Quartzite & Concrete Countertops - A Comparison

It may sound strange at first but there are good reasons for making this comparison. Countertops are being formed from all sorts of materials. When compared with traditional natural materials like granite and marble, these two materials are newcomers to the countertop industry in a relative sense. Yet, both of them offer some intriguing reasons for being chosen as the material for a countertop surface. So when it comes to quartzite & concrete countertops, a comparison is good. Hence, let's take a look at these materials and see how they compare.

Properties of Quartzite

In this comparison, we will not delve deeply into details about quartzite, but you would like to read more about it, you can see our page entitled About Quartzite Natural Stone. Natural quartzite is a very hard and durable material. In fact, quartzite measures at 7 on the Mohs scales of mineral hardness. It is a natural stone that forms over the course of many, many years. Because quartzite is so hard it is durable and scratch resistant. Each countertop is unique because no two stones are exactly alike.

Quartzite is also very beautiful in appearance. In fact, it looks very much like marble. So much so, that in order to distinguish quartzite from marble, one must perform a scratch test, an acid test, or both. Since quartzite is a natural stone, it is somewhat porous. This means that it will require sealing periodically to help protect it from stains that can result form liquids penetrating the pores of the stone.

Benefits of Quartzite Countertops

As previously mentioned, quartzite countertops are all natural and are very durable because of their hardness. In fact quartzite can be harder than some granite. This translates into a benefit since they do not scratch as easily as some other stone surfaces.

Concrete Properties

Unlike quartzite, concrete is a man made material. It is poured and formed using molds and can be shaped and manipulated into virtually every type of design. Some of the benefits to using concrete for your countertop are very appealing.

Advantages of Concrete Countertops

Concrete countertops can be created using a number of mix recipes. In addition to the mix and form diversity concrete can be colored using dies. In reality, some companies actually consider their concrete work as pieces of art installed in homes. This is because virtually any kind of project is possible when working with concrete as a material for countertop surfaces.

In addition to the flexibility of design, concrete countertops can be dyed to virtually any color imaginable. So depending on what your kitchen design calls for in the way of a color palette, you can rest assured that a concrete countertop can be created to compliment it.

Comparing Quartzite and Concrete Countertop Materials

So how do you evaluate quartzite and concrete? A comparison of these two countertop materials can be considered to help identify what material your project might be the best suited for. Let's look at some area in which to compare these two countertop materials.

• Durability - Both materials are durable. After all, one is rock that is carved out of the Earth and the other is the same material that sidewalks are made of. Keep in mind though, that neither material is indestructable.
• Stain Resistance - Quartzite if polished and sealed can resist staining pretty well. Although no material is completely stain-proof. Concrete too can be susceptible to staining from specific household substances and foods if it is not treated with a sealer to help protect it from staining.
• Color Availability - Quartzite is a natural material that is cut from a part of the Earth so the appearance is diverse and it can come in any number of looks. However, buyers are limited by what is there at the time of purchase. There are a lot of options available, but the color selection is uncontrollable. Concrete on the other hand can be dyed and colored to match your design or pattern.

Which Material to Choose

Choosing between quartzite natural stone and a poured concrete countertop is really going to come down to a couple of different things. First, is a quartzite stone available to coordinate with your design palette? Second, does your design style beg for a rustic or an industrial flavor? If your project can accommodate either material, don't rule out the possibility of using both materials together. One design trend that seems to be taking hold is using one material for the countertops and another material altogether for an island surface.