Material information - Bespoke 1988

September 30, 2023 Job Material information, News

Granite or quartzite? Choosing the perfect material for your project

Natural stone countertops are a timeless choice, right? Not all surfaces withstand everyday use equally well, so it is good to know the differences. Two popular types of natural stone are granite and quartzite. Although they look similar at first glance, they have distinct differences that may influence your choice. We are happy to explain more about them. So you can make an informed choice and be assured of the. best end result.

It all starts in the earth’s crust

We start with granite. This is an igneous rock formed by the slow crystallisation of magma deep in the Earth’s crust. It consists mainly of quartz, feldspar and mica. The combination of these minerals results in its unique appearance and long life. Granite is a hard material that can take a beating. So it is ideal for the kitchen! Quartzite, on the other hand, is a metamorphic rock derived from sandstone. The extreme heat and pressure in the earth’s crust change this sandstone into quartzite. It therefore consists almost entirely of quartz crystals. The material is therefore remarkably hard and, like granite, resistant to everyday use.

Hardness

We measure the hardness of natural stone using the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. An excellent tool for comparing different stone types. Granite scores a mark between six and seven on this scale. Practically speaking, that means it has good wear resistance, but in some cases can be prone to chipping and scratching. Quartzite scores a seven on this scale. It is just a little more resistant to scratches and wear, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchens.

Appearance

Not entirely unimportant: the appearance of your new kitchen worktop. Granite offers a wide range of colours and patterns. The hue depends on the mineral composition and geological origin. Thus, two pieces of granite bearing the same name may have a different colour. Purely because one slab was quarried a hundred metres away. This makes each slab of granite unique. Just as the stone shines in your kitchen, it does not do so anywhere else in the world. No two kitchens are the same. Quartzite usually has a more uniform and elegant look. It is mostly light-coloured or has a white base with subtle veins. As a result, the material is refined and fits well in modern and sleek kitchens.

Density

Clear differences are seen in the density of the material. This indicates how often it needs to be maintained. Granite is somewhat porous. This means that the rock is not completely sealed. It is therefore important to periodically impregnate a granite worktop. This way, you will prevent stains. The degree of porosity again differs per granite type. Quartzite is considerably less porous than granite. This makes it resistant to stains and moisture. The material therefore does not need to be impregnated as often. This saves maintenance!

Material costs

The biggest difference is in the cost of materials. Granite wins here and is significantly kinder to your budget than quartzite. This is because the material is easier to obtain and because there are many different types. Quartzite is a bit more expensive because of its easy maintenance and durable properties.

To conclude, choosing granite or quartzite ultimately depends on your preferences, budget and the specific requirements for your project. Both stone types are excellent options for countertops, flooring and various other applications, and each offers its own unique blend of beauty and durability. Whether you prefer cost-effectiveness or a distinctive look, both granite and quartzite are great choices to apply in your project.

Take a look at our selection of natural stones

The things Marble and Quartzite have in common:

Textural similarities:

Perhaps you have heard before how nature creates the well-known material marble. It starts with calcite that is transformed by temperature and high pressure to what we, people, started calling Marble. This creates a polished surface with a glossy finish. In general, quartzite is more grainy or granular, but it also could be polished till it becomes a smooth surface that feels like marble.

Look and feel:

Marmer and quartzite have their look and feel in common. The neutral looking color palette and the smooth pattern known as the ‘veining’ are characteristic for both materials. They are both available in subtile neutral tones as well as powerful looking ‘veins or flames’.

Added value:

A lot of customers tell us they chose for Marble or Quartzite to upgrade their kitchen, bathroom, interior or facade. Of course it is not possible to give guarantees about the increased value of your home or business building, it depends of the market you are in, but a lot of customers tells us they use these popular materials to upgrade the value of their houses or business buildings.

The difference for use as a countertop

The most important difference, the hardness of marble and the hardness of quartzite:
One of the most important differences between these materials is the hardness. While marble is known as a durable natural stone type, quartzite is much harder. To be honest in most situations you could recognise this in price as well. But if you are looking for an enormous hard material, quartzite could be your perfect fit. You might think but why is Quartzite more expensive than Marble? Good question, first of all it is because this is a more exclusive material, but it is also because it is much harder to work with. Not all stone suppliers are able to customise this quartzite. At Bespoke 1988 we are able to customise this and if we do, we always do it very precise!

Maintenance of marble and quartzite:
Not every supplier is talking about this aspect during the material selection. But as soon as you start using your countertop, you should start maintenance your stone. Of course you have to do your daily maintenance but thereby you also have to do some regular maintenance. First of all at Bespoke 1988 we have the possibilities to do this regular maintenance for our customers, but make sure to notice that Marble requires much more maintenance. In case of quartzite wiping it down with a damp cloth will be sufficient in most cases. To keep your marble or quartzite in good condition both requires reseals throughout the years to keep this beautiful natural stone in the best possible condition.

Now you have read about the differences between and similarities of quartzite and marble, it is time to get more feeling. Will one of these materials be the best fit for your project? Let’s find out together! We would feel very pleased if we might contact you.

Category: Material information