Information Regarding Quartzite Natural Surfaces
One of the popular natural stone materials is quartzite. Although the name sounds very similar to "quartz" (the name of another popular surface material), these materials are very different. If you would like to know more about the differences between these two materials, you can check out the article:
Differences Between Quartz & Quartzite. However, in this article, we will cover only the information for quartzite. We will look at some its characteristics, what the material is used for, and we'll look at what kind of adhesive we recommend for gluing quartzite.
What is Quartzite?
Depending on the type of description you are looking for, you will get various definitions of the term quartzite. For example, Wikipedia describes it this way in its opening words:
Quartzite is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock which was originally pure quartz sandstone.[1][2] Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression within orogenic belts. Pure quartzite is usually white to grey, though quartzites often occur in various shades of pink and red due to varying amounts of iron oxide (Fe2O3). Other colors, such as yellow, green, blue and orange, are due to other minerals.
Other definitions may not be as technical in nature or may simplify the definition to more basic terms. But the idea that we want to highlight is that quartzite is a natural stone that is not engineered. Let's take a look at the characteristics of quartzite. Then, we will explore the ways in which it is used.
Properties of Quartzite
The physical properties of natural quartzite distinguish the material from other materials; both natural and engineered. Natural quartzite is usually white or gray in color with some other hints of color. The accents may be any of the following:
- Brown
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple
These non-white, non-gray colors are caused by impurities in the stone.
Another physical property of quartzite is that it is highly composed of the natural mineral quartz. And this fact translates into other characteristics. Because quartz is very hard and there is a lot of it in quartzite, that means quartzite is hard as well. In fact, quartzite measures a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale.
The hardness of quartzite makes it a very durable material. It resists scratches and chipping because of this characteristic and its hardness is one of the things that makes quartzite popular. As with most natural stone, you should seal the surface periodically to increase the stone's susceptibility to staining and discoloration from liquids and other substances.
Uses for Quartzite
As you would no doubt imagine, since quartzite is so hard and durable that it can be used for a variety of applications in and around the home. Some of the uses for quartzite include:
- Countertops
- Flooring
- Wall Tiling
- Back Splashes
- Hardscaping
As you can see, the uses are diverse and can include applications inside as well as outside. This again, is due to the fact that the material is so durable. Depending on what quartzite supplier you select, you will be able to get this natural stone in a form that is workable for your project.
Quartzite Suppliers
There are a number of suppliers of quartzite located all over the world and each will have its own line of products. Here is a list of quartzite suppliers:
The quartzite surface producers listed above each have a particular set of colors and/or selections in which they group their slabs. For a list of colors you can choose a brand from the table above. The brand page will give you a basic summary of the material and the colors each brand has.
Cartridge Glue for Quartzite Fabrication
Fabricating and installing quartzite surfaces with the proper adhesive is key for stone fabrication professionals. We recommended
Glaxs cartridge glue for quartzite surfaces. Fabricating quartzite, as you know, means using quality products for cutting, shaping, coring and gluing the material you are fabricating.
Blade for Cutting Quartzite
Just like having the correct glue is important, it is imperative that you have a diamond bridge saw blade that can cut hard materials like quartzite. The Grey Leopard from Weha is a
Quartzite surfaces will no doubt continue to be a popular choice for all sorts of surfaces in a variety of applications. Knowing a bit about the material, what kinds of uses it offers and which brands of quartzite are available can be helpful to anyone that is considering a new surface or room in the home.
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