• When To Choose Quartz Over Granite

    selection of natural and artificial kitchen and bath countertop materials

    Granite is a natural stone valued for its distinctive patterns and traditional look. Quartz is an artificial material made from natural stone particles combined with resins, forming a surface that is impermeable, low-maintenance, and highly customisable. Their selection is based on factors such as design flexibility, durability, and care requirements. Here’s when to choose quartz countertop installation over granite:

    Choose for Durability

    Use quartz when installing a surface that is resistant to heavy use in kitchens or bathrooms. The material is non-porous, making it difficult for liquids to leak in. This prevents stains from substances such as wine, coffee, or oils. It also makes it simple to clean, as you wipe spills off the surface.

    Quartz countertop installation also inhibits bacterial growth, boosting cleanliness without additional chemical processes. It doesn’t require resealing after the initial sealing, unlike natural stone, which requires ongoing maintenance. Its hardness of 7.0-7.5 on the Mohs scale means that knives or utensils cannot scratch it, making it durable for everyday use.

    Quartz’s resistance to chipping makes it suitable for busy families or high-traffic areas. It is also water and heat-resistant and can be used around sinks and stoves with limited precautions. Quartz offers long-term performance and low maintenance, making it a practical option for daily surfaces.

    Choose for Variety

    Quartz is also the ideal choice when you require an extensive range of colors, designs, and finishes to suit any design style. It can imitate natural stones such as granite and marble, providing aesthetics without the maintenance burden. Quartz may also feature contemporary patterns, such as concrete-like textures or metal accents. The polished surface finish provides a glossy look, while the honed or matte surfaces offer a soft, low-profile appearance. Its flexibility allows it to complement both traditional kitchens and modern commercial spaces.

    Choose for Customization

    Select quartz where you require exact cutting and edge selection to match specific layouts or designs. Slabs may be tailored to the necessary thickness to enhance durability or create a visual effect. Edge details, including beveled, rounded, squared, or waterfall, provide further customization.

    Quartz goes beyond countertops to backsplash, built-in sinks, islands, and tabletops. The uniform pattern and color provide smooth, continuous surfaces across large areas. The professional installation makes it strong, aligned, and has maximum visual appeal. Quartz is also suitable for commercial applications, offering the same style across different surfaces.

    Choose for Low Care

    Quartz is an appropriate option when low maintenance and long service life are priorities. Cleaning can be done with soap and water alone, without harsh chemicals, and the stain- and scratch-resistant properties help maintain its appearance despite heavy use. Quartz is less absorbent than natural stone, which helps prevent discoloration and bacterial growth. It does not crack or warp under normal temperature variations. This material is safe for heavy use and suitable for residential or commercial applications.

    Schedule Quartz Countertop Installation

    Quartz countertop installation is a good option when durability, design flexibility, customization, and low maintenance are key. It has a long service life, requires minimal maintenance, and offers a broad range of aesthetic options. Quartz can be used in kitchens and commercial spaces without compromising style or comfort, according to homeowners and designers. Browse quartz selections now to find the best style for your countertops.

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  • Hume Castle in Berkeley, California

    note: article updated with new image & details
    Screen shot 2010-10-06 at 12.42.27 PM

    2900 Buena Vista Way in Berkeley, California is home to a rather unique property, one which many local residents don’t even know about given its location on a hillside high above street level and the fact that it’s almost completely shrouded in olive and pine trees.

    Originally built in 1927 for Samuel James Hume and Portia Bell Hume – the former professor of theater arts at the University of California and the latter a pioneer in the field of community psychiatry – Hume Cloister was designed by John Hudson Thomas based on a very specific 13th-century Augustinian monastery in Toulouse, France.

    I’ll try to get some pictures from the inside – maybe the owners have a few photos they wouldn’t mind sharing with us. All I know is that the interior details are pretty incredible – enormous wrought iron chandeliers, a deep wishing well, a beautiful cloister, spiraling stone staircases. It sounds terrific!

    There aren’t many images of the house available online, and not many other textual references either; this fellow lived in the area and writes a bit on it, and includes some maps and pictures; the home sits on a tract of land known as La Loma Park; finally, Hume may have been involved in this staging of Henry VI, which took place on the property. I’ll post contemporary pictures if I can find some!

  • Squak Mountain Stone: recycled fibrous-concrete countertops

    Squakcounter

    There are several different commercial formulations of concrete on the market for countertops, flooring and other interior architectural uses. Some are aerated or mixed by varying but mostly-similar techniques, some are molded or installed in different ways, and some are aerated, or treated with dyes or special sealants. But one in particular is as attractive as real stone, is made in a range of mineral shades and has a natural texture from inclusions such as recycled paper, glass and coal fly-ash.

    Squak Mountain Stone’s fibrous-cement material is beautiful and just as visually appealing as real stone – but it’s a truly environmentally-friendly countertop that makes great (re)use of some otherwise-ignored ingredients. It is available both in slabs and as tiles, and the maker is happy to work with clients on custom applications and mixtures. In that respect, it’s even more appealing than real or manufactured stone!

    According to developer and owner Ameé Quiriconi, the ingredients list reads like a how-to book for those interested in establishing a truly green, environmentally-friendly business:

    • Fly-ash is generated at a Washington-state coal-fired electrical generation facility. It’s collected and bagged for sale in Seattle.
    • The mixed waste paper comes from a small home-based document destruction business staffed by four young women with developmental disabilities (with the help of a job coach and the women’s parents.)This business is located in Issaquah, WA.
    • The recycled glass is mainly waste from local window manufacturers that is collected and processed by a local glass recycling company.

    We’ve put together a whole Flickr album of high-res images showing the product in use – if you are planning a kitchen or bath remodel, you really should take a look at this material before you finalize your countertop material plans.

    It is available from retailers up and down the west coast, including Green Sacramento, Ecohome Improvement in Berkeley, Greenspace in Santa Cruz, Eco Design Resources in San Carlos as well as EcoSpaces in Telluride, Colorado.