QUARTZITE DISCLAIMER

Your countertops are a big investment to your home. As with most investments there is cautionary information to provide. Product education is very important to us and to you. This document is intended to disclose information on the countertop product you are purchasing. Over the last few years, quartzites have been growing in popularity within our industry - especially those that are lighter in color. Many of these lighter colors are less dense and more porous than some of the darker quartzites. Due to these natural characteristics, there are some important details that the purchaser and end user need to take note of:

Quartzite is a type of metamorphic rock formed when sandstone-based stone is morphed from sand to a glassy crystalline stone. The crystalline structure of these stones makes them somewhat brittle. Following the quarry process, bundles of stone are transported to factories to be sliced into slabs and surface finished. During slab finishing, resins are commonly used to help stabilize the stone, fill any small imperfections or inclusions, and make it shine. These resins are infused into the slabs early in the finishing process, meaning this is not a “local” treatment. Granite, on the other hand, is formed via volcanic processes and is usually stable enough to not require the impregnation of resins.

Fabrication and production lead times on quartzite may be extended, sometimes by a few days and sometimes weeks. Water is used during both the cutting and polishing process. This is necessary to achieve clean and sharp cuts and also to help keep the dust down inside the shop (for health, safety, and environmental purposes). While this takes place, both the surface and cut edges of the tops commonly absorb water. Some slabs with a high absorption rate must sit in front of industrial fans and/or heaters to dry out. The amount of time this takes will vary greatly from slab to slab and cannot be predicted in advance.

Depending on how tightly the minerals bonded together during the mineral metamorphic process, quartzite can be porous and prone to staining with use. The gray or whiter background-color slabs more commonly show the absorption of liquids and oils into the stone’s surface. It is advised to re-seal your quartzite countertops annually or more frequently.

It’s typical for quartzites to contain natural fissures. Some fissures may have been filled prior to getting to the distributor/fabricator, and some can be filled by the fabricator during the fabrication and installation processes. These characteristics are inherent due to the nature of the stone and are not considered a latent defect.

PDP Countertops Inc. cannot be held responsible in any cause of action resulting from a product of nature in any form and makes no guarantee of the geological composition or durability of any stone. PDP Countertops Inc. shall not be liable to any person for any special, indirect or consequential damages relating to the use of the material chosen by the homeowner or builder. There is no material warranty provided should liquid absorption, staining, discoloration, or damage occur to the stone or for natural characteristics.

Images of moisture and/or oil stains in Light Quartzite colors can be seen below.

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