Quartz countertops are made from a special type of hard and durable natural stone. In fact, it is the fourth hardest natural stone and is often mentioned in the same breath as topaz and diamond. It can also look very elegant and intricate. Having weaves and patterns that are unique, classy to edgy colorways and designs makes it a very fun material for home renovators and interior designers to work with. This is why quartz countertops are often seen in bathroom and kitchen countertops. Both for residential and commercial spaces alike.
Quartz countertops can also last a very long time. If you’re a fan of the saying if it’s not broken don’t fix it, then your choice of quartz countertops can stay with you for a very long time. Overwhelming, isn’t it? To top it off, choosing the right countertop might just be one tick of a laundry list of choices for your project space.
Don’t stress. We’ve broken down some super helpful tips and tricks that most homeowners and professionals use to improve your chances of getting this choice right.
A daunting task in and of itself but once broken down into smaller bits may be more manageable. Smaller and simple tasks will help you visualize much easier by giving you straightforward milestones.
Quartz countertops are an engineered quartz mix of both natural stone and a small percentage of resin. Importing quartz abroad comes with its risks and a higher resin percentage in most cases. American-made brands are the highest quality option, containing the highest percentage of natural quartz stone in relation to its resin content.
Foreign quartz countertops tend to have more resin. Whereas in American quartz brands, like MSI Q Quartz, Cambria, and Caesarstone, you get strong durability while also keeping the gorgeous, nature-inspired patterns, weaves, and colors in the counters.
American brand quartz countertops provide quality as well as durability. They are scratch resistant, scorch resistant, and can handle extreme heat, making it a harder surface than granite or marble, but just as aesthetic and beautiful as granite or marble, without being high maintenance.
Quartz countertops are non-porous which provides stain resistance. Quartz countertops won’t absorb bacteria and other substances, like red wine and other stains, that would otherwise seep into the surface. When compared to higher maintenance and higher cost stone like marble, quartz is the more affordable option while also being high quality and low maintenance.
Since they are a non-porous surface, quartz countertops are the perfect option when designing a new kitchen or doing a kitchen renovation, ensuring the surface of your counters will remain bacteria-free for years.
The brand, color, texture, edge profile, slab cutouts, and installation are all costs you should keep in mind when designing quartz countertops.
Appearance should be considered when choosing quartz for your home. See our quartz countertop projects, and choose the best.
Take a lookThe look. Part of the pride of having a natural stone countertop is the look it gets from foreign eyes. Eyes who might set on them once or twice. More important than that is how it looks to you, the homeowner. You’re the one who gets to wake up every morning and look at the new countertop while you drink your morning coffee or make breakfast.
Quartz countertops come in many quartz countertop colors. Each color brings a different kind of attitude or mood. From the simple classic pearl to the intricate and tantalizing Antico Cloud, an elegant cloud white color, there is a wide selection of white quartz surface options alone.
Keep in mind this is just in the realm of white quartz countertops. There are several other solid color and patterned selections. Quartz countertops also come with a host of different patterns and designs. This can be the chemical X that your countertop needs to be one of a kind. Or it can just fail to work with the rest of the room.
Suppliers and designers will usually have pallets of color options and patterns to choose from. Visualize with the rest of the space to see what works best. Looking only at the color might throw you off. The same goes for just looking at the patterns. Make sure to consider both, and getting a few samples to test with the space is a wise option.
Appearance should be considered when choosing high-end quartz countertops for your home. See our quartz countertop projects, and choose the best.
What is the difference between a slab and prefabricated countertops and why does it matter?
Prefabricated (prefab) countertops are the cheaper option, and usually the quickest installation since they are pre-cut. You will pay considerably less per square foot than slab countertops since the cutouts are not customized. On the flip side, you will have fewer options if you choose prefab, making it more difficult to customize for your project.
When choosing quartz, full slab countertops do have a higher overall cost, however, you get a totally customizable and unique counter option if you choose quartz slabs. A full slab countertop gives you complete freedom in your design choices.
We’re now moving more into the function territory. How thick or thin your own quartz surfaces and countertops have both advantages and disadvantages. It will also contribute to the aesthetics of quartz surfaces, but for the most part, it impacts function.
The thickness of quartz countertops will determine how much weight they can bear. Although strong and sturdy, some quartz kitchen countertops can still break. If you are designing your quartz kitchen countertops for heavy use and abuse, then thicker is the way to go.
Thinner quartz countertops are lighter and look more sleek and modern. However, unlike natural stone, they would not have the brute strength that thicker quartz countertops will. They can also be much cheaper.
We understand that design is only limited by your budget and your imagination. But design includes function, reliability, and longevity. Small compromises now might lead to big problems in the future.
The devil is in the details. A small detail can give you a major win, or spell total disaster. Like a single dissonant note to a piano piece, a mismatch in the small details can hurt your overall design.
White quartz countertops can look modern and sleek with a glossy or matte finish. A polished finish countertop will fit very well with a classic and more upscale home. Matte finish quartz countertops bring a muted and warm aesthetic to a space. A satin finish will be more appropriate for a more modern-looking apartment or condo, giving it a straightforward and minimalist look. The styles are endless.
When it comes to quartz finishes, the aesthetic design of your space will help determine which one you should go with.
One factor that can be easily overlooked is the edge design of your quartz counters. The edge profile is one of those finer details you will want to pay attention to in a quality quartz countertop.
Quartz countertop edges are just as important to consider as color and pattern designs. White quartz kitchen countertops options with a polished edge finish and a straight-line edge can have a very modern look. The same color can have a very classic and artsy feel with curved and rounded edges. Even though the color may stay the same, the different edge profiles can give the stone a completely different look and feel.
The edges of a quartz counter can be more curved or straight, depending on the elements of design you are styling your space with. Certain edge profiles can add softness or sharpness to your quartz kitchen countertops and overall look to a space. There are many different edge styles you can choose from when choosing quartz countertops that will fit the design and feel of your project space.
Read the room. There isn’t a singular item, color, pattern design style or finish that’s perfect for your space. Perfection is achieved by the combination of dozens if not hundreds of little details put together in a cohesive manner.
The value of the countertop is how it adds to the space. In some cases, it might be a centerpiece. At other times it can play a supporting role.
One best practice is to physically or digitally cut out a picture of your room and superimpose cutouts of countertops with different colors and patterns. This helps you visualize what works and what doesn’t in a more real-life situation rather than relying solely on imagination.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help. You can actually take a picture of your space when shopping for countertops and juxtapose it with the samples at the supplier. Bouncing ideas back and forth can actually help you get to the best choice.
The durability and quality of quartz countertops will last you a lifetime. This can make designing and shopping for the right one for your space and home an overwhelming project. Here are five easy and simple steps to remember when looking for quartz countertops.
When considering quartz countertops whether for your kitchen counters or in your bathroom, it’s important to consider the size, colors, lighting, and design of the entirety of the space. Even the highest quality quartz countertops could look mismatched in a space if they do not mesh well with the rest of the elements and accents of a room.
Not every quartz stone will look good in a space if the hues, tones, and accents are off. Using a color wheel could help determine which colors and undertones will go best together. It will be important to match all the elements of the design to ensure a cohesive and polished look in the end. This is also why samples are important, and bringing your color wheel with you to the supplier to pick out quartz samples will make your experience that much easier.
Samples are the easiest and most fool-proof way of keeping your design cohesive and succinct. Similar to paint samples, using quartz samples will help you visualize what will work with a room and what will not. Experiment with several different colors, textures, and finishes to get a better grasp of what you’re looking for in quartz countertops and how they will mix with your space.
When taking into consideration the way light works in your space, you will want to take note of the underlying feeling of your space in natural light and in your artificial light. You will want to consider the cool, neutral, or warm undertones of the light in your space to determine which quartz will look best for your space.
The samples you pick will help you test the colors and finishes against the lighting. Use the samples during different times of the day, each hour providing different angles of light, to see how the samples compare in different variations of lighting.
Before you add all the finishing touches to your renovations and design, it’s a wise idea to let your quartz countertops settle for a while before you add other accents and elements to your space.
Let your quartz countertops truly absorb the space before you pick the perfect accent colors and accessories to match the space, especially since quartz countertops are often the focal point of a room. Once everything is installed and renovated, adding those small, finishing touches will come naturally and harmoniously.
CHOOSING A COUNTETOP FOR YOUR KITCHEN OR BATHROOM?
We have 300+ quartz countertop colors and patterns in our latest 2024 collection. Call us and we’ll be more than happy to asnwer your questions and give you a free estimate.
QUOTE YOUR PROJECT TODAY →Any choice must consider the rest of the space and the overall design. Small details contribute greatly to the look and feel of your bathroom or kitchen countertops. A single color can impact the focal point of a room differently if presented in different tones, shades, and finishes.
Choosing quality quartz countertops can be overwhelmingly stressful but once broken down into more simple and understandable tasks it can be suddenly doable.
It is also best to always consult with professionals. These are people who have worked on projects similar to yours several times over. They have seen what works and what doesn’t and may have developed what you would call an “eye” for the job.
Granite Selection is one such professional and probably the best at it. We are the leading supplier of quartz countertops in the Chicagoland area. Our yard has over 14,000 slabs to make sure the perfect choice is available for you. We are located at Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and will service the surrounding 70-mile area. Give us a call at (888) 906 3317 and we’d love to help you find the perfect quartz countertop for you.
If you are renovating a kitchen, one of the biggest expenses aside from cabinets and appliances are countertops. Selecting countertops can be a bit scary because of the high dollar investment so you want to make sure you get it right. There are tons of countertop options out there with pros and cons to each.
I chose white quartz countertops for our home because they are timeless and fit many different design styles.
Today’s post will share an honest review of my white quartz countertops. Plus, I’ll give you all the insider tips to choosing the best white quartz countertops for your home. If you are stuck deciding which one is best, this post is for you!
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I will be sharing specifically about my experience with Cambria Britannica Warm quartz countertops. Spoiler alert: I love them and they don’t have a single stain or scratch.
I’ll also share a handful of other great white quartz countertops to consider. There are so many white quartz options it quickly feels overwhelming to choose, so my hope is today’s post will give you recommendations on what to look for and consider when selecting your quartz countertops, even if you aren’t wanting white.
First things first, what are quartz countertops made out of anyway? They are created through a manufacturing process that mixes approximately 95 percent ground natural quartz with 5 percent polymer resins that hold it all together. The percentages vary depending on brand, but the results are super durable, low-maintenance, and a natural stone look in a variety of colors.
Quartz is more durable than quartz and doesn’t chip as easily. Since they are man-made they offer a large array of different marbling designs and color choices that a natural stone does not.
Quartz are virtually indestructible and resist staining so you don’t have to stress about red wine spills or leaving lemons downside on the countertop like you do a natural stone and there’s no need to reseal every so often. Non-porous quartz also means that they resist bacteria and are naturally antimicrobial so you can be sure you are getting them actually clean and there is no mold hiding in the pores.
Real marble countertops are high-maintenance and are susceptible to stains. Even water spots are bound to happen with real marble countertops because it is so porous. Even granite and concrete can stain because they are porous.
One thing you do need to be careful about with quartz is heat. They are not heat resistant so do not set hot pans directly on the countertop, always use a trivet or hot pad or you may damage the quartz.
These are our white quartz counters we had installed just about a year ago when we did our kitchen remodel. Even us DIYers know not to attempt installing quartz countertops yourself. They are expensive and require precision and skilled installers that do it all day every day, so it’s best to trust the experts here.
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I knew I wanted white marble countertops with veining to brighten up the kitchen and because I think white marble is classic and timeless. To be honest, I decided on our white marble countertops quite quickly after seeing them installed in a local design showroom.
I absolutely loved the way they looked in the showroom and they had the white with warm undertones I wanted. As an interior designer I see a lot of countertops through all the different showrooms we go to, samples vendors are constantly dropping off and of course in clients’ homes.
I’ve seen everything from stark white to black to super busy patterns to one solid color. I definitely think this helped me narrow it down and know exactly what I wanted for our home and why I was able to choose so quickly.
However, I realize most do not have that advantage so I highly suggest going to local showrooms and looking at the countertops they have installed in the kitchen vignettes (not just the countertop samples hanging on the wall) so you can get an idea of what you’re drawn to in an actual kitchen setting.
Even Googling pictures of certain quartz stones installed to see what it looks like is super helpful. A small quartz sample doesn’t show the veining and movement of the entire stone so you definitely want to see it in a full slab, whether it’s in person or a picture.
Before committing, I took several other white quartz samples home with me and compared them to our cabinet stain, the island paint color and the backsplash tile I wanted to see what looked best. It’s important to bring quartz samples home with you so you can see the stone in your kitchen light next to your other materials. A stone in the fluorescent lights of a showroom can look completely different in your home.
There are SO MANY brands and varieties of white quartz countertops. Some are stark white, others are creamier, some have grey undertones and others more neutral. Then there’s the veining. There are white quartz with zero veining, some with flecks of other color and others have large veining and movement. The samples help you with this so much when you bring them to your home and look at them in your light.
These are the samples I took home.
Between all the samples I brought home, there was about a $500 overall price difference from the most expensive to the least expensive. Of course the one I liked was the most expensive, but to me it’s worth it to get the countertop that looks best.
The different quartz brands can vary a lot in price so it may be worth checking into which is the most affordable. Our kitchen remodel budget was tight and our countertops was easily the single most expensive purchase for the kitchen and was nearly half of the overall kitchen budget. Luckily we kept the existing countertops and were able to save thousands and thousands of dollars by just sanding and staining them ourselves rather than getting all new cabinets.
I wrote an entire blog post on choosing cabinet stain and refinishing them because that was a big decision and it did not come so easily. It took 10+ stain colors that we tested until we found one liked. We actually ended up using 2 different stains to get the look.
Black cabinet pulls
Herringbone backsplash tile
I am so glad we went with Cambria Brittanicca Warm for our white quartz countertops. They are beautiful! The bold veining is my favorite part. It’s such a statement especially on the island and the greige vein adds warmth and depth. I also think the veining helps camouflage dirt and spills so you don’t feel like your white countertops are constantly looking dirty. If you went with an all white without veining you might think that, but with the veining in Brittanicca it hides stuff really well.
BTW, if you’re looking for a new sink, I highly recommend the Blanco Siligranit sinks. They are scratch and stain resistant, super easy to clean and come in great color options. It’s what we go with for our clients in both new builds and remodels. I have the color Truffle which coordinates with our countertops perfectly and the darker color is great because there’s always coffee and green smoothie getting washed down the sink in our house and couldn’t be happier with our choice. These sinks are the best!
Delta kitchen faucet
Bamboo dish brush – these have the best “sturdy” bristles!
Our countertops are a polish finish that have a nice shine. Some quartz is available in a matte finish but I wouldn’t recommend it as they can show every little fingerprint and that might drive you crazy.
I use a damp cloth and little soap to wipe down our countertops. We also use Clorox wipes and Lysol countertop spray as well and they both work great. Just don’t use anything with ammonia or bleach which could ruin them.
We don’t have any stains on our countertops at all and they still look as amazing as the day they were installed! There is one little area where a coffee cup was sitting next to the sink and I found a little ring that was mostly scrubbed out and is not noticeable at all.
I say this because it doesn’t bother me, but even though they say quartz is stain resistant, if you encounter a small or minor mark that needs to get rubbed out don’t be surprised. I was trying to figure out why the coffee cup caused a ring mark when every other cup we have does not. The coffee cup had an unfinished stone base and that’s the only difference I came come up with.
swivel counter stools
They are typically priced between $50-$100 per square foot without installation. From my experience quartz can be slightly cheaper than granite. As I said earlier, this will be one of your biggest expenses in a kitchen renovation.
We couldn’t be happier with our white quartz countertops and I’m so happy with our choice! They truly are a statement and are the focal point of our kitchen.
I hope this post answers your questions about everything you need to know before choosing quartz countertops. If you have a question about something I missed, ask away in the comments and I’ll try to help!