Quartzite

Quartzite is a very hard stone which is composed of quartz sandstone that has been metamorphosed. Quartzite is much harder than the parent rock, sandstone, which makes it the perfect choice for hard wearing paving. It is formed from quartz sandstone that has come into contact with deeply buried magmas which change its state through heat and pressure.

Quartzite is a very strong stone but is usually not found in large bodies suitable for quarrying. For this reason flag sizes are generally restricted to 500mmx700mm. The thickness is dictated by the bed depth, approximately 30mm. Although this may seem thin for commercial paving, this material’s excellent flexural strength combined with the correct sub-base make for a hard wearing but attractive surface. Colours range from silvery grey with hints of green, pink and red through to a shimmery black. All have a distinctive sparkle from the tightly interlocking grains of quartz contained within.