Sintered stone or quartzite: which countertop lasts longer?
Both materials are very hard and handle heat well. Sintered stone is practically non-absorbent and needs no sealing, but its edges are brittle and the pattern is only on the surface. Quartzite is a natural stone with veining through its full thickness. It sometimes needs sealing and should be checked carefully before you buy, because soft marble is also sold under that name.
How they differ
Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed from quartz-rich sandstone. Its hardness is about 7 on the Mohs scale.12 Sintered stone is a factory material: a mix of minerals pressed and fired at a very high temperature. The pattern on sintered stone is printed, while on quartzite it runs through the whole slab.
Hardness and scratches
Both materials are hard to scratch in everyday use. The weak spot of sintered stone is the edge: it can chip on impact. That is why with sintered stone we suggest slightly chamfered edges and avoid sharp corners where people walk past.
Heat and stains
Sintered stone is almost non-absorbent and handles high temperatures, so it does not need sealing.3 Quartzite also handles heat well, but it can be slightly absorbent. A water test on the actual slab tells you whether to seal it.
Watch out for “soft quartzite”
Dolomitic marbles are also sold under the name quartzite. They look similar, but acids etch them: lemon juice or vinegar will leave a dull mark.4 Before you order a quartzite countertop, test a sample or ask us. We will show you how.
Up close
Quartzite has deep, natural veining, and you see the same stone on the edge. On sintered stone the edge is usually plain and the pattern ends at the surface. On a thick, visible island edge the difference is obvious.
What to choose
- Family kitchen, little time for care, modern look: sintered stone.
- Natural veining, stone through the full thickness, an island seen from every side: quartzite.
(Sources)
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Natural Stone Institute, What Is Sandstone and Quartzite? Technical Data And Best Practices
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Wikipedia, Mohs scale of mineral hardness
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FILA Solutions, How to clean a kitchen worktop made of sintered stone or Lapitec®
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Stone World, MIA+BSI Releases Quartzite Technical Bulletin
(Questions)
Does sintered stone scratch?
Only with great difficulty, but its edges are brittle and can chip if hit with a heavy pot.
Does quartzite react to vinegar and lemon?
Real quartzite does not. If a stone sold as quartzite goes dull from acid, it is most likely marble or dolomite.
