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White Quartz Countertops: Pros and Cons

Author: Marina

Mar. 07, 2024

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Tags: Minerals & Metallurgy

Homeowners have a variety of options for kitchen countertops and the sheer number of choices is enough to confuse anyone. One of the most popular countertop choices now is a white quartz countertop, but just like any other material, it comes with advantages and disadvantages. This article provides an honest white quartz countertops pros and cons breakdown.

We at Granite Selection have been in the business long enough to know the preferred materials for kitchen countertops. Quartz is a commonly used material for indoor floors, backsplashes, and countertops; this naturally occurring mineral is durable, elegant, and sleek. Moreover, quartz countertops are stain-resistant, thus requiring little maintenance. These granite countertops come in various colors, and white is just one of them.

Many people are intimidated by white quartz countertops for obvious reasons: White shows dirt and stains quite easily. However, white also lends itself to modern, minimalist interiors that are very in style. White is also pristine and classy. Hence, despite some obvious drawbacks, white quartz is one of the most popular materials used for countertops.

Are you considering white countertops? It’s worth checking out the pros and cons of white quartz countertops.

WHITE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS PROS

There is a wide range of benefits to this beautiful and durable material that makes it a popular choice among homeowners. From its scratch and chip resistance to its non-porous surface that is highly resistant to stains, white quartz countertops offer both style and practicality.

DURABILITY

First of all, let’s talk about the material itself. Many homeowners choose quartz because this material is durable. That doesn’t mean a quartz granite slab can’t be hammered into pieces. It can be destroyed if one intends to destroy it. But regular homeowners can rest assured that a quartz counter can last longer than cheap alternatives. Clients who have had these countertops installed can attest to how these surfaces withstand everyday use. Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth. It’s pretty hard to scratch it, even with a knife. But we still suggest using a cutting board!

STAIN RESISTANCE

A kitchen is a busy place where anything can spill on the counters. A drop of coffee, chocolate, or spaghetti sauce is all you need to put an ugly spot on the countertop — and a white surface will present that spot as a conspicuous distraction that irks the meticulous guest.

But this is where the type of countertop material becomes important. Quartz is not porous, so stains do not seep into the microscopic holes to haunt fussy homeowners and their visitors. So even though the counter is white, if it’s made of quartz, it’s not going to stain too easily. Spilling some strawberry shake on the countertop won’t be a problem. Are kids coloring with permanent marker? You should be able to wipe it off.

LOW MAINTENANCE

Because the material is both durable and non-porous, it requires little care and maintenance. Scrubbing worktops after cooking is not necessary. Stains can be easily cleaned with a cloth.

Again, the surface is not porous, so it doesn’t provide a good environment for bacteria and mold to proliferate. There are no places for organic matter to get lodged in and cause microorganisms to thrive. Disinfecting surfaces takes care of bacteria from raw meat and food after preparation and a little baking soda helps with any smell. This hygienic precaution keeps kitchens smelling fresh after a good deal of cooking.

VERSATILE APPEAL

White lends itself to classic and modern interiors. It’s trendy, but it’s also timeless. This is why no one can go wrong with white. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in the whole kitchen design, or in the bathroom. White also goes well with almost any color. White quartz counters go well with gray, red, or brown cabinets. Those who are unsure can check out our rich catalog of kitchen designs and themes.

PURE AND CLEAN

White looks clean and neat. For people looking for pristine elegance, white is the way to go. White countertops will never lose their appeal. Many people still prefer a plain color that has no features, speckles, or subtle veining, because it goes with many styles and themes.

BRIGHT AND SPACIOUS

White surfaces reflect more light, so the kitchen or bathroom looks brighter and more inviting. After all, no one likes dark, miserable kitchens. White just makes everything from wines and teas and coffee stains to pasta dishes and cakes look better and tastier.

White also gives an illusion of more space, which small kitchen spaces can benefit from.

However, a fair and honest discussion of the pros and cons of white quartz countertops should include important disadvantages.

Your kitchen will have a new look with this Bianco Pepper quartz countertop.

See the project!

WHITE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS CONS

While there are many benefits to white quartz countertops, there are also some potential downsides that should be considered before making a decision.

HIGH COST

Quartz is not a cheap material. Those on tight budgets may have to skip quartz counters. There are, however, inexpensive alternatives for those who don’t wish to spend too much on kitchen countertops. Wood and laminate are two good examples.

While it’s utterly tempting to impress guests with luxe countertops, it’s a bad idea to spend most of your budget on countertops and skimp on anything else, such as backsplashes and cabinets.

Though expensive, quartz is still cheaper than countertop materials such as natural stone or marble. However, the cost of installing quartz countertops is higher than the cost of installing other types of countertops, like natural stones.

The high cost comes with the benefits mentioned above, and people who put durability above anything else will find that quartz is an ideal choice. It’s for people who consider their kitchen worktops a long-term investment. After all, if it’s expensive but it lasts much longer than the cheap alternatives, you’re still making a cost-effective choice.

LOOKS DIRTY QUITE EASILY

Quartz surfaces are easy to clean, but until those drops of chocolate aren’t wiped off, they will remain noticeable. That’s what white surfaces do — make everything on them appear more visible, more distracting. All that oil splatter after frying chicken will definitely call your attention. This color hides nothing- so make sure to invest in a magic eraser.

BORING

Some people don’t like plain white because it’s featureless and bland. Not everyone likes a snowy ambiance in the kitchen. Some people dislike the brightness that this color brings. White cabinets and worktops can be so delicate and intimidating as to keep anyone from preparing food on them.

We have a number of options in this case. There are other colors to choose from. There are other varieties of white worktops. However, those who are still considering white countertops may be surprised to see how white quartz effortlessly blends with other colors and materials. Smart kitchen designs can still incorporate white surfaces, but for a large part, white quartz is good for minimalist designs.

VULNERABILITY TO HEAT

One of quartz’s weaknesses is its low resistance to heat. Unlike granite, it succumbs to heat quite easily and may get scorch marks from hot skillets, hot pots, or hot pans. People working in busy kitchens should remember that heat marks on white quartz countertops are expensive to remove before they start their kitchen remodel.

DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR INDOOR USE

If you’re planning to build an outdoor kitchen, it’s important to note that quartz countertops may not be the best choice. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause discoloration and fade the pigments, resulting in an unappealing yellow tint. The same goes for sun-drenched rooms with large windows – even indirect UV light can cause fading over time. To ensure your quartz countertops maintain their vibrant colors, it’s best to choose another material for outdoor and highly sunlit areas.

INSTALLATION CHALLENGES

Quartz slabs are particularly heavy. They require professional installation and sturdy reinforcement and should be done only by professionals. Botched DIY kitchen projects where counters show seams at sections where slabs meet are mistakes that are expensive to fix.

TIME TO GIVE SOME STYLE TO YOUR KITCHEN!

Our white quartz countertops will make your kitchen shine! White quartz’s pros absolutely beat its cons, and it’s worth every penny!

GET AN INSTANT QUOTE ON YOUR KITCHEN PROJECT

ARE WHITE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS WORTH IT: FINAL THOUGHTS

If you’re looking for a durable and low-maintenance option for your kitchen countertops, white quartz countertops might be worth considering.  MSI Q Quartz countertops are a great choice as they offer both durability and style.

While quartz is not as heat-resistant as granite, it is still scratch-resistant and highly resistant to stains. Additionally, white quartz countertops provide a clean and modern look that can brighten up any kitchen. So if you’re looking for a countertop material that will last for years to come and require minimal upkeep, white quartz might just be the way to go.

If you have questions or if you need a professional suggestion, our team at Granite Selection is always willing to help.

Give us a call at (888) 906 3317 and we’ll be happy to assist you.

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White quartz countertops, clean and eye-catching, fit comfortably with a variety of other colors and designs in kitchens and bathrooms. A popular choice when considered against other countertop materials like marble, laminate, granite, or solid surface, white quartz countertops are durable, low-maintenance, and waterproof.

If you're considering white quartz countertops, learn more about their cost, pros and cons, durability, and maintenance requirements.

What Are Quartz Countertops?

Quartz countertops are synthetic or engineered materials using minerals, including quartz, as the main ingredient. The highly concentrated slabs are strong and dense, much like natural stone.

Quartz countertops are made of a mixture of about 90-percent crushed granite, marble, quartz, and recycled industrial waste. The remaining 10-percent of quartz countertops is composed of resin binders. 

Pros and Cons of White Quartz Countertops

Pros

  • Hard: White quartz countertops are very hard due to the presence of quartz in the material. Quartz is harder than glass and many metals. 
  • Easy to clean: White quartz countertops are easier to clean than porous white countertops like marble.
  • Scratch-resistant: White quartz countertops are extremely scratch-resistant—hard enough to dull knives.
  • Waterproof: White quartz countertops are waterproof, unlike competing materials like white marble. This also makes white quartz highly stain-resistant.
  • Consistency: Flaws found in natural stone are engineered out of white quartz countertops by the manufacturing process.
  • Stone-like: White quartz countertops look and feel much like natural stone yet with a resin content that makes them easier to maintain than real stone.
  • Flexible styles: White quartz countertops fit comfortably in contemporary settings as well as in classic spaces where the look of marble is a better fit.

Cons

  • Not heat-resistant: Hot pans will scorch white quartz countertops, producing yellow or brown marks. Scorch marks require professional care to fix.
  • Show dirt easily: White quartz countertops show dirt and scuff marks from appliances and tools more easily than darker-colored countertop materials.
  • Difficult to repair: Quartz countertops require acrylic adhesives and epoxies for repair, and this is best done by professionals. White quartz countertops, in particular, are difficult to repair because repairs are more obvious.
  • Expensive: Quartz countertops range from $53 to $149 per square foot.

    White quartz countertop costs an average of $65 per square foot.
  • Seams: Countertop size is not limited to the sizes of the quartz countertop slabs, but adjacent slabs will have seams. Seams can sometimes be conspicuous, if not done properly.
  • Manufactured: Though white quartz countertops may look like natural white marble taken from a quarry, they are not. Quartz countertops are a composite product manufactured in a factory.
  • Professional installation required: Do-it-yourself installation of white quartz countertops is generally not recommended. A high level of skill and specialized tools are required to fabricate and install quartz countertops.

Durability

White quartz countertops are highly durable because they are waterproof, resist cracking, and are very hard.

Quartz, the majority mineral in most quartz countertops, is rated high on the Mohs Hardness Scale. By way of comparison, talc and gypsum, ranked around 1 or 2, can be scratched with a fingernail. A diamond ranks at 10. Quartz is 7 on the Mohs Scale, and most white quartz countertops have about 25-percent quartz.

Though white quartz countertops look and feel like marble or stone, they don't always behave like stone. The 90-percent mineral content can stand up to heat, but the remaining 10-percent resins cannot. 

Hot and even moderately hot pans will scorch the material, turning it brown or yellow. Known as a resin burn, this discoloration requires the attention of a countertop technician. Scorch marks cannot always be removed, even by the pros. 

Tip

White quartz countertop material's heat limit is 150°F. Considering that boiling water is 212°F, this means that most hot pans should stay off of the white quartz or should be placed on trivets.

Styles

Since they are engineered products, quartz countertops come in a broad range of colors, from black and gray to lighter, brighter colors, and, of course, white.

But white quartz countertops aren't only plain white. With a chameleon-like ability to look either classic or modern, white quartz countertops fit in a wide variety of kitchens and baths.

Solid White Quartz Countertops

Bright, solid white quartz counters have a smooth appearance that's minimal and contemporary. With no veins or additional imbued colors, solid white quartz counters will not clash with other colors in the room.

White Marbled Quartz Countertops

Veining helps marbled white quartz countertops adopt the look of real Calacatta marble. Marbled white quartz comes in a variety of veining colors, with shades of gray being the most common.

Speckled White Quartz Countertops

Like granite, speckled white quartz countertops are dotted with tiny dots of gray, blue, brown, or black. Some speckled quartz counters mix in gold or silver sparkles for an effect that catches the light.

Cost of White Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops cost from $53 to $149 per square foot. The average cost of an installed quartz countertop is about $100 per square foot. The average cost of a quartz countertop in a kitchen is just above $4,000, for 40 square feet of quartz countertop.

As premium selections, white quartz countertops can be expected to cost more than the average quartz countertop.

Maintenance

White quartz countertops are nearly pore-free and absorb almost no liquids. This means that this material does not stain in the same way as marble or granite: by the pores filling in with the staining material. 

Instead, quartz stains when aggressive liquids like red wine, tomato sauce, or coffee react with the resin content. The resins will then stain. Stains on white quartz countertops can be avoided by using protective surfaces like cutting boards and by cleaning up spills immediately.

How to Clean and Care for White Quartz Countertops

Cleaning and caring for quartz countertops is easy for both daily and deep cleanings.

  • Daily cleaning: Clean quartz countertops with a damp, warm rag or microfiber towel and mild soap. The soap pH needs to be between 5 and 8 to avoid damage. Do not use abrasives to clean quartz counters. Even cleaning with baking soda should be avoided.
  • Deep cleaning: For less frequent deep cleaning, use a soft-bristled nylon brush, along with a quartz/stone countertop cleaner.

FAQ

  • Is white quartz a durable countertop?

    White quartz is a durable countertop. White quartz countertops are highly stain-resistant but not stainproof. Aggressive stains from red wine or tomato sauce will react with the resins if not mopped up quickly. The material is very hard, so it does not easily scratch. But white quartz countertops will scorch with even moderate heat, so trivets and hot pads are required.

  • Is white quartz more expensive than granite?

    Quartz countertops are generally less expensive than slab granite countertops. But factors—one of which is style selection—can make quartz more expensive than granite. Choosing one of the white styles of quartz countertops can raise its cost.

White Quartz Countertops: Pros and Cons

Everything You Need to Know About White Quartz Countertops

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