Getting to Know Quartzite Countertops

Our Stone Process from the Distributor to Our Shop
From Our Shop to Your Home

Quartzite is a natural stone, a metamorphic rock that begins as pure quartz sandstone.

It forms when the earth’s crust shifts and causes tectonic plate compression, creating intense heat and pressure—and this heat and pressure is what crystallizes the quartz in swirls of color inside the sandstone.

From there, the stones are mined and cut into slabs that show off the interesting natural process that our planet has to offer.

This beautiful, natural stone countertop is highly-coveted for many reasons—a few being that it is durable, beautiful, low-maintenance, and a viable alternative to marble countertops. Find out more about quartzite here!

The quartzite countertop is made of beautiful and durable natural stone, but many people aren’t aware of all it has to offer.

The quartzite countertop is known for its elegant aesthetics and rock-hard durability. It’s a top choice for many homeowners because its looks give off a fine and delicate vibe, but it’s tougher than you’d think.

The Hardness of Quartzite

Stones are measured on the Mohs Hardness Scale. For context, diamond scores a 10 as the hardest material—and quartzite scores a 7. In general, it’s harder than most other natural stones used for countertops, including granite. Because of this hardness, it’s quite resistant to scratches and scuffs, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely impervious to them.

Since the temperature varies when quartzite is being created under the earth’s surface, it’s also possible for the hardness of quartzite to vary from slab to slab. Some are harder than granite, while others may be softer than marble. It just depends on what was going on during the process of your quartzite’s formation.

No matter how tough your natural stone is, though, always remember to use a cutting board when slicing and dicing!

A Low-Maintenance Stone

Quartzite countertops are known for their density, which means they are significantly less porous than other natural stones. Because of its lessened degree of porousness, it doesn’t take much more maintenance than regular sealing and daily cleaning. And you don’t even need expensive chemicals to get it shiny and sparkling—all you need is soap and water.

Diverse Aesthetics

It’s common to see quartzite slabs in white and gray, sometimes with beige coming through to act as the base color. But you’ll notice the most eye-catching component of quartzite is the patterns it boasts. There are bright and beautiful colors to be found sporadically through a quartzite countertop thanks to the iron oxides and other minerals that create pink, red, blue, yellow, and green.

Quartzite doesn’t have dark flecks as granite does, and its bright colors have the potential to bring a kitchen to life. Even in direct sunlight, you can count on the fact that quartzite won’t fade.

A Marble Alternative

Marble is a natural stone that’s often lauded for its beauty, but it also requires more maintenance than some homeowners are willing to commit to. That’s why quartzite is a great alternative—its stunning looks are similar to marble’s, and it’s much harder and more durable. If you want the look of marble without the high maintenance and high costs, quartzite is the countertop for you.

Quartzite, Not Quartz

Quartzite is a natural stone that is formed within the earth. Quartz, on the other hand, is a man-made countertop material. Quartzite is porous while quartz is not, but quartzite can easily be used as an outdoor countertop, while quartz countertops should always be kept inside to prevent the pigment from fading. Quartzite is also much more heat resistant and scratch resistant than quartz!

Considering Quartzite

A quartzite countertop is for those who value strong, durable, and beautiful materials. If you’re interested in learning more about this natural stone, reach out to Wallstone Stone Countertops today at (614) 348-6541.

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