Bathroom Countertops
Marble, Granite or Quartzite?
When specifying the natural rock recommended for a bathroom, regardless of any luxury range, there is a question as to which rock is most suitable.
The type of stone chosen will directly reflect on the countertop’s lifespan. It is not just an aesthetic choice, it is also a choice of durability, sustainability and modernity.
The three rocks have very different particularities in their geological composition that are reflected in their use and usefulness.
Marble
The marble. The noblest of the 3 considering its long use in history, always attached to the concept of luxury, classic and sophistication that has managed to remain current in the different periods of architecture. It will always be associated with ancient and classical, Italian and Greek architecture. It began to be used in construction in 2500 BC. by the Egyptians.
It was used as cladding, structure, masonry or ornament.
Ca' Del Duca. 'Filarete's Column'. A Doric Column that was preserved and a building was built absorbing the ruin. A tribute to its symbology.
Duomo in Florence, 'Santa Maria Del Fiori'.
Detail of the church Santa Maria Novella, Alberti, Florence.
Marble is a metamorphic rock originating from limestone. Its formation occurs through physical-chemical reactions, pressure and high temperatures in limestone. It is a rock that has a varied palette of colors in its possibilities and the most recognized on the market are extracted in Italy.
It is a rock with a very characteristic natural beauty, despite the many existing patterns. On the other hand, it is a more sensitive, soft rock, with a high degree of porosity.
There is a large extraction of this rock in Brazil, however it is mistakenly confused with Travertine, Bahia beige is one of the most common rocks in the modern application of Brazilian architecture as it has a more attractive price, however it is Travertine, not marble.
St. John the Baptist Church, Mogno, Switzerland. Designed by Mario Botta.
Santa Maria Church, Marco de Canaveses, Portugal. Designed by architect Siza Vieira.
Store in Miami covered in blue marble by Valerio Olgiati.
Granite
Granite is an igneous or magmatic rock. A different formation of marble. It is formed when magma solidifies in the underground layer, which gives it particular resistance and hardness. In its composition we find feldspar, quartz and mica, which gives it a crystalline texture of grains.
Unlike marble, granite is a more resistant rock, whether absorbing liquids or impacts. It is the most extracted rock in Brazil, consequently, as it is more common in the Earth's crust, it is cheaper.
Along with marble, in the history of architecture we find granite making up structurally and as a worked ornament, several iconic buildings that span throughout history. European popular architecture is full of examples built with this stone.
In the past, due to the difficulty of transport, it was built with materials and raw materials extracted from the region, the so-called vernacular architecture.
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Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Spain.
Guilherme Falcão, creative director of Coríntia, surveying the cornice of the 'Casa da Câmara' in Penamacor, Portugal.
Quartzite
Quartzite is a rock that is increasingly solidifying in the market for ornamental stones used in architecture. A rock that combines the hardness of granite and the beauty of marble.
A rock little used in Europe compared to the two references above. It is so hard that its extraction was very expensive and reached the market at a price that could not compete with marble and granite.
With the advancement of technology (mainly extraction using diamond wire) the price of quartzite has been considerably reduced, achieving a price that, despite being more expensive, is competitive considering its strengths, such as its exotic colors and tones (with blue tones). , yellow, pink, gray, green... and even translucent! which allow reflected lighting) or the white or black that are so sought after on the market.
Due to its characteristics, it becomes a material with greater durability, whether compared to natural rocks, porcelain tiles, Silestone (quartz aggregate) or even burnt cement.
Quartzite is a metamorphic rock from sandstone. It is made up of 70% (at least) quartz, which gives it a degree of hardness and prominence compared to its competitors. Other constituents can be found such as muscovite, biotite, sericite, tourmail and dumortierite.
Example of Kitchen Cladding with Mont Blanc Quartzite.
Bathroom Countertops
What to Choose?
Firstly, if you are considering a space composition with marble, granite or quartzite countertops, you are making a decision between natural rocks. The finishes vary depending on the architect's intention in the project to match the delicacy and demands of each rock.
At Coríntia, focused on bathroom and toilet countertops, we found Quartzite to be the best solution. Quartzite is not among the common range of choices in covering compositions by European architects, many of them, in fact, are not familiar with the stone. That was my case, and that of all my colleagues that I questioned.
At the University of Porto, where I graduated, it was never mentioned, although now, with the eyes of an expert, I see the use of Quartzite in architects such as the Swiss Valerio Olgiati, who built a swimming pool covered in blue Macaúbas Quartzite.
Swimming Pool at Home in Alentejo, Portugal, by Valerio Olgiati. Blue Macaúbas Quartzite
It is a rock that is now situated in the possibilities of choice options. Coríntia is even bridging the gap between Portugal, Denmark and Brazil, for a stronger inclusion and dissemination of information about this mineral that is most suitable for the kitchen, bathroom or any other covering, as we see in the image in the case of a swimming pool.
Countertop
Whether bathroom or kitchen countertops, quartzite stands out for its ability to absorb liquids little, as a result, there are fewer stains, less maintenance and greater overall durability.
The choice of Quartzite is not far behind the luxury and sophistication of marble, a title that has earned its use in luxury spaces throughout the ages.
It can have different rustic finishes: brushed, sandblasted, pickled, or even left raw. In a more homogeneous texture suitable for exteriors, it can be Levigado, and of course polished.
What is the difference between the different types of finishes?
Polished
It is a shiny and smooth finish, created from polishing. It is slippery when it comes into contact with water. This type of finish is best suited for internal stairs in your home. A great tip to make the stairs even safer is to make a spiked strip.
Polishing closes the pores of the stone, making it more waterproof, although there are quartzites with different levels of absorption, in some, after polishing, waterproofing is recommended. With resin or some waterproofing agent dedicated to stone.
Polishing is done with diamond sandpaper with different grits.
Levigado
Used on quartzite, marble and granite, it is a semi-polished finish, suitable for internal and external areas. Less slippery than the polished finish, however more fragile to absorption.
Sandblasted
Made from sandblasting, it has the opaque appearance of stones. Used in quartzite, marble and granite, it is recommended for external areas such as pool edges, making the area even safer and less slippery.
Flaming
Created using fire, it has a rough and wavy appearance. Therefore, it is also recommended for outdoor areas due to its anti-slip properties, which make the material even safer. It is most used in granite.
Apicoado
Made from impacts, it has a porous and uniform appearance of stones. It is only suggested for rocks with a thickness equal to or greater than 2.0cm and for external areas such as leisure areas, due to its anti-slip properties.
Raw
It does not have any type of finish, it presents itself with natural characteristics. It is sawn in normal dimensions and thicknesses or to order. In this finish, the color of the stone may not stand out if the surface is not wet. There are color activating products for these cases.
Countertop with carved Sink
Coríntia - a company that sculpts design
Corinthian has the particularity of using one of the hardest and most durable rocks on the market, with the elegance and sophistication that is required for a modern project with high standard decoration and ambience.
We bridge the gap between sculpture, art and the utility of Design. We work by hand with artisans dedicated exclusively to one piece. Due to the hardness of the stone, and bringing the greatest detail and perfection to your home, we have pieces that take 3 weeks to produce.
All pieces can be customized to the client or architect's requirements, so that their installation fits perfectly into the ideal space.
Carved vat. Finished piece. Gijón model. Design by architect Guilherme Falcão - Coríntia.
What if you opt for a marble countertop?
If you're reading this from Portugal, this is likely a question that applies to various regions of the country. Quartzite isn't as prevalent in the market as marble and granite (which have several national varieties).
It's an absolutely valid choice, one that has been made throughout the history of the most luxurious spaces, from palaces to castles, from apartments to mansions. Marble is ubiquitous across all classes due to its wide range of options. There are marbles that range from 300 reais per meter to 100 thousand reais per meter.
Feel free to contact Coríntia if you'd like more information about our products or ornamental rocks.
