and textures. These countertops are stylish, have long life expectancies, emit low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and may be recycled again. They tend to be more difficult to
fabricate and may not be as friendly to wine and other spills which may cause staining. The major advantages of using recycled glass and epoxy countertops are that they are stain-, heat-, bacteria- and chemical-resistant and have a durable, long life. These countertops can be used for 40 years or more. No chemical sealants are required following installation, and there is little emission of VOCs. Drawbacks are that size is limited depending on the manufacturer and slabs are heavy, and therefore costly, to transport. Surfaces, while scratch-resistant, are not scratch-proof.

Another common term you will hear is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System© is a voluntary standard for developing environmentally responsible, low emission, high performance, sustainable buildings. It was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy. Recycled paper countertops are also popular amongst those trying to stay "Green". Per PaperStone's website  http://www.paperstoneproducts.com/information-faq.php, their recycled paper is saturated with our proprietary PetroFree™ phenolic resins and selected natural pigments on our treater lines. Resin-saturated sheets are stacked together and moved into a press where they are consolidated under heat and pressure. The number of paper sheets pressed determines the finished panel thickness. PaperStone’s superior strength allows innovative, cantilevered design capability and up to 18” unsupported overhang with 3/4” material. And, unlike some granites, PaperStone® emits no radon gases. It is heat resistant to 350°F and has been certified ‘food safe’ by NSF, the public health and safety company. The materials are beautiful and you would never guess they were made of paper. To see samples of this visit our showroom at 11315 E. Montgomery Dr. Spokane Valley, WA 99206.

Recycled Glass Countertops 
Ice Stone has a page for Frequently Asked Questions, Click Here.
Vetrazzo also has a FAQ page, Click Here.

Recycled Paper Countertops
PaperStone FAQ page, Click Here.

Northwest Trends offers many of the Recycled Countertops manufacturers including: IceStone, Vetrazzo, and PaperStone.

Butcher Block Countertops - They are a classic Martha Stewart look. They are usually made of maple but other species are available as well. If you don't mind having knife marks on your countertops then go ahead and cut on it, otherwise use a cutting board. To sanitize them one should use a food grade sanitizer like lemon, vinegar or commercial products on the market. They should be sealed and oiled regularly. One should be ok with the character of knife marks, wine stains etc.

Laminate Countertops - They are the original solid

surface, brand names include Formica, Wilsonart or Pionite. There are hundreds of patterns' including realistic granite and stone looks. New edge profiles allow the disappearance of the edge line and have bullnose styles. They are subject to scratching and are not heat resistant. They are less expensive then any other countertop surface available.

To view samples of these products or learn more about them, visit our showroom, or make an appointment with one of our experts call 509.921.9677.

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