Quartzite & Marble Countertops: Which Is Best for Your Toronto Home?

Choosing between quartzite and marble countertops is not easy. Both stones are beautiful, elegant, functional, and can add value to your property.

With so many similarities, it’s important to know their salient features before you order. In this way you will be able to determine which is best for your kitchen.

Here, we compare and evaluate these popular stone surfaces.

Let’s get started.

Quartzite or Marble Countertops: Which Is Best for Your Kitchen? 

Here are the advantages and drawbacks of quartzite and marble countertops to help you make a more informed choice.

Hardness 

Quartzite is harder than any marble. On the Mohs hardness scale, quartzite rates a 7; marble, 2 to 3. This huge difference is due to the minerals that they are composed of. Quartzite is formed from quartz which is one of the hardest materials. Marble is comparatively softer.

Durability  

Because quartzite is so hard, this makes it a very strong and durable kitchen countertop material. As it is harder than marble, it is less prone to daily wear or tear and is also not vulnerable to chipping and stains.

Besides being durable, quartzite countertops are also resistant to heat. Therefore, keeping any hot pan or pan on it will not damage it. It also doesn’t scratch, even if you use a knife on its surface.

Quartzite is a great option for outdoor kitchen countertops since it is resistant to ultraviolet rays. As a result, these countertops will never fade or discolour, even when directly exposed to sunlight.

On the other hand, the softness of marble means it’s less durable than quartzite and is more susceptible to etches and stains.

Colours and Patterns  

Both marble and quartzite are available in different colours based on the minerals or impurities present in them.

Most quartzite slabs have heavy to light patches of grey. Pink and red quartzite stones are rich in iron oxide. Other available colours include yellow, black, green, brown, and blue.

On the other hand, marble is a light-coloured stone. The most common colour of marble is white but you may also find it in green, brown, blue, yellow, and even black.

Maintenance & Cleaning  

Apart from kitchen countertops, marble is widely used for floors and backsplashes. It is, however, highly porous. This makes it more prone to staining and damage unless it is sealed regularly. Marble kitchen countertops should be properly cared for. Make sure to always use special pH-neutral cleaning products to avoid causing surface damage.

Quartzite, on the other hand, is non-porous. Although a high-quality sealer is recommended, quartzite countertops may be sealed less frequently than their marble counterparts. For daily cleaning, use a mild cleaning product like diluted dishwashing soap.

Pricing 

Because of its luxurious appearance, most homeowners think that a marble countertop is more costly than a quartzite one. But this pricing differs widely based on factors like the kind of marble, its origins, and its quality.

For example, Calacatta Vagli marble is one of the costliest marbles because of its rarity. However, because Carrara marble is easily available and quite popular, you can often find it at a much lower price. For example, Calacatta Vagli marble is approximately $180 per square foot while Carrara marble is around $40 per square foot.

Quartzite countertops average between $60 and $100 per square foot, although this may go higher if you choose a more exotic type of stone or design.

When it comes to ordering quartzite or marble countertops in Toronto, consider that each has their own properties. Which is most suitable for your kitchen? Hopefully, this guide helps you make that decision. If you are still struggling to determine the best option for your space, get in touch with us.