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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
When deciding on a countertop material for a modern and luxurious kitchen or bathroom, quartz is at the top of most homeowners’ lists. Versatile, functional, and aesthetically pleasing, there’s no doubt that quartz is one of the best materials for countertops.
Among the many types of quartz countertops, white quartz is becoming a popular choice among homeowners. Keep reading to learn how to choose the best white quartz countertop.
White quartz, also known as engineered quartz, is made of about 90% natural ground quartz and 10% resin. Together, these materials create a smooth and bold surface that has the appearance of beautiful natural stone.
White quartz is popular because of its durability. Thanks to its non-porous composition, it doesn’t scratch or dent as easily as its counterparts. Not to mention that it’s fairly resistant to stains — a huge relief for wine and coffee drinkers.
But there is a caveat; because of its non-porous composition, white quartz is rather sensitive to heat. Homeowners who decide to use this material for their countertops should avoid laying hot pans and pots on their counters without a trivet.
With the plethora of options available today, homeowners may have trouble choosing a stylish white quartz countertop to suit their needs. Below are some factors they should consider:
When choosing a material for a kitchen countertop, appearance matters. A stylish countertop can change a kitchen’s aesthetic and a bathroom’s ambiance—and a poor appearance can wreck the interior of both.
However, aesthetic appeal is subjective, so homeowners should focus on what they think looks good—after all, they’re the ones who will be seeing and using it every day.
Distinctions between white countertops can be found in the varying patterns and unique color selections. Though these details may seem small, they can make a large impact on whether a space shines or completely misses the mark.
Products from Ceasarstone’s Pebbles Collection, like 1001 Riverlet, are great for homeowners who want to purchase a white quartz countertop.
To achieve the best white quartz countertops in a kitchen or bathroom, manufacturers need to use the appropriate ratio of natural stone and resin. The best white quartz has 90% natural quartz and only a small percentage of resin material, but not all brands adhere to the same standard.
This important factor is why homeowners must think about where they’re getting their quartz countertops. It’s best to go for manufacturers like Caesarstone, which specializes in making best-in-class, expertly crafted white quartz countertops that last a lifetime.
Cost is another aspect homeowners should consider, especially those redecorating or designing their kitchens on a budget.
A lot of people think that white quartz is expensive. But, compared to other materials like marble, it’s actually quite affordable, both in terms of the initial cost and maintenance expenses.
A countertop’s edge profile can also contribute to its overall appearance and functionality. For example, sharp, straight-line edges look modern, while curved edges can make a countertop feel more artistic and classy.
Manufacturers give their clients different edge profiles that they can select from to achieve the aesthetic they want.
White quartz countertops feature a range of finishes to choose from, such as glossy, matte, polished, or satin. While the finishing touch may seem trivial, it can transform the whole aesthetic of a countertop.
A matte finish, for example, contributes to a warm and muted atmosphere, while a satin finish creates a minimalist and modern look. Ultimately, the best finish would depend on the overall aesthetic that the homeowner is looking to achieve.
A countertop should complement the overall design or motif of the space, as well as the appliances or decor that will be placed atop it. Homeowners should consider their motif when choosing a white quartz countertop to ensure that everything is cohesive and creates a unified design.
To effectively achieve a desired motif, a visualizer can come in handy. Caesarstone’s 3D visualizer can help homeowners envision what their countertop will look like in their kitchen and how it can contribute to the overall design and motif.
White quartz countertops can be ordered as either full slabs or prefabricated. Full slabs are the more expensive of the two but allow homeowners more customizability to create a countertop that aligns with their kitchen design.
Prefabricated countertops, on the other hand, are cheaper and easier to install. Because they are pre-cut, they cost less per square foot compared to full slabs. However, they do not allow for customizability and give homeowners fewer design options.
The thickness of a quartz countertop plays a significant role in its functionality. Since they are more robust and sturdy, a thicker slab can carry more weight, but they are more expensive than thinner slabs and don’t provide the same sleekness.
When deciding on the thickness of a quartz countertop, homeowners should consider functionality, reliability, and longevity above all else. These factors are more important than aesthetics and will ensure that homeowners make the most out of their investment.
White quartz countertops come in various shades and patterns, each creating a distinct look that works well with specific motifs and kitchen designs. Below are the different colors available and the aesthetic each one provides.
Quartz countertop shadeAesthetic1141 Pure White– Clean, timeless- Smooth, polished look – Contemporary5111 Statuario Nuvo– Opaque cream surface – Stoney veins on the surface – Best warm white quartz countertop – Minimalist and classic aesthetic 5114 Calacatta Maximus– Pure white background with copper-gold outline- Soft greige veining – Luxurious and modern aesthetic 4011 Cloudburst Concrete– Deep shade with a subtle shine – Suitable for both light and dark kitchens – Elegant industrial aesthetic 5031 Statuario Maximus– Soft white background with warm gray veining – Creates a focal point – Modern and minimalist aestheticChoosing a luxurious white quartz countertop for kitchen and bathroom use can be difficult, especially with the vast array of options that homeowners have. A good principle to abide by is to consider the look and design of the kitchen as a whole and then find a countertop that will complement and enhance the chosen motif.
To do that, homeowners may need to test out different colors and patterns, which they can do with samples. Order a sample of Caesarstone white quartz today.
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