What is Quartzite:

 

This mineral comes from sandstone which undergoes a natural process to become a metamorphic rock. These rocks are made through high pressure beneath the earth’s crust.

 

Marble is another example of metamorphic rock but it has lesser strength and durability because it is made from limestone. This mineral and quartzite have a similar physical appearance, the reason why most stone yards mistakenly label marble as a quartzite.

 

In contrast, granite is an igneous rock which is a hardened form of lava.

 

Benefits of Quartzite Countertops:

 

It is interesting to know what are the benefits of enticing customers in choosing quartzite over granite and quartz. To unlock this mystery, here are some of the important benefits you can get from having a quartzite countertop.

 

Quartzite is Tougher Than Granite:

 

Granite has almost dominated the market for kitchen and bathroom remodeling, particularly on countertops, backsplash, and vanity tops. However, when quartzite came in, granite’s dominance has trembled.

 

In terms of hardness using the Mohs Hardness Scale, quartzite scores at seven while granite is between 6 and 6.5. From this, we can say that it is definitely tougher than granite. Consequently, this is the reason why quartzite is usually used in border and railway ballasts construction.

 

Quartzite Appears Like a Marble but doesn’t Etch:

 

In stone yards, it is a common mistake to label quartzite as marble because of its very similar design and appearance. Worse, some even label them as “soft quartzite” when in fact, it is definitely a marble.

 

Indeed, the two have a very similar design, veining, texture and color but varies widely in terms of durability. Based on the Mohs Hardness Scale, Marble scores at four while Quartzite scores at seven.

 

There are several ways to test if it is true quartzite or not. First, you can bring a glass with you and try to make a scratch from the slab. Quartzite is harder than glass, thus, you won’t expect a scratch from it. After making a small etch, if there is a scratch, then that is definitely not a quartzite.

 

Another test you can do is to ask a small sample of the slab that you can bring home. After, place a lemon on top of its surface and let it sit overnight. If the surface discolors in the morning, then that is not a quartzite.

 

Quartzite is More Resistant to Heat and Scratch:

 

Considering this mineral is made from sandstone which is treated with high pressure and temperature beneath the Earth’s surface, it has an innate intense resistance for heat and scratches. Furthermore, it has higher heat and scratch resistance when compared to quartz countertops.

 

Quartzite is Cheaper Than Marble:

 

For a lucrative and cost-efficient countertop, this mineral is a good choice. If you are an avid fan of marbles but find it slightly costly, then a quartzite countertop is a great alternative. It is cheaper than the marble but having designs and aesthetics similar to marble.

 

Quartzite Requires Low Maintenance Like Granite:

 

Similar to granite, this mineral has low porosity which contributes to its antibacterial, anti-mold, and easy to clean features. In order to maintain and enhance its low porosity level, it has to undergo sealant maintenance once a year, just like granite countertops.

 

How much do Quartzite Countertops Cost:

 

In general, the price of a certain mineral such as quartzite is driven by two major factors: availability of resources and the place you are residing in.

 

If a mineral is scarce in resources, there is a great tendency for its price to spike when demand increases. Likewise, if you are living in an area which is far from the stone yard and where the cost of living is high, it poses high propensity for the price to increase as well.

 

The best discount and cheap price you can have for this countertop are $50 per square foot. Its average price in several suppliers is approximately $90 per square foot while the highest price you can pay for this is around $120 per square foot.

 

Quartzite Countertop Colors:

 

This countertop is catching a fast trend for the majority of the households in the United States. Despite the fact that beauty is a subjective matter, still, quartzite countertops help provide a tough and aesthetic kitchen and bathroom surface for your home.

 

Typically, the natural color of this mineral varies from white to gray. The color variations you see from this mineral are due to the presence of other minerals and its oxidation as it comes in contact with air.

 

For instance, the red and pink color you see is due to the oxidation of iron in the mineral. Other colors you can see include orange, yellow, green, and blue which is attributed to the various mineral contents in quartzite.

 

In the market, there are numerous shades of colors and designs of this mineral countertop. Among these shades, the popular ones include White Quartz, and Fusion Blue Quartz.

 

How to Clean Quartzite Countertops:

 

Aside from having great aesthetics and durability, people choose this mineral because it requires less maintenance and hassle compared to other types. In general, the level of maintenance given to this mineral is similar to granite countertops.

 

If stains and dirt are present, you can wipe them off with a soft cloth and 2 to 3 drops of neutral dish soap solution. After, you can rinse the soap off the surface with another clean and wet soft rag or cloth.

 

Similar to granite countertops, quartzite needs to have a once a year sealant maintenance to keep its non-porous features good. Never to use any abrasive cloth to wipe off its surface as it may scratch or remove the sealant film.

 

In terms of heat resistance, this mineral does not get easily damaged with hot pans placed on top of the countertop. Likewise, it also has a high resistance to acidic solutions but you need readily wipe off spills in order not to damage the sealant coat applied.

 

Quartzite VS Quartz:

 

These two minerals sound so alike but they are totally different from each other in almost all aspects. To have a better understanding, we have presented a comparison of these two minerals in various aspects.

 

1: Material Composition and Hardness

 

The first major difference between these two minerals lies in their material composition and hardness.

 

Quartz is made from pulverized pieces of quartz and other minerals that are mixed with cement-based resin binders which are synthetically manufactured into slabs. In contrast, quartzite is a natural metamorphic rock made from sandstone.

 

Based on the Mohs Hardness Scale, quartz scored at seven while quartzite scored between seven to eight scale. From this, we can directly say that the latter has greater toughness compared to the former mineral.

 

2: Aesthetic and Supply

 

Beauty is a subjective matter which is greatly dependent on the user, but still, we will do a comparison between the two.

 

Considering that quartz is man-made, thus, we can say that it provides a wider array of options for designs, colors, and textures to suit different preferences.

 

In contrast, the typical color of quartzite ranges from white to gray. Some of it has varying shades of pink, red, blue, green, orange, and yellow because of the presence of other minerals and its oxidation with air. This mineral has lesser options compared to quartz because it is naturally made.

 

3: Maintenance and Cleaning

 

Both minerals require little cleaning with spills and stains because of its non-porous nature. However, there is still a distinct difference between the two.

 

Quartz, unlike quartzite, does not need annual sealant maintenance to keep a good non-porous condition. This is attributed to the 10 to 20 percent cement-based resin binders combined upon its production.

 

Quartzite, like granite, requires a once a year sealant application to maintain its non-porous nature. This maintains the antibacterial and anti-mold feature of the countertop.

 

Meanwhile, both minerals need to avoid the use of abrasive wipers during cleaning as it might dull its color and remove the sealant coat for quartzite. Further, both minerals need to use a neutral dish soap solution for cleaning.

 

4: Heat Resistance

 

Quartzite, like granite, are natural minerals made from extreme pressure and temperature. With this nature, they have higher resistance for heated pans when placed on countertops.

 

In contrast, Quartz is a tough mineral but it has lesser heat resistance compared to quartzite. To prevent any damage, a heat-resistant pad must be placed before placing a hot pan on the countertop surface.

 

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Choosing what mineral to use in remodeling one’s kitchen and bathroom is never a straightforward situation. Even professionals are having a challenging time dealing when confronted with these situations.

 

There are so many factors to consider such as cost of material and installation, availability of supply, compatibility with other existing amenities and furniture, and preference.

 

Most often, the problem of remodeling is not the hard part, rather the options available makes the situation very challenging. In the market, there are several minerals to choose from such as granite, quartz, marble, tiles, ceramics, and quartzite.

 

Hopefully, we were able to show you enough details about this mineral regarding its cost, aesthetics, colors, compatibility, and comparisons with other minerals. If still undecided, it is better to take a step back and perhaps do further market research about it.