What
is Quartzite, it’s Advantages & Disadvantages
Quartzite
is a natural metamorphic rock that starts out as sandstone and
evolves over time under intense heat and pressure that makes it a
dense, hard rock. It is then fused with resins, polymers and
pigments and quarried and cut into slabs. It is rated #7 on the Mohs
Hardness Scale.
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| Mont Blanc Quartzite custom countertops fabricated and installed by DFW Granite 972-671-9324 |
Advantages:
- It is hard.
- It is beautiful like marble, with natural swirling and veining, but without the softness.
- Easy to Clean. Caution: It must be sealed first in order to easily clean. Avoid abrasives, as they will break down the sealant exposing the porous material and cause it to stain. It is also resistant to chemicals.
- Because it is natural, each stone is one-of-a-kind.
- It is UV resistant, it won’t fade when exposed to natural light.
- It won’t etch. Real Quartzite, not so called “soft” quartzite, which isn’t quartzite at all, is resistant to acids like lemons. Check with your fabricator to make sure you are truly looking at “real” quartzite.
Disadvantages of Quartzite:
- It is expensive.
- Despite being durable, it is not resistant to damage. You need to seal often or use a permanent sealer to lessen the probability of staining. Always wipe up spills quickly especially oils. Quartzite products can differ in how much they may be prone to stain, this is not easily determined at the stone yard since you can't really test the slabs on site.
- Although Quartzite is resistant to scratches and heat, it is safer to use cutting boards and pot holders/trivets. Be careful of the material you use as a pot holder or trivet. Rubber or vinyl trivets/holders can leave a stain design on the quartzite due to the products being made from an oil base.
There
are not a lot of color variations in Quartzite, but it all depends on
what country they come from and the minerals present. It is grey and
white, some can have green, yellow, blue and pink streaks. The
distinctive feature of quartzite is it’s streaking.
When
looking for a quartzite, also look for a qualified fabricator that is
skilled and has experience working with the hardness of this stone
and has the tools necessary to work with it. Not every fabricator can
cut and install these stones easily.
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