Your Guide to Selecting Granite vs Quartz vs Quartzite Countertops

Granite is a product of nature, therefore no two granite slabs/countertop are alike. Granite varies in appearance within the same color, from piece to piece, and lot to lot, depending on where and when it was mined. Varying gloss level, pitting, and resin-filled fissures may occur in some granites and should be considered when making a product selection.

Granite is one of the most heat resistant products for countertops. However, it can be damaged by extreme, direct heat exposure. Hot items such as pots and pans should not be placed directly on natural stones. As a safety precaution, use coasters or trivets on countertop areas.

Granite is available in an astounding range of colors, covering the spectrum for near-white to rich greens, solid blacks, and rare shades of blue. With warm tones and varied movement and veining within slabs, the possibilities of colors are almost endless.

Granite is one of the least absorbent, stain-resistant materials that exists. A quality sealer will penetrate the stone, allow it to breathe, and permit more of the stone’s natural beauty to shine through. Unsealed stone is more susceptible to absorbing moisture, dirt, and cleaning chemicals. Therefore, it is recommended that a sealer be applied soon after installation.

Granite is mined in blocks and sliced into slabs, which are then cut-to-size locally, based on the needs of your project.

Due to extreme conditions in which it is formed, as well as its mineral composition, granite is one of the hardest and most durable surfaces available. This makes it perfectly suited to withstand the busiest rooms and environments, in interior and exterior settings.

Granite, when properly sealed, is simple to care for and maintain. Keep your natural stone looking its best by wiping it prior to cleaning with a pH-neutral cleaner or warm water.

As a product of nature, granite has a timeless quality that never expires.

Granite can be installed in interior environments, and many can be installed in a variety of exterior environments, both commercial and residential.

Quartz slabs are made from crushed quartz in various sizes, mixed with pigments and resin to bind the material together.

Quartz is more prone to damage from heat exposure and harsh cleaners. A trivet should always be used between constant heat sources and a quartz countertop.

Quartz is manufactured in a wide range of colors. Colors are manufactured with very tight tolerances, therefore colors are consistent from slab to slab.

Quartz is nor porous and is highly resistant to staining. Most quartz products do not require sealing. Brushed finishes are the exception and do require sealing.

Quartz has a lower gloss level than granite, primarily due to the resin content. Quartz slabs have a relatively consistent finish and will not have pitting, fissures, etc.

Quartz can be installed in interior environments, both commercial and residential.

The ideal cleaner for quartz is a safe cloth using a gentle soap and water. For general maintenance, use denatured alcohol or a pH-neutral cleaner.

Quartzite is a formed by nature, over many, many years, so each slab/countertop truly is individual. Quartzite varies in appearance within the same color, from piece to piece, and lot to lot, depending on where and when it was mined. Quartzites consist of a high percentage of quartz minerals, which gives it a consistent, high gloss level and few pits on its surface.

Quartzite is more heat resistant than any other countertop surface. As a safety precaution, use coasters or trivets on countertop areas.

Quartzite can be found in a wide range of colors, from cool to warm, lighter to darker.

Due to the fact that quartzite is a very hard stone, the process used to cut blocks into polished slabs requires a great amount of power and pressure, which can create small fissures on the slabs. During the processing, resin is applied to the micro fissures, however it is still recommended that a sealer be applied to the stone soon after installation.

Quartzite is mined in blocks and sliced into slabs, which are then cut-to-size locally, based on the needs of your project.

As a product of nature, quartzite has a timeless quality that never expires.

Quartzite, when properly sealed, is simple to care for and maintain when properly sealed. Keep your natural stone looking its best by wiping it prior to cleaning with a pH-neutral cleaner or warm water.

Quartzite is one of the hardest and most durable surfaces available because it is composed almost entirely of quartz.

Quartzite can be installed in interior environments, and many can be installed in a variety of exterior environments, both commercial and residential.