List of Pros and Cons of Quartzite Countertops
Whether you’re building a new house or just remodeling your own kitchen, you have to pick out the materials for your countertops. There are a lot of options out there, and trying to sort through them all can be a little overwhelming. One often overlooked option that you might want to consider is quartzite.
The first thing to know about quartzite is that it isn’t quartz. This confusion is one of the reasons that so few people think about quartzite when deciding on a countertop material. Despite the similarity in names, the two are quite different. Quartz countertops are man-made engineered stone countertops that combine ground natural quartz with polymer resins. Quartzite is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock that is mined out of the ground and then cut into slabs to be used as countertops.
List of Pros of Quartzite Countertops
1. Durability
Quartzite is one of the hardest materials available for countertop surfacing. It might chip a little if you aren’t careful with it, especially around the edges, but with proper care this slab should outlast the rest of your house. It is very resistant to heat damage as well, which makes it especially nice to have around the stove.
2. UV Resistant
As mentioned above, your countertop will have a pattern of streaks in it as well as sparkles and other discolorations caused by the presence of minerals. If you think it looks beautiful like that, you never have to worry about it fading. Even in direct sunlight, the colors in your countertop will remain exactly the same as the day it was installed.
List of Cons of Quartzite Countertops
1. Limited Colors
If you have your heart set on a specific color scheme for your kitchen, quartzite might not work for you. It is almost always going to only be available in various shades of white and gray, though iron oxide in some slabs might create a pink or red hue.
A note on appearance that doesn’t fall into the pro or con category as it is entirely personal preference: quartzite countertops will have some streaking in them. Quartzite is formed when sandstone comes under extreme heat and pressure through tectonic forces. Changes in temperature or pressure while the quartzite is still being formed will create streaks in the stone. To some, this makes their countertop unique and even more beautiful. Others simply don’t care for how it looks.
2. Sealing
Quartzite, like any natural stone, does need some basic maintenance. The surface needs to be sealed in order to keep water from penetrating it and also to prevent staining. The density of slabs of quartzite varies, so different countertops need sealed more or less frequently than others. Generally it needs done no more than once a year.
Quartzite is a beautiful natural stone that many people find to be the perfect countertop to complete the look of their kitchen. It does need some regular maintenance and a bit of careful handling to avoid chipping, but when treated properly it will outlast everything else in your home.