Muscovita Quartzite Information

Working with Muscovita Quartzite involves some specifics in the way of equipment and skills. Additionally, owning a countertop made from Quartzite brings with it the need for some knowledge and regular attention. In this article we will look at some basic information regarding Muscovita Quartzite. We will also consider some techniques to know if you work with the material. Finally, we will explore how to care for a countertop made from Quartzite.

How Muscovita Quartzite Composed

Before we delve into the nitty gritty of Muscovita, let's tak a look at how Quartzite is composed. Then we can cover some fabrication techniques. The primary component of Quartzite is the mineral quartz. Before existing as Muscovita Quartzite, this kind of natural stone exists as sandstone. The intense heat and pressure to which the material is exposed during a natural process called metamorphasis transforms sandstone into Quartzite. As you can imagine, the forces involved are tremendous. When sandstone is transformed into Muscovita Quartzite, the molecules are changed in such a way that the result is a different substance.

Muscovita Quartzite Properties

The properties of Muscovita Quartzite are similar to other Quartzite material. It is an extremely hard, natural stone that is porous and it varies in color depending on the mix of minerals contained therein. Because of its hardness many choose it as the material for their countertops since it is scratch resistant. We will get into the care and maintenance of Muscovita Quartzite later. But for now, suffice it to say that the material benefits from regular and ongoing care and maintenance.

Stone Finishes for Muscovita Quartzite

Muscovita Quartzite texture and appearance may be affected by how the surface of the stone is finished. For example, there are several finishes that can be used for quartzite kitchen countertops. Some of these include:

• Polished
• Honed
• Leathered
• Flamed
• Fleuri Cut (Cross Cut)
• Vein Cut
• Sandblasted
• Split Face Finish

Muscovita Quartzite Edge Profiles

Natural stone surfaces can be fabricated with several kinds of stone edge profiles. Some of them are more popular than others. However, there are tools available for use on Quartzite and other stone materials that help you create edge profiles on a countertop.

Fabricating Muscovita Quartzite

Muscovita Quartzite fabrication involves much of the same skills and knowledge that other natural stone entails. Yet, it also has some equipment requirements that are specific to it and other especially hard stone. One thing you will want to research is which is the best glue for bonding Quartzite countertops. Additionally, reinforcing the countertop in specific places is beneficial as well.

Cutting Quartzite

When cutting natural stone, diamond blades that are made for cutting stone prove the most effective. When it comes to cutting Muscovita Quartzite, the same is true. However, Quartzite is very hard so using a blade designed for very hard stone will work even better. For example, the Grey Leopard is a diamond blade for cutting quartzite when making countertops. It is an excellent blade and viewed by some as one of the best quartzite blades available.

Quartzite Reinforcement

Reinforcing kitchen countertops is a recommendation from the Marble Stone Institute of America. Consequently then, quartzite countertops get reinforced in a number of ways using recommended techniques. The Marble Institute of America has four techniques they recommend for reinforcing natural stone in various ways. These techniques include:

• Steel & Fiberglass Rodding
• Splines
• Linear Blocks
• Fiberglass Mesh

You can find out more about these techniques in the article entitled: How to Reinforce Stone Countertops by Weha USA. In that article, the following statement is made regarding countertop reinforcement and why it is important to think about:

During the countertop fabrication process, situations arise when some aspect of the project requires the stone to be reinforced. After all, you want the hard work you put into the surface to remain intact. A crack in the slab, a chip or break near a seam, or some other mar caused by a weakness in the material can quickly undo all the work you put into the project.

Countertop Overhang Support

Another way to make Quartzite countertops stronger is by using countertop support braces for Quartzite to provide support. Guidelines for overhang support

Making the surface as strong as possible is preserves the craftsmanship that has gone into the project. And there are other ways to preserve the workmanship of a kitchen countertop too. It is through care and maintenance practices.

Muscovita Quartzite Care & Maintenance

Care and maintenance is a practical way to preserve the day one look of a natural stone surface, and that includes Muscovita Quartzite. Having some basic practices as part of a routine of caring for and maintaining Muscovita Quartzite is the beginning. Before we look at effective care routines, let's first consider stain removal.

Removing Quartzite Stains

Stains on Muscovita Quartzite are treated with stain removal products designed for specific types of stains. One type of stain that at times needs removed from Quartzite is an oil based stain. These stains occur when an oil-based liquid that has color is able to make its way into the pores of a Muscovita Quartzite slab. The result is a darkened colored spot on the stone. Another kind of Muscovita Quartzite stain is one that works like the oil-based stains just mentioned, but they are water-based.

Water and oil based stains in Muscovita Quartzite are treated using a stain remover for Quartzite designed to work on those kinds of stains. These are poultices which work over a period of time to draw the stain out of the pores of the stone.

However, there are some specific stain types that require specialized stain removers designed for that material. One type of stain that requires a specific stain remover is rust. For a number of reasons, rust stains can be found in Muscovita Quartzite countertops. Surface rust stains are more common than other types. For example, leaving a metal razor blade on a moist Muscovita Quartzite surface will lead to rust over time. There are liquid rust removers and rust remover powders available.

Stains are inevitable to one degree or another. But there also practical steps the owner may take to protect a Muscovita Quartzite surface. We'll look at those next.

Quartzite Sealer

Sealing your countertops periodically is one of the primary steps to protecting the stone from stains. Muscovita Quartzite is porous and while each material varies in porosity, slowing the stone's absorbency is done through the application of stone sealer for Quartzite. Applying an impregnating sealer to the surface increases the time for cleaning up spills. The sealer keeps water-based and oil-based liquids on the surface and prevents them from penetrating the pores of the stone. That means clean ups are easy for longer periods of time.

Cleaning Quartzite

In addition to applying sealer, The choice of stone cleaner is also important. Using Quartzite cleaner formulated for cleaning stone that has been sealed is important. It won't matter how often you seal the surface of a Muscovita Quartzite countertop if the cleaner removes the sealer after it is applied. Therefore, choosing an appropriate sealer is important.

There several aspects to working with and caring for Muscovita Quartzite. Like other natural stone surfaces it must be fabricated with the proper equipment, treated with applicable surface products and cleaned using correct cleaning products. Additionally, Muscovita Quartzite can be finished in a number of ways and distinguished from other materials. In the end, each countertop is unique and applying the principles mentioned in this article will help you get the best results.