Before Buying Quartz Countertops, Read Here

06, Aug. 2024

 

Before Buying Quartz Countertops, Read Here

Do you already have a remodeling plan in place?

Before you get to shopping for your quartz countertops, at least have a well-established remodel plan for your kitchen or bathroom. Think about how long you will be living in that house, as well as other fixtures and cabinetries that will need to match your countertops. You will also need to consider the types of upgrades that are most popular in the surrounding homes.

With competitive price and timely delivery, Holy sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

A kitchen is the home hub, where cooking takes place, entertainment of guests and the relaxing area'your quartz countertops must reflect all this. Reno Quartz countertops must suit your living space, compliment all your needs and taste. Today, we have the most exciting varied quartz countertops choices. Buying them will therefore require you to be equipped with informative tips on buying quartz countertops. Read on.

Before buying quartz countertops, you should know:

  • Function comes First- Every house is different. You therefore, do not expect quartz countertops to be a one size fits all material. Engineered stone is available in different types and colors, with some specifically made for certain kitchens and bathrooms. The first tip on buying quartz countertops is to remember to rank the important features such as stain resistance, durability, ease of maintenance and cost before you get to purchase your quartz countertops.

  • The Signature Style of your quartz countertops- Feel free to shop around for the most appropriate quartz slab. Make sure you are comfortable with details such as the look, texture, feel, and color shades of the available slabs. Should your countertops be warm or cool to the touch? Are the integrated sinks important? Would you like a seamless appearance and bright colors? These are some of the additional details to consider, not to mention smaller details such as countertop thickness, the overhangs and edge profiles. The end result should be nothing short of appealing to your eyes.

  • How to Mix up different types of quartz countertops- Each type of quartz comes with its own unique strengths'from ease of maintenance to heat and scratch resistance features. Therefore how do you pick one from all the different types? Well perhaps you shouldn't just settle for one. There are some Reno homeowners and Nevada countertops fabricators who feel that you should mix up different type of quartz to produce the most ideal kitchen. 

  • How Established Your Budget is before

    buying quartz countertops

    ' This part is probably the hardest for most people, although it is the only way you will be able to lay down your options. In addition to the cost of the materials, remember to account for any other fees including delivery costs and installation fees, or any custom details you might need such as edge treatment, integrated sink or backsplashes.

The most important tip on buying quartz countertops is to remember to take home a large sample before purchase

Quartz countertops come in numerous variations starting from the colors, patterns, and some tone qualities referred to as vein movement. Types of quartz that have uniform speckled patterns are referred to as 'consistent,' whereas 'variegated' slabs have a more disparate veining or swirls, meant to mimic natural stones such as marble.

Unlike granite countertops, you can get multiple slabs of quartz in the same color, patterns, and veining. To have a close idea of what your quartz countertop will look like in your space, carry home a large sample from the showroom and try to envision it installed. Very small sample might not bring out the real picture.

To get more tips on buying quartz countertops in Reno, visit Accent Countertops Reno showroom and you will meet a countertops expert who will not only guide you through some quartz countertops buying tips but will also be present from the time you choose your slab, to the final installation stage.

Pros and Cons of Picking White Quartz Countertops

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Updated: March 24,

White quartz countertops is one of the top 'must haves' in current kitchen trends for homeowners going into renovations or new builds in ! Quartz countertops offers up a look and lifestyle we just couldn't match with other surfaces. After reading this post, you will know how low maintenance quartz actually is, the pros and cons, popular kinds of white quartz you'll want to consider, and how our quartz countertops held up after 4.5 years for our family of 6.

Everything You Need to Know Before Choosing Quartz Countertops

We've had our white quartz countertops installed for 4.5 years in our kitchen and all bathrooms. We used:

  • Cambria Brittanicca
  • Viatera Minuet
  • Cosmos White

Towards the bottom of this post I'll share more photos of our quartz countertops and recommend names of popular white quartz you can consider.

Above: my boys' bathroom

What Are Quartz Countertops Made From?

Quartz countertops are man made. They are not a slab pulled from a rock quarry ' they are what is called 'engineered stone', as in made in a factory. Quartz is made from mixing crushed up pieces of (real, actual) quartz and other stones, and bonding all the pieces together with plastic resin.

Our stone manufacture told us quartz countertops are roughly about 90% ground up particles of real stone, and 10% plastic resin. t's that 90% that gives quartz countertops the look of real, natural stone to the untrained eye!

But since quartz isn't pulled from a quarry, the slabs are manufactured in a variety of designs so you can find the colors and veining you want!

How Low Maintenance Is White Quartz, Really?

A quick google search of quartz makes the stone sound like an overblown exaggeration. We read it was more durable than granite, and no sealing ever! (Does anyone actually seal their granite yearly?)

You will not have to seal quartz, ever.

Quartz countertops should not be used as a cutting surface ' although it likely won't ruin the countertop ' it will just ruin your knives. Because quartz is almost impossible to scratch, our countertops still look new 4 years later! Even with 4 kids who are determined to tear apart my house (and a year spent at home during ) ' my countertops are the one thing here that still look brand new.

It is true; no maintenance is required.

Do White Quartz Countertops Stain?

We do not baby our countertops. We use our island heavily ' mainly, piling up all our crap (that's what they are there for!). But also for cooking, homework, kids crafts. Our white quartz is just about indestructible. Case in point:

a regular day at home during when schools were shut down

No, white quartz countertops does not stain. Ours see red wine, lemon, red slime, coffee spills, all of it. They are non-porous, meaning they don't soak up and hold onto spills.

I once forgot to bring a box of popsicles to a party and left them out on the kitchen island ' I came home late in the evening to melted, rainbow food coloring all over the white quartz countertops!

For that dark stubborn spill, I used my beloved Shout Out (the laundry cleaner). One spray, a few minutes of soaking, and the colorful stain wiped away clean to reveal the bright white countertop. If you like a more natural approach, just try a baking soda and water paste. 

Shortly after move-in day a dream crushing child wrote with permanent marker on our white quartz island! I shed actual tears, thinking it was forever. We gave it several 5 minute soaks with rubbing alcohol and were able to lift all the ink up, leaving just clean white countertops behind. The alcohol did not lift or change the finish on the counter.

How To Clean Stubborn Stains Off White Quartz Countertops?

  • Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol soak
  • A soak with a paste mixture made out of baking soda + water
  • I use a soak with a liquid glass cleaner or laundry stain remover like Shout Out (Just my personal experience that these do well. Be sure to clean it up afterwards to make it food safe)

Sources: Anti-fatigue mat | cherry blossoms | kaftan

See 11 Washable Kitchen Runner Rugs here.

How To Clean Quartz Countertops Daily?

You can use a mild cleaner you have on hand; a warm soapy rag, a cleaning wipe, or a Norwex cloth are fine. What you shouldn't use are abrasive cleaners with bleach. It's just not necessary. 

For more information, please visit white calacatta quartz.

Are Quartz Countertops Heat Resistant?

This is something to be careful of ' high heat will damage your countertops! Not a cup of hot coffee though, but a pot out of the oven that gets set down directly on the quartz.

I say this with every ounce of good intention: people get too hung up on the heat issue. Generally speaking, getting the family in the habit of using hot pads under burning hot pans on the counter can be easily accomplished.

It's just like the habit of reaching for a cutting board instead of using the countertop to cut! If my messy tweens and teens can handle it ' it is doable.

Houzz

Are White Quartz Countertops A Good Idea?

White quartz countertops are certainly trending in and going forward into this decade, and they're low maintenance enough to stay in favor with homeowners for the long haul. The value a classic looking quartz offers a kitchen remodel, especially when compared to the cost of granite, makes it a great idea and a solid investment.

If you are concerned about outlasting trends, stick to the classic solid colors of quartz, or subtle veining rather than dramatic veins.

How Much Do Quartz Countertops Cost?

But how much are my quartz countertops going to cost me? The cost of quartz runs $50 to $100 square feet. Premium types of quartz will be on the high side of that range (our Brittanicca island is a premium stone, for instance, and our perimeter White Zen is not).

The installation of quartz is an even bigger range, running between $75 and $200. When getting a quote for the cost of quartz, make sure to ask if the price includes installation, and removal of older countertops if needed!

I recommend making sure you are able to get countertops without a seam. This isn't always possible, but keep looking further if the first answer isn't positive. This will help keep the value of your kitchen.

You will also love reading my guide to 10 different types of white countertops!

The Quartz We Used In Our Home

We chose a balance of using premium high priced quartz, and simple, budget friendly quartz. All 3 kinds of quartz have done well in our home!

Cambria Brittanicca on our Kitchen Island

We chose Cambria Brittanicca for our island, a premium white quartz. Brittanicca is your statement piece for the room!  

Our island is generously sized at 9.7 x 4.3. We now have brass hardware in our kitchen. You can see the change here.

Cambria Brittanicca has a white base with a lot of contrast, thick large veining splashed across it, and bold movement. It has soft warm gray undertones, and the veining is light to medium gray tones. It says 'look at me, I'm so pretty and extroverted!', but it's not ostentatious.

Shop the Look: Counter Stools | Large Palm Leaf | Step Stool | Pendant Light

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A 3' Mitered Edge Countertop

We added a 3' mitered edge just to the island countertop. A mitered edge means the edge is 3' thick around, instead of 1.25' like the perimeter countertops (the standard thickness).

Don't be fooled ' the whole slab is not 3'. Typically a mitered edge has sidepieces that are simply laminated on! In our case here, 3' side was laminated onto the sides. This extra detail cost us right under $. The mitered edge countertop is a detail I don't regret, because it is so noticeable and often commented on.

Cosmos Quartz White Zen On Our Perimeter Quartz Countertops

We saved a little by using White Zen quartz (a less expensive quartz) made by Cosmos on the perimeter countertops. White Zen looks just like what you would imagine ' a pure, solid white countertop. No speckling or veins, nothing 'exciting' but a great backdrop so your kitchen can shine.

Although most of our cabinetry is white, this could look great paired up with the trend of darker, moodier cabinets too!

Get The Look: 2 Gallon Jar | Marble Bookends | Cabinet Pulls

We continued the White Zen all through the house; in all the bathrooms too. Here it is in our powder bath:

Shop The Look : Mirror | Faucet  | Sconce

Viatera Minuet Quartz: A High End Look

I wanted something special in our bathroom. Something high end feeling and lux! We were able to find our Viatera Minuet top from a remnant. What a score!

Sources: Cabinet Pulls | Mirrors | Sconce

Viatera Minuet quartz is made by LG Hausys. Viatera Minuet might by a mouthful to say, but it sure is easy on the eyes! It has grey marbling that makes it look classic and luxurious. It has a rich feel, and somewhat mimics marble.

3 Other Kinds of White Quartz To Consider

When looking at quartz, make sure you ask for a take home sample to see in the light of your own home. What looks like a regular white quartz in the showroom could can be stark and cold  amongst your own lighting. Some of them are also available in a matte finish, but polished looks the cleanest.

1. Cambria Ella

If you have concerns Brittanicca (the quartz on my island) is too bold, Ella is the compromise you are looking for. The veins are thinner, more delicate. Cambria Ella is hands down gorgeous. It gave me pause even though my heart was set on Cambria Brittanicca. Ella looks more like marble with the veining. The white in the quartz is luxe. 

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