How To Start Your Kitchen Renovation Series: What is more durable, quartz or quartzite?

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by Deborah von Donop

Quartzite vs. Quartz

In our previous article, we provided a quick checklist to help you find the right person to help you plan your kitchen and how to navigate that initial meeting for the best outcome. Here is the checklist is to help you prepare for Your First Meeting with Your Kitchen Designer.

Today we are talking about the best kitchen countertops. Are you Choosing the Right Countertop? This is part of our series on “ How To Start Your Kitchen Renovation “ , a full process guide, step by step through the entire process for best results.

• Remodeling Your Kitchen? Read This! · Spend-Smart Strategies for Your Kitchen Makeover · What should you include and what’s a waste of money?

• Lately, the questions I’m getting from my readers from my “2-Hour Online Design” consultations have been so diverse and so good. My Virtual Kitchen Design Online consults have been covering content and questions I’ve never published before, so I’m excited to share with new readers'’ dilemmas and the conversations that ensued for resolving my client’s kitchen inquiries. Just this week I worked with a client who wanted to know,

• “What should I include in my new kitchen?” What’s trending, what should I include in my budget, and what is the one item I should forget about having because it is a total waste of money? What do you recommend?

I have been using quartzite and quartz for years with great success. It is usually the preference of the homeowner that drives the decision on the purchase of one stone over another. How do they decide? Well, it is most commonly the perception of maintenance expectations, and then it is based on what they like visually when viewing the slab.

What is the difference between quartz and quartzite countertops?

Quartzite countertops are produced using natural, porous stone that is cut to exact dimensions. Quartz countertops are engineered stone that is molded into custom shapes.

Is quartzite or quartz a good kitchen countertop?

QUARTZITE:

Quartzite is from the earth. It has a very high quartz content and can be harder than granite. (if rated correctly) It is a metamorphic rock, similar to marble, but much much harder and less porous. As a whole, it is a fabulous stone for kitchens. Consult your fabricator for specifics on different varieties; they are the ones who will have to fix issues so trust their instructions because they know the stones and don’t want call-backs. There is a big range of quartzite performances.

While something like the Taj Mahal is very dense and strong, there are other quartzites’ that can act more like marble, they may etch. one rule is that the more white the stone, the more etching. Anything polished can possibly scratch based on its density. Most quartzite is either polished or ***leathered (love this finish), and not honed to stand up to the heavy use of a kitchen. It will need to be sealed occasionally ( 5 years +/-) and with the advancement of sealants, Quartzite is a great performer.

Be sure to go to a supplier that holds your hand through the selection process. I always work with a trusted supplier because it is important to get 1st-grade cuts and not second, which will have subtle imperfections that are not desirable.

QUARTZ:

Quartz: This is a man-made, engineered stone. It is created from a collection of quartz minerals combined pigments in a resin base. Quartz is intended to resist stains and heat. And they do a great job of just that, so they don’t need to be sealed.

Some manufacturers include Caesarstone, Cosentino, Cambria, and a few others. I must admit, any counter material that makes my client happy makes me happy, but for someone who knows the look of natural stone, it will never look real to me. Sometimes I am not sure, but only a few selections are close to lifelike. Quartz does have its limitations when selecting the edge details. The limits are to a rounded or square detailing to ensure the material does not chip. It is usually the kitchen island that we will want to place an edge detail other than square since you are walking around it and it is more furniture-like in its detailing in the middle of the room.

QUARTZITE = MOTHER NATURE

QUARTZ = MANMADE.

Is One Better Than the other?

Quartzite is mined from the earth and a great performer but can be a little more expensive, and does require a sealant for maximum performance. Quartzite is a very hard stone, harder than granite - the issue is fabricators don’t always have the right labels about what is actually really quartzite. Hopefully, they test them to be sure.

Quartz is impressive as a man-made product. It is somewhat realistic, but the real answer depends on your personal preference for the overall look and color, with the cost factor as well.

Quartz (man-made) benefits are that it offers a white base with imitation veining and sometimes a better price point. The whiter the stone in nature, the more expensive it is. This is why Quartz in white tones ( such as Carrera, Stautarty Arabesque) have become so popular lately. ( and supplies are limited on some)

Cost Of Stone Counter Tops

On average, expect countertops to range in price from $40 to $100 per square foot installed, according to a report by Consumer Reports.

Quartzite / Stone countertops range from $50 to $250 per square foot, while tile counters can start at as little as $20; butcher block at $40, and solid surfaces at $45.

QUARTZITE Vs. QUARTZ : Top 10 Questions

• How much do they cost? Are the price ranges the same?

  • QUARTZ and QUARTZITE: can run from $40 to $100 a square foot.

• Maintenance expectations?

  • Is Quartzite the same as marble? Yes. It may have some of the characteristics of marble, but It is defined by its density and receives a rating of Quartzite from this rating. Getting the beautiful marble-like pattern with the best design for the kitchen is most ideal if that is the look you would like to have.

  • Both are inherently heat resistant and you can place a pot or pan on them, but it is still recommended that you use trivets, since the glue that holds the counter in place is not able to expand and contract with the stone, causing those infrequent accidents that case the countertops to crack.

  • The finish will determine the performance of a material. A leathered finish will function better than honeed.

• Healthy Home Ratings

  • Quartzite: Does not have silica, and has been cut and shaped for kitchens and work areas for centuries. Also of note, quartzite, a natural stone is antibacterial in nature.

  • Quartz: Man-made Quartz has been in the news lately for having caused cancer for fabricators not using the proper equipment to filter the silicas entering the air from the resin used when being cut. Make sure your fabricator is using the right safety equipment when working with quartz and manufacturing.

• Will the edge details resist chipping?

  • All stones will chip with the right impact. But choose a quartzite with a MOHs Scale RATING of (7) and you will have the best resistance to chipping possible. Note: 7 is a rating harder than diamonds! ( MOH’s Scale of mineral hardness) This will usually be found on the material reference sheet.

  • When buying a natural stone, YOU MUST GO TO the stone yard. Each slab is very different from the other. When you find what you like put a deposit on it.

  • When using engineered quartz, edge details can be limited to help ensure chip resistance, this is why you will typically see an eased or square edge when using this product. But the choices increase with the thickness chosen and the price. Click here to see Edge Details with Cambria: Edge Details

Kitchens with Quartz / Marble

Its always best to work with a Kitchen Designer. How do your find them? Start a Search. Start your search for a designer online at the NKBA website (nkba.org), which can point you to designers in your area. Then visit the websites of the designers or contact them directly. Get names from friends and neighbors who have remodeled their kitchens. You can find a certified/licensed interior kitchen designer and supplier through our industry association of designers, cabinet showrooms, builders and suppliers who work to elevate our industry through this association. A certified NKBA kitchen designer will have met standards set by the National Kitchen and Bath Association . this is a good starting point.

• Are you located in New York or Connecticut? Call me for a full service, design, manufacturer, delivery for your luxury kitchen, one that reflects your personality. ( email me at dvd2design@gmail.com to learn more.)

• Not sure what to ask when you call them. I outline the first call here in my post “ The Essential CheckList For Your First Meeting With A Kitchen Designer. “

Dreaming of Joseph Dirard

Athena Calderon‘s kitchen was the talk of the town in this year and for a good reason.  This Brooklyn townhouse was transformed into the perfect modern home for Athena and her family.  The kitchen has no upper cabinets, dark wood, and white marble countertop.  The island is massive, and the modern stools complement the whole design perfectly

Kitchens With Quartz

Stunning Cambria natural quartz surface and countertop designs like Brittanicca™, Annicca™, and Skara Brae™ feature bold streaks of movement and bright, pristine sophistication for an elegant marble appearance.

Ask Yourself

Questions to Ask Before You Begin. How will you use the kitchen? How often do you cook or entertain? Will you need space for dining? What are your must-haves? The use of quartz is usually for fear of etching or staining. It is also for the cleanest and white like marble options offered with a consistent pattern.

Notice the pure white on the perimeter with the light grey veining of the Quartz on the island with a primarily very white base. ( hard to find in nature and a little pricey) I can tell it is not real, but most people will never know.

The inherently elegant and enduring qualities of either ston makes it great for any interior. The two stones are inherently equipped to service a wide range of homeowners and preferences.

Other great stones for countertops: soapstone, marble, and fro a bar area, limestone.

Recap:

Quartzite isn't the same as quartz. It's a metamorphic rock that can be used for kitchen worktops.

I use both quartz ( man-made) and quartzite ( when the budget allows) and have had zero issues with either- but be aware of Chinese quartz ( if you can even get it now with imports on hole or tariff issues) as it can turn colors in some situations, and buy from a vetted and trusted vendor to ensure true quality. It’s always better to buy US products if they have what you like for our economy anyway.

Visit your local Stoneyard. the colors and the veining, will vary with current inventory. You can’t imagine all the options. One may speak to you that you never envisioned and surprise you. The options are wonderful and you may find that you like one more than the other.

I hope you found this list helpful and feel that you are better prepared for this first step in your renovation.

Some of Our Picks For Your Kitchen

KITCHEN ISLAND LIGHTING

Are you looking for the perfect light fixtures or kitchen island? When considering the best lighting options, we want it to be charming and delightful.

KITCHEN ISLANDS
An island that I recommend most often, is something that looks more like furniture than a block in the middle of the room? These are perfect for increasing your workspace in a small kitchen.

Here are some of our favorites:

HOW TO Start A KITCHEN REMODEL?

I recommend you do what I do, and start a Remodeling Binder. This is a place to place all your ideas when starting your project, and contracts and budgets as you move through the project.

See my post on “ Top 5 Remodeling Tips + a Project Remodeling Binder”

P.S. Are you following DVD INTERIOR DESIGN on the LikeToKnow.it app yet? If not, this is an easy way to shop all of our favorite finds, including additional app-exclusive content just for subscribers! Just sign up on your phone and you can get started right away!

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Thank you again for every email, text, note, Facebook message, Instagram comment, all of it.  You are the reason I love what I do so much.  I am thankful and consider it a privilege to be a small part of your life.  

Peace be with you,

xoxo

Deborah

QUARTZ VS. QUARTZITE

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