26 Апр The differences between granite and quartzite: Which is the best choice for your project?
Natural stone has been appreciated over the ages for its beauty, its utility and its versatility in construction and interior design. Among the different types of stone, granite and quartzite are particularly favored at Fiorantina for countertops or areas with heavy wear due to their unique properties.
Granite and quartzite are natural materials with considerable advantages to be chosen for your project, but there are differences between them that you should be aware of before choosing one of them.
Granite: The hardest rock used in construction
Granite is an igneous rock, which means that it was formed from the cooling and solidification of subway magma. Its main composition includes minerals such as feldspar, quartz and mica. The formation of granite involves the application of immense pressure and heat deep within the Earth, which results in one of the hardest and most resistant materials.
Granite is quarried in many parts of the world. Each location gives the rock different characteristics, this is the reason why we can find different colors in the different types of granite giving an impressive variety of options for interior and exterior design.
Quartzite: The transformation of sandstone
Quartzite, on the other hand, is a metamorphic rock that originates from sandstone, a type of sedimentary rock composed of quartz grains. During the metamorphism process, sandstone is exposed to high temperatures and pressures, which causes the reorganization of its minerals and the formation of quartzite. As a result, quartzite has a composition dominated by quartz, but in combination with other minerals, giving it a more uniform appearance in comparison to granite and a wider palette of colors.
Key differences between granite and quartzite
Now, let’s dive into the key differences between granite and quartzite, which will help you make an informed decision when you choose the perfect material for your construction, renovation or interior design project.
Mineral composition
Granite: Granite is principally composed of feldspar, mica and quartz, which gives it a mottled appearance that is very characteristic of this type of natural stone.
Quartzite: Quartzite is domain by quartz, which gives it a more uniform appearance as compared to granite.
Formation process
Granite: It is created from the solidification of subway magma, under high temperatures and pressures.
Quartzite: It is the result of the metamorphosis of sandstone, exposed to high temperatures and pressures over time.
Hardness and durability
Quartzite: Quartzite is a very strong and durable rock equally recommended as granite in kitchen applications and high wear areas.
The hardness of natural stones is measured through a scale from 1 to 10 called “Mohs”, in which granite and quartzite obtain a 7 comparing its hardness with that of steel. That is why both materials are excellent in terms of resistance to heat, scratches and the effects of time.
Appearance and color
Granite: It offers a wide variety of colors, from light to dark tones, although mostly with mottled patterns. Earth tones are predominant in granites, with gray, brown and black being the most abundant.
Quartzite: Its surface is generally more uniform, with a wider variety of colors than granite. Among our quartzite collection you can find turquoise quartzite such as “Alexandrite“, green quartzite such as “Botanic” or quartzite that combines different colors on its surface such as Gaultier, Fusion or Louise Blue. In addition, quartzite is more similar to marble in aesthetic terms by the pattern of its veins on the surface.
Granite and quartzite are exceptional natural rocks that bring beauty and durability to interior design and architectural projects. Both are popular choices for kitchen countertops and they are also beginning to make their way into floor and wall coverings.
Both materials have very good results with different finishes such as leather effect, brushed, antique, polished and others.
