However, quartz and quartzite are similar in price, with quartzite being just slightly more expensive. You can expect to pay around $60 to $150 per square foot for quartz countertops and $70 to $200 per square foot for quartzite countertops.
Quartzite is formed slowly over time and as a result, is more porous than quartz. This means that quartzite will absorb spills and stains and it will also pick up and store grime and bacteria.
Which is more important while using your countertops — stain resistance, scratch resistance, or etching? Granite provides better stain and scratch resistance than quartzite. Quartzite is better at resisting etching. Quartz countertops repel all three.
Quartzite countertops offer several benefits, such as durability, heat resistance, low maintenance, and natural beauty. However, the material also has its drawbacks, including its high cost, porous nature, limited color options, and extreme heaviness.
Pros. Heat Resistance: Like granite most quartzite is very heat resistant and can withstand hot pots and pans. Beauty: Because of its similarities to sandstone and marble, quartzite provides an elegant and luxurious feel with its incredible veining and beautiful color.
No, quartzite does not crack easily, but it can crack. There are some scenarios where this could happen. Were you to drop a cast iron pan or a heavy appliance onto the countertop, the surface could fracture. The other scenario would be an abrupt change in temperature.
Quartz. Quartz is the most durable countertop material. A perfect choice for any kitchen or bathroom, quartz countertops contain a mixture of crushed quartz and resin. These materials create diverse appearance options that range from vibrant, customizable colors to the tried-and-true natural finish.
Quartzite can have many degrees of porosity, depending on which part of the world it comes from. It being porous means that it's prone to drag in liquids, which means It's prone to form stains that won't come off easily.
The choice here is a matter of personal preference. If you truly want the look of natural stone, then choose the truly natural product—granite. But many people find that quartz countertops offer looks that are different and better than natural stone.
In terms of appearance, quartz and quartzite also differ. Quartzite has a very limited color variation — usually appearing light gray or white with flecks of green, red, or blue and occasional veining. Quartz outshines quartzite in the color department.
When choosing a natural stone option, granite is widely considered to be the best stone slab for kitchen countertops. It has a reputation as a premium stone material that will elevate your kitchen design. One of the most appealing features of granite countertops are their beauty.
But even a white quartz countertop is vulnerable to staining from products such as red wine, tea, coffee, tomato sauce, and more if it's not cleaned up right away. In such cases, the staining liquid is not absorbed by the quartz countertop surface.
A good way to do that is by investing in quality materials for your countertops. Granite and quartzite are both high-quality and popular options, each with a wide variety of benefits, making them great investment choices to help increase the value of your property.
Quartzite is a valuable material that can increase your property's resale value immensely. As the kitchen is the most used area of most houses, having it decorated with high-quality and durable materials guarantees that your home will catch the eyes of potential buyers.
Quartzite countertops are considered high end for a number of reasons. Not only does quartzite exude extraordinary beauty, but it is also quarried from the earth the same as granite, marble and soapstone. Also, quartzite is not to be confused with quartz.
3) It's Porous
Quartzite is a porous material that needs to be sealed. In the absence of sealing, spills can seep in, leading to tough stains and bacterial growth, especially if spills are not wiped up right away. Seal your quartzite countertops at least annually to keep it shiny and free from stain.
If you plan to use quartzite in an outdoor setting or in a room that gets a lot of direct sunlight, you don't have to worry about it fading. Quartzite is UV resistant, so just let the light shine in!
While some quartzites are very dense and resistant to water absorption, others are very porous and require the application of heavy-duty sealer, to protect it's surface against water absorption and staining.
White marble will always be an elegant choice for kitchen countertops, but if the maintenance and potential for staining has you worrying about its longevity, consider butcher block. The go-to choice for farmhouse kitchens, butcher block will wear beautifully over the years, and you can prepare food directly on it.
Quartz countertops are the easiest natural stone to take care of. They are engineered using ground stone and resin, so they don't require regular sealing they way most granite and marble countertops do. This stone is non-porous, so it does not easily stain or etch.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz is resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, plus it's non-porous. This makes quartz one of the most durable countertops you can buy for your kitchen or bathroom.
Avoid Exposure to Heat and Protect the Surface from Knives
Quartzite is more resistant to heat than any other countertop material. However, due to its hard nature, the stone lacks flexibility making it prone to chips and cracks. Avoid hard blows on the surface and extreme heat.
Quartzite Surfaces Are Durable, Not Indestructible
Durable materials can chip if they suffer shock or impact in just the right place. Perhaps the most affected area of a surface is an edge.
Simply get a sample of the stone you'd like to perform the test on and use a spot near the end of the slab in an inconspicuous area. Then attempt to scratch the stone using the sharp blade of a pocket knife. If it leaves a scratch, you are most likely dealing with marble. If not, you're looking at quartzite.