Frank Fekonia built his own three level home with a million dollar view for very little money and a lot of concrete. This is an excellent video on how far a little money, a lot of elbow grease, and a solid imagination can take you.
Many people want to know if marble or granite is better for countertops in their kitchens and bathrooms. After all, both are beautiful materials, both lend beauty and elegance to any home, and both are available in many varieties to suit any preference.
On the other hand, there are a few differences between these two stones that you should seriously consider before choosing between them. Rather than making this decision for you, why don’t we let the facts speak for themselves.
The Pros and Cons of Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock - the basic ingredient can be found everywhere from limestone to baking soda, from calcium carbonate to lime (white wash). The basic ingredient goes by many other names depending on its application and its form. Limestone, a sedimentary form of calcium, which is found naturally in the earth, undergoes intense heat and pressure within the earth to be formed into what we know as marble.
This rock can also be exposed to heat and grinding to become a filler ingredient for medications, writing paper, plaster of Paris, lime (white wash), and cement hardener. This means that marble, although beautiful and durable, is porous and very easily destroyed by any type of acid, heat, or water. Even with a seal coating applied religiously every year, no types of chemicals may be used to wash the countertops made from it. It cannot take much abuse from water, acids such as lemon or orange juice, or high heat from pans. These will all destroy the seal coating and the marble beneath.
Since marble is so porous, it is also easily stained. One single scratch can allow liquids or even oxidation from the air to leak under the seal coating and stain the marble. This doesn’t mean that it should not be used. Marble is ideal for use in low traffic areas or for sculpting amazing art out of. But for the high traffic use of a kitchen countertop, a floor, or a bathroom countertop, marble just means high maintenance.
The Pros and Cons of Granite
Granite is also a metamorphic rock – it’s a composite of quartz, silicon, feldspar, mica, and several other minerals. It too is formed under high pressure and heat. It is also just as beautiful. It is not as porous as marble and is resistant to chemicals and acids. The presence of quartz in granite provides the granite with a durability and hardness unlike that of soft marble.
Granite is more stain resistant and wear resistant than marble. While it is not perfect, granite holds up far better in high traffic uses such as counter tops and flooring. With a proper seal coating on granite and with proper care, granite will last for many years without scratching, staining, chipping, or wearing away. If properly cared for, granite may not need to be resealed every year.
Granite can also be quarried locally. This means that, unlike marble, granite will not have to be shipped from South America or Europe. Granite can be quarried in Arizona, New Mexico, and some northern states. Granite is also easier to ship. Even if the granite you select comes from South Africa, China, Asia, or Europe, there is more granite available. This means it’s easier to obtain and less expensive to use.
Ultimately It’s Up To You
Whether you choose granite or marble is up to you. When asked which one is better for the high traffic use of countertops, the answer should be clear, granite will simply hold up better. When properly cared for under normal conditions, granite is easier to care for and is resistant to staining, chemicals, heat, and fracturing.
Granite is available in more colors and patterns and can be custom ordered for less than marble.
When most people buy there homes, if they’re lucky or planned ahead, they’ll get one with a basement. Finished or not, these rooms are awesome. They stay the same temperature year round and are a great place to store things that you don’t want out in the garage or a shed.
If you’re fortunate enough to have one that doesn’t get overly humid and possibly has a sump pump, then you’re in great shape. If not, these things are fixable, though they can get a little pricey, depending on who you use.
So, let’s say the time has come and you can afford to finish that basement. What do you want to do with it? Well, you have tons of options and can combine ideas to make a really great room.
Games Room: It’s not just the younger members of the family who enjoy playing games. The adults can play pool, darts, table tennis or card games. Having a dedicated games room can really encourage the whole family to get together and have some fun rather than be stuck in front of the TV all evening whilst being unsociable.
Cocktail Bar: Your kids might already have a dedicated games room elsewhere in the house or you might not have any. If this is the case then installing a cocktail bar is great for entertaining your friends. One of the great things about being in a basement is that sound tends not to travel as much to your neighbors’ properties. You can easily have some quiet or lively parties in your basement as long as you decorate it nicely and install different types of lighting.
Music or Theatre Room: Some people are really keen on watching DVDs or listening to music in dedicated rooms so that they can enjoy the experience to the max. For better sound insulation you should have an acoustic lining installed on the walls and ceilings. People tend to like watching DVDs with the lights turned low or off so this is another reason why installing a home theatre room in your basement is such as great idea.
Photography Studio: More and more people are choosing to work from home instead of for a larger company. If you look in your local yellow pages you will see that there are a number of small photography studios in your area. If you are a professional photographer and want to work from home then setting up your studio in the basement can work really well because you can control lighting much better.
Workshops: If you enjoy making things or repairing things then having a workshop in your basement can work out really well. The good thing about workshops is that they really just need to be functional and so you don’t need to spend a fortune decorating it to the highest standard. The downside however is the lack of natural daylight so you might find it difficult to work properly. You should also think about taking large and heavy items in and out of the basement and how easily you would be able to do this.
Home Gym: People are very worried about their health nowadays so want to keep as fit and healthy as possible. Some people who are currently overweight feel uncomfortable about joining a gym because they are worried that they’ll be surrounded by beautiful slim people. Having your own home gym will allow you to exercise and sweat like a pig in privacy. Ideal flooring for home gyms is rubber, plus you should also think about ventilation for quality air supply.
With the uncertainty of the market and future prices of energy – we’re talking about long term. Now is a good time look at possibly installing solar cells on your home. You don’t need to completely power the entire house all in one shot, but laying the foundation and maybe going room by room would be a good idea.
If you need a little help on how to do it yourself and cheaply, check out our previous article on the topic.
INSTALLING SOLAR ENERGY YOURSELF
