Granite vs. Quartz Countertops?

I'm asked at least on a weekly basis what type of countertop I recommend - Granite or Quartz?  My answer may surprise you; however before I give it, I thought it might be a good idea to give you the opinion of an expert.  I asked Steve Lee at Canaan Stone Works for his thoughts on which countertop is better - Granite or Quartz? 

"Granite vs Quartz Countertops

Are Your Customers Asking You Which One Is Better?

With the ever growing popularity of Quartz countertops, many customers are asking about the differences between Quartz and Granite, and of course the ever so popular question...."Which one is better?"  Truth be told, that question can only be answered by the customer.  However, I think it's important the customer understands the differences so they are able to make the decision that is best FOR THEM!

Quartz Facts:

Quartz is a man-made product that consists of 93% quartz and 7% pigments and resins. 

The process combines crushed quartz, resin, and pigments in molds where it is heated and vibrated. The result is Quartz slabs that are solid and impervious to stains, moisture, and bacteria. 

Due to Quartz having a resin that binds the quartz together and therefore the stone is not porous, meaning it never needs to be sealed.  Below are the attributes of Quartz:

 1) Non-porous - never needs sealed

2) Scratch Resistant

3) Heat Resistant up to about 300 degrees

Because Quartz tops are strong & dense in nature, it allows for greater overhangs than granite without fear of cracking or breaking.

Granite Facts:

Granite is molten rock that was formed millions of years ago and is now quarried from mountains in Brazil, India, and Italy, to name a few.  

 Not only will you find many beautiful colors and patterns with Granite, but because of its durability and longevity, Granite is well suited for high traffic areas.  

Granite is considered one the most durable products for countertops because it is scratch resistant, heat resistant, and fairly stain resistant.  It is one of the hardest materials on earth, with only 3 other natural materials being harder, and one of them being diamonds.   This is the reason Granite is fabricated with all diamond tooling. There is a scale that determines the hardness of materials (Mohs scale of Hardness) and the scale is 1-10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest.  On that scale, Granite is a 7 and the best knives on the market have been rated no higher than 5."

We use both types in our remodels and frankly it depends on the Design or Designer and selection.  In my mind both are equal in function; however Granite tends to be more artistic.  I prefer to see it more in my remodels. 

Terry Skilling, CR

Themed Rooms - Ship Ahoy!

Themed Rooms are a great way to capture your unique personality!  Sports Lovers, Music Fans and Collectors of Stuff now can create their own space to harbor all their treasures, just like our client featured on Houzz. com does! 

The Design
Our Master Bathroom project was created in a turn of the century 2-story brick home overlooking downtown Kansas City, Missouri. We were tasked by our client, to design and build a Themed Master Bathroom based on the look of a 15th century sailing ship. When bathing, our client wanted to feel as if he was on the inside of the ship looking out. We enlisted the help of Elizabeth Rishel Design by Orion to create the mood, feel and look of an old sailing ship. Her design blended old timbers, antique iron and original brick with modern tile, blue glass and quartz. Other elements of the design included a large window view, LED shelf lighting and the client's own collection of nautical elements.

Connect with Rhino Builders Remodel + Design on Houzz.com! Click here for details about how this design was built!

2015 Kansas City NARI Remodeled Homes Tour Recap!

As a participant in the 2015 Kansas City NARI Remodeled Homes Tour we were able to engage with a variety of homeowners in just one weekend. It’s always an honor when our clients want to participate as well. More than 500 people visited the home!

This year’s featured home was located in Old Leawood, KS. The clients visited our featured home during the 2014 Kansas City NARI Remodeled Homes Tour and a project was born! Their home was a typical three-bedroom ranch with closed-off living spaces and paint colors that were bright and overwhelming. But we fixed all that!

Two walls were removed to open the space, which created flow from the entryway into the dining room, kitchen and hearth room. The dining room was crafted from a small bedroom, and a sliding glass door replaced the window to mirror the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The kitchen was updated with the removal of the soffit, which allowed for custom European cabinetry to align with the ceiling. This created height, while the backsplash in larger 4 X 13 pieces added depth to the space.

Custom shelving was built in the hearth room, effectively hiding all of the wiring for the entertainment system with a drop box for all of the outlets and electrical work. A sound system was incorporated into the ceiling of the hearth room and kitchen to enhance the space with soothing music or add surround sound to movie night. A laundry room was designed with custom cabinetry and shelving for a pantry as well.

The selection of fresh taupe colors for the walls and the addition of the homeowners’ personal taste for artwork from local artists transformed this space into one that now projects the feeling of a brand new home!

Special thanks to Picture Perfect Interiors, Constructive Ideas and Canaan Stone Works for their contributions to the project, which was completed in November 2014. The clients were especially grateful for a festive Thanksgiving holiday when they celebrated with family in their new cohesive living space!