Quartz and quartzite are often considered interchangeable due to the closeness of their name and similar price points. However, these are two vastly different stones and have striking differences in their composition, durability, maintenance, cost, and aesthetics.
Read on to learn about the differences in these two countertop solutions.
Composition
One of the main differences between quartz and quartzite is the stone’s composition and origins. Quartzite is a naturally occurring stone mined from quarries like marble or granite and is actually metamorphic sandstone.
Due to intense pressure applied to the sandstone over millions of years, the resulting quartzite contains countless faceted crystals and gorgeous veins of color. Because it is a naturally occurring substance, no two quartzite slabs will look alike, which has pros and cons in of itself.
On the other hand, Quartz is a manmade substance that combines ground quartzite, glass, resins, and pigments to create a hard stone-like slab. Because it is a paste in its raw form, quartz can be formed into any shape, size, or length and is perfect for unique spaces.
Durability and Maintenance
When it comes to the durability and maintenance of kitchen countertops, most people want this high-traffic area to be as resilient as possible, especially if they have children, cook often, or entertain frequently.
Since quartz is manmade, it is engineered to be non-porous and therefore won’t stain or ever need to be resealed. Quartz is also easier to keep clean, as it won’t absorb bacteria however, while it’s very durable, quartz is easier to scratch than quartzite.
Quartzite, despite its natural beauty, is much more prone to stains but is a very hard stone and it’s difficult to scratch or chip the surface as long as it’s been properly maintained. The stone is porous naturally and needs to be resealed at least once a year, if not more often.
In order to help each seal last as long as possible, only gentle cleansers can be used to wipe down the slabs.
Conversely, quartz is extremely heat sensitive and will crack or buckle under high heat. A hot pan set on the quartz countertop can do a lot of damage very quickly. Quartzite is a bit more heat resilient but is still not considered a stone for high-heat areas.
When it comes to durability, both countertop types have their strengths and weaknesses. It really comes down to how your household uses your kitchen.
If you use high heat while you cook and are worried about guests unknowingly scratching your countertops, quartzite is for you. If you are a messy cook or have kids that will spill often, go with quartz.
Affordability
At first glance, quartz and quartzite countertops appear to be about the same. However, there are multiple factors that need to be taken into account in order to assess the true cost.
When it comes to the basic cost of just the material quartz and quartzite are both about $60-$100 per square foot. However, installation costs can be different based on your needs.
Quartzite is a natural stone and has to be cut to fit your space. Custom cuts can be pricey, and the shipping for the slabs can also run up your bottom line as the stone is more likely to crack due to improper shipping. After it’s installed, Quartzite still will incur costs as it needs to be sealed once or twice per year.
Quartz, on the other hand, is manmade and easily customizable to specific spaces. While quartz can be a bit more expensive per square inch depending on the seller and what additional design elements you want, quartzite is still more expensive in the long run.
Design
To some, the most important aspect of their countertops is the aesthetic, over more practical things like durability, maintenance, or cost. In this case, there are pros and cons to each material.
Quartzite has the advantage of its natural beauty with unique veining and patterns in each slab, but it is only commonly found in light gray, white, and dark gray. While other colors like light brown, gold, pink, yellow, blue, or green are naturally occurring, these options are less common and come at a premium.
Quartz is easily customizable and can even have details like veins or patterns added in synthetically. Quartz is also more consistent in appearance.
Which One? It really depends.
Which material you choose for your countertops boils down to what is more important to you and your household. If you value durability, affordability, and low maintenance, quartz is the best bet. If you value aesthetics, then quartzite is the way to go.
At Texas Granite Group, we specialize in fabricating countertops. Our Austin area countertop store carries all things countertops including granite, marble and quartz of course. Making a decision can be difficult and our designers are here to help you with the right choice for your kitchen remodel or bathroom renovation.
Countertops such as granite or quartz can be customized and are sure to please everyone in both the way they look as well as the way they feel.