Quick review of the facts I have found on the differences between Granite and Quartzite (please correct me if I am wrong)
Quartzite - Man made stone, composed of pieces of the stone quartz (and others) held together by concrete, resin, or other apoxy, processed under pressure and sealed
Granite - Natural stone consiting of quartz, mica, and feldspar
Hardness Factor
Q = 7 (If Diamond is 10, quartz is a close behind)
G = 7-4 (depending on the amount of Quartz in the slab)
Sanitation
Q=less porous and sealed which means it prevents the growth of bacteria & little to no maintenace
G=Porous and requires yearly sealing to prevent bacteria
Heat Responsive
Q=if it has resin...resins are not heat responsive so it may not be as durable to burn marks
G= heat responsive
Installation, Replacement & Care
Q= Easily Cut, Heavy, Consitent color makes matching replacement slab easy, but due to manufacturing process filling scratches is almost impossible
G= Not as easily cut, not as heavy as Quartzite, Colors change over time making matching slab difficult, but scratches can be easily fixed or filled
Aesthetics
Q- Colors are consistent and often flat
G- Color changes through time, natural crystalline texture which brings a three demensional feel
Overall there are positive and negatives to both, if you are looking simply at maintence and time, quartzite is easier, but I feel the quality of granite adds a richness that is impossible to fake.
Quartzite is like listening to music in a sound absorbant room, the music loses it's richness derived from the reverburations, overtones, and harmonies becoming dead.
The quartzites on the market are improving each year at adding layers and attempting the three demensional feeling from granite, but they aren't there yet. For me, an annual 10-20 min sealing is worth the quality found in the natural stone.
...more to come on granite sealers later!
11.16.2010
11.15.2010
Adventures in REVIT
Kiosk Design for Juice and Snack Bar along a Biking/Running Trail - Rendered in Revit
Colonial Dog House - Rendered in Revit
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About Me
- Mj
- I believe that we are affected by the environments in which we find ourselves. The design of our environment can inspire us, alter our perspective, energize our minds, or calm our souls. My purpose as a designer is to apply the principles of design to create unique environments which meet the individuals purpose.