white White kitchen with Calacatta Valentin Quartz Countertop

Despite what you may think, a kitchen is never merely confined to cooking: it can become your house’s focal point for eating and entertainment too. With the kitchen being the heart of many homes, no wonder there is such a wide array of options for countertops. So many that those looking to furnish their houses might feel lost. If that’s the case for you, don’t worry. We got your back.

You may or may not know that one of the most popular choices for kitchen countertops is to have them in quartz. But why is that the case? What are the pros and cons of such a choice? To find the answers to these questions, keep reading. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about white quartz countertops, including the benefits and drawbacks of installing one in your house.

Image: Interior Design by O’ Hara Interiors / White quartz Calacatta Valentin by MSI Surfaces

Why Quartz?

Quartz is a common material in interior design. It is durable, elegant, and stylish. With minimalism becoming trendy, white quartz countertops are getting more popular. After all, like with anything in decor, it can show your personality.

Many doubt installing anything white in their houses because of the risk of getting them stained. And a countertop has a high probability of becoming dirty in little time. Well, you may be wrong. White quartz is incredibly durable, and it is one of the most prominent competitors of premium surfaces such as marble or granite.

To make an informed decision for the decor of your house, it might be worth getting familiar with the pros and cons of white quartz. While being an excellent material, it might not be the best choice for everybody.

The Pros of White Quartz Countertops

Let’s start with the positives. If white quartz countertops are so popular, there is a reason. It might be more appropriate to talk in the plural. Indeed, there are several benefits of choosing to install a white quartz countertop in your kitchen.

Superior Durability

Quartz is one of the most preferred surfaces for a kitchen because of its superior durability. Of course, it does not mean that you wouldn’t be able to smash it into pieces if you wanted to. Instead, what it means is that compared to other cheaper (and more expensive) materials, it tends to last longer and withstand wear from everyday usage. If you’d like to test this mineral, you may want to try to scratch it with a knife: you’ll notice how hard it is. Plus, as a confirmation of its durability, a quartz countertop typically comes with a long-term warranty.

Despite being white, it is easy to clean!

None wants to have dirty kitchens. Not only do they look messy, but they also affect the overall aesthetics of your home. And kitchens are one of the busiest and most exposed places in your house. Chances are you cannot remember how many times you or your kids spilled something on the countertop.

Quartz is durable and non-porous, meaning that stains from any liquid will not seep into the material. No matter what you spill on your surface, you’ll be able to remove it efficiently in little time. Whether it is coffee, tomato sauce, or even strawberry shake, you can rest assured that your white countertop will get back to its original color after a thorough cleaning session.

It is Classy but Low Maintenance

We just mentioned how easy white countertops are to clean, but we haven’t mentioned the details. Because of its characteristics, you can clean quartz from all stains with a cloth. Plus, the absence of pores makes it impossible for organic matter to get trapped and cause bacteria and mold to thrive. So no more hard scrubbing after cooking!

Additionally, the non-porosity makes quartz countertops completely waterproof, meaning you won’t have to worry about getting them inflated or ruined by liquid spilling (as you might have to do with wood or other materials).

Of course, you may want to consider disinfecting surfaces to eliminate bacteria from raw meat and other foods to keep the kitchen smelling fresh at all times.

Who Doesn’t Love the Color White?

White makes everything look neat and trendy. It is a timeless color that adapts perfectly to either classic or modern designs. You cannot go wrong with it. Not only does it suit any other color, allowing you to pick cabinets and furniture of your favorite shade, but it also adds elegance to your space.

Additionally, white surfaces reflect light, meaning that a quartz countertop of this color will make your kitchen look brighter and more attractive. On the other hand, dark kitchens are unpractical (you have to see what you are cooking, right?) and not as inviting as light-colored ones.

If that was still not enough for you, white quartz countertops also create an illusion of space in the house. Indeed, when you cannot rely on a big home, you must play with colors and lighting to make your rooms look bigger.

The Cons of White Quartz Countertops

Of course, we couldn’t call this an essential guide without including the drawbacks of selecting this kind of material for your kitchen. While there are not many downsides, they might be crucial for your decision. Make sure you pay attention to this next section to discover if white quartz countertops are the appropriate choice for you.

It is Expensive

Compared to other materials, white quartz is expensive. Of course, the investment is well worth it, given the durability and sleek looks of these kinds of countertops. Plus, it is much cheaper when compared to marble or granite.

Still, when the budget is tight, you may have to abandon your dreams and go for cheaper materials such as wood and laminate.

It is a bad idea to spend most of your money on the countertop and save on other important pieces of furniture. Additionally, the cost of installing quartz is on the high side. That has to do with the heavyweight of this mineral and the need for extra reinforcement. For this reason, we advise against any DIY project for quartz. Instead, rely on the work of professionals to avoid ruining the material.

If you value durability and consider the decor of your kitchen investment for the future, quartz is among the best choices of materials for a countertop.

If you Don’t Give it Appropriate Care, it can look dirty.

Don’t get this wrong. Cleaning white quartz is an easy task, but you’ll have to do it. If you don’t commit to removing stains, they will be noticeable. After all, it is a white surface, which means that everything that spills on it will appear visible and create a distraction. If you are thinking of getting a white countertop in your kitchen, you must ensure you can give it appropriate maintenance. While not challenging, it must be consistent and regular.

It doesn’t stand much heat.

One of the most considerable drawbacks of white quartz is its low resistance to heat. You should never lay a hot pan or skillet on it if you don’t want a noticeable mark to show up. And removing it will not only be challenging but also expensive. Of course, you can solve this issue by making sure you use heat protection underneath your hot cooking equipment.

Something that may be harder to manage is exposure to sunlight. Because of quartz’s vulnerability to heat, radiation from the sun might cause an unattractive yellowish discoloration. Depending on the amount of light your kitchen gets during the day, you may have to choose another material for your countertop. Adding UV filters to your windows would be a smart move if you don’t want to change your plans.

Conclusion

Despite what you may think, white quartz countertops are neither bland nor boring. Instead, they make up for an elegant and stylish addition to your kitchen. They can make your space look bigger and brighter and can contribute to improving your house’s aesthetics. If you are not convinced, there are plenty of options in terms of color and patterns for quartz countertops. Check them out!

Of course, as you might know by now, there are pros and cons of installing a surface made of this material in your kitchen. After all, there is no size-fits-all in interior design. A lot has to do with personal taste, but you should also consider usability. If you use the kitchen often, you may want to invest in a higher-quality countertop. If you are not tight on the budget, you can consider premium materials such as marble or granite as well.

One of the best parts is that white is a timeless color. Whether it will be trendy in the years to come or not, it is so versatile it can suit any design.

Overall, one of the best ways for making the right decision is to assess the drawbacks against the benefits. With this essential guide, this might be slightly easier for you. To make the right decision, consider what’s most important to you. Do you prefer to have a trendy and long-lasting countertop (even if that comes at a high price), or would you rather invest in the overall looks of your home?

The post Everything You Need to Know About White Quartz Countertops appeared first on Decoholic.

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