If you are choosing countertops for your kitchen, you are likely in the home stretch of decision-making madness! Don’t give up now! Choosing countertops for your kitchen renovation is one of the most exciting yet challenging decisions you will have to make during the renovation planning phase, but I am hoping to make it easier for you. This post will give you seven excellent reasons to choose quartzite kitchen countertops.

 

As shown in the photos, we chose Mont Blanc quartzite countertops for our last kitchen renovation, and we couldn’t have been happier with them. Not only are they beautiful, but they are also very sensible! Below are the reasons why quartzite is an excellent choice for a countertop surface. I encourage you to consider them for your own kitchen renovation!

1. It is a natural stone

I understand that certain lifestyle situations may dictate using an engineered stone such as quartz, but I encourage using natural stone if it makes sense for you and your home. There is an unmistakable beauty that comes with naturally occurring stone because of its unique veining, distinctive texture, and gorgeous color variations. Natural stone is beautiful the day it is installed and for many years to come.

Quartzite is one to consider if you are interested in natural stone countertops. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock comprised primarily of quartz, which is formed as sandstone is altered by extremely high temperature and high pressure (King, n.d.). It has a marble-like appearance without the challenges that come with marble.

2. It is extremely durable

Regarding durability, quartzite countertops come in a close second to granite countertops, considered the most durable of the natural stone countertops. On the Mohs Hardness Scale, a scale developed by the German geologist and mineralogist Friedrich Mohs to help identify materials by measuring a material’s resistance to scratching by another material (U.S. National Park Service)</i>, n.d.), Quartzite falls in the 7-8 range. For reference, granite receives a 6 while marble receives a 3 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.

In addition to being durable, quartzite is known to be scratch-resistant and heat-resistant. Some quartzites are said to be able to withstand high temperatures up to 1,000 degrees, meaning you could set hot pots and pans on the countertop. Although knowing that your countertop could withstand a knife and a hot pan is fantastic, I recommend always using cutting boards and trivets to protect your countertops. Why risk it?

​3. It is easy to clean

Another benefit of quartzite countertops is that they are low-maintenance and easy to clean. The best way to clean quartzite countertops is with a soft cloth and a low-ph cleanser. I use a little dish soap in a spray bottle with warm water and a microfiber cloth. You never want to use abrasive cleaners, bleach, or citrus or vinegar-based products for cleaning.

4. It doesn’t fade

Another reason it is a popular choice for countertops because it is UV-resistant and will not fade in sunlight.

5. It is stain resistant

Quartzite makes a great countertop surface for many reasons, one of them being its stain resistance. That said, quartzite is a porous stone, and all quartzites do not have the same porosity level. It is essential that proper sealing is applied to your quartzite and reapplied at least once per year to maintain its stain resistance.

6. It is typically less expensive than marble

Another reason to choose natural quartzite countertops is that they usually cost less per square foot than marble. The cost makes quartzite an excellent choice if you desire a natural stone and marble look but do not want to pay a marble price.

7. It is stunning

There is no question that quartzite slabs are stunning and will elevate the look of any kitchen.   Quartzite can be found in a wide variety of colors and are available in leathered, polished, and honed finishes. You will also find varying degrees of natural veining, with some being more dramatic than others.

Summary

In this post, I gave you seven excellent reasons why quartzite is an ideal choice for your new countertop! If you still aren’t sure, make an appointment to look at slabs and see what appeals to you most! If you are interested to see more of this kitchen, please check out my post, Kitchen Remodel: Incredible Before and After Photos! If you are just in the planning phase of your renovation and are unsure where to start, check out my post, 5 Best Kitchen Layouts for Your Home Renovation.

 

References:

King, H. M. (n.d.). Quartzite: Metamorphic Rock – Pictures, Definition & More. https://geology.com/rocks/quartzite.shtml

Mohs Hardness Scale (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). https://www.nps.gov/articles/mohs-hardness-scale.htm