23

Aug

Should I Choose White Quartz Countertops?

Quartz kitchen countertops are available in a wide range of patterns, designs, colors. White quartz countertops may not be the first choice of a lot of people, but they are also quite beautiful and ethereal in their own way. Here is everything you need to know about quartz countertops in white color.

Pros Of White Quartz Countertops

White countertops aren’t as unpopular as you think. White is a beautiful color and it really is a style statement. Quartz countertops of white color possess a unique edge, that’s subtle yet noticeable. Here are some things that make white countertops a popular among people.

Stain Resistant

You might think that you’re reading this wrong, but you’re not. White countertops, especially white quartz, and limestone are stain-resistant by nature and that’s because they’re non-porous by nature and there’s no need for you to seal them.

Yes, you might need to clean it every so often because of the white color, but the stains won’t be permanent and you can easily wipe them away with a wet washcloth.

Low Maintenance

White and low maintenance? Yes, that’s news! White countertops aren’t as scary as you think they are. Yes, a lot of people don’t go for lighter colors because they think that they can get dirty and stained, but in reality, darker-colored countertops can show dirt and debris the same way as lighter-colored countertops.

If you compare a black and white countertop, side by side, then the darker countertop will show specks of dust and dirt more prominently, while the lighter countertop won’t show any dust specks at all, but stains may be more visible.

That’s because dust and dirt are also light in color so the speckles can get camouflaged easily over the lighter countertops and this is why you can get away with not cleaning the countertops for a while.

If you want a quartz countertop surface that doesn’t show stains and dust on it, choose colors that are neither too light nor too dark.

They Look Luxurious

White is the color of purity and luxury. Why do you think people adore marble so much, even though it’s a pain to maintain? The main reason is because of the stark and light color marble is known for. The beauty is enough for people to get entranced and they don’t mind the maintenance, as long as it has that luxurious and opulent appeal. White countertops can really add that stylish and majestic edge to your kitchen.

And when you have white quartz countertops, they require less maintenance compared to marble or any other natural stone. So, you enjoy the luxury that the color white emulates and still don’t have to maintain the countertop as much if it were a natural stone.

They Add To The Illusion

White is a unique color because it has the potential to make your kitchen look bigger and brighter. The stark light color of white quartz countertops makes the kitchen look bright as soon as the light reflects off its surface.

It can also make the kitchen look bigger because the countertops seem to blend in with the rest of the kitchen and there’s no harsh demarcation that could divide the space.

So, if you’re looking for a subtle color for your kitchen counter or island, then white countertops are a great option to go for.

Durable Material

Depending on the material of the countertop, they can be extremely durable. Stones like granite and quartz are some of the most durable kitchen countertop materials and they will last you a long time.

Quartz doesn’t need to be maintained a whole lot either, so this quality gives this material extra brownie points.

Cons of White Quartz Countertops

White countertops are great and all, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have any drawbacks. Here are certain things about white quartz countertops that don’t appeal to people as much and because of these reasons, they tend to go for different and other available options.

White Countertops Get Dirty Easily

This is no secret. White is a light color and it is bound to get dirty quickly. Although it doesn’t show dirt and debris, the main culprit for making white quartz countertops look extremely untidy are those pesky food stains and crumbs of dried-up food.

Sometimes, people can’t find the time to regularly clean white countertops, although that should be an everyday habit, and that can lead to stains getting permanent on the surface and they can be a pain to remove.

You’ll need to rub the spot with rubbing alcohol or some other potent color remover to get rid of the stains permanently.

Need Regular Cleaning

If you don’t want your white countertops to look dirty at all times, then you need to regularly clean and wipe the surfaces. A lot of the time, the color isn’t the averting factor for people, but it’s the maintenance and people can’t seem to slave over the cleaning of countertops. However, if you’re going for stark white countertops, then you need to make it a point to clean them every day, especially after cooking when you’re done for the night.

You don’t need a ton of fancy stuff either. You can just use a mix of soap and water to clean the countertops and wipe the surfaces dry. If you can spend some cash, buy cleaner made for cleaning quartz surfaces.

They Can Be Plain

Even though white looks very majestic and opulent, a lot of people think of this color as plain and boring. This opinion can differ from person to person, but there is a huge number of people who think that white is too plain and one-dimensional and instead of elevating the look of the kitchen, this color can actually make the space look dull.

This can be true in a lot of cases, which is why there should be some detailing on the quartz surface like mosaic or veining that can add a bit of oomph to the entire look of the countertop.

Not Everyone’s Primary Choice

Believe it or not, white is not the first choice of color for a lot of people. Popular colors are more in the color scheme of blacks, grays, neutral browns, taupe variants, light greens, and blues. Even with marble, people tend to avoid bright white colors because they don’t want to deal with it getting dirty and messy let alone quartz. So, they choose more neutral and warm colors that are “easy to maintain”.

Therefore, if you’re also one of those people who think that white isn’t your favorite color, then these countertops might not be for you.

Heat Stains – Yikes!

Heat stains stand out more prominently on white countertops. A lot of materials that come in white aren’t the best when it comes to heat resistance, like marble, sandstone, and soapstone. If you put hot foods and utensils on the surface of the countertops, then it can lead to the formation of black stains that not only look ugly but can’t be removed by scrubbing or wiping.

Even though quartz is heat resistant, it’s not heat proof and putting extremely hot pans on it will show stains. Because of the white color, the stains may appear more prominent.

Conclusion

White countertops, no matter how much you care for them, are going to get stained. The color is extremely light and this can be a deal maker or breaker for the masses. However, the luxury feel of white quartz countertops attracts people to it. Get in touch with a quartz countertops contractor Rockville to see the types and patterns of white quartz they have.

09

Aug

Are Granite Countertops Overrated?

Granite is considered to be the most popular choice for kitchen countertops, out of all natural stones, and for particularly good reasons. This is because granite countertops are beautiful to look at, they’re extremely long-lasting and granite is a classic option that never goes out of style. Due to this popularity, some think of it as overrated? Let’s know if they are.

The Affordability Of Granite Countertops

Granite is a material that’s considered to be reasonably priced, most of the time. As far as the material is concerned, it’s not as expensive. So, what’s the hold-up? If people love granite so much and the price is not an issue, then why don’t they go for it? Well, the main reason is the price of maintaining this material.

Even though granite, as a material, isn’t expensive at all, it has a lot of maintenance costs and post-installation costs that can put a dent in your wallet. It’s mainly the reason why people don’t go for it.

The Maintenance Of Granite Countertops

The maintenance of granite is nothing less than a pain in the neck. Even though it’s not a demanding material if you’re talking day-to-day because it can be easily wiped down with a wet washcloth and some soap and you’re done for the day. But that doesn’t mean that its annual maintenance is as easy.

Granite is a natural stone, so it’s going to have a lot of pores on its surface. Now, at first glance, these pores might seem harmless, but you don’t want to leave them be. These pores are quick to absorb any trace of liquid or moisture on the surface of the stone and that can greatly damage the countertop over time.

This is why sealing these countertops is very important because if you’re spending a good amount of money on granite, then you definitely want to do everything in your power to preserve the look of it for as long as possible. You also want to keep it away from harsh and acidic cleaners, because that’s just asking for an accident.

The Appearance Of Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the most beautiful natural stones out there. The look of granite is so ethereal and beautiful and it is one of its kind. Granite is usually a darker stone, but it’s also available in lighter colors.

The main feature of this stone is the speckles of grains and veining spread throughout the surface. In certain lights, this constellation of grains can shimmer and it looks absolutely beautiful. People who want a beautiful material for their kitchen countertops adore granite.

The Variety Of Granite Countertops

Granite is not just a beautiful material. It’s also available in a huge variety considering that it’s a natural material. Most people would think that granite has a smaller range of patterns and colors, but the design catalog will show you otherwise. There are lighter-colored variants, dark stones, and even rare colors like blue, gray, and purple that are artsy and mesmerizing in their own way.

The signature veining can be light, dark, thick, and thin in various stones and all of these things combined form the beauty of granite that’s unmatched in the world of kitchen countertops.

Things To Know About Granite Countertops

Here are some additional things to know about granite countertops, to show whether they’re overrated or not.

They’re Natural

Granite is a natural material. It’s dug up from the Earth in huge pieces, then these huge pieces are taken to factories where they’re cut into more manageable and countertop-sized slabs. It can be an advantage as well as a disadvantage. Granite being a natural stone has a very beautiful look, that doesn’t need to be altered and it can be installed as it is.

As a downside, however, granite needs to be sealed otherwise the surface will be covered in splotches and stains.

Good Heat Resistance

Granite is one of the few stones that are highly heat resistant. You might have heard a lot that you’re not supposed to put hot pots and foods directly on the surface of the countertop because that can blitz the surface and lead to hideous heat stains.

Well, you don’t need to worry about these stains when granite is concerned. Granite can naturally withstand high temperatures, reaching up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit and it won’t crack or chip easily with heat.

However, if the heat is high enough, it can stain the surface and even crack the slab.

Installation Is Hard

Installation of granite is a tedious process because of two main reasons. Firstly, granite is an extremely heavy material and if you’re getting slabs, then they’re going to be hard to carry around and manage during granite countertop installation.

Secondly, if you’re getting granite tiles installed, then they’re a breeze to manage and handle, but seams are going to be a huge issue. Seams are the inconsistencies or gaps in the tiles and smaller slabs that can look very unappealing.

Seams are very hard to get rid of and the slabs/tiles need to be placed meticulously to ensure that the pattern is consistent on the top, like a perfect puzzle.

A Sanitary Material

Granite is a very sanitary material given that it’s sealed in the first place. A lot of the time, porous stones and materials are hotspots for bacteria and small organisms can thrive in these small crevices.

This is not ideal especially if you’re using the countertop to deal with edible items. Juices and moisture leaking from fruits, vegetables, and even meats can penetrate the pores of the material and that can be very unappetizing to think about.

If the countertops are sealed, however, this is not going to be a problem and you can say goodbye to bacteria for good.

Adds Value To Your Home

Granite might be an expensive material, but a lot of the time, it’s considered an investment for your home. Confused? Well, granite is a very popular and sought-after material, and if you’re trying to sell your home, then the addition of granite countertops in your kitchen might just get you a killer deal on the property.

Potential buyers will love the fact that the kitchen comes with granite countertops already installed, so they won’t hesitate to offer you a price higher than your initial demand.

They Can Crack

This fact might come as a shock to you because granite is marketed to be extremely durable and strong, but yes, it’s not invincible and it can crack and chip.

The most fragile parts of a granite countertop are the edges and the sides. This is where cracks can be the most evident. Cracks can occur if you’re bumping into the slab too hard or are standing on top of the counters. Countertops are not meant to hold the weight of a normal person and you shouldn’t test their limits. It’s best that you don’t put too much force on countertops.

Conclusion

Granite countertops are great and all, but that doesn’t mean that it’s the first choice for most people. Some may feel they are overrated and that’s fine.

However, if we look at its benefits and drawbacks, granite is popular for a reason (well, many reasons). Even though it can crack and requires sealing, it’s durable, stain-resistant, withstands heat, and lasts for decades. This justifies its popularity. Get more information on granite countertops by contacting a granite contractor Potomac.