Just when you think you’ve seen every countertop available, along comes something new. Designers and homeowners alike are falling in love with quartzite! Its strength, beauty, and durability make it a high-demand product for modern and traditional kitchens. But don’t get confused… quartzite is not quartz.
What Is Quartzite?
While quartz is an engineered, or manmade, product developed from recycled stone, pigment, and polymer resins, quartzite is a natural metamorphic rock that originates as sandstone. Through extreme heat and pressurization deep within the earth’s crust, individual pieces recrystallize, and the sandstone is transformed into quartzite. Once it is quarried, the quartzite is cut into slabs for both commercial and residential use.
In comparison, marble is also a metamorphic rock, but it is formed from limestone. Granite is an igneous rock, which has been crystallized and solidified from molten lava. They are all beautiful, natural options for use in your home or corporate office.
Properties of Quartzite
- Extremely strong and durable
- One-of-a-kind appearance
- Heat resistant
- Doesn’t scratch or etch
- Low maintenance
Advantages of Quartzite
Quartzite is available in an amazing selection of earthy, natural colors and has some of the veining patterns found in marble. Its sophistication, sparkle, and durability make quartzite a sensible and fashionable choice for use in many areas of the home.
Like any other natural material, quartzite is certainly not indestructible. Some quartzites need to be sealed to help protect the surface from stains and etching, but this material definitely requires less maintenance than marble. Marble Granite World will seal your quartzite slab upon fabrication—you will then need to re-apply sealer annually. As with all natural stone surfaces, all spills—especially wine, dark juices, coffee, and citrus—should be wiped up as quickly as possible, and we recommend using a trivet under any hot pots or pans.
Uses of Quartzite in Your Home
- Countertops – kitchen and bath
- Tabletops
- Tile
- Backsplashes
- Floors
- Fireplaces
- Feature walls
- Vanity tops
- Stair steps
Uses of Quartzite in the Office
- Reception desks
- Lobby / entryway
- Tabletops
- Tile
- Backsplashes
- Floors
- Feature walls
- Stair steps
- Bathrooms
- Breakrooms
The Many Colors of Quartzite
Natural quartzite falls into a similar pricing category as marble, has the hardiness and durability of granite, and is available in a wide array of colors. Many quartzite slabs come in gray, beige, and white tones. But it can also be found in greens, blues, pinks, and reds—depending on the presence of iron oxide as well as the age of the stone and where it was quarried.
If you love granite, it’s definitely the lesser expensive option. But if you have your heart set on marble, you may want to consider quartzite as a more durable substitute. You can achieve the same look as marble at about the same price point but get a much more durable surface in return.
Overall, we’re seeing a big jump in interest for quartzite countertops in both kitchen and bathroom applications. It’s the new, hot design trend that appears to be gaining as much popularity as other natural stone countertops.
Click here to learn more about the different types of stone we offer at Marble Granite World.
Discover the Beauty that Quartzite Can Add to Your Home or Office!