Quartzite countertops for Pelion homes: what to know before you buy

Is quartzite the right stone for a Pelion house?

We get this question a lot from folks out in Pelion, especially those building new on bigger lots or updating a farmhouse-style kitchen. The short answer is yes, quartzite works well for a lot of homes out there, but it depends on what you want from your kitchen and how much upkeep you're willing to do.

Pelion runs a mix of newer construction on acreage and older homes that have been added onto over the years. We see a lot of open kitchens with big islands, which is actually a great use case for quartzite. It's one of the harder natural stones we fabricate, and a large island slab in a quartzite pattern tends to be the centerpiece people want.

What quartzite actually is

Quartzite starts as sandstone and gets compressed and heated underground until it turns into a much harder stone made mostly of quartz. That's different from marble, which is a calcite stone and reacts to acids. True quartzite resists scratching better than marble and holds up well to daily kitchen use.

Here's the catch, and it's one we tell every customer straight: a slab's trade name isn't a guarantee of what's actually in it. Some slabs sold as "quartzite" at the yard are really a softer calcite stone that etches like marble. We go by how the stone behaves, scratch test and acid test, not just what the label says. If you're shopping around before coming to us, ask the seller how they know it's quartzite and not marble.

What people ask us most

Does it need sealing? Yes. Quartzite is porous to some degree, so it should be sealed and resealed, usually about once a year for a busy kitchen. We seal every job at install with a good sealer, so you're covered from day one, but plan on resealing down the road.

Can I put a hot pot on it? Quartzite handles brief contact with a hot pan better than most surfaces, but we still tell everyone to use a trivet. No stone should take a pan straight off the stove as a habit.

Will it stain? Sealing helps it resist stains, but nothing makes a stone immune. Wipe up wine, oil, and citrus when they happen rather than letting them sit overnight.

Does it etch like marble? True quartzite resists etching much better than marble because it's quartz-based, not calcite. That's part of why it's popular for kitchens where people cook with lemon or wine.

What it usually costs

Quartzite generally runs on the higher end of natural stone pricing, roughly in the same range as higher-tier granite, though exact pricing depends on the slab you pick and the size of your job. We can give you a real number once we know your layout.

If you're in Pelion and want to see actual slabs instead of guessing from photos, come by our shop at 2015 Charleston Hwy in Cayce. It's a short drive, and seeing the stone in person under real light makes the decision a lot easier.