Granite & Quartz Countertop Installation in Austin and Surrounding Areas

Granite countertops seldom crack given the proper care and maintenance. There are some things you can do to avoid granite chipping or cracking. Two of the most common ways for granite to crack is from someone sitting on the very edge, or the shock of a hot pan on a cold countertop. To avoid cracks or chips occurring this way, avoid sitting on your granite countertops entirely, and always use a pot holder or trivet for your pots and pans when cooking. If you do see a crack in your granite countertop in Austin, Texas, call the experts at Fox Granite as soon as possible. Cracks on a granite countertop tend to spread, and without immediate repair, you’re opening the door for the possibility of an entire portion of your countertop breaking off. 

Cleaning granite countertops is no more difficult than cleaning typical wooden countertops. With a mixture of mild soap or water or ammonia-free window cleaner, wipe down your granite countertops to keep them clean and shiny. If you do see staining, you can use mild soap and water to remove the stains. But, staining is rare on well-sealed granite countertops, so this should not be a common occurrence. 

Granite is formed underneath the surface of the earth, as the product of the crystallization of once-molten materials that have been under the conditions of extreme pressure and heat for millions of years. When these rocks reach very high temperatures, they will begin to melt, then the water works to cool this molten rock. Larger crystals will grow large enough to be visible during this slow cooling process, which is then harvested to create things like countertops, tables, and other granite-using furniture. 

Granite is composed of a crystalline structure, which oftentimes features natural fissures that may look like cracks, but they are not defects. These fissures do not in any way impair the functionality or durability of the stone. Those experienced in granite often look for stone that feature these fissures, as they feel that it adds to the natural beauty of the stone. 

True, natural granite, like the stone provided by Fox Granite Countertops, can not be scratched with a standard kitchen knife. This is because granite is one of the hardest materials on earth. The Mohs Hardness Scale is used to identify the hardness of minerals. Within this scale, diamond scores a 10, while granite scores a 7. Based on the Mohs Hardness Scale, a standard kitchen knife can only scratch materials of 5.5 or below. 

While knives won’t damage granite countertops, granite countertops can destroy your kitchen knives. If you look at the Mohs Hardness Scales as a “which material wins” scenario, granite countertops will easily beat out your kitchen knives, resulting in damage to your favorite cooking tools. Therefore, we don’t recommend using granite countertops as a cutting board. 

There are several reasons why quartz is a popular alternative to granite for things like countertops, but paramount among these are price and availability. Unlike granite, quartz is typically produced in a factory. This means that there is an almost endless supply of quartz. The high availability of quartz makes it considerably cheaper than granite. Some other reasons that homeowners might opt for quartz instead of granite include: 

• Nonporous: Quartz is a nonporous material, unlike granite which is a porous material. This means quartz cannot harbor bacteria within its divots and cracks, unlike other countertop materials. 
• Color Options: Quartz is available in a wide range of colors, like bright red or lime green. But, most often, quartz will be color matched to its surroundings in neutral colors like cream, brown, or black. 
• Stain Resistant: Quartz is entirely resistant to staining. Things like juice, oil, wine, tomato sauce, and coffee do not affect the color whatsoever.

Quartz is a crystalline form of a silicon diode, and just so happens to be the second most common mineral on earth. This mineral is durable and readily available, and this availability makes it an affordable alternative to granite. Quartz is also used in several different construction applications, as well as electronics, alongside being a popular choice for furniture like countertops. 

You can find quartz all over the world due to how common this mineral is, but the two largest natural quartz mines in the world are found in Brazil and Arkansas. The largest ever piece of natural quartz was found in Brazil and weighed in at over 44 tons. Quartz can also be found on beaches, in deserts and rivers, and on mountaintops all over the world. 

Quartz is much more heat resistant than materials like Formica and wood. When compared to granite, quartz is far less heat resistant. You’ll need to take extra care when dealing with hot pans and pots for your quartz countertop. This is because resin components of quartz countertops are more vulnerable to direct heat. Always use pot holders, hot pads, and trivets for hot cooking tools when placing them on your quartz countertop. 

Shower edges, coffee tables, window sills, fireplaces, and kitchen and bathroom countertops are excellent choices for quartz construction. Commercially, quartz is used for food service counters, reception tops, and conference tables. We never recommend quartz countertops for outdoor applications as the UV rays from the sun can discolor the stone.