Blog Quartzite Countertop vs Granite: which is better?

08/30/2022

So you’ve decided on new countertops for your kitchen. Great choice! This is one of the best things you can do to add value and a fresh look to your home. But now the question is what kind of material to use. Do you go with granite or quartzite?

Both of these materials are popular options and both have their pros and cons so it can be difficult to decide which is the best for your home and family. In this post we’ll compare and contrast the two materials so you can make the best decision.

Durability

Quartzite is made primarily of the mineral quartz, which is extremely durable. Because of this it is much stronger and more heat-resistant than granite. Taj Mahal Quartzite, for instance, is incredibly strong and heat-resistant, outperforming granite in terms of wear-and-tear and everyday kitchen use. Because it is so durable, quartzite is a great investment for someone looking to sell their home in the future. Anyone else moving in won’t have to worry about special cleaning products or techniques. Worry free!

Modern Look

While many granites are granular with a salt-and-pepper appearance, quartzite can often mimic the flowing natural lines of exotic marbles. This makes quartzite a great choice for people that like the organic look of marble but want a more durable product. It’s almost impossible to find granites that have this appearance. Bianco Superiore Quartzite is a great option if you are looking for a clean slab, with a marble look.

Quartzite varieties like Cristallo Quartzite are known for their translucent properties, adding an extra touch of elegance to your countertops

Check now how the translucent effect works.

Porosity

Quartzite is much less porous than granite. This means there are fewer tiny holes in the stone that can let in chemicals that can damage the stone. Because of the way it was created with heat and pressure deep inside the Earth, quartzite has had all of its natural pores and weak spots filled in. When properly sealed on the surface, quartzite should resists water penetration, stains, and etching.

Cost

Cost is one area where quartzite hasn’t yet caught up. Granite is still less expensive than quartzite and can fit into almost any budget. Some varieties, particularly Black Mist, Makalu, and Black Raj can have a exotic look and color pattern while still being affordable. In addition, Brothers can change the surface texture of any color you like for a nominal fee. This gives you even more options for personalizing the stone you love.

Color Consistency and Variety

Granite has a much greater history in the industry and there are many colors available than in quartzites. These colors also tend to have more consistency from block-to-block as opposed to the extreme variability of quartzite.
Basic granites, such as Ashen White, Snow Valley, Giallo Ornamental, etc are very conservative having less “movement” and a more consistent color palette and pattern.

Exotic granites have a wide variety of colors and patterns. Brothers consider as “Exotic” any material that has a flow or movement in the pattern.

Quartzites, on the other hand, can show the pure white and gray colors that just don’t exist in granite. These colors are very “on trend” in the design industry currently and if you want that clean white look then quartzites are the best place to look as those colors just don’t really exist in natural granite.

In Conclusion

Both quartzites and granites are great choices if you’re looking for durable and low-maintenance countertop options. If you’re still struggling to make a choice, feel free to reach out to one of our sales representatives to talk through your decision and help you find the right product for your home and lifestyle.

If you want to see these (or any of our other) slabs in person then appointments are always available at our Houston warehouse. Simply click here to find the best time and schedule a meeting with one of our representatives.

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