It’s all fun and games until you have to choose between marble, quartzite, and dolomite.
For starters, did you know that (according to NAHB), more than half of the houses built in the United States were developed before 1980? This means that if you happened to move into one of these homely gems, there is a good chance your kitchen countertops are a tad outdated. Luckily, we here at Distinctive Kitchen & Bath have tons of countertop remodeling solutions you can opt for to transform your kitchen into something quite luxurious.
Now, the real underlying question is what leading material should you go with to meet your aesthetic, budget, and practicality needs - marble, quartzite, or dolomite? If you happen to be stuck on which path to take between these three options, below is a breakdown of each so you can upgrade with the ultimate confidence.
Marble
I think it is safe to say that just about any homeowner has heard of marble countertops before at some point or another. For decades, this has been a premier design choice to achieve that modern, opulent vibe.
Marble is formed naturally when either limestone or dolomite is subjected to extreme pressure within the Earth's crust The impurities during this process are what allows the marble to form its vast array of colors and styles. However, as great as this may be, take note that marble is not as durable as the other options here on this list. It is also susceptible to stains if you don't seal it regularly and is prone to chipping and scratching and etching. Marble is a great choice for new countertops, but handle with care!
Popular Marbles Include: Carrara marble, Calacatta Marble, Calacatta Oro, Calacatta Extra, Calacatta Borghini and many more.
Quartzite
Quartzite can offer an uncanny resemblance to marble due to its ghostly veining. Offering a favorable balance between beauty, durability, and sustainability, quartzite has made an impressive name for itself in recent years becoming more and more popular. Compared to marble and dolomite, quartzite is exceptionally more robust and denser, which equates to it being less likely to stain, scratch, or chip.
PS: Make sure that you do not confuse quartzite with quartz! Quartzite is a natural
metamorphic rock that develops when quartz sandstone faces extreme pressure and temperatures. On the other hand, quartz is a manmade engineered stone.
Popular Quartzites: Taj Mahal, Mercury White, White Macaubas, Bianco Superiore
Dolomite
Dolomite is a lesser-known sedimentary rock that forms when limestone connects with magnesium-drenched groundwater. It generally comes in shades of white or gray with gorgeous streaks that resemble more of that marble tone than quartzite. Even more, dolomite may not be as hard as granite, but it is harder than marble and is more scratch/chip resistant. The only real catch is that dolomite does not have a lot of color variance like its fellow stone counterparts, and it does require regular sealing to keep it in tip-top shape.
Popular Dolomites: Fantasy Brown, Canyon Dawn, Super White
What Now?
Hopefully, this quick review gave you a bit more insight and assurance on which material is ideal for you. But if you still happen to have more concerns or questions, then don’t hesitate to give us a call!
