To discover the timeless beauty and long-lasting durability of natural stones, read our guide on quartzite vs granite. Click to visit the article.
In the interior decoration world, both granite and quartzite arise as amazing options thanks to their elegant appeal and beauty. As they have such amazing qualities, it can be hard to decide between the two. Keep reading to find out the unique advantages and disadvantages of each stone and make the definitive decision between quartzite vs granite for your home.
What is quartzite?
Quartzite is a metamorphic stone that is formed form sandstone which is a sedimentary rock that is mainly composed of grains of mineral and organic material. The key component in quartzite is quartz. Quartz is a mineral that is composed of silicon dioxide. During the creation of the quartzite, the sandstone particles are recrystallized into quartz crystals. This gives quartzite its distinct look that is reminiscent of interlocking granular crystals. It has a highly homogenous structure and can be used for home improvement projects ranging from countertops to flooring.
What is granite?
Granite is formed through the process of molten magma cooling and solidifying over thousands of years beneath the surface of the earth. It is mostly composed of three main minerals. These are feldspar, mica and quartz. Depending on the proportions of these ingredients to each other, the color, pattern, texture, and density of the granite will differ. As the cooling process is incredibly slow, it results in large crystals developing, thus creating a coarse texture of granite. It can be used in a wide variety of areas in the home such as kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and even outside spaces.
What are the differences between quartzite vs granite?
Composition
The composition of quartzite vs granite is one of the most important differences between the two stones. Quartzite is a metamorphic stone whereas granite is an igneous rock.
What that means is that quartzite is formed under immense heat and pressure through the recrystallization of sandstone. On the other hand, granite originates from molten magma that has cooled and solidified. The difference in their formations affects their characteristics significantly.
Hardness
Although both are extremely hard stone options, quartzite surpasses granite in this field. It gets a 7 on the Mohs Scale of hardness where whereas granite gets a 6 in general. The difference isn’t massive, yet it is important enough to consider, especially for very busy areas such as kitchens. Due to its hardness, quartzite is more resistant to scratching and general wear and tear.
Appearance
Both granite and quartzite are very appealing options that will take your design to the next level. Quartzite has a similar appearance to marble, offering a very elegant and refined look. It is the ideal option if you want to achieve an up-scale appearance. Granite is highly versatile and can blend in with any space it is installed in due to its diverse range of specks or veins.
Porosity
In general, quartzite is less porous than granite. As natural stones, both options have a porous surface. However, the intensity of the porousness will determine the susceptibility to stains and discoloration. As granite is more porous than quartzite, it will require more frequent resealing to ensure the stone maintains its beautiful appearance. Quartzite will also require sealing, but might not need to be resealed as frequently depending on the quality.
Heat resistance
Similar to their hardness, both stones boast amazing heat resistance abilities. Due to its status as a metamorphic rock, quartzite is considered to be slightly more heat resistant than granite. Nevertheless, both quartzite vs granite require sealing before they are used, and unfortunately, the sealant that is used as a protective layer between the stone and the outside world isn’t heat resistant. Therefore, it is advised to use trivets on the countertops before placing hot dishes on them.
Cost
Quartzite is more expensive than granite in general. However, certain qualities of the stone will affect the cost significantly. For example, thicker slabs of higher-quality materials will cost much more. In other words, a very high-quality slab of granite can cost more than an average slab of quartzite. Moreover, the price will also depend on the rarity and where the slab is quarried.
What are the similarities between quartzite vs granite?
Natural stone
Both granite and quartzite and natural stones that organically occur within the earth over thousands of years. This common feature also gives them some similar qualities, such as both being heat resistant, porous, and having similar natural colors.
Moreover, natural stones increase the resale value of the property they are installed in as they are sought-after materials that are known for their longevity and effectiveness.
Maintenance
Both stones are very easy to clean and maintain. As long as your countertops are properly sealed, you won’t have to worry about occurrences such as stains, discoloration, bacteria, or mold. The sealant will protect the stone and make it very easy to clean.
You also don’t need any special cleaning supplies, you can clean your granite or quartzite countertops using mild dish soap mixed with warm water. Wipe the surface with a soft cloth or sponge after applying the mixture.
Durability
Granite and quartzite share the advantage of being highly durable materials that can be used in home renovations. They can resist the daily stress of a busy home without a problem. This makes them especially ideal materials for high-traffic areas such as kitchen or bathroom countertops. Their reliability as functional surfaces will prove itself more and more as they showcase their ability to endure scratches and abrasions.
Variety of colors and patterns
As natural colors, granite and quartzite are most commonly available in light and neutral colors such as beige and white.
These smooth and elegant base colors are frequently adorned with gorgeous speckles or sophisticated veins that often support colors such as light beige or gray. However, they are also available in a wide range of colors and patterns.
Depending on their place of origin, slabs can have vibrant splashes of blues, oranges, greens, and other colors through them.
Usage in countertops
Their similarity in their areas of use cannot go unmentioned. Both granite and quartzite are commonly used in home renovation projects as they have many favorable qualities that are necessary for a practical and durable home.
They are used as countertops, backsplashes, island tops, bathroom vanity tops, and many other decorative and functional purposes. They bring a refined ambiance to the space while enhancing the usefulness of the space.
Resistance to scratches
As highly durable and hard stones, granite and quartzite are both armored with excellent resistance to scratches, chips, and cracks.
This allows the stone to maintain its structural integrity for a longer period, allowing the countertops to serve you and your house for a longer time. This resilience ensures that daily usage leaves no wear and tear, thus maintaining the unblemished beauty of the stone.
Natural veining and speckles
Most natural stones have a base color that is derived from their primary ingredient. As that ingredient is mixed with other materials during the creation process of the resulting stone, those minerals add different colors and patterns. The color is determined by the specific type of mineral that is mixed in.
The amount of the mineral will determine the intensity of the color or pattern. Natural stones, granite, and quartzite are embellished with these gorgeous patterns.
Longevity
Countertops aren’t something that is renovated frequently. They are hard to replace and expensive. Therefore it is important that whichever countertop material you decide on, will last you for as long as possible. Thankfully both granite and quartzite are ideal options for this reason.
They are both very long-lasting. Not only are they durable, but their timeless design and elegance will ensure that they will stand the test of time in terms of their aesthetic allure as well.
As Keystone Marble and Granite, we offer to make our dream house a reality with our wide range of high-quality stone options. With a dedicated team, we are committed to making sure that every customer is very satisfied with their homes, not only right after the installation but for years to come.
Our experience in the industry allows us to tackle every problem that might arise during the renovation process with a calm and collected demeanor, allowing us to overcome all issues, and deliver a perfectly installed and renovated home to all customers. Read more
