Quartzite begins its geological life as sand grains. Over several million years, the grains are compressed and bond together to form quartz sandstone. Tectonic compression creates pressure which buries the sandstone grains deeper under layers of rock.

Quartzite, sandstone that has been converted into a solid quartz rock. Unlike sandstones, quartzites are free from pores and have a smooth fracture; when struck, they break through, not around, the sand grains, producing a smooth surface instead of a rough and granular one.

Quartzite is a hard, nonfoliated metamorphic rock formed by the action of heat and pressure upon sandstone. Usually, the rock is white or gray, but it occurs in other pale colors. It has a grainy, rough surface. Magnification reveals a mosaic of quartz crystals.

Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that forms from the joining of sandstone and quartz under intense heat and pressure. Granite is a type of igneous rock that typically forms underneath continents. It forms when liquid magma cools into existing rock formations.

The most important thing to know is that you can not use chemical cleaners to clean the stone. Chemical cleaners such as Windex, 409 and Simple Green will strip the sealer away, leaving your surface unprotected. Heat Resistance – Quartzite is almost heat proof.

Heat Resistance: Like granite most quartzite is very heat resistant and can withstand hot pots and pans.

Quartzite is a luxurious stone which often tags it at a higher cost than granite, which is common. However, quartzite is well worth its weight in gold – literally. Other than price, color, and a little bit of durability; granite and quartzite are comparable.

However, it is not as heat or scratch resistant, and this makes a big difference in how the material performs in the kitchen. Quartz is more flexible, so it does tend to chip less than the natural stone. Quartzite countertops are less porous than some other stones, but it may still require a sealant to prevent stains.

How can you possibly repair it? Take a deep breath: it’s fixable, and chances are you can do it yourself. The basic procedure is to fill the open area with a glue or epoxy mixture, allow it to dry, and scrape off any excess to ensure a smooth, flat surface that blends seamlessly with the rest of the countertop.

Quartzite is a Durable Countertop Like granite, quartzite leans toward the hard side of natural stone, so that means it won’t wear down or develop problems in the short term.

Quartzite might seem indestructible, but it’s not. The maintenance is very minimal and requires care similar to that of granite.” As with all stone, quartzite countertops should be sealed and resealed periodically (about every one to two years depending on usage).

Quartz Countertop Cleaners to Avoid Most household cleaners you would usually use to do a quick clean with such as Windex, vinegar and Lysol wipes (some of which contain bleach) are not a good idea for quartz countertops. Vinegar is very acidic and can cause the quartz to discolour or disintegrate.

SimpleCoat

Quartzite is rock hard, which prevents chipping and etching during kitchen activity. That’s why quartzite should be sealed at least annually, which will prevent stains and keep counters looking shiny and new for many years to come. Most topical stone sealers are made from polyurethanes, natural wax, or acrylics.

Easy! Household kitchen acids, such as lemon juice and vinegar, will not etch a true quartzite. One way to test is to simply pour some lemon juice or vinegar on your stone and let it sit.

This hard wearing material is scratch resistant but still requires sealing. Cost: Around $80 – $150 per square foot installed. Tip: To keep your quartzite countertops in top shape, clean up spills quickly and be careful with grease and acidic foods.

The best quartzite countertop sealer products are made of natural wax, polyurethanes, or acrylics. While these are easy to apply, they wear off quickly and require constant resealing. If you need a sealer that will not wear off quickly, choose one made of siliconates or other substances that repel liquids.

The Top 10 Natural Stone Sealers for 2021 are:

• Stone Pro Pro Sealer Impregnating Sealer.
• The Floor Guys Stone and Grout Sealer.
• Tuff Duck Natural Stone Sealer.
• Tenax Proseal Stone Sealer.
• Stone Care International Granite & Stone Sealer.
• Black Diamond Stoneworks Wet Look Stone Sealer.
• Weiman Granite Stone Sealer.

Pros and Cons of Quartz and Quartzite Countertops

Taj Mahal is a quartzite from Brazil. This white quartzite resembles the Italian Calacatta marbles in appearance, but is much harder and more durable.

Taj Mahal works especially well in white and creamy off-white kitchens, where the pale tan shades of this stone are able to lend their warmth to the color scheme.

Walker Zanger Duquesa backsplash

Even though quartzite is extremely hard it is still not scratch-proof, so we still recommend using cutting boards. The biggest downside you will see with quarzite is the tendancy for etching in different parts of the slab. This etching can be caused by acids and other common kitchen chemicals.

Hardness and Durability: Quartzite is harder than granite, so it is quite durable. It withstands heat very well. Quartz is hard too, but not quite as hard as quartzite. The resin used in manufacturing quartz countertops is a plastic, so it is prone to melting in heat above 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since quartzite is a much harder and more abrasive stone than any other natural stone, including granite, it takes more time to cut it and extract the blocks from the quarry. It also needs more diamond blades, diamonds wires, and diamond polishing heads, etc., which results in higher cost of inputs.

And because it is UV resistant, quartzite retains its color and doesn’t fade, even in direct sunlight.

Arctic White is perhaps one of the most popular quartzite colors on the market. It easily blends with any cabinet color and makes kitchens and bathrooms appear beautifully bright. Whether you have black, white, or natural wood cabinets, Arctic White is an excellent choice.

Taj Mahal Quartzite