Are you renovating your kitchen and looking for a natural stone countertop?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing natural stone, especially if you don’t know how each stone differs from the other.

From what I’ve heard, granite is a popular choice for kitchen countertops. However, more people are starting to find its speckled pattern too traditional for their liking.

On the other hand, a lot of people I know have expressed their love for marble but have refrained from installing it because of its high maintenance.

That’s where quartzite comes in. It’s a natural stone that looks like marble, but it is less porous and more durable than marble. In fact, quartzite shares a lot of the amazing qualities granite has.

In this post, I will share everything you need to know about quartzite vs granite – what it is, how it’s made, its uses, and the pros and cons of each stone.

Before we dive into this post, it is important to note that quartzite is NOT quartz. People tend to confuse both materials because their names sound so similar.

Quartzite is a natural stone whereas quartz is an engineered stone. Click here to learn more about quartz!

Related to Quartzite vs Granite:

• Dolomite vs Granite: Which Is Better For Kitchen Countertops?
• Quartz vs Marble – Which is the better option for my kitchen?
• Sintered stone vs Quartz – Which Slab Is Better For Your Home?

What is quartzite?

What it is: According to Geology.com, quartzite is a metamorphic rock made almost entirely out of quartz.

How it’s made: Quartzite is formed when sandstone is altered by Earth’s heat and pressure in addition to the chemical activity of metamorphism.

Texture and finish: Slightly coarser feel, but can come in different finishes like polished, honed, and leathered

Color: Primarily whites and greys

Pattern: Similar to marble as both stones have feathered strokes or swirling veins across the slab

Uses: Kitchen countertops, decorative walls, roofing tiles, stairs, and flooring

Cleaning Instructions: Clean daily with a soft sponge or cloth, gentle soap, and water. For intensive cleaning, use a non-abrasive stone cleaner designed specifically for natural stones.

Maintenance: As with all natural stones, quartzite requires regular sealing to maintain its quality. Use coasters, trivets, and cutting boards to prevent stains, etch marks, and scratches. Wipe all spills immediately with a soft cloth.

Pros of quartzite

Looks like marble

Quartzite’s biggest selling point is that it looks like marble but it’s far more durable than marble. Additionally, it’s less porous than marble. It is also one of the most beautiful natural stones in the market.

More durable than granite

Both granite and quartzite are resistant to wear and tear. They can endure and resist most stains, scratches, chips, and cracks. However, quartzite is slightly more durable than granite. Quartzite measures a 7 on the Mohs scale whereas granite measures a 6 on the Mohs scale.

Heat-resistant

One of the quartzite’s advantages is its heat resistance. Quartzite can withstand hot materials on its surface, making it perfect for kitchen countertops. However, using trivets or hot pads whenever you can is advisable.

Increases house resale value

Being a natural stone, quartzite will increase a house’s resale value. Its appearance plus durability makes it a desirable stone.

Cons of quartzite

Requires regular maintenance

Like all natural stones, quartzite requires regular maintenance like annual sealing. Besides that, it is essential to take precautionary measures such as wiping spills immediately to maintain the stone’s quality.

More expensive than granite

Quartzite is rarer than granite, therefore the former is more expensive than the latter. Quartzite starts from $60 per square foot whereas granite starts from $40 per square foot. However, prices for both stones vary depending on other factors like location, slab thickness, color, etc.

What is granite?

What it is: Accordingly to Geology.com, granite is an igneous rock that contains quartz, feldspar, and other minerals.

How it’s made: As an igneous rock, granite is formed from the solidification of molten rock material. In other words, granite is formed from the crystallization of magma below the Earth’s surface.

Finish: Granite comes in three finishes namely honed, polished, and leathered.

Color: Granite comes in a wide range of colors. Popular colors include white, beige, brown, and black.

Pattern: Granite has 3 primary patterns – speckled, solid, or marble. You can spot a speckled granite instantly because of the metallic-hued flecks or spots in the pattern. Solid, as its name applies, refers to granite that comes in one single hue with a little pattern on it. Lastly, marbled granite looks similar to marble as it has organic and unique veining across the stone.

Uses: Kitchen countertops and backsplashes, bathroom countertops and backsplashes, flooring, mantelpieces, and staircases

Cleaning Instructions: Clean daily with a soft sponge or cloth, gentle soap, and water. For intensive cleaning, use a non-abrasive stone cleaner designed specifically for natural stones.

Maintenance: As with all natural stones, granite requires annual sealing to maintain its quality. Use coasters, trivets, and cutting boards to prevent stains, etch marks, and scratches. Wipe all spills immediately with a soft cloth.

Pros of granite

Affordable

Since there is an abundant supply of granite, it is more affordable than other natural stones like quartzite and marble.

Durable

Granite is considered to be one of the most durable natural stones on the market. It. doesn’t chip or crack easily, and it’s also scratch and stain resistant.

Heat resistant

Like quartzite, granite is heat-resistant. You don’t have to panic if you forget to use a trivet when taking out a hot pan, as it probably wouldn’t damage your granite countertop.

Wide range of colors

This is where granite triumphs over quartzite. Since granite comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, the options are endless!

Cons of Granite

Requires maintenance

Like quartzite, granite requires regular maintenance. It is necessary to seal granite annually if it is used frequently. Protecting your natural stone will help it to last for years.

Quartzite vs Granite: Which Natural Stone Is Better For Your Kitchen?

While quartzite and granite may look different, they are more similar than one may think!

Choosing between quartzite and granite ultimately comes down to two things: appearance and budget.

If you like the look of marble with the durability of granite, quartzite is a great option. Just be prepared to fork a little extra for this beautiful and durable stone.

If budget is an issue, stick to granite. Since there are so many options in the market, you’ll definitely find something you like!

Choosing a natural or engineered stone for your home? Check out these popular tips below:

• Dolomite vs Granite: Which Is Better For Kitchen Countertops?
• Quartz vs Marble – Which is the better option for my kitchen?
• Travertine vs Marble – What’s the difference and which is the better option for my home?
• Terrazzo vs Marble – Which is the better option for your home?
• Sintered Stone vs Quartz – Which Slab Is Better For Your Home?

The post Quartzite vs Granite: Which Natural Stone Is Better For Your Kitchen? appeared first on That Isle Life.

Are you renovating your kitchen and looking for a natural stone countertop?

You might be torn between granite and marble, two popular natural stones.

However, do you know there’s a lesser-known stone that looks like marble but shares similar properties to granite?

I’m referring to dolomite, a natural stone that’s great for kitchen countertops.

Before you decide if dolomite is the material for you, you must first understand the key differences between dolomite and granite.

In this post, I will share everything you need to know about dolomite vs granite – what it is, how it’s made, its uses, and the pros and cons of each stone.

Read on to discover which stone is the best option for your kitchen countertops!

Related: Dolomite vs Marble – Which Natural Stone Is Better For Your Home?

What is dolomite?

What it is: Dolomite is a sedimentary rock. In other words, it’s a natural stone that is found on the surface of the earth.

How it’s made: Dolomite is made from limestone and lime mud that come in contact with the magnesium in groundwater.

Texture: Smooth and glassy

Color: Greys and whites are the most common colors. However, you can also find dolomite in other colors such as brown, pink, black, and green.

Uses: Kitchen countertops, bathrooms, and feature walls

Cleaning instructions: Clean your dolomite countertops once daily. Do not use harsh, abrasive, or acidic cleaners, which include lemon juice or vinegar. Wipe all spills immediately with a soft cloth.

Maintenance: As with all natural stones, dolomite requires regular sealing to maintain its quality. Use coasters, trivets, and cutting boards to prevent stains, etch marks, and scratches.

Pros of dolomite

Beautiful and unique designs

Dolomite is a beautiful and classy stone. It looks very similar to marble, as it also has streaks or veins going across the surface. Since it’s a natural stone, no two slabs look alike.

More durable than marble

Although its appearance is comparable to marble, dolomite is more durable than marble. It is harder than marble, which makes it less susceptible to scratches, dents, and chips.

In addition, dolomite is not as porous as marble and doesn’t seem to absorb liquids as easily.

Heat and pressure resistant

Dolomite is resistant to heat and pressure, making it an excellent choice for kitchen countertops. This is its biggest competitive edge over quartz, as quartz cannot tolerate heat.

Easy to get

Dolomite can be found in abundance all over the world, which makes this material easy to find and obtain.

More affordable than marble

The best thing about dolomite is that it looks and feels like marble but costs a fraction of the price!

Cons of dolomite

Less durable than granite

Although dolomite is harder than marble, it is still less durable than granite. That means you can still scratch or chip it, especially when working with glass and metal without any safety measures in place.

Porous

Dolomite is also porous, which makes it susceptible to stains and etch marks.

Requires regular sealing

The best way to maintain a dolomite countertop is to seal it once a year. When unsealed, dolomite can be stained by liquids like oil, wine, and juices. However, these liquids are less likely to penetrate the stone if it is sealed consistently.

Less affordable than granite

Dolomite is usually more expensive than granite. The fabrication cost adds up because it takes more time to cut this natural stone.

What is granite?

What it is: Granite is a coarse igneous rock that is rich in quartz and feldspar. Just like dolomite, it’s also a natural stone.

How it’s made: Granite is formed beneath the earth’s surface through the cooling and solidifying of magma.

Texture: Although they are naturally coarse, they can be polished to create a glassy and smooth surface.

Color: Comes in a wide variety of speckled colors like white, black, blue, pink, and brown.

Cleaning instructions: Clean once a day using a soft cloth to dust the surface. Wipe it down with plain water or a mild soap. Avoid using harsh and abrasive cleaners containing acidic elements like lemon juice or vinegar.

Maintenance: Granite needs to be re-sealed annually to maintain a nonporous surface. White granite countertops usually need frequent resealing compared to dark countertops, as they are more likely to show stains. Always use coasters, trivets, and cutting boards to prevent scratches and other damages.

Related: Granite vs Quartzite: Which Natural Stone Is Better For Your Kitchen?

Pros of granite

Durable

Granite is far more durable than marble and dolomite. It is tough to chip or crack a granite countertop.

Affordable

Granite is widely available and used in many kitchens. It’s also easier to cut and work with, which makes it more affordable than dolomite and marble.

It comes in unique colors

Granite comes in a wide variety of unique colors, so it’s easy to find a color to match your interior style.

It doesn’t drop in value

Most importantly, granite kitchen countertops do not drop in value. If taken care of, granite can last a very long time. They are also considered a premium material, and can even increase your home value up to 25%.

Cons of Granite

Porous

Like all natural stones, granite is porous. This means liquids can penetrate its surface causing stains or etch marks.

Requires regular sealing

As a result, granite requires sealing at least once a year. This helps to protect the surface from absorbing any liquids and leaving stains or etch marks.

Difficult to repair

Unfortunately, granite countertops are difficult to repair. A professional can help with repairs, but it is unlikely they can get your granite countertop to look the way it did before.

Dolomite vs Granite – Which is better for your kitchen countertops?

So, should you choose dolomite or granite for your kitchen countertop?

Both are beautiful natural stones and share similar pros and cons.

To choose the best material for you and your family, you must first consider how you will use it and which stone will visually match your overall kitchen design.

If you like the look of marble and want a grey and white countertop, dolomite is an amazing alternative to marble.

However, you may want to consider granite if your kitchen has heavy traffic and you are not fussed about the color of your kitchen countertops.

I hope you learned a thing or two about dolomite vs granite.

Let me know which stone you choose for your kitchen countertop in the comments below!

The post Dolomite vs Granite: Which Is Better For Kitchen Countertops? appeared first on That Isle Life.