Choosing the best material for your kitchen counter is one of the most important decisions you will make. Here we compare the three most important ones, namely quartz versus quartzite versus granite.
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HGTV.com, a well-known authority in the field of decoration, said the kitchen is one of the most popular places to gather at home.
The warmth and atmosphere of a kitchen has something that works like a magnet. Therefore, any decision you make regarding the renovation or design of this space must be correct.
Starting with the choice of cabinets, the next decision owners are likely to make is the decision on countertops. Today there is an overwhelming choice of materials on the market, from concrete to stainless steel, ceramics, organic stone and industrial stone.
But in the end the owners tend to quartzite instead of granite.
How do you determine when everyone has so many advantages? Start with your budget and check out the following information to see what works best for your kitchen.
Is it an easy decision? It is possible, if you look carefully at each material and decide which one best suits your family’s lifestyle.
Quartz kitchen worktops
What is quartz?
It is a mineral that used to be known as quartzite. If you’ve seen it in its raw form, you could confuse it with white beach sand mixed with spiced browns and roses.
Quartz is formed in the mountains and is part of the natural geological composition of the earth. As such it has a pronounced degree of weathering, making it a much better material for countertops than less resistant minerals.
However, you can’t just put quartz together and turn it into a countertop without the help of other materials.
Even high-quality quartz contains only about 90% of this original mineral. To prepare it for casting, craftsmen mix additives such as resins, polymers and pigments to create the illusion of a rock without the imperfections of nature.
Advantages and disadvantages of Quartz Countertops
for
- Elegant and beautiful, the quartz blades are at the top of the trend lists and are available in a wide range of colours.
- It requires almost no maintenance and therefore busy families love it.
- The quartz is very durable and robust, resistant to scratches and stains and is designed to repel stains.
- Each counter top is unique because it does not follow the same colour or pattern during the production process.
- The non-porous surface prevents contact with bacteria and harmful microorganisms during cooking.
Other
- Although quartz is an artificial stone, it is still very expensive.
- If your kitchen is a provincial or family design, quartz worktops may seem out of place.
- Anything hot – hairdryers, pots and pans – should not be placed on quartzware because it can break.
- Quartz is extremely heavy, so leave it if your practice isn’t that strong.
- You may not like the fact that your countertops have seams due to the separation of the quartz blades.
How much does a quartz countertop cost?
According to HomeAdvisor.com, you can estimate the cost of installing quartz worktops in your kitchen using $75 per square foot as a basis, but this figure does not include installation costs.
However, the presence of quartz has led to the introduction on the market of different gradations of countertops, which are not of the same quality. As a result, quartz is available at around $50 to $60 per square meter, making it more affordable for homeowners on a tight budget.
Quartz kitchen worktops
What is quartzite?
According to geologists, quartzite is an uncut metamorphic rock that consists almost entirely of quartz.
It forms deep inside the earth when tectonic plates collide, spewing lava across fault lines and creating mountains. This is where it gets interesting: Quartz is changed by heat, pressure and chemistry, and this is how quartzite is made.
How complex is this distraction? The quartzite granules are literally released from the quartz grains instead of just surrounding them.
Usually this mineral is white or grey, but when impurities are absorbed, they can make quartzite yellow, blue, green, brown or orange.
In summary: Quartzite is a close relative of quartz, but there are enough differences for buyers to be interested in it.
Advantages and disadvantages of quartzite worktops
for
- Quartzite is more reminiscent of marble than its competitors and therefore looks more elegant.
- It is a very hard stone that can take a beating, especially in the kitchen.
- You benefit from very little maintenance when you choose quartzite worktops.
- UV-resistant quartzite is an excellent choice for sunny kitchens.
- Choose between hard and soft quartzite types to suit your budget.
Other
- It is hard and durable, but if you hit it with sharp edges, you can damage the quartzite.
- Avoid placing hot pots and heated objects on top of the quartzite, as this can damage the quartzite.
- You may have to reseal quartzite more often than other countertops.
- The choice of colours may be limited due to the nature of the development of this stone.
- Quartzite can become stained if spilled material is not wiped away quickly enough.
How much do quartzite worktops cost?
According to CountertopInvestigator.com you can expect a wide range of prices in your search for the ideal kitchen counter.
Ranked as the gold standard of the moment, quartzite prices may depend on where you live and supply shortages, but on average this website reports all three categories:
1) Cheap ($60 per square meter);
2) Medium ($90 per square foot) ;
3) Duration ($120 or more).
For twice the price of the cheapest category, option three can blow most of your renovation budget if you are looking for the ultimate in luxury.
Granite kitchen protector
What’s granite?
If a countertop material can be called the king of the mountain, it’s probably granite.
Since this igneous rock is an amalgam of quartz, feldspar, amphiboles, mica and various trace elements, the variety of plutonic rocks available for mining is amazing.
If the granite consists of a high percentage of quartz, it is generally transparent, while the feldspar colors in the rocks are pink or white. How did this variety of granite colours come into being? As the molten lava bubbles upwards, its chemical properties change as the rock cools.
Advantages and disadvantages of granite countertops
for
- Granite does not melt, open or deform when heated.
- This renewable raw material is called one of the real green products of the planet.
- Can last a lifetime if taken care of properly over time.
- Resistant to cuts and scratches from sharp edges.
- Wait until you see color options and exotic patterns you won’t find in other countertops.
Other
- You may have to live with multiple sewing lines, especially if your kitchen is U-shaped or L-shaped.
- Granite is porous, so it has to be closed regularly to maintain the veneer.
- Generally more expensive than competing materials. The more exotic the granite, the higher the table.
- Cheap granite is starting to have an impact on the market, so make sure you’re worth your money.
- Despite their versatility, colours and patterns can be limited, especially when the panels need to be matched.
How much do granite confertops cost?
Despite its reputation as the material most commonly found in castles and country houses, granite is becoming more and more affordable thanks to the different varieties of this stone that are becoming increasingly available.
According to HGTV.com, you can expect to pay between $45 and $200 per square meter. What difference does it make? Thickness has become an important factor in the sale of granite countertops, so the price of the stones varies from ¾ inch to 1-1/4 inch up.
Comparison of quartzite and granite
Quartzite vs. quartzite
Confertop quartz material
Confertop quartz material
Image credit
It is a battle that began deep in the earth’s core when lava bubbled and chemical reactions created two identical materials from the same source.
So, how do you decide what’s best for your house? If you are looking for hard surfaces, quartzite has an advantage because it scores 8 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, which is used to evaluate gems and minerals. Quartzite is harder than glass and insensitive to acidic foods.
Because quartzite is a natural mineral, these countertops are made of ground slabs and do not have the shape of quartz.
Quartz, however, is often the choice of the owners who do not like the production irregularities that occur in mined rocks such as quartzite and which reflect the natural variations of the surface.
This could be an incentive for you: You pay less for the perfection that comes with quartz.
But here’s a maintenance question you need to ask yourself: Do you want your quartzite to close on time?
With quartz, you don’t have to worry about that. Solutions, solutions. This is not an easy task, because quartz and quartzite are both beautiful and will improve your kitchen in a way that other materials will not.
Quartzite vs. granite
Confertop quartz material
Granite material Confertop
Image credit
We can say that it is a battle of nature, because both materials are 100% natural. So if you’re a purist, they’re both competing choices.
But the next time you discuss these two countertop options, this is what you need to know: Both materials contain quartz elements, but it is not the same quartz used in technical counters.
Although quartzite and granite both come from the centre of the earth, they are like twin sons of different mothers.
One (quartzite) has an edge pattern because this mineral comes in lighter colors and marble-like patterns, whereas granite patterns usually are more bold and careful.
There is so little difference in the strength and durability of each of these minerals that there is a reason for both, especially since both types need to be sealed to protect surfaces from scratches, etching and stains.
So where are the differences, you wonder, besides the intensity of the colours? According to the editors of the blog msistone.com (and that’s good news if you’re in the mood for granite), you’ll save money if you install granite – as long as you don’t choose a rare or hard to find variety.
Quartz vs. granite
Confertop quartz material
Granite material Confertop
If you do not succumb to the attraction of organic rock and want to explore the advantages of a production material such as quartz over granite, you will find many differences.
You already know that granite is 100% organic, while quartz is made of aggregates that bind the quartz particles together. So the best starting point for the comparison is the price, right?
Not so fast, say the editors of The Spruce, reminding homeowners that both are subject to price fluctuations based on rising and falling oil prices.
And if you followed the short but disturbing radon story of 2008 that linked the radioactive gas to granite and quartz, you don’t have to worry anymore, because the whole investigation turned out to be a waste of time.
On the other hand, there’s a small difference you can count on: Granite requires slightly more maintenance than quartz, because a water tightness schedule must be respected.
Quartz is less sensitive to stains, while granite loves red wine as much as you do, so take a stock of coasters if you choose the latter!
Are you a perfectionist? Quartz can sometimes make you unhappy due to defects in the production process.
What’s more, even granite that looks perfect can hide cracks and stains that may appear in the future.
One last thing: Because quartz is made from recyclable waste, consumers who are committed to a sustainable lifestyle prefer quartz to granite and quartzite because they are committed to saving the earth, one sink at a time.
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