When it comes to home renovations, there can seem to be countless decisions to make along the way. If you’re considering installing natural stone, choosing a material can be more difficult. Granite and quartzite are two of the most commonly used options for various renovation projects. While both quartzite and granite have many advantages, there are some differences you may consider before installing. In this blog, we’ll discuss these key differences and the pros and cons of granite and quartz.
If you are interested in the contrast between stone materials, please check out our previous articles:
1. Granite vs Quartz: Marble vs Quartz: Comparison from 9 Factors
2. How to Distinguish Marble and Quartzite?
Granite is an igneous rock that forms deep in the earth. It is made from a variety of minerals, including feldspar, plagioclase, quartz, and more. Granite remains one of the oldest and most durable natural materials in existence. Granite is a phenotypic rock, which means it contains crystals and chunks of minerals large enough to be discerned with the naked eye. When you look at a piece of granite, you see a speckled pattern of various fragments that come together to form the stone.
Granite forms when magma below the surface crystallizes, solidifies into a crystalline form, absorbing everything in the process. This explains why granite comes in different colors and why it has different patterns.
Some granites have a more textured appearance, similar to marble, but if you look closely, the color patches tend to be more grainy and fuzzy rather than distinct streaks. Unlike marble, granite is completely opaque, so you can only see the outermost layers of the surface.
Also, testing the hardness of granite by cutting it with a knife is another way to determine if what you are looking at is granite or marble. However, it takes a sharper eye to tell the difference between granite and quartz, as neither will scratch.
Granite comes in a variety of shades such as blue-gray, peach, gold, brown, white, and more. Countertops made of granite are among the strongest and most beautiful surfaces on the planet. Choose from an endless rainbow of colors including tan, gray, gold, brown, peach, blue, white and more.
Granite countertops are one of the most beautiful and tough surfaces you can find. When it comes to this stunning natural stone, you’ll have a seemingly endless variety of colors and styles to choose from.
Because granite contains many different minerals such as feldspar, quartz, and mica, it can come in a variety of colors, but the most common are white, gray, red, and brown.
1. Colors and Patterns: Granite is available in a variety of colors, including neutral shades from white to dark brown and exotic shades of rust or rose red or gray with blues or grays.
Patterns range from subtle to bold and dramatic. Try our granite visualizer to see how each countertop would look in a real kitchen.
2. Durable: Granite is a tough material that can withstand accidental cuts, cuts and impacts.
Heat Resistant: Granite is highly heat resistant, which means you can place hot pans or trays on its surface without permanent damage.
3. Unique: No two pieces of granite are exactly alike, which means your kitchen granite slab will be truly unique. It can be the perfect choice for gorgeous and low-maintenance countertops, although it sometimes needs a sealer to ensure its shine.
4. Stain resistance: You should wipe up spills as soon as possible, especially with acidic liquids like vinegar or ketchup, but when regularly applied with a natural stone sealer, granite countertops can fight off stains.
5. Scratch Resistance: We don’t recommend chopping directly on the countertop, but everyday use shouldn’t cause scratches, even for the busiest chef.
6. Low maintenance: To keep your granite countertop gleaming, all you need is a mild cleaner and a soft cloth.
7. Return on Investment: Granite countertops are known to tend to increase the value of a home and help it sell faster.
1. Not invulnerable: Just because a granite countertop is strong doesn’t mean it won’t chip or crack. Plus, granite absorbs liquids, which means it can easily stain if not sealed. Needing to apply sealer to countertops about once a year is not a major inconvenience.
2. Maintenance Needed: Your granite countertops need to be resealed periodically to prevent stains and other forms of damage.
3. Weight: Like other stone countertops, granite slabs are very heavy. If your cabinet cannot support its weight, it may need to be replaced or reinforced prior to installation.
Quartzite is a natural stone. It has many attractive properties that make it ideal for kitchen countertops and other work surfaces.
Wikipedia defines quartzite as: Quartzite is a hard, foliated metamorphic rock that was originally pure quartz sandstone. This definition is very concise and doesn’t offer much explanation. The rest of the page in the reference link above explains more about quartzite in a scientific and technical way. In this discussion we will discuss some specific technical details, but we will also focus on the practical aspects of this interesting natural stone.
Quartzite is a very hard natural stone that exists due to intense heat and pressure acting on natural sandstone deep in the earth. These forces gradually transformed the sandstone into quartzite. As a result of this process, quartzite can take on various appearances. It will also have varying degrees of porosity and absorbency.
Another metamorphic rock, quartzite, forms when sandstone is subjected to extreme heat and pressure. Because of its texture and color, it is often mistaken for granite or even marble.
Quartzite is durable and heat resistant. Quartzite is one of the strongest materials and can withstand years of repeated use. With the right sealant and routine maintenance, quartzite counters can be very resistant to moisture. Quartzite, however, typically requires reapplying of the sealer every few years. However, once sufficiently sealed, quartzite is easy to clean. If you’re looking for a hard material with the look of marble, then this countertop is for you.
As with most other natural stones, there are many aspects to consider when considering quartzite countertops. In fact, quartzite is an excellent choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops because it has some useful and easy-to-see properties.
Quartzite usually comes in a lighter color, but can be any color. The above-mentioned quartzites are divided into the following 3 groups:
– Intermediate Quartzite: Intermediate quartzite has a mixture of grainy and crystalline appearances. These quartzites tend to be more porous than the next class of quartzites.
– Crystalline Quartzite: Crystalline quartzite has a glassy, crystalline appearance, with no grains visible even with a magnifying glass.
– Mixed Stone Quartzite: Mixed Stone Quartzite is exactly what it sounds like; quartzite mixed with other stone types. The color of this stone will be varied and varied.
As you can see, the porosity of the stone will vary, as will its appearance. This is perhaps one of the reasons for the increasing popularity of this material. It has the potential to appeal to different types of people. No wonder it is used quartzite countertops.
Quartz and quartzite countertops are often confused with each other—quartzite is a natural stone slab quarried from the earth. It is produced when sandstone is transformed by natural processes of high pressure and temperature. Here are some reasons why homeowners choose quartzite for kitchen countertops:
1. Color and pattern: Quartzite is most commonly found in light shades such as cream, light gray, and beige. These are usually similar to marble, with a similar grain pattern, so you can get the look of natural marble without a lot of maintenance. Also available in dark and exotic shades such as blue and pink.
2. Durability: Quartzite has a hardness similar to granite, and unlike granite and marble, true quartzite will not etch when exposed to acidic liquids. It’s stain-resistant, but not as good as granite—especially for light-colored counters.
3. Care and maintenance: For daily care, mild cleansers work well. For a deeper clean, use a cleaner formulated for natural stone. Quartzite countertops require regular sealing to keep them water and stain resistant. However, if cared for properly, they will remain beautiful for decades.
4. Countertop Edges: Quartzite is slightly softer than granite, so it will be easier for your fabricator to customize with different countertop edges.
If you’re considering natural stone for countertops in your home, you’ve probably looked at samples of quartzite and granite and wondered helplessly what they are and how they’re different. It’s true that natural stone varieties such as granite and quartzite share attributes, but when you start researching these different types of stone, you’ll discover some key differences that may influence your decision.
Any rock that contains 10% to 50% quartz with an alkali feldspar ratio between 65% and 95% is defined as granite. Granite usually contains a combination of quartz, mica, feldspar and amphibole. If present, biotite, magnetite, garnet, zircon, and apatite may also participate in the formation of granite. Quartzite is made of sandstone, silica, iron oxides, carbonates, clay and a large percentage of quartz.
In addition to functional properties like stiffness and resilience, you’ll naturally want to choose decorative elements for your home that match your sense of style. In appearance, granite and quartzite are very different. Since the two types of rocks are formed differently, they have different forms of visual appeal.
Granite, for example, tends to have great depth, dimension and movement. Just look at the dramatic interplay of color and texture on the expansive granite surface in this transitional New York kitchen.
In contrast, quartzite countertops may be considered subtler and less bold in appearance, although they are not without charm. Just look at the gray feather brushstrokes drifting across the cool white backdrop of the quartzite countertops in a traditional kitchen. This surface is calm and raw, creating a completely different atmosphere from granite. Don’t forget that quartzite is embedded with tiny fragments of quartz crystals that give the stone a brilliant brilliance, even if not the same size as granite, adding to the visual appeal of your own brand.
Granite can contain many different materials in its composition. Each component in granite affects the overall appearance and color of the granite. The color of granite can vary greatly depending on the location. For example, granite quarried in the eastern United States may have similar properties to granite quarried on the other side of the country, yet look very different. Feldspar can come in a variety of colors—from green to pink—which can greatly affect the color of granite.
Quartzite is generally white to gray in color. However, certain components, such as iron oxides, may change the color of quartzite. Iron oxide-rich quartzite may be pink to red in color. Quartz can develop colors such as yellow, rose, or brown, which affect the overall color of quartzite and granite.
Maybe you love to cook and need a countertop that can withstand chopping, acidic foods, and hot pots and pans. Maybe you have a group of toddlers in your home who are prone to accidents and spills. Either way, the hardness of the stone you choose will have an impact on durability.
Both granite and quartzite are harder than marble, making them equally good choices for busy homes. Quartzite, however, is only slightly harder. Granite typically has a Mohs hardness of 6-6.5, while quartzite has a Mohs hardness of 7.
While hardness is important, you may be more interested in resilience, or how well your natural stone will hold up to everyday household use and abuse. Quartzite, while slightly harder than granite, tends to be less resistant to scratches and abrasions. Quartzite, on the other hand, is considered to be more UV resistant than granite.
How This Factor Affects Your Decision-Making Process If your countertops get a lot of natural light, you should choose a quartzite that won’t fade or otherwise suffer from UV damage. Quartzite is also ideal if you want to add a resilient countertop to your outdoor kitchen or other patio surface.
If your busy home kitchen doesn’t have much natural light, like the one in New York, you can choose granite and enjoy superior resistance to scratches, stains, chips and cracks. Remember that with regular sealing and proper cleaning and maintenance, you can do a lot to enhance the strength and durability of any natural stone surface.
The care of natural stone requires more commitment, but the effort is worth it for the stunning results. It must be sealed periodically to prevent surface staining, scratches and other damage. With a sealer, natural stone countertops are virtually immune to stains. After every granite and quartzite countertop project is completed, we seal the countertop after installation.
For granite and quartzite, we recommend sealing these countertops at least once a year. If your kitchen is busy, you may need to seal it more often.
Additionally, proper cleaning is essential to maintain the luster and luster of natural stone surfaces. Your best bet is to use a stone cleaner designed for this purpose, but you can also use a non-abrasive cleaner like dish soap, provided you rinse thoroughly with water to prevent buildup that could cloud the surface.
The cost of natural stone varieties such as marble, granite, and quartzite varies based on a number of factors, such as type, thickness, rarity, and place of origin. However, it is fair to say that the costs of these types of natural stone fall into a similar range.
In some cases, quartzite may be slightly more expensive than other options because it is rarer than granite or marble. However, this difference should not be great enough to deter a homeowner from installing natural stone. A tiny price difference might not be too much of a concern when you know you’ll be living with it for years to come. Additionally, natural stone surfaces such as granite and quartzite can last a lifetime if cared for properly.
Both quartzite and granite are beautiful countertop options that offer style, utility, and longevity. Whether you are looking for quartzite, granite or any other surface material, Marble George can help. Visit our new showroom where you can browse our panels for yourself. Please contact us.
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