Kitchen

Reply to: Just to re-clarify on this thread: Fantasy Brown Quartzite (called Granite sometimes) and Fantasy Brown Granite are different stones. The picture posted by Andrew above is quartzite. As long as you seal it properly and clean it with appropriate products, you will be fine. And you can put hot pans and pots on it. We have done dozens of kitchens in this stone without any complaints. It's really a great material. For those still worried, here are the instructions we give out to our quartzite clients (keep in mind that most quartzites are whiter, so the stain/etch issue applies far less to something like Fantasy Brown Quartzite): Quartzite is a metamorphic rock like marble, but it has a different composition. While marble is composed of calcite or dolomite, quartzite was formed when pure quartz sandstone was exposed to extreme heat and pressure under the earth's surface. This means that quartzite is far less likely than marble to etch, scratch or stain. However, white quartzites are still more susceptible to etching or staining than granite. Quartzite is a great alternative for clients who want the marble look in the kitchen without the risk of marks on their stone over the years. With proper care, quartzite will still look like new 10 years down the road. When cleaning your quartzite, use only water for regular cleaning and a small amount of mild, clear (no extra fragrances or chemicals) dish soap when needed to remove grease, food, or germs. If you want something more, Regent (regentstoneproducts.com) has a good selection of high quality cleaning products for natural stone. It is really important to seal quartzite twice a year with a specialized sealant like Regent's "Zeta Seal." Based on your fabricator's recommendation, you can seal quartzite as often as four times a year. You can't over-seal it, but you can under-seal. Sealing itself is a quick and easy process. To seal your countertops: Clean the counters thoroughly. When they are dry, pour the sealer onto the counters roll it evenly onto the counters with a clean paint roller, making sure to roll forward, backward, left, and right. Wait 15 minutes and wipe off any excess. Then repeat the process a second time. Like paint, sealer shrinks as it dries, so a second coat will ensure that all the surface is protected. You should avoid cutting on your quartzite. It could scratch it, but even if it didn't the knives might leave steel marks (and it will ruin your knives!). You can put hot pots onto your quartzite or use hot plates as needed. There are two levels of quartzite: softer quartzite and harder quartzite. Both are fine for kitchens, but if you have a softer quartzite you will want to more conscientious about knives and hot surfaces than with a harder quartzite. If your quartzite does stain, you can use a heavy duty stone stain remover like the "Bellinzoni Mangia Macchia" available through Regent or simplestonecare.com. This pre-mized paste sucks the stain out of the stone. The product comes with easy to follow instruction for use and will work on all natural stones to remove almost any stain without changing the color of the stone or damaging the finish or polish. Hope this helps! -GG

Q