Compared to marble and granite, quartzite isn’t known as the most popular choice for flooring and countertops, but this was the natural stone that architects of The Dalmar, a new luxury boutique hotel in Fort Lauderdale, chose for the interior walls.
On the other hand, the engineered stone known as quartz has become one of the most popular choices for countertops, and it has been extensively used for flooring installations at commercial establishment for decades.
For those who aren’t familiar with either quartz or quartzite, the names of these two premium construction materials can lead to some confusion. Here are some aspects that set them apart.
Quartzite Is 100% Natural
Similar to marble, quartzite is a metamorphic rock. Whereas marble derives from limestone, quartzite starts out as sandstone that morphs into a rock containing a high density of silicon dioxide, the mineral commonly known as quartz. The engineered stone known as quartz is formed by means of manmade processes, including the gathering and pulverizing of stone fragments that are very high in silicon dioxide content. It’s not unusual to find quartz slabs and tiles that were manufactured with quartzite fragments.Quartz Is More Common than Quartzite
The manufacturing market of quartz has greatly expanded in recent decades because of residential demand. It’s easier these days to find quartz than quartzite for various reasons, one of them being availability. Quartzite is a very hard stone that’s difficult to extract from quarries.It’s commonly found along mountain ridges and other rock formations protected by nature conservation policies.Quartz Is More Affordable than Quartzite
Similar to onyx and green marble, quartzite is considered to be an exotic natural stone, particularly when it deviates from its common gray coloration. At the aforementioned luxury hotel in Fort Lauderdale, jade-colored quartzite slabs clad the walls of the lobby, and this is a rare instance of quartzite presenting impurities from chromium. Reddish quartzite quarried in India is the result of iron having been present in the formation process, and it’s very expensive. With quartzite, you can expect to pay more than $200 per square foot for an installation, but this cost will be higher if the tiles or slabs are colored.Quartz Requires Less Maintenance
Quartzite is extremely durable, but it’s still a natural stone with some porosity, which means it requires regular sealing. Engineered stone doesn’t require sealant applications. Whereas a combination quartz cleaner and polish such as Granite Gold Quartz Brite® is the only product you need to keep your quartz countertops in good condition, quartzite will also require regular applications of Granite Gold Sealer®. You’ll also need to apply Granite Gold Polish® to quartziteif you want to enhance the shine and luster of your countertops.Whether you have quartz, quartzite, or another type of natural stone in your home—such as granite or marble, Granite Gold® has everything you need to care for your stone and engineered stone surfaces. Call us today at 1-800-475-STONE (7866), and search on our Store Locator for a store near you that carries our products.
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