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Kitchen countertop for lots of sunlight?

3 years ago

Hi!
We are remodeling our kitchen and trying to decide on the countertop material we want to go with... granite or quartz or possibly quartzite.

Our kitchen has LOTS of natural light coming from windows and skylights. Which countertop material won’t fade or yellow from the light exposure? Anyone have any personal experiences?

Our cabinets are white. Countertops undecided, but I do like something light in color. Overall going for a “warm white” kitchen with polished nickel hardware. I don’t want the typical white/gray marble-looking countertop that is popular right now.

Comments (8)

JuneKnow
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Are they modern windows? From the last 15 years or so? Or old house single pane windows from 1919?
Mom
3 years ago
I am NOT a pro, but my understanding is that quartz doesn’t react well to direct sunlight (one reason why it isn’t used outdoors) so how much sun your kitchen gets should be a factor in whether or not quartz would be a good choice. In the past, darker colors faded and lighter colors yellowed when exposed to direct sun. So a natural stone might be more suitable for you. Of course, there may have been improvements to quartz products made recently of which I am not aware so hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in. Good luck!
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My research and experience say 450 lumens at the counter for task lighting. The light has to be placed in front of the person working at the counter to avoid casting a shadow over the stuff you're chopping with a sharp knife. Sizing the bulb requires consideration of the ceiling height for distance, the beam spread as a spot of 20* or 40* and the color temperature of say 3000k with good CRI like 90 for color accuracy. Juno has Gen2 2" can fixtures that are up there in price produce 1000 lumens at the bulb. If you have upper cabinets led strip undercabinet lights can add to overhead lighting. LED 17.5w A19(regular screw-in bulb format) 100w equivalent bulbs in 5-6" white recessed can fixtures($15) are the least expensive. 4 dimmable Feit bulbs are $7 at Costco in my state. These make good ambient lighting in bedrooms and kitchens. Maybe four for your 237sqft space. You can use them for flood overhead task lighting for a very affordable plan.
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Laura Bland
Original Author
3 years ago
JuneKnow - the windows in the house are from 1988, however the kitchen windows and skylights are being replaced with new in this remodel.
Laura Bland
Original Author
3 years ago
Mom - I thought I read the same thing about quartz myself. But I don’t know anyone who can speak from personal experience on this
JuneKnow
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
New windows have UV inhibitor coatings. That protects your furniture and quartz both. Old windows allow UV transmission, 1988 windows would be borderline. Your skylights would be fine. If they are in line for replacement, just use window treatments when the sun comes directly in.
mxk3 z5b_MI
3 years ago
Sunlight isn't going to change the color of natural stone.
ori775
2 years ago
Laura, what material did you go with? i have exactly the same issue Two skylights with lots of direct sunlight on the countertops. I’m concerned that quartz will yellow with time. The house was built in 1984 and the windows and slylights are original to the house
Laura Bland
Original Author
9 months ago
We went with marble!

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