Kitchen Countertops Pros and Cons

montauk white quartz counterops with grey marbling
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Why buy laminate countertops?

Laminate is a strong countertop with its plywood base. Laminate will last around 10-15 years. If exposed to water, it can come away from the plywood base, but can be easily glued back into place. It will scratch if a knife comes in contact with it. It’s a low maintenance countertop that doesn’t need any special maintenance on it. 

Laminate plastic surface is susceptible to heat, and can melt if a hot pot comes in contact with it. Place any hot pots and pans on a wooden cutting board.

Budget friendly

laminate kitchen countertop cherry cabinets

How to clean a laminate countertop?

clean with soap and water and it will be as good as new.

Whar color is the best for laminate countertops for white cabinets?

  • white
  • grey
  • black
  • neutral colors

Why buy granite countertops?

Granite countertops will last you the life of your kitchen. They resist scratches and stains, especially with the darker granites like grey and black.

Granite is a porous material that requires sealing every decade to keep it long lasting, which you can do yourself.

Dark granite countertops are among the strongest countertops you can get for your kitchen. Granite is a natural stone that is not affected by heat. Place hot pots and pans directly on the countertop with no issues.  

It’s very uncommon to get a chip or a crack in a granite countertop.

Granite is unique in that it’s a natural stone material. Every piece of granite is going to have different patterns  

What does granite feel like?

Granite feels sleek, smooth, hard and durable.

Should granite countertops be as smooth as glass?

Yes. It should feel as smooth as glass.

grey granite bathroom countertop

Why buy quartz for kitchen countertops?

Quartz is the newest trend in modern kitchen renovations. With it’s neutral colors and low maintenance, it’s the most common kitchen countertop going into renovations these days.

  • durable and stronger than granite
  • non-porous – no bacterial growth unlike granite that is porous
  • no maintenance, unlike granite which needs sealing every 10 years
  • man-made – more even pattern/colors possible than granite which will be more unique patterns

What are the downsides to quartz countertops?

  • not heat resistant – always need a hot pad put underneath hot pots and pans
  • more likely to stain/stratch/chip unlike granite
  • price – very expensive
montauk white quartz counterops with grey marbling

How to clean quartz countertops?

  • soap and water with a soft cloth
  • for specific stains and what cleaning products to use, see your quartz manufacturer for guidelines
white bathroom vanity ideas
Quartz bathroom countertop with white vanity

White Quartz Countertops with Grey Veins

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Selecting a white quartz countertop with grey veins is a difficult choice for your home renovation. There are countless types of white, cream,  or ivory quartz countertops. 

It’s best to go with something not super white as it can be hard on the eyes, depending on the color of your cabinets and floors. Picking a more neutral cream or ivory is more soft and eye catching than a pure white quartz countertop.

Marbling throughout your countertop can be too busy of a pattern for some. It can be hard to look at, even distracting for some it’s too overwhelming of a pattern.

blanco silgranit sink

Montauk is a white quartz countertop with grey veins throughout the pattern. It’s a soft white with light grey veins, giving just a hint of a pattern. Montauk will go with many different cabinet colors: white, dark brown, black, etc. It’s higher end than your average quartz countertop. 

Montauk is made by Hanstone Quartz. Their countertops are of premium quality.

  • Heat resistant
  • Stain and scratch resistant
  • Strong and sturdy
  • Sustainable sources

How to care for your white quartz countertop?

  • Wash with soap and water daily
  • Use a soft cloth

What do you do if your white quartz countertops stain?

  • Immediately wash thoroughly with soap and water
  • Try visiting Hanstone’s recommendations for your specific stain if it won’t come off with soap and water

Why choose quartz for your countertop?

  • Strongest component of natural granite
  • Quartz crystals create a very hard surface which will resist scratches and stains
  • Non-porous surface – resists bacteria growth

How long does it take to template a countertop?

  •  The person will come to your house to take all the measurements in about an hour. 

You will have to decide many finishing touches for your countertops during the visit:

  • Edging finishes – round, textured
  • Length of overhang for a breakfast bar
  • Length of the side overhang for your bathroom counters
  • Height of the backsplash for your bathroom if you’re getting side paneling quartz

How long until the quartz countertops will be made?

  • It will take about ~ 3 weeks after the measurements are taken
  • Installation is usually over a couple of hours – depending on how many seams there are

White quartz countertops pros and cons

Pros:

  • Clean lines
  • Goes with many different colors and styles of cabinetry
  • Bright – lighting will illuminate the countertop well and give it a picturesque look
  • Modern look

Cons:

  • Risk of staining – blueberries, red wine, tomato sauce, etc.
  • Expensive
  • Cannot handle hot pans directly put on it – need to put them on a cutting board just in case
  • Risk of chipping
  • Metal pots/bowls can make marks on the countertop

White quartz countertops are the newest trend in modern kitchens. The white on white clean look is beautiful. You will have to take care of your countertops, it’s not a set it and forget it. Clean up messes and spills right away with soap and water. Taking care of your new kitchen will all be worth it after years of use. 

white quartz countertops with grey veins