Quartz countertops white or dark for easy maintenance?

[JCC]

Originally Posted by Mitsuko

You are right about contrasts, but I completely disagree about avoiding them. If you use them properly, big or small spaces (especially small spaces!) can gain a lot.


But as the Romans used to say: De gustibus et coloribus non est disputandum.

I wouldn't call either of those stark contrasts...they both look great.

Contrasts in general can go REALLY well, or really badly. We have dark blue lowers and white uppers. It turned out perfectly.

[haivi]

Wow that looks really nice. Probably very expensive as well.

[KainCanada]

I had black granite (black galaxy) in my previous home and never had issues with it. Very resistant, no scratches, never had issues with dust or hand prints showing up. Never cared to seal it either. In my new house I installed white quartz (Caesarstone Frosty Carrina) and I find the material much inferior to granite. I’m not very picky, but after a few years it does have some stains which I wouldn’t expect to see, based on all the rave reviews available about quartz. I’m very careful about hot pans - which is not an issue at all with granite. Another issue is about the edges getting chipped. Although they can be fixed, I find it very annoying and consider it a clear sign of the product not being as robust and they claim it to be. If you search on Houzz, you’ll find some reviews saying the matte finish is very tricky. I’d stay away from it. Actually, I’d stay away from quartz altogether, if only I could find granite with a similar look.

[Mitsuko]

Originally Posted by KainCanada

I had black granite (black galaxy) in my previous home and never had issues with it. Very resistant, no scratches, never had issues with dust or hand prints showing up. Never cared to seal it either. In my new house I installed white quartz (Caesarstone Frosty Carrina) and I find the material much inferior to granite. I’m not very picky, but after a few years it does have some stains which I wouldn’t expect to see, based on all the rave reviews available about quartz. I’m very careful about hot pans - which is not an issue at all with granite. Another issue is about the edges getting chipped. Although they can be fixed, I find it very annoying and consider it a clear sign of the product not being as robust and they claim it to be. If you search on Houzz, you’ll find some reviews saying the matte finish is very tricky. I’d stay away from it. Actually, I’d stay away from quartz altogether, if only I could find granite with a similar look.

I agree with your comparison granite vs. quartz. We had the same thoughts when choosing the materials for our new home, based on what the builder offered. For the kitchen the decision was:
1. The darkest material
2. Polished
3. As homogenous as possible (if natural stone)
The answer was Granite, Nero Assoluto:

The other possibility (quartz) was Jet Black by Caesarstone:

The photos above are from the manufacturers' sites. I've seen dozens of photos of Nero Assoluto and they are never the same (lighter or darker). Let's not forget that polished surfaces always appear darker than the matt once in the same colour.
Basically this is the look we like very much:

[sjla]

Originally Posted by Mitsuko

I agree with your comparison granite vs. quartz. We had the same thoughts when choosing the materials for our new home, based on what the builder offered. For the kitchen the decision was:
1. The darkest material
2. Polished
3. As homogenous as possible (if natural stone)
The answer was Granite, Nero Assoluto:

The other possibility (quartz) was Jet Black by Caesarstone:

The photos above are from the manufacturers' sites. I've seen dozens of photos of Nero Assoluto and they are never the same (lighter or darker). Let's not forget that polished surfaces always appear darker than the matt once in the same colour.
Basically this is the look we like very much:

Do you find that your current countertop shows fingerprints and crumbs etc easily though BC it is polished and a dark color?

[OttawaC]

Originally Posted by KainCanada

I had black granite (black galaxy) in my previous home and never had issues with it. Very resistant, no scratches, never had issues with dust or hand prints showing up. Never cared to seal it either. In my new house I installed white quartz (Caesarstone Frosty Carrina) and I find the material much inferior to granite. I’m not very picky, but after a few years it does have some stains which I wouldn’t expect to see, based on all the rave reviews available about quartz. I’m very careful about hot pans - which is not an issue at all with granite. Another issue is about the edges getting chipped. Although they can be fixed, I find it very annoying and consider it a clear sign of the product not being as robust and they claim it to be. If you search on Houzz, you’ll find some reviews saying the matte finish is very tricky. I’d stay away from it. Actually, I’d stay away from quartz altogether, if only I could find granite with a similar look.

We've also never had issues with granite.

My thinking is that the whole point of buying "stone" counters is for the durability. If I have to be extra careful with pots and staining with quartz then I'd rather have laminate counters. I agree with you that quartz counters are not as robust as many think they are.

[Mitsuko]

Originally Posted by sjla

Do you find that your current countertop shows fingerprints and crumbs etc easily though BC it is polished and a dark color?

The new house is still under construction. We have matt black countertops now (don't know what's the exact name of the granite though). Appears more anthracite than black. It always looks like covered with a thin white layer. It is not, I know, but it looks to me like this. When wiped with a damp cloth the surface looks darker and … cleaner before it dries.

[suezuki650]

I've been in my place for 3 years and the counters don't get cleaned up right away and my quartz has not stained at all. For the counters, I went with a white, but for the island I went with something with more colour and honestly, even when it's dirty it's hard to see the dirt.
In the bathroom I got a black granite and I clean and seal it yearly. I didn't want to have to do that in the kitchen.

[Kikka]

Originally Posted by suezuki650

I've been in my place for 3 years and the counters don't get cleaned up right away and my quartz has not stained at all. For the counters, I went with a white, but for the island I went with something with more colour and honestly, even when it's dirty it's hard to see the dirt.
In the bathroom I got a black granite and I clean and seal it yearly. I didn't want to have to do that in the kitchen.

My friend. I exactly did the same with possibly same colors you mentioned. Busy countertop at the island same as you and white quartz countertop in rest of kitchen.

[Tea]

What did you chose in the end? There is a very easy way to remove stain from quartz countertops, nail polish removal. It works every time within seconds and it doesn’t damage the countertops.