Stephen Alberts

Quartzite is an up-and-coming countertop material. It’s beautiful, formidable, and gives a natural feel to your kitchen. Despite all of its wonders, not everyone has heard of quartzite. So, let’s dig into some of the benefits of quartzite counters.

STRENGTH AND DURABILITY

One of the best reasons (and probably the top reason) for getting quartzite counters is its strength. While granite usually receives the praise of toughness, quartzite is actually the tougher of the two. While staying power and durability are desirable in anyone’s kitchen, quartzite’s longevity is especially appealing if you use your counters intensively.

Adding to quartzite’s strength testimony is its resistance to scratches. Material like marble, which is classic and beautiful, is prone to scratching. Quartzite maintains much of the essence of marble without sacrificing the ability to withstand scratches, bangs, and nicks.

Although it may not be something you often consider, countertops are prone to fading due to UV rays from the sun. Quartzite also holds up well against this unavoidable issue. If you have a sunny kitchen, a UV-resistant material like quartzite is worth considering.

Additionally, if you’re looking to put counter surfaces outdoors, quartzite will hold up in the direct sun and other outdoor conditions.

HEAT RESISTANCE

In the same way that quartzite is strong like granite, it also has similar heat-resistance properties. Quartzite is a naturally forming metamorphic rock, so if it can withstand the heat of the earth, it can stand the heat of the kitchen.

Some countertop materials, like concrete, will scorch if you place a hot item on the counter. While you can stock up on trivets and potholders, this is a tiring extra step when you just want to get your meal prepared. Having a highly heat-resistant countertop material like quartzite eliminates worry and extra care.

WIDE RANGE OF COLORS AND PATTERNS

Pure quartzite is white, like marble, but several factors add color and interest to its pattern. The presence or absence of iron oxide, the stone’s age, and its place of origin all play into the impurities that may occur and alter the stone’s color.

Quartzite is also similar to marble in its texture. Quartzite can range from light, bluish hues to red or tan colors. Apart from just the range of colors, the patterns that form vary significantly from one another, providing many unique options.

EARTHY AND NATURAL FEEL

In addition to a lovely array of color options, quartzite’s overall feel is an earthy and natural one. Unlike quartz, which has a similar name but is quite different, quartzite is at least 90% natural stone. Quartz is an engineered stone, and this affects the character of the material.

Quartzite’s character reflects its natural origin and radiates a beautiful, organic feel. Although you may not think of this character reflected in a home or kitchen, quartzite is surprisingly versatile. This versatility is due, in part, to the wide range of colors, hues, and patterns that may occur in quartzite.

EASY TO CLEAN

Quartzite’s surface and texture are smooth, solid, and nonporous. Its lack of porousness means two things: counters are easy to wipe off and clean, and germs are less likely to be absorbed into the surface.

A porous stone, such as marble and even granite, has microscopic holes that allow elements of food, liquid, and other substances to soak into the material. This means that even when you clean your counters, a certain amount of the substance has sunk beyond basic cleaning products’ reach. This is what causes staining in your countertops.

Despite being an all-natural stone like marble and granite, quartzite isn’t porous and is therefore much less likely to absorb substances and cause stains. Several surfaces require you to apply a sealant to attain this stain-resistant status, and while this is a good practice, quartzite has this quality naturally and may not need it.

Quartzite also doesn’t require special cleaning products. Regular soap and water work just fine without damaging the integrity of the stone.

The kitchen is the heart of every home. It is the engine that keeps the house running. With more open designs available today, kitchens have come to serve a much larger role in the house than just a place for cooking.

If kitchens are the heroes, then countertops are the sidekicks whose job is to make the hero shine. Therefore, choosing the right material for your countertop is crucial. You want a counter that looks great but is functional too.

If you’re wondering whether you should go for natural stone or composite materials, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to kitchen countertops to help you make the right decision.

MATERIALS FOR COUNTERTOPS

Natural countertops are made of stones that are found in nature, such as granite and marble.

Composite countertops are manufactured using a combination of two or more materials such as quartz, paper, bamboo, wood pulp, acrylic materials, and resin.

NATURAL STONE COUNTERTOPS

Countertops made of stone have always been a popular choice. Here are a few reasons for this popularity:

Durability: They are remarkably durable and resilient and nearly immune to the everyday challenges associated with cooking and other related usages. They do not require a lot of maintenance or care and can bear a lot of weight.

Opulence: If you’re someone who likes to make a statement, natural stone countertops are the way to go. No two natural stone countertops are alike. Thanks to the natural process involved in its formation, each stone has its unique design and patterns.

Resale Value: Homes with natural stone countertops tend to be valued higher than those without them. It is because of a combination of factors such as their cost, appearance, and durability.

Natural stone countertops are more expensive than some of the other options available on the market. However, if you’re looking for countertops that require very little maintenance or care, can stand the test of time, and give your kitchen a luxurious look, you should consider going for ones made of natural stones.

COMPOSITE COUNTERTOPS

Composite countertops are giving tough competition to natural stones. Here’s what makes them an excellent choice for countertops:

Eco-friendly: Composite materials are manufactured, as opposed to natural stones that take thousands of years to form naturally inside the earth. They can be made of eco-friendly materials, making them a greener alternative to stone.

Affordable: Using better manufacturing processes and a variety of materials, composite countertops can be produced at a lower price point than natural stone countertops.

Personalized: Given that these countertops are human-made, there is far more flexibility for personalization than natural stones.

Composite countertops are not as durable or resilient as those made of natural stone. However, if you’re looking for countertops that don’t burn a hole in your wallet or harm the environment, composite countertops are a great choice.

MAKE YOUR DECISION!

Kitchen counters are probably the most used surfaces in your house. Investing in the right material is very important. Now that you know more through our guide to kitchen countertops, it’s time to take the next step!

Contact Bella Casa to turn your ideas into reality. Our professional staff can help guide you through your project to ensure it comes out exactly the way you imagined.

Have you ever looked at your shiny countertop and wondered where does granite come from? When it comes to countertops, granite is the undisputed leader. There is hardly any other natural stone that can match its versatility, beauty, and durability. It comes in various colors and patterns, making it a popular choice for anyone looking for style and utility.

Through this article, we’ll give you an overview of granite’s incredible journey from the quarry to your kitchen.

HOW IS GRANITE FORMED?

Granite is an igneous rock composed of quartz, feldspar, and small portions of other minerals. It forms by the slow and gradual crystallization of molten rock or magma below the earth’s surface.

MINING GRANITE FROM QUARRIES

Granite makes up a large portion of the earth’s continental crust. That has ensured that this rock is abundantly available across the globe. Granite is found much closer to the earth’s surface, making the granite quarries shallow in depth.

On locating blocks of granite, quarry workers drill small holes around the block in the desired shape and size. Explosives are then placed in these holes to separate the block of granite from the bedrock. This process requires precision and expertise. The blast should be enough to separate the block from the bedrock but shouldn’t break it.

Quarry workers also have to ensure that the separated block of granite doesn’t split at a bad angle or fall on a hard surface and crack. To prevent cracking, the block is made to land on a bed of sand.

The next time you admire the beauty of your kitchen countertop, do spare a thought for the effort that went into mining it from the earth.

CUTTING THE GRANITE BLOCKS INTO SLABS

The freshly mined blocks of granite look nothing like your countertop. They need to be processed before they reach the finished product stage. These huge blocks of granite are loaded onto heavy-duty trucks and transported to facilities with advanced machinery to be cut into slabs.

Granite is one of the hardest materials on earth. Cutting through these massive blocks of granite requires giant saws that make several slices through the stone at one time. The more advanced saws have diamond wire cutters that make the process faster and more cost effective.

POLISHING THE GRANITE SLABS

Once the block has been cut into slabs of the required size and thickness, it is time to bring out its natural colors and patterns. These slabs are processed by polishing machines that have large diamond polishing pads. They work slowly to bring out the beautiful colors and the natural shine to give the slabs a quality finish.

INSTALLING THE COUNTERTOP

After being processed, the slabs of granite are sold to companies that install granite counters in homes and offices. Once you’ve chosen the color and pattern of your liking, a technician will take precise measurements of your kitchen. The granite slabs are then cut to the right size for each home using advanced technology. Before installation, they are edged, polished, and inspected for quality and imperfections.

From molten lava that cooled and crystallized for thousands of years to the slick countertop in your kitchen, granite’s journey is worth knowing. Now that you know where granite comes from, we are sure you have a newfound admiration for not only this stone but also the hundreds of people that work with utmost precision to bring it to your home.

Contact Bella Casa today for a quote on your granite countertop ideas.

Countertop space is vital for any functioning kitchen. No matter what size you’re working with, a kitchen counter provides stability and a little elbow room for even the simplest meals.

Without a counter, dishes end up stacked in the sink, on the stove, perhaps even on the kitchen table. Meal preparation would take place on the table, resulting in a very inconvenient and cluttered experience. Counters allow for more organization, more efficiency, and less stress.

These essential benefits help transform your kitchen into a happy sanctuary that your whole family can enjoy.

ROOM TO WORK

Counters supply the space for food preparation and cleanup. Even for the humblest of meals, convenient counter space allows for easier kitchen management. The more room you have, the cleaner and more organized your kitchen can be, and the easier it is to keep clean.

For large meal preparation, kitchen countertops provide an easier way to keep track of your ingredients and dishes. Kitchen utensils and appliances are not much use if you don’t have anywhere to store them. Counter space also frees up potential space on kitchen tables, which keeps all the meal preparation in one spot and allows for more guests.

FUNCTION

Countertops are no good if they aren’t durable or resilient. Many kitchen incidents can affect the look or function of your countertop. Burns and spills have the potential to disfigure, warp, or crack the surface. If your counter is porous, bacteria and mold can harbor in your kitchen and cause health issues for you and your family.

Counters that are easy to clean, strong against accidental chopping or knife wear, and resistant to stains and burns will be long-lasting and functional additions to your home. Moreover, if they have proper access to outlets, you can use more appliances for bigger meals. Plenty of space can also double as extra seating for larger kitchens.

AESTHETICS

In most cases, the first thing that will be noticed about your kitchen is the color. The counter is one of those aspects that remain very obviously on display, and whether or not it fits in with the scheme of your kitchen will be quickly noticed. You will not enjoy being in your kitchen if you don’t like how it looks. If your counter doesn’t fit aesthetically, it might be time for a new one.

The kitchen should be a welcoming place that you enjoy being in. As such, the overall look of your counter is an aspect requiring serious thought.

MATERIALS

Considering what kind of kitchen countertop is for you, aesthetics is only part of the whole. Weaker materials can burn or even melt under hot surfaces. Certain tiles can even chip or break during use. The stronger and more durable your counter is, the less likely that it will need replacing.

Countertops tend to be expensive, so a resilient material is a good investment for the long term. Properly installed, a good countertop will last for years without problems.

YOUR IDEAL COUNTERTOP

There are many aspects of a good kitchen counter that can make your life much easier. If you’re looking to update your kitchen countertop, Bella Casa has a wide range of designs to match your kitchen aesthetic. Contact us today to get a quote!

High-end granite is an essential part of many upscale homes. It’s ideal for countertops because of its versatility and extraordinary beauty. Granite stone is natural and available in various shades, including combinations of white, pink, black, gray, and more.

There’s a granite color for every type of decor. We have more than 100 styles in our inventory, and we hand-pick the best granite patterns to fit your space. One of granite’s best points is how it’s always unique. There’s nothing cookie-cutter about a granite countertop!

Have you ever wondered what it means for granite to be high-end and where granite comes from? Let’s find out below.

WHAT IS HIGH-END GRANITE

Four primary factors contribute to whether a slab of granite is high-end. These include the slab size, unique patterns, eye-catching colors, and stone origin. Among the world’s rarest granites is Van Gogh Granite, sourced from Brazil. This granite is notable for its mint green and aqua blue coloration, and its veining that is a burned-orange shade. It’s extremely rare for red and blue to be found together in one piece of granite.

We grade your granite based on established standards. There are usually three levels at which granite is graded. These include the following:

• Commercial or builder-grade granite

• Mid-grade granite

• High-quality granite

A commercial-grade granite will have less range of color and be softer in its mineral content than what you would find with mid-grade and high-quality granites. When it comes to general physical characteristics, it’s difficult for an untrained eye to distinguish between the different grades. High-quality granite is usually detectable by its extremely vibrant colors and unique patterns.

Remember that granite is a natural stone. This is the reason why each stone is unique. High-quality granite tends to be incredibly unique. Among the most unique granite types are the previously mentioned Van Gogh granite, Blue Bahia, Lava Jewel, and Blue Pearl GT.

You may wonder how there are so many different kinds of granite with different appearances. That’s because a granite slab is so unique, it will be different even from other slabs taken from the same rock. The veining and patterns of granite are a significant part of its beauty and appeal.

THE SOURCE OF GRANITE

The granite for your countertops is gotten via mining from places that are called quarries. After extraction, the granite is brought to facilities where it is cut. Then, this is where it is made into slabs for countertops. Once the granite finally reaches your home and is installed, it instantly transforms your kitchen and can increase your home value.

Granite forms in volcanic chambers far beneath the earth’s surface, and it can take thousands of years for formation to occur. Why volcanos? It’s because the stone forms while magma crystallizes. The composition of granite is primarily quartz and another mineral called feldspar. Granite is among the hardest natural stones on the planet.

Brazil, Canada, and India are where most of the granite used in the United States is sourced. When it comes to high-quality granite, however, Mediterranean countries are the most frequent sources. This includes countries such as Greece, Italy, and Spain.

Different granite slabs have unique appearances because the minerals in them differ. The varying ingredients in granite and when they form into the stone during different periods of time contribute to your granite’s appearance. For example, if a region has more feldspar, the granite will seem pinkish. If it has more amphiboles, then the granite will have green overtones.

After granite is mined and cut into slabs, it is polished or textured. The process used depends on the desired final look of the stone.

HOW TO INSTALL YOUR NEW GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

Installation of granite countertops is never a DIY project. It needs to be done by professionals so that you don’t risk damaging your new countertops. If you try to do it yourself, you could end up with chips in your countertops. If you’re going with high-end granite, it’s even more important to have a top-of-the-line installation. These countertops are a significant investment, so you won’t want to take any risks.

HOW DURABLE IS GRANITE?

Granite has excellent heat resistance, which comes in handy in a busy kitchen. Your installed granite countertop is also excellent at keeping chipping, scratching, and cracking at bay.

Like any other countertop surface, you need to know how to take care of granite. While it’s extremely hard and durable, it is still porous. This means that it will absorb liquid and potentially stain, which is why you should seal your granite countertops. Experts recommend doing this between once a year to every three years, as necessary. It’s an easy process, and Bella Casa will show you how to take care of your granite to retain its original stunning beauty.