Materials · Quartzite

Quartzite Countertops in Hopkinton, MA

Natural and very hard with a crystalline look. Gives you the marble appearance with more durability behind it. Fabricated and installed in-house, usually in one day.

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Polished quartzite slab with marble-like veining

What it is

Marble's look, granite's toughness

Quartzite is a natural sandstone that was transformed by heat and pressure deep underground. That process fused the quartz grains into an extremely hard, crystalline stone. It's harder than granite and far harder than marble.

What draws homeowners to quartzite is the look. Many quartzites have the veining and movement of marble, but with the durability to stand up to a kitchen. If you love marble but need a surface that takes real use, quartzite is often the answer.

Pros and cons

Honest trade-offs

We won't oversell it. Here's where quartzite shines and where it asks more of you.

Where it shines

Natural stone with a crystalline look
Very hard and durable
Marble appearance with more toughness
Heat resistant
Each slab is one of a kind

What to know

Needs periodic sealing to resist stains
Rarer and pricier than common granites
Can be confused with marble — they're different stones
Some colors are more porous than others

Best uses

Where quartzite works (and where it doesn't)

Quartzite is at its best in kitchens, on islands, and anywhere you want the marble look with real durability. Its hardness and heat resistance make it a strong choice for cooks who actually use their counters and don't want to baby them.

It works in bathrooms too, though for a bathroom where you want a softer, more elegant look and don't mind the care, marble may serve you just as well at a different price point. For most homeowners, quartzite is the best of both worlds.

Care and maintenance

Simple, but not zero

Wipe up spills with soap and water. Reseal periodically — we'll tell you the right interval for your specific slab. Avoid harsh chemicals and acidic cleaners, which can dull the polish over time.

Use a cutting board to protect your knives and a trivet for extreme heat. Quartzite is hard and heat resistant, but no stone benefits from sudden extreme temperature changes. That's the whole routine.

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