When it comes to natural stone countertops, quartzite and granite are two of the most popular options. They both offer significant benefits to homeowners. Since natural stone installations are big projects, it is imperative to pick the right one. So before purchasing, investigating the differences between quartzite and granite is crucial.
Both natural stones undoubtedly add elegance and beauty to any room they are installed in. They are also an investment that increases the resale value of your home. While there are various countertop materials, many homeowners choose a natural stone in their houses, whether quartzite or granite.
Natural stones have many uses in homes today. From the kitchen and bathroom countertops to tables, even flooring can be made with them. Wherever they are used, quartzite and granite will surely elevate the aesthetics of your home. Also, beyond the looks, the type of natural stone you select can increase the functionality of the room they are installed.
Let’s take a look at some basic comparisons between quartzite and granite.
Quartzite vs. Granite Pros and Cons
Pros: Both quartzite and granite are beautiful natural stones that add to the beauty of your home. Since they are naturally made on earth, each slab is unique, so they can be considered pieces of unique art. Regarding durability, quartzite has almost the same properties as granite.
They are both sealed during installation, so they are both easy to clean and maintain. Using mild dishwashing soap and warm water to clean is enough. Avoiding chemical-based cleaners is advised.
Cons: All natural stones have a porous structure, so they need to be sealed. The spills can seep into these pores without proper sealing, leading to stains and bacterial growth. Both quartzite and granite are prone to scratches. Although they are strong and durable, they can be damaged by knives.
Chopping food on them can scratch the surface or damage the sealant. Since they both are hard, dense, and heavy natural stones, they require professionals for installation.
How Do Quartzite and Granite Form?
Quartzite forms when sandstone with high quartz content is exposed to high heat and pressure. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock consisting mainly of sandstone, silica, iron oxide, carbonate, clay, and a considerable percentage of quartz. That is why quartzite is one of the denser materials you can find.
People often mistake quartz and quartzite. Quartzite is a natural stone, while quartz is an engineered stone. Quartzite can typically be found in shades of white and gray. Because of different mineral content, quartzite may also have other color variations.
Granite gets formed by cooling magma. It is an ingenious rock that typically contains quartz, mica, feldspar, and hornblende. The granite formation may also contain minerals like biotite, magnetite, garnet, zircon, and apatite. The unique colors of granite come from the growing crystal minerals that grow in it.
Because of these minerals, granite has a wide range of colors, veins, and patterns. In terms of appearance, granite has many more styles that you can choose from.
Quartzite vs. Granite Durability
Quartzite is one of the most durable natural stones for kitchen countertops. Because of its chemical properties, quartzite has high heat, scratch, and stain resistance.
Granite is a highly durable natural stone that is quite popular in kitchen designs. Just like quartzite, granite countertops are also resistant to heat and scratches.
In terms of durability, it is fair to say that quartzite and granite are pretty evenly matched.
Quartzite vs. Granite Hardness
If you like cooking and have a functional kitchen, both quartzite and granite are excellent kitchen countertop materials. They both are harder than marble, making them equally great kitchen application options.
Quartzite vs. Granite for Outdoor Kitchen
Both quartzite and granite are suitable for outdoor applications. Whether used as flooring or countertops in your outdoor kitchens, they will create stunning and mesmerizing areas. When sealed and maintained properly, both of these natural stones will not stain. Their extremely durable nature makes them perfect for outdoor appliances.
Quartzite vs. Granite Price
In terms of price, granite generally costs a little less than quartzite. Quartzite is slightly more expensive because it’s rarer than granite. Since each slab is unique, finding a more expensive granite than quartzite is possible. It is essential to get an estimate before making a purchase.
Quartzite vs. Granite Appearance
As all natural stones, both quartzite and granite are 100% unique. Each slab of stone differs from one another. The variety of the looks is limitless in the sense that the colors and the patterns are never the same.
Quartzite looks just like marble with more functional benefits, which marble can’t provide.
Granite slabs have unique looks and will add a stylish look to any place they are installed.
In terms of appearance, granite is the better option. Granite slabs come in many more colors and patterns than quartzite. Quartzite mainly comes in white and grey, with some other variations.
Quartzite vs. Granite Maintenance
Caring for natural stone surfaces is harder than some other materials because of their porous nature. Quartzite has much fewer pores than granite, meaning there are fewer tiny holes that can let in chemicals that can cause stains or bacterial growth. However, the stunning looks of these stones are well worth the effort.
Both quartzite and granite require sealing to prevent staining, scratches, and other possible damage to their surface. We recommend resealing granite and quartzite at least once a year to keep them just like on day one. For busier kitchens, you may need to reseal your countertops more often.
Using mild dishwashing soap and warm water is enough to clean both of these natural stones. Another option is using a stone cleaner explicitly designed for this purpose. Avoiding chemical-based cleaners or high-acid-content cleaning stuff is highly discouraged since they can damage the sealant on the surface of your countertops.
FAQ
- Is quartzite better than granite?
Quartzite and granite are great choices if you want strong, durable, low-maintenance countertops. They almost weigh equally in each instance, so it’s hard to say which is better. The choice boils down to personal design choices.
- Does quartzite chip easier than granite?
Both granite and quartzite are durable and hard natural stones. However, quartzite is slightly harder than granite. Quartzite scores at 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, whereas granite scores 6-6.5. Accordingly, it is known that quartzite is slightly more chip-resistant.
- What are the disadvantages of quartzite?
Yes, quartzite is strong and durable, but it’s not 100% immune to damage, so sharp objects and knives can damage it. The porous nature makes quartzite require sealing and resealing once every often. The price of quartzite can be considered another disadvantage when compared to other materials.
- What are the disadvantages of granite?
Just like quartzite, granite is highly durable. However, repairs can be impossible or costly if you can damage them. Professional installation is necessary for granite countertops. Requiring sealing and resealing just like other natural stones is another downside.
Conclusion
Installing quartzite or granite in your home is an excellent choice because they both are exquisite natural stones. They will instantly increase the value of your home. Their elegant and beautiful looks will definitely help you create your dream home. Making an informed decision when making big installations like kitchen countertops or backsplashes is vital.
We hope that this article was helpful to you in understanding the key differences between quartzite and granite.
