Quartzite Countertops

Quartz versus Quartzite

Many people think that the two materials are the same when, in fact, they are not. Quartzite is a natural stone that is quarried from mother earth. Quartz is an engineered material made up of loose quartz, resins (to bind the quartz together) and in some cases pigments or coloring agents.

The durability of quartzite makes it an excellent choice for surfaces that are subject to everyday wear and tear, such as kitchen countertops.

Kitchen designers and homeowners love quartzite.

Quartzite is:

• Heat resistant
• Difficult to scratch or etch
• A natural product with each slab having an exquisite one-of-a-kind look

Quartzite will give your countertops a personal signature. Delmarva Design Center stocks quartzite inventory and has an impressive array of colors and veining that runs soft and subtle to bold and beautiful.

Quartzite is truly one of Mother Earth’s great treasures.

Quartzite is incredibly strong and does not etch or scratch as easily as much softer marbles. Quartzite is a truly gorgeous surface material. While most quartzites are white or light in color due to their quartz mineral content, additional minerals in the stone can produce vividly colored varieties.

Quartzite is twice as hard as glass and durable. The durability of quartzite makes it an excellent choice for surfaces that are subject to everyday wear and tear, such as kitchen countertops.

How are Quartzite Countertops Made?

Quartzite countertops are produced after slabs of the natural stone are mined and precisely cut to ensure a strong aesthetic appeal in your kitchen or bathroom.

It is important to note that most quartzite is porous. To prevent it from staining it is necessary to apply a sealant. Without a top surface sealant, quartzite may soak up liquids. Quartzite countertops are typically coated with polyurethanes, wax, or acrylic. This process is necessary for the use of quartzite countertops to make them practical for use as a kitchen countertop.

In general, depending on the sealer, quartzite needs to be sealed at least once every 10 years. A sign that it is time to seal or re-seal a quartzite countertop is when the surface gets darker around wet areas, for example around a sink. If you are uncertain, you can test its porosity yourself by leaving a small amount of hot water on the surface for roughly 20 minutes, then wiping it away. If a darkened spot remains, your surface is soaking up liquid and would benefit by having a sealant coat applied.

Protecting A Quartzite Countertop

The sealant on quartzite countertops will wear done with use and must be replaced. You must also realize that the sealant does not need to be completely worn away for spills to stain the porous natural stone. As the sealant becomes less protected it will not resist liquids like wine or tomato sauce if you leave spills on the countertop left uncleaned for too long.

To avoid staining, engage in good quartzite countertops cleaning practices; wipe spills immediately with a damp rag. For day-to-day cleaning, add mild soap to the water before soaking the rag in it. Do not use abrasive cleaners.

If you do get a stain on your quartzite countertop, first wipe the stain down with a mixture of water and mild dish detergent. If you need more stain-removing strength, mix water with a few drops of ammonia and no greater than 12% strength hydrogen peroxide.

You can also apply a poultice for persistent stains. A poultice is a paste that you apply to the stained area, cover with plastic, and leave for a day or two. Make the poultice by combining baking soda and water to form a paste. After two days wipe the area clean. Repeat the process if necessary!

Quartzite – A Beautiful and Intricate Natural Stone

Quartzite is a natural stone that has beautiful streaks of colours, rich tones and beautiful patterns on its surface. These features enable Quartzite to be a completely unique feature piece in any kitchen, bathroom or interior use.

Below is just a small sample of the beauty of quartzite.

You may also search our inventory below. Select quartzite from the material dropdown to view the quartzite inventory but feel free to view any other material category.