Quartzite Slabs: Kitchen & Bathroom Countertops in MD, DC, VA, and PA
If you’re looking for where to buy quartzite kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops, or worktops you’ve come to the right place! At Express, we offer free estimates and a 1-week installation guarantee on all our quartzite stone slabs. If you live in the Maryland, DC, Northern VA, or Southern PA area, give us a call today at 410-712-0601, use the form on this page, or contact us online for a fast, free, custom quote!
Quartzite Countertop Colors: White, Grey, & More
The quartzite stone used for countertops is usually white or gray in color, but can be stained pink, red, or purple. Scroll through our catalog of various quartzite colors below.
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Quartzite Cost: How Much Are Quartzite Countertops?
A quartzite counter is an elegant design solution to those on a conservative budget. Quartzite kitchen counters and bathroom counters typically have a starting price of $50 per square foot, but on average quartzite slab countertops are usually between $90 and $150 per square foot. Thought of as the most popular color of the quartzite family, white quartzite countertops typically cost $65 per square foot. Once you begin customizing the colors and styles of your countertops the quartzite cost will rise. However, you can reduce costs by selecting quartzite stone designs that are less expensive.
Factors Influencing Quartzite Counter Costs
- Scarcity and Demand
- Quartzite stone quarries are somewhat rare. Because quartzite deposits are often fragmented with cracks and imperfections, extracting blocks large enough for countertops can prove difficult. Two or three small quartzite slabs must be sacrificed for every one properly-sized and usable slab found.
- Size of Quartzite
- The size of the quartzite kitchen and bathroom counters have a direct impact on the total cost. Have your quartzite kitchen counters installed in multiple different square pieces instead of one solid piece if you’re looking to save money. This will give you the same beauty as a solid quartzite slab, but at a lower price. Installation and repairs will also be easier since no reinforcement is needed.
- Etching
- Etching is a chemical reaction that occurs when a highly acidic liquid interacts with calcite, a mineral that makes materials vulnerable to acidic substances. Found in natural stones like marble, calcite deteriorates the integrity of countertops over time. Quartzite stone is unique and sought after because it is a natural stone that does not contain calcite, making it impervious to the wear and tear of regular etching.
- Installation Costs
- The quartzite stone slab is very heavy, making it expensive to cut and finish. Because it is one of the hardest countertop materials on the market, shipping costs can also be expensive depending on your geographic location.
If you’re looking for help choosing your countertops, give us a call, or download our Complete Countertop Buying Guide for free today!
Maintenance: Caring for Your Quartzite Countertops
Quartzite stone is a non-porous material, so it requires less maintenance than porous materials like marble. To clean your quartzite counter, use gentle soap, water, and a paper towel or cloth.
We recommend using cutting boards on your quartzite kitchen counters—but not for the reason you would expect. Quartzite stone has an extremely high rating on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning it could do more harm to your knives than the knives could do to it! Use cutting boards to ensure your quartzite counter does not dull your knives.
Usually, a quartzite counter is durable enough that it does not need sealing. However, if you see the area around the sink on your quartzite kitchen countertops begin to darken, consider investing in a sealing option that protects for up to 10 years. The White Macaubas and Calacatta Macaubas varieties of quartzite are types that are considered to be more porous members of the quartzite stone family and could benefit from sealing.
Quartzite Stone vs. Marble for Countertops
While marble traditionally has been the countertop material of choice for many interior designers, quartzite slabs have emerged as an equally refined and tasteful option for kitchen and bathroom renovations. Quartzite stone beats out marble in durability, price, and maintenance, offering an affordable and aesthetically-pleasing look to price conscious consumers. Below is a detailed breakdown of the difference between the two materials.
Quartzite | Marble | |
Durability | Harder than marble, less susceptible to damage from scratches and acidic kitchen substances | Less durable than quartzite, scratches more easily, less resistance towards acidic substances |
Maintenance | Needs little long-term maintenance | Needs to be re-sealed over time because it is a porous material |
Material Composition | Natural stone that does not contain calcite, makes it resistant to acidic kitchen substances | Natural stone that contains calcite, makes it less resistant to acidic kitchen substances |
Price | $50-$150 per sq./ft. | $59-$300 per sq./ft. |
Quartzite vs. Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops are created with the same quartz crystals found in quartzite but use an assisted process to fuse the crystals with glass, pigments, and resins. This assisted process classifies quartz as a man-made material and allows it to be modified to the shade and pattern of other stones. While it is more versatile than quartzite, it requires more maintenance and is less durable. Below is a comparison between the two materials that may be helpful if you are deciding which would be best for your kitchen or home.
Quartzite | Quartz | |
Durability | Very dense, resistant to chipping and damage | Less dense than quartzite, susceptible to staining |
Maintenance | Needs little long-term maintenance | Requires re-sealing over time |
Material Composition | Natural stone | Man-made material |
Price | $50-$150 per sq./ft. | $55-$90 per sq./ft. |
Ensure the Authenticity of your Quartzite Countertop
Ensure the authenticity of your quartzite countertop by asking your provider to allow you to perform an acidity test. If a company is hesitant to allow you to test lemon juice or vinegar on the surface of their material, they may be misrepresenting other natural stones as quartzite to you.
Sometimes, countertop companies pass off marble or dolomitic marble as quartzite stone and homeowners become confused when their quartzite slabs begin to show signs of uncharacteristic etching. If your quartzite counter etches from lemon juice, scratches easily from a knife, or scratches glass, it may not be an authentic quartzite counter.
Express Countertops makes a quality and authenticity promise to all of its customers and guarantees installation of your quartzite counter in 7 days or less.
Call Express Countertops for a FREE Quartzite Countertop Estimate!
Are you ready to install a quartzite counter in your home? If so, call us today at 410-712-0601 or click here to contact us online for a fast, free estimate! We are dedicated to helping you find the best quartzite countertops for your project and are available to help answer any and all questions you might have.
Express Countertops is an experienced countertop fabricator, serving homes and businesses in Maryland, Baltimore, DC, Northern Virginia, and the surrounding areas. We’re ready to bring high quality, durable, quartzite slabs to your kitchen or bathroom.
We offer a 7-Day Installation Guarantee, ensuring your countertops are completely installed within one week of your final decision. Give us a call to start planning your fast, easy countertop replacement project!
Serving the following areas in Maryland, DC, VA, & PA : Baltimore | Annapolis | Alexandria | Fairfax | Philadelphia | Harrisburg
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