As a Brazilian quartzite, Quarzite Rossa is a robust hard rock with low water absorption, full acid resistance and a Mohs hardness of around 7. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, sanitary cleaners or descalers leave no etch marks as they would on marble or limestone — the stone is considerably easier to care for and well suited to intensive everyday use.
For interior applications we recommend an impregnation on a silane or polysiloxane basis at initial installation. On polished surfaces a renewal every 5–8 years is sufficient depending on use; on heavily used kitchen worktops or bar counters, check every 2–3 years. Impregnation protects against the deep penetration of oil, grease and pigments — otherwise, on the heterogeneous surface of Quarzite Rossa, discolouration can show up particularly on the lighter white quartz veins.
Daily care is carried out with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft cloth or microfibre mop. Clear warm water is usually sufficient. Acidic cleaners are fundamentally unproblematic, but should nevertheless not be used, because they can attack the impregnation. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
For kitchen worktops Quarzite Rossa is outstandingly suited: cut- and scratch-resistant, insensitive to heat (hot pots and pans can be set down directly for a short time, although prolonged heat exposure above 200 °C should still be avoided), acid-resistant and with good stain repellency thanks to its low water absorption. The expressive, vein-accentuated surface conceals small traces of use remarkably well. The intense red tone makes the stone the ideal choice for designer kitchens with a dramatic material composition — crumbs, flour and food residues are less visible than on light granite grades. For external applications we recommend a project-specific data sheet check of the frost resistance before ordering. If released for external use, a matt, structured finish is advisable for slip resistance. Polished external surfaces can show minimal losses of gloss after years in locations with heavy UV exposure.
The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. In areas with frequent salt contact we recommend an additional annual renewal of the impregnation. The dark, warm ground tone stores solar energy in hot climate zones — for pool areas in the south, combine it where appropriate with locally cooled irrigation.