With the popularity of quartz and quartzite in recent years, they have become a highly sought-after countertop choice for kitchens. While the stones are indeed similar in name, they are actually different in more than one way. Saying a better option is subjective when considering your own personal taste and the conditions under which the countertop will be used. However, knowing the main differences between the two types will go a long way in ensuring that you are satisfied with your choice.
Forming differences
Arguably the biggest difference between quartz and quartzite lies in the materials made and used, which illustrates the various key differences that will be discussed further below. Quartzite is made using naturally occurring porous sandstone that has been subjected to a heating process and mined to form slabs.
Meanwhile, quartz is an artificial stone mainly composed of quartz minerals. Color additives and resins are added during production to bind the particles together. Ultimately, the brand depends on the manufacturer, which introduces flexibility in terms of materials and quality.
Appearance difference
Quartzite presents infinitely changing patterns that capture the natural appearance of the rough. No two boards are ever the same, and each board has its own unique straps and colors. Quartzite is usually found to contain white or gray tones. The infusion of other colors, such as pink, blue, green or yellow, will be the result of the presence of minerals in the stone.
Quartz is often referred to as engineered quartz and is known for its uniform appearance. As an artificial stone, adding pigments during production allows a wider choice of colors. Additionally, the manufacturing process has become so refined to mimic the look of natural stone.
One more point: When choosing between these two stones, it's important to pay attention to the color scheme of your kitchen. What does your kitchen cabinet look like? What color is your floor - whether it's tile or hardwood? If you prefer a more organic look to complement your kitchen, quartzite is for you. If you're looking for a variety of colors and textures with pattern consistency, you'll find it in Quartz.
Durability
Due to its natural composition, quartzite is relatively low in density compared to quartz, yet resists the inevitable wear and tear from everyday use. Quartz has excellent durability due to its bonding process during production, resulting in greater resistance to dents and chipping. Both stones are inherently hardy, corrosion-resistant, and outperform other countertop materials like granite.
Heat Resistance
Maybe you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, left and right and center cooking new recipes. You'll need a lot of surface space for hot pans and pans, but you're worried about possible damage from the heat. Well, quartzite will be your first choice for a great heat resistant countertop.
As mentioned earlier, quartz is made from natural quartz particles and resin. Since resin cannot withstand very high temperatures (only around 150 degrees due to its plastic composition), you should avoid placing anything directly out of the oven or stove top on a quartz surface.
Maintain
Quartz, despite its natural brilliance, requires proper sealing to ensure its usefulness in the kitchen (or wherever it will be used). Due to the porous nature of stone, it must be resealed at least once or twice a year, lest you want your countertops to soak up all kinds of unrecognizable liquids. Even with a proper seal, it's best to maintain a diligent art of cleaning after yourself to avoid spoiled sealant from causing stains.
On the other hand, quartz is known to have relatively low maintenance costs. Due to the bonding process of the resin, coupled with the fact that the stone is non-porous so sealing is usually not required, quartz has a relatively stain-resistant quality. Frequent cleaning is still a good idea, but splashing on quartz is less anxious than quartzite.
