How is quartzite for kitchen counters?

[Anonymous]

We’re deciding between granite and quartzite for our new kitchen counters. What do people think about quartzite as a material?

[Anonymous]

Quartz is the most durable but doesn't look as real and unique as granite. Granite looks nicer but is less durable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quartz is the most durable but doesn't look as real and unique as granite. Granite looks nicer but is less durable.

Quartzite, not quartz.

We have quartzite and love it. No maintenance, super durable, the beauty of marble without the fuss. Go for it.

[Anonymous]

We just put it on our 5' x 9' island and we love it. It is low maintenance and durable.

[Anonymous]

Why don’t more people have quartzite? What’s the downside?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t more people have quartzite? What’s the downside?

It’s strong but brittle so edges can chip more easily than granite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t more people have quartzite? What’s the downside?

It’s strong but brittle so edges can chip more easily than granite.

Aha! Mystery solved. I think that makes it a dealbreaker for us. We are clumsy and a chipped countertop would annoy the hell out of me for the rest of the time I live in this house!
Thanks to all the PPs who responded. There are some really beautiful quartzite countertops out there! I'm not loving the granite selections as much....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t more people have quartzite? What’s the downside?

It’s strong but brittle so edges can chip more easily than granite.

This is not true.

It's not more popular because it's more expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t more people have quartzite? What’s the downside?

It’s strong but brittle so edges can chip more easily than granite.

This is not true.

It's not more popular because it's more expensive.

Yes, this. Quartzite is expensive! But I LOVE it. It looks like marble but doesn't stain.

[Anonymous]

We have had white pearl quartzite since 2010, and we love it. No stains -- it's bulletproof (this can vary from slab to slab from what I hear, though). Sharpie, tomato sauce, vinegar all have come right off with no damage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had white pearl quartzite since 2010, and we love it. No stains -- it's bulletproof (this can vary from slab to slab from what I hear, though). Sharpie, tomato sauce, vinegar all have come right off with no damage.

You've got to make sure you're actually buying quartzite. A lot of marbles (which are soft, stain, and etch) are passed off as quartzite. There are websites that will explain how you can ensure that your slab is actually quartzite. Actual quartzite is bulletproof.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t more people have quartzite? What’s the downside?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t more people have quartzite? What’s the downside?

Break more easily.
Cannot put hot items on them directly.
Thinner cut usually.
More expensive than rock.
Hard water stains are more common and harder to remove.
The patterns are uniform/repetitive and not random. (Could be good or bad depending on preference.)
Cannot easily be altered once molded.
More susceptible to damage from cleaners than granite.
Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t more people have quartzite? What’s the downside?

It’s strong but brittle so edges can chip more easily than granite.

Aha! Mystery solved. I think that makes it a dealbreaker for us. We are clumsy and a chipped countertop would annoy the hell out of me for the rest of the time I live in this house!
Thanks to all the PPs who responded. There are some really beautiful quartzite countertops out there! I'm not loving the granite selections as much....

Shop around. There is an infinite amount of variations as it is naturally made, not man-made like quartz countertops that are poured/molded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t more people have quartzite? What’s the downside?

It’s strong but brittle so edges can chip more easily than granite.

Aha! Mystery solved. I think that makes it a dealbreaker for us. We are clumsy and a chipped countertop would annoy the hell out of me for the rest of the time I live in this house!
Thanks to all the PPs who responded. There are some really beautiful quartzite countertops out there! I'm not loving the granite selections as much....

Shop around. There is an infinite amount of variations as it is naturally made, not man-made like quartz countertops that are poured/molded.

You’re responding to someone who posted 5 years ago.

Hopefully she got her new counters by now.