A lot of people mistakenly believe that quartz and quartzite are the same. Well, we’re here to tell you that they are not the same. While they may have a similar name, quartz and quartzite are two different materials, both of which can make beautiful countertops. In this blog post, we are going to explain the differences between quartz and quartzite, as well as take a look at the pros and cons of both options so that you can get a better understanding of which material you prefer.
What is the difference between quartz and quartzite?
Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that is naturally occurring. It is created when extreme pressure and heat is placed on sandstone due to the tectonic plate compression in the earth’s crust. The stone will then be mined so that it can be sawn into slabs and precisely cut into countertops. While quartzite is naturally made, quartz is engineered. Loose quartz makes up the majority of the material, yet it is fabricated from synthetic materials and silicon dioxide.
So, which material is better?
Now that you know about the differences between the two materials, let’s take a look at how they match up against each other when considering the key qualities we all look for in countertops.
- Countertop maintenance – Firstly, let’s take a look at countertop maintenance. After all, we all lead busy lives and so the last thing we want to do is spend all of our time cleaning and maintaining our worktops. All you need to do is wipe your quartz worktops down with a damp cloth and you will maintain their beauty. You don’t need an abrasive cleaner and you shouldn’t use one, as it will cause more harm than good. Quartzite is definitely the diva out of the two, demanding a bit more TLC. You need to seal and then re-seal your countertops once or twice a year, otherwise, stains will penetrate the stone and cause harm to the appearance.
- Durability – When comparing the two, quartzite is the harder material. It is very durable, especially when you consider that it is actually harder than granite. Quartz may not be as hard, but it does offer durability in other ways. It is less prone to chipping and denting when compared with quartzine because it is a more flexible material. Needless to say, no matter what material you go for, you are still going to need a chopping board because both materials can be scratched with sharp objects.
- Appearance – Last but not least: appearance. It really is not possible to say which one is better in terms of appearance. After all, we all have different tastes and different ideas regarding what we think looks good and what doesn’t. One thing that is worth pointing out is that you have a wider selection of colors to choose from when it comes to quartz, as this is an engineered material and, therefore, a pigment can be added.
And there you have it: everything you need to know about the difference between quartz and quartzite countertops. A lot of people assume that these are the same thing, but they’re not!
So which one are you leaning more towards? Quartz or quartzite? No matter which you prefer, you will find the perfect quartz or quartzite slab at A & V Granite. When you are ready to update the countertops in your home with either quartz or quartzite, give our experts a call at (416) 663-1889 or come down to our showroom to peruse our impressive selection.