When choosing countertops you have lots to choose from. Still, the ones I most get asked about are quartz and quartzite. They are also quite different materials with advantages and drawbacks of each other, even if there is some ambiguity between them and they are sometimes mistaken for one another. Read on to assist you in selecting the appropriate countertop for your rental or house.
Quartz
Quartz is a very popular countertop that can really elevate your kitchen or bathroom. Since quartz is a manmade materialโthat is, engineeredโthat is, in the most direct sense fake. Fake does not, however, equate to a negative thing. Quite differently.
Quartz is made by mixing ground up quartz crystals, resins, and pigments. Ground down, the quartz crystals produce pebbles all the way down to sand. Then mixed in to bond the quartz crystals and provide strength are resins. The mixture is then moulded and shaped to create the slabs you find in slab yards and stores.
Pros of Quartz
Quartz has several qualities that make it a good choice for your home or rental property.
โThere are beautiful designs in a wide variety of patterns.
โSince itโs man-made the colors and patterns are consistent and there is a uniform appearance. Given that every slab appears the same, you know exactly what the entire slab looks like.
โQuartz won’t probably chip or dent since it is rather strong and hard.
โItโs non-porous so itโs resistant to staining
โItโs low maintenance and doesnโt need sealing or resealing.
โThere is an unlimited supply since itโs man-made. It is rather easy to replicate.
Cons of Quartz
No product is perfect, including quartz. Although it has some incredible features, some of which would be perfect for you but others of which would be a deal-breaker.
โThe biggest con of quartz is that it isnโt heat resistant. Greater heat will cause the plastic resins to melt. Placing a bowl of soup or a cup of tea on your quartz countertop will be okay; but, a hot cookie sheet from the oven or a hot lasagna tray will melt or burn the resins that link quartz. To be even cautious, I would even place a trivet or cutting board under a hot crock pot.
โIt can seem phoney (well, given its nature). While some manufacturers are better than others, some veining seems to be trying too hard and cheapens the appearance.
โIn the sun it can fade or turn yellow. Quartz is just for indoor usage.
โOne can see seams more readily. You might therefore not want to see the seams in quartz if you cannot use one solid piece for your island.
โItโs an expensive material considering itโs engineered.
Quartzite
Mined from the ground, quartzite is a natural stone. Along with the United States, Italy, and other nations, Brazil is most often where one finds it.
Popular quartzite options are Taj Mahal, Perla Venata, as well as many others. Quartzite offers a rather large spectrum of colours, thus there are really many options. Quartzite can be polished (shiny) or leaved (matte finish).
Pros of Quartzite
Quartzite is also a beautiful and popular choice for your home. Quartzite has certain benefits, including:
โThis actual natural stone comes from the ground and has a real, organic look.
โEvery stone is different, thus your house will look really custom and one of a kind.
โYou have lots of choices in patterns, styles, and colors.
โBeing mined from the ground and formed under heat and pressure, it is heat resistant.
โOne can use it indoors or outside; it is UV safe.
โIt looks like marble but at a much lower price point.
โGiven its very hard nature, this material is rather durable.
Cons of Quartzite
Just like quartz, Quartzite isnโt without itโs faults. Some of the cons of quartzite are:
โPorous quartzite must be sealed and resealed often. I have been advised to seal it anywhere between yearly to every few years.
โYou won’t get the consistent colour or pattern like quartz since this is a natural material. Every slab is different and special.
โEach batch is mined at one time, thus it is not like you could simply visit a store and purchase a replacement if you wish another piece cut from the same exact quarry.
โBe careful with edges as it can chip.
โItโs more expensive than quartz, but much less expensive than marble.
โBoth quartz and quartzite are excellent choices for your countertops.
If this is for your own personal home, both options are solid and you canโt go wrong with either one. It really has to do with your own taste and kitchen usage. Quartz is not for you if you enjoy setting hot pans on your countertops. Quartz is probably a better option, though, if you want no maintenance.
If youโre picking out countertops for your investment property , I would not go with quartzite since it costs more and needs resealing. Your investment property would be better off with granite or quartz.Either quartz or quartzite will help you achieve a subdued neutral look. Choose a distinctive quartzite if you wish for a dramatic statement.
