Building a house can be daunting. A lot of thought, money, time, and effort is put into it. Things such as the wall, tiles, and countertops should be chosen with proper consideration. Because what if you decide you want to get quartzite countertops but fail to maintain them later on?
Does quartzite need to be sealed?
Quartzite needs to be sealed, it isn’t a soft stone prone to chipping and etching but it has a very porous surface. Due to the tiny pores on the surface, quartzite tends to soak up liquids such as wine and tomato sauce. This causes staining which is hard to clean. Sealing helps to avoid this.
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Quartzite is popularly used as countertops. If you want to use your quartzite countertops for many years to come then you need to maintain it properly and the main maintenance of quartzite is sealing them.
Sealing it is so important because this will repel liquids and in turn protect the porous surface of the quartzite from stains and also keep it looking shiny.
Therefore, once it is sealed you won’t have to constantly worry about the countertops getting stained due to liquid spillage and the sealant also makes it easier to clean.
All that being said, quartzite does come in different forms. We have picked the two popular ones to discuss whether they need to be sealed or not today.
Honed quartzite:
Honed quartzite must be sealed. Quartzite is mainly honed to use in projects that are trying to achieve an organic and raw look with slight texture but honing quartzite tends to weaken its durability and makes it more prone to staining and scratching.
This happens because when quartzite is honed, the pores on the surface become enlarged.
Leathered quartzite:
Leathered quartzite is the opposite of honed quartzite and can sometimes be used without sealing it.
Leathering it will get rid of most of the pores by sealing it and the smooth finish it leaves behind will be able to conceal things such as fingerprints, watermarks, and smudges.
And due to the absence of the pores, it is less likely to stain. This process also helps in keeping quartzite safe from damage.
Does quartzite countertops need to be sealed?
Quartzite is mostly used to build countertops and a lot of people recommend that it should be sealed. Sealing will protect the quartzite countertops and prolong its longevity among other things.
When the quartzite countertops are sealed, the sealant creates a protective barrier over the countertop. This ensures that the countertops are safe from chipping, etching and scratching which can easily happen due to kitchen activities.
Another important reason why it is necessary to seal quartzite countertops is, food and drinks are constantly placed on top of the countertops and spillage is very common.
So, when drinks or any sort of sauce spills on the surface, the pores tend to soak it up and this causes the countertops to become stained which refuse to come off easily. Thus, it is crucial to seal quartzite countertops.
Can I seal quartzite myself?
You can seal quartzite at home by yourself if you have the right tools and at least some minimal knowledge about sealing stone. Quartzite sometimes comes with the sealant but this will most likely begin to wear off in 6 months or so.
After which the sealant will need to be applied again. If you want to seal it by yourself then it is best to use a stone sealer spray because those are easier to handle and use.
You can spray it over the quartzite in an even coat and remember to check and go over places you may have missed while spraying. When you are sure the entire surface is covered, let it dry fully. This sealant should last and act as a shield over the quartzite for many months.
After which if you notice that the sealant has worn down, you can follow the same steps and go over with another layer of stone sealer to reseal it.
What do you use to seal quartzite?
Quartzite can be sealed using a bunch of different products. Some of these sealants can be applied by almost anyone while others require professional help.
But we know it can be difficult to choose the right sealant because once it’s on, it is not easy to take off. So, to help our readers, we have decided to list the products used to seal quartzite and also added a little bit of information about them.
Natural wax, polyurethane or acrylics coat:
People who seal their quartzite by themselves swear by topical sealing products made of natural wax, polyurethane or acrylics.
They recommend this because it is free of harsh chemicals and protects the quartzite by sealing off the tiny pores present in quartzite, especially quartzite that has been honed.
The application process is also relatively easy but something to keep in mind is these types of sealants tend to wear off after a couple of months and need to be resealed to avoid scratches and staining on the quartzite.
Silicone sealant:
If you are looking for a more strong and long lasting sealer to use on your quartzite then go for the sealant that contains siliconates or similar elements because they are known to repel different types of liquids.
This type of sealant is gets soaked into the pores and crevices of the quartzite and is mostly applied by professionals.
Spray sealant:
Another easy to use product to seal quartzite is stone sealer that comes in the form of sprays. All you will need to do to seal quartzite is spray these stone sealers over the surface and let it dry.
They are very easy to use and can be reused when the seal over the quartzite begins to wear off.
How often does quartzite need to be sealed?
If the quartzite has been sealed properly then it won’t have to be sealed again for a full year or even two. But a lot of factors need to be considered.
First and foremost, what type of sealant was used to seal the quartzite because some last longer than others and also if the application wasn’t done properly; there is a chance the sealant won’t last too long.
Usage also plays a key role in how long the quartzite can go before it needs to be sealed again. If the quartzite is frequented by people and a lot of work is being done on the surface, it will wear down quicker.
Especially if anyone works with acid or acidic elements on the quartzite, it will need to be sealed more often.
How much does it cost to seal quartzite?
It can take anywhere between $30 to $50 to seal quartzite but the price can go up or down depending on the size of the surface. The bigger the surface the more it will cost to seal it.
But if you think you want to seal the quartzite by yourself, you can either choose a stone sealer spray that costs roughly about $20 or you can also buy it in liquid form for around $15 and spray or wipe it on top of the quartzite.
It will save you a bit of money to do it this way instead of going the professional route.
How do you seal quartzite?
As we have already mentioned above, it is not required to get your quartzite sealed by a professional.
You can do it by yourself at home as well if you only use the right products and follow the correct steps for application. Take a look at the easy steps you can follow to seal your quartzite to avoid stains and damages.
Ensure ventilation and clean surface:
Before you can begin to seal quartzite, a few preparatory steps need to be taken.
Open the windows to ensure the room is well ventilated as the fumes from the sealant can be harmful. Now, take a non-abrasive cleaner with low pH and soft cloth and clean the surface of the quartzite.
Choose right sealer and cover the surface:
You can use either a stone sealer in a spray or liquid form. If you are using the spray version, then spray the stone sealer over the surface of the quartzite or if you are using a liquid sealer then wipe it on the surface of the quartzite.
Cure:
When you are sure that you have completely covered the surface of the quartzite with a coat of sealant, give it enough time to dry fully.
An additional tip is after sealing quartzite, avoid using cleaners with vinegar, citrus or acidic bases. These are abrasive on the sealant and will eat away the sealant faster.
Final Thoughts
Quartzite needs to be sealed in order to shield it from abrasive damage and staining which occurs when it is left bare. It is a hard stone but not indestructible. Sealing it helps to stop scratching or staining of any kinds and also adds a beautiful shine to it.