Helpful Information About Masi Quartzite

There are a number of reasons to be interested in Masi 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 Masi 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 Masi Quartzite. Along the way, we will see what fabricators need to be aware of when they are working with Masi 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. Masi Quartzite yields its own set of search results. In fact the following quote was taken from Stone Contact regarding Masi:

Masi Quartzite is a kind of green quartzite quarried in Norway. This stone is especially good for Building stone,countertops, sinks, monuments, pool coping, sills, ornamental stone, interior, exterrior, wall, floor , paving and other design projects. It also called Masi,Norwegian Green,Masikvartsitt,Masi Kvartsitt,Atlantis,Atlantis Gruen,Suomi Gruen,Suomi Green, Verde Lapponia, Lappland Green, Lappland Gruen, Lapponia Green, Lappia Green . Masi Quartzite can be processed into Polished, Sawn Cut, Sanded, Rockfaced, Sandblasted, Tumbled and so on.

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 Masi Quartzite Is Made Of

Like other quartzites, Masi 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. Masi 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.

Finding out exactly what quartzite is can be done through reference materials. Browsing the Internet or looking in a library for a definition found in an encyclopedia or science text book will get you a pretty good description of not only what the material called quartzite is, but a synopsis of how it is formed as well. On the website Virginia.gov there is a very succinct statement describing what quartzite is. The statement is as follows:

Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that forms when quartz sandstone is subjected to elevated pressure and temperature during regional metamorphism.

No matter what definition you use though, the idea is simple. Masi 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 Masi Quartzite.

Masi Properties

The properties of quartzite vary and each particular stone will have unique features that differentiate it from the rest. In fact, Masi 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, Masi 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 Masi 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 Masi is not one of them. The hardness makes it a durable material; desirable by many.

In addition to being very hard, authentic quartzite, Masi 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 Masi

The unique and rich colors of Masi 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:

Hollywood Glam

Mixing of glamour with everyday styles in a way that does not feel "messy" is the idea of this design style. Conveying sophistication and confidence, the Hollywood glam design style is not gaudy. It offers clean lines and uncluttered spaces to keep it form becoming a touch much. Monochromatic color schemes are also one of the ways this style stays grounded.

French Country

if you have an affinity for ruffles, distressed wood work, mixed patterns, and hues that are both vibrant and subdued, french country is the style that you are looking for. This design style is warm and brings the curves. With hefty beamed ceilings and walls as well as delicately carved wood details, this design style is truly eye catching. A style that is sure to inspire.

Transitional

Borrowing from traditional and modern design styles, transitional makes its mark in the realm of interior design by blending these two styles without going overboard with either. This design style creates a relaxed space with a hint of sleek and style. In addition to feeling relaxed and sleek, it is inviting and warm as well. the furniture lines of this style are simple and sophisticated at the same time.

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 tiem and history.

Rustic Design

Rugged, natural beauty is what characterizes this design style. Embracing textures inspired by nature, the rustic design style makes use of simple, earthy, colors and textures that exude a warm, organic look and feel. Rough and aged are words that are often used to describe this unique design style. The style focuses on nature utilizing raw, rugged and unfinished looking design elements.

Fabricating Masi Surfaces

When it comes to working with Masi 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 Masi.

Working With Masi Quartzite

Cutting and shaping Masi 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 Masi, 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 Masi and there are many from which to choose.

Sealing Masi Quartzite

As we mentioned earlier, sealer helps with the stain resistance of Masi Quartzite. So fabrication and installation services that include an initial sealing of a Masi 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 Masi

Caring for Masi consists of some basics involving cleaning and protecting the stone. First, cleaning Masi 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 Masi

Cleaning Masi is not complicated. Regularly perform cleaning on Masi 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 Masi 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 Masi 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 Masi looking its best. You can even get sealers that enhance the stone and bring out the colors.

About Maintaining Masi

So cleaning and resealing become the the key elements to keeping you natural stone surfaces looking the best. That goes for Masi 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 Masi 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 Masi) scratch resistant. We also looked at the color compatibiltiy of Masi Quartzite. We even took a bit of a detour from our topic and considered some popular design styles in which Masi could be used. We mentioned the necessity of working with the correct tools if fabricating Masi. Finally, we explored some ways to simplify the care and maintenance of Masi 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.