27

Jul

Quartz Vs Quartzite Countertops: How Are They Different?

There are a number of countertop materials you can choose from and deciding which one to go for can be nothing less than a hassle. You’re in luck because this comparison between quartzite and quartz kitchen countertops will make the selection a piece of cake for you.

Differences Between Quartz And Quartzite Countertops

Composition

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is actually a man-made material. It is made up of pulverized quartz crystals with sand and it’s mixed up with resin to create a hard slab that is a perfect choice for your kitchen if you’re looking for something beautiful and durable.

This countertop material is available in tile form as well as slab form, but slabs are preferred more by people. Because it’s more durable, have a nicer and elegant appearance, and can give your kitchen that flair of character. Quartz is one of the most versatile man-made materials and it is definitely a winner in the kitchen.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is a natural stone so it does have a majestic appearance as granite and marble does. It is made up of quartz, mostly, but some variants might also have mica and some percentage of sand as well.

Quartzite has a beautiful and subtle appearance as well because it has an array of veins going all over its surface in different directions. It has a light base, and the top is decorated with light and dark veining that looks absolutely breathtaking in different lighting.

If you’re looking for a natural countertop material that’s going to be a statement in your kitchen, but don’t want to spend a lot on options like granite and marble, then quartzite is the way to go.

Durability

As far as durability is concerned, both quartz and quartzite are up there.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz, since it is a man-made material, is going to be extra durable and strong, as compared to its natural counterparts. It is compacted under high pressure and there is reinforced strength that makes this material a much better option.

The material doesn’t shatter or crack under high pressure or under forceful impacts and it’s going to last a lot longer, especially if you take care of them properly. It is also quite heat resistant.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite might seem like a less durable option out of the two, but it doesn’t mean that it’s a fragile material. It is considered to be even harder than granite, even though both are natural and porous rocks.

Quartzite is quite comparable in strength with quartz, but if you really want to get down to the nitty-gritty, then a better and more durable option would be quartz because it’s low on the maintenance side of things on top of being strong. It is also one of the very few natural stones that have built-in UV protection so the color doesn’t fade over time and it also keeps the surface free from germs.

Cost

Price is another important factor to consider when buying a countertop material for your kitchen. A lot of people tend to opt for materials that are reasonably priced because they don’t want to spend so much on countertops.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is available in a huge variety, but the price solely depends on the retailer, the thickness of the slab you’re choosing, and the overall quality of quartz.

A one-square-foot slab of quartz will cost you anywhere between $60 to $70, which is quite reasonable for a durable and strong countertop material.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is a natural stone and although the stone itself doesn’t cost a lot, there are overhead costs that might make it an expensive choice. This material isn’t as expensive as other natural stones like granite and marble, so it’s still a reasonably priced material as far as natural stones are concerned.

Quartzite will cost you around $70 to $80 including additional things like sealing and polishing, for a slab. It  is pretty heavy and the installation cost of this material is also insanely high, from $200 to $300 so a lot of people tend to go for DIY countertop installation.

Maintenance

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a very low-maintenance material. There is no need to seal it. You can clean it very easily and it is heat resistant as well. Even though quartz is quite durable, that still doesn’t mean that it can’t get damaged by heat. It’s better to take care of the countertops as much as you can because heat can ruin the look of quartz countertops and it can lead to heat stains if you constantly put the countertops in contact with heat.

Even though you can get away with a few times, it’s better to take good care of these countertops, so that their maintenance doesn’t become a hassle for you in the future.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite, since it is a natural stone, needs to be sealed because it is porous and any contact with water, moisture, and even certain foods can lead to permanent stains on the countertop. Because quartzite is also quite light in color, the appearance of stains can be very obvious and the surface can look very dirty.

Sealing the countertops will ensure that your countertops stay in good condition for long. But it is still an extra step and you’ll need to reseal the countertops every year to freshen up the look of the countertops.

Stain Resistance

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a non-porous material, so it is naturally stain-resistant, especially when it comes to things like food and water stains. Being virtually non-porous and highly dense, quartz will last a lot longer than most materials and it also won’t get damaged as easily from moisture or mold formation.

The only real culprit that can damage and ruin the look of quartz is sunlight. Quartz isn’t resistant to UV rays, so the color can fade over time.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite, on the other hand, isn’t stain resistant without the extra help of a sealant. Sealing quartzite countertops is considered to be an extra step towards protecting the stone from severe damage and bacterial infestations.

Some people can be wary of sealing these countertops because it’s extra work and expense, but it’s going to go a long way.

Variety In Colors

Lastly, the variety in colors and designs is something that can be a deal maker or breaker for a lot of people. Nothing is more off-putting than having a seemingly perfect countertop material, but not having enough color options according to your liking.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is very forgiving when it comes to color selection. There are light, dark, and bright colors available in this material and you can get just about any color in quartz countertops.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite lacks the variety of colors that quartz has. The former material is only available in a range of neutral and light colors, which isn’t usually an issue for people who prefer lighter-colored countertops. However, light colors can be a pain in the neck to maintain since they can get dirty and murky pretty quickly. This is why a lot of people choose darker countertop colors.

Conclusion

This comparison covers everything from durability to price and whatnot. Now, keeping these things in mind about both countertop materials, you can make the choice for your kitchen. Whichever material you choose, hire a quartz countertop installer Rockville to flawlessly install the countertop in your kitchen.

12

Jul

What Not To Do With Granite Countertops?

Granite countertops are very popular in kitchens and although they are quite beautiful, you want to take care of them as well, in order to ensure that they stay that way for longer. Here is everything you shouldn’t do with granite countertops.

Don’t Clean Countertops With Harsh Cleaners

Cleaning granite countertops is nothing less than a nightmare. There are special cleaners that are great for cleaning these countertops, which don’t damage them and leave them looking squeaky clean. What you don’t want to do when cleaning these countertops is use cleaners that are harsh.

There are a lot of extensive and very harsh cleaners available, which claim to clean any type of countertop, but you don’t want to use those cleaners on granite, because that’s like waiting for a disaster to happen.

Using Acidic Chemicals Is A Big No

Another thing that you want to avoid cleaning granite countertops with is anything with acid or vigorous substances.

Acid reacts very violently with granite and because it’s a stone, any harsh acid or even bleach, will eat away the material and it will ruin the countertops altogether. When buying cleaners, you want to select something which has a neutral pH and doesn’t react with natural stones.

Letting Spills Sit For Too Long

Spills are the main culprit for stains and you definitely don’t want your granite countertops to get permanently stained. Stains can happen anywhere and anytime and if you’re not maintaining your countertops, then those stains can become permanent and they can’t be removed until you have the countertops professionally repaired.

If you spill something like fruit juice, beverages, or even let the juices from cutting fruit sit for too long, then these spills might get absorbed by the stone and it can lead to very ugly stains forming on your countertops.

You want to clean the spills right away before the stone has a chance to absorb the moisture. You will be doing yourself a huge favor by protecting these countertops.

Cooking Oil Leaks

Cooking oil might seem pretty harmless, but the stains produced from oil spills are very nasty and they can actually make the countertops feel very greasy and grimy. Oil spills are very normal to occur. They can spill from the container, which has oil, or you can drop a few splatters of oil while cooking.

What you don’t want to do is leave the spill as is. You want to clean it up right away and use a foaming soap to help get rid of the slippery feel of the oil on the countertops. If your countertops are sealed, then cleaning spills should be very easy and it won’t be a huge problem.

Using Harsh Pads And Tools For Scraping

Something you want to avoid using on granite countertops is a metal scraper. There are many times when there is dried food on top of the counter and you want to scrape it off. It can be very tempting to use something sharp like a needle, knife, or even metal scraper to scrape away the dried food, but you’re only asking for more damage on the countertops.

You don’t want to use abrasive cleaning pads on the countertop either because granite can be very delicate and if the countertops are not sealed, then the top surface can be buffed off and scratched by these sharp tools.

Whenever you want to get rid of dried food crumbs on the countertop, use a soft toothbrush and go over the crumbs in a wiping motion to help loosen the food from the surface. Once that’s done, you can take a wet washcloth and wipe the remnants away.

Scratches With Knives

It’s very common to use knives directly on the surface of countertops. While that is alright with most hard materials, you don’t want to do the same on granite countertops. Granite countertops, especially if the seal is getting thin or worn, can get scratched by sharp knives, especially if there’s not a cutting board in between the knife and the countertop to help protect the natural stone from getting chipped.

You always want to make sure that you’re using knives on top of a cutting board, otherwise, you’re damaging the countertops by yourself.

Impact Of Weight

Countertops are not the place to test strength. You don’t want to put your entire weight on the countertops, by either standing on top of it or sitting on it. This is not recommended at all, because too much force and impact on one spot of the countertop can lead to huge cracks forming.

There might be no signs of cracks or fractures in the beginning, but as time goes on, granite countertops can ultimately break if you’re not too careful. So, try to keep weight off the countertops and only use it for things around the kitchen. Even though thick and durable granite countertops can hold an evenly distributed weight of 1000 pounds, the number decreases drastically if the item is small and covers less area, but is heavy.

Placing Hot Things On Countertops

While granite is a durable material and its reasonably heat resistant, that still doesn’t mean that you can test its limit. You should avoid putting hot pots and pans on the surface of granite countertops because it’s going to lead to the formation of heat stains on granite counters. While the material, itself, might not get damaged, these stains are enough to ruin the look of the countertop completely.

If you really want to use your countertop as a working station for hot food, then try to use trivets or coasters to help protect the material from getting shocked by heat. These black stains don’t only look ugly, but they’re almost impossible to remove.

Cleaning With Soap And Water

Soap and water sounds like a pretty harmless combination to clean your countertops with, but for granite, this homemade cleaning solution can actually do more bad than good. Soap or detergent tends to linger on the surface of granite and it can make the countertops look murky and dirty.

There are special cleaners available for cleaning granite countertops, which contain rubbing alcohol and mild cleaning agents, which not only get rid of dirt and debris, but they will also get rid of any bacteria and living organisms present on the surface.

Working With Raw Things

Last but not least, you don’t want to cut raw meat directly on the surface of granite countertops. Not only will it scratch the surface of the countertops, but the meat juices will also penetrate into the deep slashes of the countertop and settle there. This is not sanitary at all and it can lead to an infestation of bacteria and viruses on the surface of granite countertops.

You don’t want to cut fresh vegetables and fruits directly on the surface either because it will make the surface dirty and sticky. The best way is to use cutting boards for everything.

Conclusion

Granite countertops are great and all, but they can be extremely fragile to certain things which could lead to severe damage in the long run. Now that you know what things you should avoid with granite countertops, maintaining and taking care of them can be easy. However, when your granite countertops reach their end of life, find granite countertop contractors Potomac for a replacing your old granite counters.