Vancouver

Vancouver is a quartzite quarried from a bedrock quarry in Brazil. It resembles marble in appearance but is much harder and far more durable. As such, it can be used for kitchen countertops without having the scratching and etching issues experienced with marble. Vancouver has a creamy grey background with grey and taupe veining. There are hints of rose in some of the veins, which give the material an exclusive look. During the polishing process, an epoxy resin is applied to the surface of the stone to fill in any natural pits, cracks, or fissures that may exist. It is possible for some of the more minute pits that are too small to effectively hold the resin, to reopen during other finishing stages. However, this does not affect the durability, maintenance, or beauty of the stone. Due to the qualities of the stone, the slabs are book-matched, meaning slab one and slab two will be cut and polished to create a mirror image of each other. These are then kept in sequence, which allows for a consistent flow in pattern. Finally, a mesh backing is adhered to the back of the stone to ensure safety while handling and fabricating the slab.

As a natural stone product, it is recommended that this be sealed to extend its longevity. This quartzite has a more open structure and therefore needs a sealer that is designed to penetrate properly to ensure that the stone is sealed. Arizona Tile suggests using 3 coats of Miracle Sealants 511 Porous Plus or Dry Treat Premium Impregnating Sealer for the initial sealing, which needs to be done at the time of installation and applying 1 coat of sealer every 6 months moving forward. It’s also recommended to seal all cut edges before installation. This will help prevent water and oils from penetrating into the stone around sinks, faucet holes, ovens and any seams.

California Residents: Information about Proposition 65 can be found in FAQs.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)