18

Sep

Should I Choose Dolomite Or Quartz Countertops?

There are many countertop options out there. If you’re wondering what are the differences between dolomite and quartz countertops, then here is a comparison between them. You’ll figure out which one you like the most.

Dolomite Vs. Quartz Countertops

The Material

Dolomite Countertops

Dolomite is a sedimentary rock and it is mainly composed of, well, dolomite. Dolomite is magnesium carbonate, but it has a high water content. This rock is usually found near water aquifers or groundwater bodies below the Earth’s surface and they have a very high water concentration.

From the looks of it, dolomite is really similar to a hybrid of granite and marble. It’s kind of like a dark marble with veining, but it is beautiful nonetheless. It is an amazing option to go for if you are looking for something that won’t look too harsh, but still natural and can sate your inner natural stone lover. Dolomite will impress you to no end and that is amazing.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a man-made stone. It is mainly composed of pulverized rocks and minerals, and they are all bound together by resin, which gives the countertop that glossy but super-hard finish.

Quartz is an amazing material because it has a striking similarity to marble, but it is not as fragile as marble. It is going to last you a very long time and it is going to be a winner in the kitchen, so you know that the material you chose is going to be good.

Durability

If you’re going to go through the trouble of getting a countertop material for your kitchen, then the least you can do is ensure that it is a strong cookie that will not get damaged if you breathe too loudly in front of it.

Dolomite Countertops

Dolomite is not the hardest material on the block, but it is definitely a lot more harder than marble and other very fragile natural stones. Since this is also a natural stone, you can notice an innate strength in the stone and that is what makes this material so much better than those really fragile and very prone to damage materials. So, if you want something decently durable, then dolomite is the way to go.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is also an amazing material when it comes to durability. Since it is a man-made material, the manufacturer has free rein to make it as hard as the customer wants. This just means that they will put more stone and resin in the mixture and they will treat it under high pressure to turn the mushy substance into a solid rock that can scratch any surface.

So, quartz is definitely up there in durability, even more than most natural stones, which is saying a lot.

Cost

Both dolomite and quartz are very reasonable materials, but when you compare the two, dolomite wins this round, because it is more reasonable. Quartz can run a bit more expensive, but the things is that the cost of quartz counters is variable and it changes a bit with the quality and brand you choose.

So, if you’re concerned about the price, then now you know which one can fit your budget more seamlessly, without leaving your wallet empty and sad. So, take your pick wisely.

Heat & Scratch Resistance

This is also something that you want to consider when you’re looking for countertop options. They have to be strong enough to deal with scratches and stains.

Dolomite Countertops

When it comes to dolomite, it might be lacking in both. See, dolomite is a natural stone, which means that it has open pores on the surface. These pores, although they may seem harmless, can have really lasting effects when it comes to stains.

They will suck in water or moisture and you’ll be left with a mottled surface that has stains everywhere you look. Also, dolomite doesn’t scratch easily, but that is not to say that it doesn’t get scratched at all.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a material that is literally a stone, quality-wise. When you look at quartz, you can tell that it is a densely packed material with no pores on the surface at all. So, you can say goodbye to water damage forever.

As for scratches, since quartz is quite hard, it’s going to take a lot for it to get scratched, but you still want to play it safe. Just because something can endure scratches doesn’t mean that you should test its limits.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is also an important factor to consider, because you’re literally concerned with the kitchen here. There is going to be a lot of water usage, exposure, and contact. This is not something that you want to take lightly.

Dolomite Countertops

As far as dolomite is concerned, it can be made waterproof if you seal it. Think of sealant as a clear coat that is applied to the dolomite countertops to fill the exposed pores.

This dries to a rock-hard finish and then even if you leave water on the surface, it won’t get sucked into the rocky vortex. It will bead up on the surface, giving you plenty of time to wipe it all off.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is waterproof so what you will get after sealing dolomite is something that is an innate quality of quartz, which is amazing. This means that you don’t need to go the extra mile and apply a sealant. This is something that really cuts down the maintenance and it is just amazing if a material can hold its own in the kitchen.

Maintenance

When you get a countertop material for your kitchen, you have to commit to maintaining it. It is not something that you can just set and forget. This is why you want to choose a material that is easy to maintain and won’t give you a headache in the long run.

Dolomite Countertops

Dolomite, being a natural stone, is going to be demanding when it comes to maintaining it. It is just something that comes with the baggage of natural stones. You have to seal them so that water doesn’t ruin them. You have to clean it, but then you have to let the countertops get fully dry too, because wet countertops are a no-go.

You also sometimes need specialty cleaners to clean and get rid of stains on the surface of dolomite because regular detergent can do more bad than good for the countertops. So, this is a lot.

Quartz Countertops

For quartz surface, all you really need to do is just clean the surfaces nicely and protect them from heat. Yes, quartz and heat don’t go well together and if you put something really hot on the surface of quartz, then you’ll be greeted by heat blisters, which is honestly the last thing you need. These stains or blisters are really hard to remove and they ruin the surface for good.

Conclusion

Quartz and dolomite are very different from each other as one is a man-made stone and the other is a natural stone. If you want to know about quartz, dolomite, or any other countertop material, consult a quartz countertop contractor Potomac.

28

Mar

How To Choose Between Dolomite And Granite Countertops

When choosing countertop materials for your kitchen, you ought to select the most popular or durable choice. It’s only fair, right? If you’re looking for natural stones, then here is a comparison between dolomite and granite countertops, so you can decide which one is better for your kitchen.

Dolomite Vs. Granite Kitchen Countertops

Composition

The composition of the material you’re choosing is crucial. Even though you don’t know what sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are and how they contribute to the material’s longevity and performance, it’s still important to know what the stone is made of, so that you can better acquaint yourself with it.

Dolomite Countertops

Dolomite is a sedimentary rock. It is a porous natural rock made of limestone and lime mud. It has traces of magnesium in it as well, because of the groundwater it comes in contact with that ultimately makes the rock. It is a very good rock with properties of durability, strength, and longevity. It is also very hard, so keep that in mind when you’re choosing this rock for the fabrication of countertops.

Granite Countertops

Granite is an igneous rock. It is made deep inside the Earth under the influence of temperature and pressure. Rocks, sediments, and all of the other things melt into a puddle and mica gets mixed with it to form this beautiful rock that has veining like no other material. It is a material that will make you stare in awe. It is a very popular choice since the color is just so unique and not every stone is like granite out there.

Durability

The next factor to consider is the durability of the material. You’re getting a material for your kitchen countertops, so it needs to be strong. You don’t want to handle countertops with kid’s gloves, so getting a sturdy and strong material is the way to go.

Dolomite Countertops

Dolomite is a substantially hard rock. It is amazing when it comes to durability but the only downfall is that it can be brittle. Even though it is strong and hard, it can tend to break in the weirdest of places, so it’s not the best when it comes to impacts and throwing things on top of the surface.

Granite Countertops

Granite’s middle name is durability. This material is not just popular for its looks alone. It is highly durable and it can resist a lot that is thrown at it. Granite is a material that can withstand almost everything. It is a strong material that doesn’t mind weight or impacts at all and takes everything like a champ. So, if you want to get a material that will last you for a long time, then granite it is.

Maintenance

Maintenance is also another crucial thing to go over. When you’re choosing countertops, aside from the colors and design, maintaining them is something that should be on the top of your list. The last thing you need is to get a material that is very fragile and can’t be cleaned or taken care of normally. This will only waste your time and energy.

Dolomite Countertops

Dolomite, since it is made out of limestone, can’t be cleaned with acidic or harsh cleaners. It is also soft, so you don’t want to use anything that will leave scratches on it. If you want to clean dolomite countertops, then you can use a regular mixture of soap and water and use it to wipe the surfaces down. That’s more than enough for these slabs.

Granite Countertops

For maintaining granite countertops, you also don’t want to use too harsh and chemical-based cleaners on the surface. As much as it is strong and durable, nothing can ruin perfectly good granite countertops like acid and it will make small and big holes in the surface, which is something you don’t want. So, stick to the neutral stuff and you won’t regret it.

Price

Dolomite Countertops

Price is the department where dolomite takes the cake. It is much more affordable than granite or any other stone for that matter, considering that it is a natural stone. So, if you want to get your hands on a decent quality material with an affordable price tag, then dolomite is the way to go. Due to its budget-friendliness and appearance, it’s considered a good alternative to marble and granite.

Granite Countertops

Granite is expensive, but it adds value to your home in the long run, something that dolomite can’t do, so consider it as an investment. If you have the budget, then go for granite because it will pay you off in the end.

Stain Resistance

Stain resistance is also something that you need to consider especially when it’s a comparison between two natural stones. If there’s one bone to pick with natural stones, then it is the fact that they are porous. They are hard sponges that will suck in any and every kind of moisture available. This can be hard for a lot of people because being in the kitchen means being surrounded by endless moisture and water. So, you need to protect your countertops from something as harmless as water.

Sadly, both dolomite and granite can’t stand against stains. If they are not sealed, then they are not waterproof and if they’re not waterproof, then water will get sucked inside and there won’t be anything you can do, but watch the countertop surface get mottled with stains that are impossible to remove.

So, if you want to protect dolomite and granite countertops and make them look flawless for longer, then you need to add sealing to the maintenance list. Yes, it is more work, but it will save your countertops from looking unkempt.

Heat Resistance

In the kitchen, you’re working with intense temperatures and heat and you want to get a countertop material that won’t give away under the pressure of heat.

Dolomite Countertops

Dolomite is a sound material when it comes to heat resistance. Almost all natural rocks have great heat resistance since they’re made under the ground where the temperatures are astronomical, as compared to a meager kitchen stovetop. So, you can rest assured that dolomite will not be decorated with those hideous black stains that are impossible to remove and a pain to look at.

Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the best materials out there when it comes to heat resistance, even better than dolomite. Granite is the benchmark when you’re dealing with heat-resistant materials. If you want to get a good heat-resistant kitchen countertop, then the only competitor is granite.

It is an amazing material, across the board, and you don’t need to protect it from heat. But, sometimes, you can’t help but go the extra mile, so if you want to do that, then trivets or coasters are amazing. They will form a barrier between the countertop and the hot food you’re dealing with and your countertops will stay brand new for longer.

Conclusion

Dolomite and granite are very different from one another, but they’re amazing nonetheless. You should keep these things in mind before making any decision. If you want to take a look at some beautiful and durable natural stone slabs, contact granite companies Potomac.