Granite Countertops in Bellingham vs Quartzite

Natural stone buyers usually end up choosing between two families: granite, the long-time favorite, and quartzite, which has become popular for its lighter, marble-like looks. If you are pricing granite countertops in Bellingham, it is worth putting a quartzite or two on your shortlist as well, because the choice between them is more about look and character than about toughness.

We carry around a hundred granites, mostly from Daltile and Bedrosians, and roughly ninety-five quartzites. Here is how to think about them side by side.

How the two stones are formed

Granite is an igneous rock, formed as molten material cooled slowly underground. That gives it a crystalline, often speckled or flecked appearance, with minerals such as feldspar, quartz and mica visible as distinct grains. Some granites have strong movement, but many are fairly uniform across the slab.

Quartzite is a metamorphic rock, formed when sandstone is subjected to heat and pressure until the quartz grains fuse. The result is very hard and often has a flowing, veined look that can resemble marble, in whites, greys, taupes and soft blues.

Both are natural, both are quarried and both vary from slab to slab.

Granite countertops in Bellingham: the known quantity

Granite has a long track record in kitchens, and for good reason:

• Heat tolerance. It handles hot cookware better than engineered quartz, though a trivet is still a good habit.
• Scratch resistance. Everyday knives and pots will not trouble it.
• Forgiving patterns. Speckled and flecked granites hide crumbs, water spots and the odd chip well, which suits busy family kitchens.
• A wide color range. From near-black to warm golds, greens and cool greys.

Most granites benefit from periodic sealing, with frequency depending on the specific stone. Dense, dark granites absorb very little. Lighter, coarse-grained stones can absorb more.

Granite is also the easier stone to live with if you are nervous about natural materials. Its speckled grain disguises small chips and wear, and most fabricators have cut a great deal of it, so edges, cutouts and seams are routine work.

Where quartzite shines

Quartzite appeals to people who want the soft, veined look of marble but a harder, more durable surface. Many of the light, airy natural-stone kitchens you see in design magazines use quartzite.

Its strengths are similar to granite's: heat resistance, hardness and natural variation. Its trade-offs:

• Fabrication. Quartzite is very hard, which can make it slower to cut and polish. Ask your fabricator about their experience with it.
• Sealing. Like granite, many quartzites should be sealed, and porosity varies by stone.
• Naming confusion. Some stones sold in the market as quartzite are actually softer marbles or dolomites. A true quartzite resists etching and scratching far better than those stones.

Testing a sample before you commit

Because of that naming confusion, it is sensible to test a piece of the stone before choosing it. Ask your fabricator for an offcut or sample of the actual material, then:

1. Try a glass scratch test. Drag the corner of a glass tile or bottle firmly across the stone. True quartzite and granite will scratch the glass rather than the other way around.
2. Try an etch test. Leave a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar on the surface for several minutes, then wipe it off. A dull mark means the stone etches, which points to marble or dolomite content.
3. Try an absorbency test. Put a few drops of water on the stone and watch whether it darkens quickly. Fast darkening means it will need more attention to sealing.

These tests do not replace the manufacturer's information, but they catch the most common surprises.

Choosing for your kitchen

A few guidelines that tend to hold up in Bellingham homes:

• Busy kitchen, kids, heavy cooking: a mid-tone or speckled granite hides daily wear best.
• Light, bright kitchen with a marble look: a true quartzite gives you the look with more durability than marble.
• North-facing room, grey winters: warmer whites and taupes usually read better than stark cool whites in either stone.
• Large island with a feature slab: quartzite's veining can be spectacular, but ask how seams and vein matching will be handled.

Working with your fabricator

Forma Material supplies the slabs. Your fabricator templates, cuts and installs. Ask them how they plan seams on veined stone, whether they recommend a particular finish for the stone you have chosen, and what sealer and schedule they suggest.

Browse granite and quartzite side by side in our slabs and countertops category, or call Forma Material in Bellingham, WA at (360) 255-8377. Tell us your cabinet color and how you use your kitchen, and we can help narrow the list.