Quartzite gets mixed up with quartz all the time. Quartzite is natural stone, quarried from the earth; quartz is engineered. Granite and Marble Designs fabricates quartzite countertops in our shop at 5676 N Pecos St in Denver, and our own crew installs them. Because quartzite is hard to cut well, the fabricator matters more with this stone than with most.
Quartzite is natural stone, not quartz
Quartzite forms when sandstone is put under heat and pressure until its grains fuse with quartz crystals. The result is a dense, crystallized stone that’s mined and cut into slabs like granite or marble. Quartzite slabs are used in both residential and commercial applications.
| Quartzite | Quartz | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Natural metamorphic stone | Engineered: quartz crystals, resin, pigment |
| Look | Every slab is unique, often marble-like veining | Consistent color and pattern |
| Sealing | Porous, needs sealing | Non-porous, no sealing |
| Heat | Heat resistant | Not heat-proof |
| Outdoors | UV resistant, works outside | Can fade in direct sun |
Real, pure quartzite can be hard to come by, so we buy from suppliers we trust. With us, you know exactly what you’re getting, and we can show you the slab before you commit.
Why people choose quartzite countertops
Quartzite has become a competitive, popular choice for kitchen designs, bathroom countertops, fireplace surrounds and commercial spaces. It has few limitations and holds up to everyday activities.
- The look of marble with more toughness. Quartzite colors tend to be neutral, with veining and movement that a lot of people compare to marble. The naturally embedded crystals make it glisten when light hits it, and the grain and movement trace how the stone formed.
- Scratch resistant, durable and low maintenance. It holds up to hot and cold and to everyday kitchen use, and it’s a very versatile stone.
- Indoor or outdoor. Quartzite is UV resistant and won’t fade, so it works for outdoor kitchens, bars and grill surrounds as well as kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms and fireplace surrounds.
- Rare and one of a kind. No two slabs are the same, and the patterns and character are endless.
Quartzite is porous, though, and some quartzites are more porous than others. If it isn’t cleaned properly, the surface can absorb liquids and bacteria. It gets sealed at install and should be resealed periodically to fill the pores and protect it from spills and etching.