Helpful Information About Baraboo Quartzite

There are a number of reasons to be interested in Baraboo Quartzite. For one, if you are a fabrication professional that is looking to work with the material it is good to know a bit about it. Also, if you are a homeowner and you like the look of quartzite you may have been drawn to Baraboo Quartzite and need to know how to maintain it. In this article we will take a look at some of the properties of quartzite and mention some specifics about Baraboo Quartzite. Along the way, we will see what fabricators need to be aware of when they are working with Baraboo Quartzite.

Diverse Quartzite Topics

Some quartzite names are used in the industry as the names of slab colors and others are not. If you search for a specific quartzite name online, you will get either a mixture of search results, primarily sales oriented results, or primarily scientific results. Baraboo Quartzite yields its own set of search results. In fact the following quote was taken from GeoScienceWorld regarding Baraboo:

The Baraboo Quartzite contains numerous well-preserved sedimentary structures that enable interpretation of environments of deposition. Included are various types of cross-stratification, reactivation surfaces, and tidal bedding. The bulk of the Baraboo was deposited under tidal influence. The remainder represents deposition in a braided stream system. The origin of the tremendous volume of quartz sand remains somewhat unknown.

The basics when it comes to quartzite are of interest to diverse groups of people; slab distributors, suppliers, scientists, and even consumers. The diversity of topics on the Internet regarding quartzite show this well.

What Baraboo Quartzite Is Made Of

Like other quartzites, Baraboo is made up of specific minerals and is formed through a specific process. Authentic quartzite has certain characteristics that distinguish it from other kinds of natural stone. Baraboo Quartzite will have the same properties as other quartzites. However, as is indicated by the names of specific quartzites, the color or texture might be different. Color variations are usually caused by varying mineral content and the texture may be due to a specific event during the formation. Additionally, locations are sometimes included in the names and this can hint at where that particular stone originates.

To get a definition of what quartzite is only takes a little bit of time and energy to research. The Internet and reference materials abound with explanations. From simple, brief definitions to long extrapolated dissertations, you can find all sorts of writings that define what natural quartzite is. The Utah Geological Survey website offers a nice, simple description of what quartzite is. Its definition is one of the simplest we've found and is as follows:

Quartzite is typically a metamorphosed form of sandstone.

No matter what definition you use though, the idea is simple. Baraboo Quartzite is born from sandstone. After its transformation, the material has properties that distinguish it from sandstone and it is also very different from other natural stone as well. Let's look at some of the properties of Baraboo Quartzite.

Baraboo Properties

The properties of quartzite vary and each particular stone will have unique features that differentiate it from the rest. In fact, Baraboo Quartzite has its own distinctive characteristics too. However, one quality that quartzite shares is that it is a versatile material that can be used for various projects.

In addition to those distinguishing characteristics, Baraboo shares other very specific properties with other "flavors" of quartzite. For example, quartzite is very hard. How hard is it? Well, it is harder than some natural granite Quartzite registers about 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. Compare that to granite registering from 6 to 7. The reason Baraboo Quartzite can be harder than granite is because of its quartz content.

The hardness of the material means that it is not easily scratched by normal household use. Some kitchen countertop materials can scratch easily but Baraboo is not one of them. The hardness makes it a durable material; desirable by many.

In addition to being very hard, authentic quartzite, Baraboo included, is also not as porous as other natural stone. It does have pores, just not as many as other types of natural stone in some cases. Fewer pores means easier stain removal. Furthermore, owners often enhance the stain resistance with maintenance routines that we will talk about in a bit.

Color Compatibility of Baraboo

The unique and rich colors of Baraboo mean that it can be used with virtually any design style that is popular. Having stone that fits with various design styles can be a key to a successful project. What is meant by a "design style"? Note the following examples:

Modern Design

Clean, crisp, lines and a simple color palette are the marks of this design style. It exudes a sense of simplicity in each of its elements. Even the furniture carries a sense of simplicity. Some of the materials that are used in this design style include metal, glass, and steel. Additionally, it is one of the design styles that is lacking clutter and has a clean appearance.

Eclectic Design

Eclectic design is composed of elements that come together from disparate styles to form a contrasting feel in the space. Even though the style feels contrasting it still achieves harmony through a cohesive, well thought out combination of elements. This design style requires a great eye for creating harmony and the skill to produce it.

Industrial Design

The design that stands out as taking its cues from old manufacturing and industrial spaces is this one. Often seen in lofts and other living spaces the industrial design style makes use of a number of elements. One of the main ones is exposed brick. Another is open ceilings with visible pipes overhead. Additionally, duct work that is revealed and out in the open is a highlight of this design style.

Scandinavian Design

Another design style that focuses on simplicity and functionality which emerged in the early 20^th century. By way of clean, sleek, and simple lines as well as functionality and minimalism, the scandinavian design style produces an aesthetically pleasing space nicely. The lack of clutter and absence of superfluous items in the design make it very comfortable feeling.

Traditional Design

Classical details coupled with an abundance of accessories, the traditional design style is is one that has been around and perhaps utilized by many at one time or another. In addition to accessories of plenty there is a variety of textures and curved lines to accentuate the design. Traditional design is one of the more popular styles and continues to endure throughout time and history.

Fabricating Baraboo Surfaces

When it comes to working with Baraboo Quartzite, having the correct tools for the work makes it much smoother and the results come out better. Fabricating natural quartzite will be much easier if the tools and supplies used are quartzite compatible. Let's look at a couple of products that will play a role in the successful fabrication of Baraboo.

Working With Baraboo Quartzite

Cutting and shaping Baraboo means having diamond blades and other tools that are designed to cut hard materials. Some blade producers will mark a blade specifically for certain materials. Others will give the blade a name and market it for use on multiple materials. When it comes to cutting Baraboo, the best blade to use for these hard surfaces is a diamond blade for quartzite. The blade that many fabricators rely on for cutting quartzite is the White Lion from Weha. Another good quartzite blade is the Grey Leopard from Weha.

The same goes for other diamond tools like core bits, and stone polishing pads. Selecting a polishing pad or core bit designed for use on a hard material will generally perform well for Baraboo and there are many from which to choose.

Sealing Baraboo Quartzite

As we mentioned earlier, sealer helps with the stain resistance of Baraboo Quartzite. So fabrication and installation services that include an initial sealing of a Baraboo stone boosts the resilience of teh finished product. Better yet, when a homeowner knows how to care for the finished surface, the results are even better.

How to Care for Baraboo

Caring for Baraboo consists of some basics involving cleaning and protecting the stone. First, cleaning Baraboo surfaces regularly using a cleaning product that is designed for use on natural stone surfaces is a great starting point. Then, maintaining the seal on the material enhances the resistance to potentially harmful substances. Finally, the regularity with which these practices are performed will have a direct bearing on the outcome. Let's look at each of those phases now.

How to Clean Baraboo

Cleaning Baraboo is not complicated. Regularly perform cleaning on Baraboo using a compatible cleaner to preserve the appearance of your quartzite surface. There are many cleaners that will do the trick. The key is to choose one that is pH neutral. These types make the best cleaners for natural stone because they won't break down the sealer. That helps with the stain resistance.

If you need to clean a Baraboo slab or countertop by removing a stain, you will want to use the proper stain remover for the type of stain the stone has. Water based stains, oil based stains, and rust each will respond differently depending on which stain remover you use.

Maintaining the Seal

Just because a Baraboo gets an initial seal does not mean that it will be impervious to stains and discolorations. Actually, the stone benefits regular, periodical resealing. Using an impregnating stone sealer for natural stone is a good way to keep your Baraboo looking its best. You can even get sealers that enhance the stone and bring out the colors.

About Maintaining Baraboo

So cleaning and resealing become the the key elements to keeping you natural stone surfaces looking the best. That goes for Baraboo Natural Quartzite too. Maintaining your quartzite comes down to a good stone care routine. here is one routine that some have found very beneficial.

• Use a pH neutral cleaner to keep the sealer from breaking down and clean any debris from the surface.
• Reseal the surface of your quartzite surface when it gets "thirsty"*.
• Using a fortified stone polish periodically gradually maintains the sealer on the surface of the natural stone.

In this article we have covered some diverse ground related to Baraboo Quartzite. In fact, we even looked at some more general information regarding quartzite materials. We looked at the hardness of the material and how that makes quartzite (and Baraboo) scratch resistant. We also looked at the color compatibiltiy of Baraboo Quartzite. We even took a bit of a detour from our topic and considered some popular design styles in which Baraboo could be used. We mentioned the necessity of working with the correct tools if fabricating Baraboo. Finally, we explored some ways to simplify the care and maintenance of Baraboo and why a good maintenance routine is a nice way to go. Keeping these basics in mind will ensure that your experience will be a good one.