When looking for a new countertop, it can be easy to be confused about the difference between quartz and quartzite. Are they the same thing? What are the differences? Will it make a difference in style depending on which one you choose? The answer to this last question is yes. Depending on your preferences, you might want to select one option over the other.
Quartz
Quartz is a man-made variety of countertop. While it’s engineered from the same minerals in quartzite, it binds with other materials in manufacturing to make it look different. Because it is manmade, you can find it in a lot of color and design varieties. If color is important to you, then the quartz countertop might be the better choice.
If made properly, quartz countertops do not need much maintenance, which can help in a busy household. Just don’t put your hot pans straight from the oven on it, because the melting point of quartz is less than quartzite!
If you’re on a budget, quartz countertops are generally the cheaper option.
Quartzite
Quartzite countertops are all natural and made from sandstone. Heat is applied to the sandstone and it’s fused with quartz to make the countertop. While the color options are not as wide as with quartz countertops, you can still get beautiful hues of pink, gold, or reddish-brown. Quartzite countertops look very natural and can even resemble marble.
It will require more maintenance and cleaning than a quartz countertop. It can stain easily and will require regular cleaning to keep it looking beautiful. On the upside, it is more scratch resistant for daily use.
Quartzite can be a little more expensive, but if you want to keep something that looks natural for your style, then quartzite is definitely the right choice.
Ready to get started?
If you’re looking for a new countertop, then both quartz and quartzite are wonderful options. Contact us today to learn more about both and which would be best for your project.
