Pros and Cons of Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite Countertops

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Quartzite and quartz countertops are not the same thing. They are not created equal, and anyone who tells you so is not being upfront with you. Quartzite is a naturally occurring stone, which changes everything about the installation and upkeep process. There are more cons than pros if you are considering quartzite for your countertops in your new house or your remodeling project.

There are many choices that you have to make when you are considering a remodel or building a new house. You have to choose flooring, wall colors, appliance types, and so many other things. If you are struggling with choosing between quartz and quartzite, this article should make things a lot easier for you.

Choosing Between Quartz and Quartzite

People are naturally drawn toward natural stone for surfaces in their homes. While this instinct makes some sense, natural stone can be very beautiful and you might think that it will be strong and sturdy just because it is a natural material. Some of these assumptions are not correct, however.

Pros for Quartzite

There is really only one pro to do with choosing quartzite countertops for your home, so we will discuss it first. The one benefit of quartzite counters is that quartzite can be very beautiful. It is often grey or white with grey, green, or red inclusions. The beauty of quartzite grabs many people’s attention, but selecting quartzite countertops is signing up for a major maintenance project at least once a year.

Inclusions and natural beauty aside, quartzite also only comes in a few colors, so if you want a specific counter color, it is not flexible at all. This is not a material like marble, which occurs in many different colors and patterns. Quartzite is beautiful, but it is limited in its colors and patterns.

Cons for Quartzite

As mentioned before, the cons for quartzite far outweigh the one pro, which is the beauty. Quartzite suffers from the same issues related to durability and installation as many other natural materials. Just like travertine floors, and other beautiful building materials that are soft, porous, and delicate, quartzite is a selection that should only be made if you are willing to undertake the extensive care that it will require.

  • Quartzite is not durable. Quartzite often needs to be resealed at least once a year because it is porous and fragile. Quartzite also gets scratches and dents readily, making it a less than ideal choice for bathroom or kitchen countertops. Imagine dropping a glass on your quartzite countertop and being left with a huge dent and scratches from the glass impacting and shattering! This is the reality of quartzite countertops.
  • Quartzite cannot tolerate heat. Due to its lack of durability and its fragility, hot liquids spilled on quartzite, or hot items which fall on it can burn, melt, or otherwise damage your quartzite counter. If you have kids, you will probably never be able to prevent spills of hot liquids every now and again, and your counter will remind you that this happened until you polish it and reseal it.
  • Limited color choices are the norm for quartzite and you sometimes can struggle to find a consistent slab to purchase. The same issues often occur with granite and the added cost of buying large slabs of quartzite to try and match colors can be prohibitive for many people.
  • Sharp objects can wreak havoc on a quartzite countertop. Even a butter knife can put a huge scratch in a quartzite countertop and mar it for months until your next scheduled polishing and sealing.
  • Quartzite has to be polished once a year to stay glossy. Many people who select quartzite for their countertops don’t realize that they will need to be polished and resealed annually. Polishing can take all day or multiple days and can create quite a bit of havoc in your home while it is going on. If you want to avoid having to deal with a major maintenance project once a year, don’t pick quartzite counters for your home.
  • Quartzite cannot hold up to kids and pets. Quartzite is simply not durable enough to handle kids, or animals that might climb on the counters. Cat claws, or a child with a marker who is coloring at the kitchen counter can be enough to cause major damage to your quartzite counters.
  • Quartzite is very porous, which means that red wine, coffee, or any other liquid has the potential to stain your counter permanently. The same goes for bacteria and grit or grime. Your quartzite counter will absorb all of these items and have the stains and grime to prove it. If you pick quartzite for your countertops, get used to stains and other mars to the finish because they are part of life with this kind of countertop.
  • Quartzite has to be sealed with polyurethanes, wax, or acrylic. These substances have their own care requirements and their own durability metrics that you will need to make adjustments for as you plan the care of your quartzite countertops.

Quartz is the Ideal Choice for Your Countertops

The extensive list of cons that we have discussed should make it quite obvious why quartz counters are superior to quartzite counters. Quartz is manufactured, so it’s very durable and it is consistent in its quality. You will never have to buy a huge slab of quartz just to make sure that your counters match when they are being cut.

Quartz comes in many colors and it can be cut into any custom shape that you require. Quartz can also tolerate normal wear and tear far better than quartzite. Best of all, quartz will not soak up all the liquids that you spill on it, becoming stained and grimy. Annual polishing and resealing is not a part of quartz countertop maintenance.

Choose Quartz for Your Home

There really should not a question when choosing between quartzite and quartz for your countertops. Why would you elect to pick a delicate, expensive, and maintenance-intensive material when you could pick one that will be just as beautiful, cost less and require far less maintenance? The choice for durable and beautiful countertops is easy. That choice is quartz.