Quartzite Countertops in Laguna Hills
Quartz and quartzite are two popular choices for countertops, but they are not the same material. They offer differences in looks, durability, care and price that you should know about before making your selection. Are you in the market for a new countertop? Have you taken a look at the quartzite countertops that have become the latest rage in kitchen decor? Quartzite countertops not only are beautiful they are very durable and add stunning beauty to your kitchen. Laguna Kitchen and Bath carries a large selection of quartzite as well as other elegant countertops in Laguna Hills, Ca.
Quartzite slabs are one of the earth’s strongest materials making it the perfect choice to adorn your kitchen. More and more homeowners are looking for countertops that look like marble but that perform more like a harder stone. Plenty of homeowners and interior designers are opting for natural stones like quartzite, and thanks to a wide variety of color options you can find great stones without sacrificing sturdiness. Here are 5 that look so much like marble, you won’t be able to tell the difference.
Understanding Quartz and Quartzite
Quartzite is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock. It is created when sandstone is subjected to extreme heat and pressure caused by tectonic plate compression in the crust of the earth. The stone is mined and sawn into slabs which are later precisely cut to become countertops. The tops are polished and sealed for beauty and durability.
Quartz countertops are often called engineered countertops because they are fabricated from natural silicon dioxide and synthetic materials. Loose quartz makes up about 93 percent of the material. It is blended with a binder and pigment and formed into countertops.
Quartz vs. Quartzite Countertops
Here is a comparison of quartz and quartzite that will help you decide which material is right for your bathroom or kitchen countertops project.
Appearance: It’s impossible to say that one material is more attractive than the other, since beauty is subjective for each of us. Quartzite is generally found in white to gray. Pink and red hues are a result of iron oxide in the stone.
Yellow, blue, green and orange quartzite results from the presence of other minerals. Regardless of the color, the quartzite will have streaking caused by varying degrees of pressure in its formation and the random presence of iron oxide or other minerals.
Quartz, because pigment can be added, is available in a much wider range of colors for you to consider. The way the countertop material is formulated gives it the appearance of natural stone such as granite or marble.
The bottom line in appearance is that if you want natural stone, quartzite is your choice. If you’d like a more diverse selection of colors and patterns to consider, you’ll find it in quartz.
Hardness and Durability: Quartzite is harder than granite, so it is quite durable. It withstands heat very well. Quartz is hard too, but not quite as hard as quartzite. The resin used in manufacturing quartz countertops is a plastic, so it is prone to melting in heat above 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where quartz has an advantage over quartzite is that it is less prone to denting and chipping because it is more flexible. Both countertop materials can be scratched by sharp objects, and a cutting board should be used.
Countertop Maintenance: Quartz requires very little maintenance. It wipes clean with a damp cloth. Abrasive cleaners should not be used on quartz, and they really aren’t needed. Ease of maintenance is the main advantage quartz countertops have over quartzite. In any event, as with all countertops, it is advisable to use cleaners designed for your type of surface.
Quartzite requires quite a bit more TLC. It must be sealed before use and re-sealed one or two times per year. Without a proper seal, stains can penetrate into the stone. This is a weakness shared by all natural stone including granite and marble. When properly sealed, quartzite cleanup is easy.
TESTIMONIALS
What our clients say
"We recently decided to gut and remodel our kitchen. Holly and Tony assisted us with everything, appliances, countertops, cabinets, etc. Like all major projects there were some bumps along the way but Holly and Tony proved very adept at problem-solving.
We love our new kitchen and would recommend Laguna Kitchen and Bath to anyone.
Laguna Hills"
CJ and Doug B.
"Farid and his team did an incredible job on our bathroom remodel. They were super helpful from the beginning through the end of our project. They made suggestions in planning and purchasing of materials. They were clean and efficient in the demolition. They were timely in the installation. It is rare these days to have good customer service. Farid was available, a good communicator and followed through with what he agreed to do, at a very fair and competitive rate.
We highly recommend this company!
Tom & Jennifer N."
"After our successful master bath remodel, we contacted Holly about remodeling our staircase and re-carpeting the entire second floor bedrooms and hallway. The stairs remodel included new side-skirting, bullnose features to the treads and and 6" hardwood borders on each side of the stairs treads and risers framing the carpeting cascading down the stairs. We have added several photos of the finished product to this site for people to view and we are very pleased with the results. Holly also assisted us in choosing a high end nylon plush carpet from a noted manufacturer with an extremely soft feel and a 25 year warranty. Again, we must compliment Holly and Laguna Kitchen & Bath for their customer service and integrity regarding customer satisfaction!"
Ernie L. Mission Viejo
"This is indeed a long over-due review for the fantastic job done by Laguna Kitchen and Bath. Farid helped us for the entire house renovation project, along with James remodeling. These guys has done a wonderful job. The house we've purchased is a fixer upper with tons of work needed to be done. As general contractor, Farid helped us each step of the way. From picking the cabinets, to the tiles, to the floor. Also the renovation plan such as wall removal, replacing all the wiring, and painted the whole place, Farid is on top of things and closely monitored the progress. When we have questions, he answered us right away. We felt that we didn't have much worry. Farid is easy to work with and I would recommend this place. I want to Thank Farid for his help. Without them, we wouldn't have this comfortable place to live in."
Wini L.
"The team at Laguna Kitchen & Bath did a fantastic job on my Kitchen and downstairs bath remodel - truly transformed the look of my townhome. Holly provided sound design guidance and coordinated all construction activity. She was a pleasure to work with and very accessible. The project was completed in a timely manner and very close to budget (there were a few upgrades I could not resist). Ben and his cabinet crew did outstanding work. When a few tweaks were needed, Ben came back out and made sure it was perfect. James (electrical, plumbing & paint) showed true attention to detail. Countertop work happened while I was out of town and was installed with no issues.
Overall very pleased and would recommend Laguna Kitchen & Bath."
Glen S. (Aliso Viejo)