You’ve finally decided that quartz is the material for you when designing your new kitchen remodel and your new countertops. But, wait, what’s this? Quartzite? Sounds almost the same, but is it the same material and should you use it for your kitchen countertops? Let’s look at the difference between quartzite and man-made quartz to help you figure out which is right for you.
What’s the difference?
The main difference between the two countertop materials is that quartz countertops are man-made or engineered, while quartzite is a complete slab of natural stone.
Quartz countertops are a combination of natural quartz, normally in the form of chips or dusts, and resin, completed with pigments to achieve a variety of attractive colors. Despite being man-made, it is extremely natural looking.
Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that is created when sandstone rich in quartz is placed under intense heat and pressure. This process occurs naturally and the quartzite can then be mined for use.
Quartz or quartzite?
So, you can see that the two stones are pretty different in the way that they’re made, but what are they like as countertop materials?
Aesthetically speaking, both materials produce a striking, polished look for your countertops. Quartzite is generally a light-colored stone, similar to marble. As it is a natural stone, each piece will be completely unique with slightly different shades, patterns, and veinings. Quartz, on the other hand, can be more uniform as it is man-made. However, this also allows quartz to be made in a wide range of colors as pigments can be added to it during production.
Both quartz and quartzite are extremely durable, making them ideal materials for your kitchen countertops. Quartzite, however, is much more prone to staining and etching, so it will need to be sealed in order to prevent this. Man-made quartz does not need sealing because of the way it is made. Quartzite, on the other hand, is less prone to scratching and can also withstand heat slightly better than quartz.
When it comes to costs, quartzite is generally slightly more expensive than quartz because it needs to be cut into slabs to meet the specifications of each countertop. You can expect to pay $60+ per square foot for quartz and $70+ for quartzite.
If you have any more questions about these two countertop materials or are in need of countertop installation in North Carolina, the get in touch or come down and visit us at our Kernersville showroom.
