Does quartz change color over time?

08 Apr.,2024

 

Does Quartz Fade In Sunlight?

Jamesjung

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4 min read

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Dec 27, 2022

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Does Quartz Fade In Sunlight?

When you are purchasing any kind of countertops, you will want to purchase countertops that are made from a material that is hard-wearing and aesthetically pleasing. Quartz is a fantastic material to choose when you are making either bathroom or kitchen worktops as it is partly natural and partly man-made, meaning there are lots of color options and the stone is also very hard-wearing. Every stone that you could consider for your kitchen worktops will all have a list of pros and a list of cons. Even though quartz is externally hard-wearing, it does not mean that it is invisible and will need to be cared for to make sure that it stays looking its best. Knowing that the next question to ask is: does quartz fade in sunlight?

The answer to this one is pretty simple — yes quartz can actually fade in color due to the sunlight. Quartz is a fusion of man-made resins which normally take up between 5–10% and natural stone. Sometimes quartz stone can be made from added pigments and polymers, which is what helps create the desired color you would like for your kitchen worktops. What makes quartz more prone to sunlight damage is the sensitivity of these added resins. Resins and polymers can react with the ultraviolet rays that sunlight produces which then causes the color to fade and the quartz to change.

There are other elements that can cause quartz to fade in color if the stone is exposed to them for a longer period of time. These elements include harsh cleaning products, acidic food, and heat. These elements react differently with the resin in the stone and cause stains rather than general color fading.

Ultraviolet rays are the one element that can cause the general color of the quartz stone to fade. A particular type of quartz called Rose quartz is particularly prone to fading to white color and has been known to fade within a year. If you are looking at purchasing a Rose quartz it is best that you make sure there is not a lot of natural sunlight in the room that you want the quartz to be, for example, a bathroom without a skylight would be ideal for this type of stone.

Can Quartz Be Used Outside?

There is nothing stopping you from using quartz outside as it is durable and hard-wearing. Quartz will fade quickly if you do use it outside, especially in the summer when the sun is stronger and continues throughout the day. Common outdoor quartz areas such as window ledges or outdoor countertops will be affected quite quickly. There are ways you can protect your quartz countertops and therefore, if treated with care, quartz can be used in any outdoor area without too many issues.

How To Prevent Fading To Your Quartz In The Sunlight?

By adding a care routine to your quartz kitchen or bathroom countertops, you may be able to make sure that your warts do not fade in color at all or at least quickly! Here are some simple steps that you can follow to protect your quartz from UV rays and color fading:

● Choose high-quality quartz when making your kitchen, outdoor, or bathroom countertops from a reliable quartz brand.
● Always use chopping boards when placing hot utensils or appliances on your quartz countertop to avoid staining or added burns.
● Use tinted plastic film on your windows to help protect the quartz countertop from the strength of the UV rays.
● Apply a sealant on the surface of the quartz countertop as protection against UV rays.
● Aim to shut out direct sunlight in your kitchen or bathroom as much as possible using blinds.

There are three different brands of Quartz stone that are known to be very high quality and less prone to color fading from UV rays.

Here is a list of the three different well-known quality quartz brands and why they are reputable companies to use:

● Caeserstone: Caeserstone makes the highest heat-resistant quartz on the market making this an ideal choice for outdoor use as it will be less sensitive to UV rays.
● Petros Stone: The quality of Petros Stone quartz is very high due to the use of high-grade quartz and high-grade pigments. Petros Stone quartz is known to be long-lasting, especially in color. This is partly due to Petros Stone using a seal on their quartz to make the stone more durable.
● Silestone: Silestone makes quartz that is both resistant to heat and stains, meaning that individual color fading from external elements is less likely to occur. The fact that the quart is both heat and stain-resistant also means that the quartz is less likely to fade in natural sunlight.

Protect Your Quartz Against Sunlight

The best way of making sure that your quartz kitchen or bathroom countertops do not fade in color is to protect them from UV rays that are caused by natural sunlight. If you have a house that is exposed to a lot of sunlight, it may be best to choose a different type of stone to use for your countertops such as granite. It is important to follow all care instructions and little steps to protect your quartz and make it more hard-wearing. Using a sealant on your quartz is one of the best ways to protect it from UV rays and could potentially add years onto your warts on kitchen or bathroom countertops and keep the color of your countertops looking the same shade as when you bought them.

White quartz is one of the most popular materials to use in modern-day kitchens, which is understandable as it has a classic and chic finish. Quartz is now available in a large variety of different styles and finishes which all differ in how durable they are. If you are deciding what quartz type is best for you, you may need to consider your location and daily kitchen use. White Quartz is one of the most elegant on the market, but does it stain and turn yellow easily?

Can White Quartz Change In Color?

White quartz can change color when it is stained due to an external factor. Staining is more common on white quartz as it is a lighter-colored stone and has more reactive resins that can strongly react to salts and chemical solutions. You may even find that if you live close to the ocean, your white quartz may start to yellow due to the salt that is naturally in the air.

When color change occurs in white quartz, it is often due to external factors caused by human interaction but it also may be a sign that your white quartz is poor quality due to being manufactured in a non-protective environment.

How Can You Best Prevent Color Change On White Quartz?

There are lots of easy ways you can prevent staining on your white quartz countertop, including small changes that will not break the bank!

Firstly, it is important that you follow all advised cleaning instructions that have been given to you at the time your white quartz was fitted. There are certain products that the white quartz will react to and therefore you will need to be careful about purchasing cleaning supplies. Upkeeping the cleaning of your white quartz will also help prevent dirt from causing any permanent staining issues.

If any food spills onto the counter, it is best to wipe the liquids away rather than letting it set into the stone for hours. Make sure that you apply coasters to any hot substances such as a mug of tea or coffee. These tips may sound very simple but are effective if applied daily to make sure that you prevent the longevity of the white quartz.

Why Does White Quartz Turn Yellow?

There are lots of different elements that your white quartz countertops are exposed to daily. White quartz is very durable but can be sensitive to certain ingredients. Here is a list of the most common reasons why your white quartz is turning yellow:

  • Overexposure To Sunlight
  • Chemical Exposure
  • Chopping Acidic Or Colored Foods
  • Candle Wax

1. Overexposure To Sunlight
Overexposure to sunlight can turn your white quartz yellow, especially if the sunlight is hitting your worktops every day for long periods of time. Sunlight can be one of the most common causes of your white quartz turning yellow and is one of the easiest to prevent. White quartz naturally has low abrasion resistance meaning that the stone will react easier to sunlight. Yellow stains caused by sunlight will not be able to be removed and therefore it is best you prevent them from the get-go. If the yellow staining has already occurred, you may need to look at replacing your white quartz.

2. Chemical Exposure
Chemical spills can also cause a white quartz countertop to turn yellow over time. Chemicals such as bleach and acidic components if used on your countertop can cause yellow staining, but luckily can be removed. This yellow staining develops when harsh chemicals contact the white quartz due to the chemicals being able to react quickly with the resins. This staining is preventable and also curable! It is best to contact a professional to prevent the yellow staining from turning to an orange shade. You can also use home remedies such as using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, although we would recommend always checking with a professional first.

3. Chopping Acidic Or Colored Foods
When your white quartz countertop is exposed to acidic substances like acidic foods, the white quarts can start to stain on the top layer and turn a yellow color. Acidic foods like lemons, oranges, and tomatoes should always be chopped on a chopping board in order to protect the white quartz. Just like chemical yellowing, acidic yellow to your white quartz can be removed with home remedies.

4. Candle Wax
Surprisingly, wax drips when burning candles can be extremely damaging to your white quartz countertops and can lead to difficulty removing yellow staining. If you are burning any kind of candle, using a tray under the candle to catch the wax drips would be the best way to prevent staining. It is not impossible to remove yellow staining on your white quartz that has been caused by wax drips but we would recommend using a professional to make sure that the removal is done correctly.

Carefully Upkeep Your White Quartz To Stop It from Turning Yellow

Quartz is one of the most durable materials which has longevity within your home. The easiest way to care for your white quartz is to take simple preventative steps when protecting your quartz from external factors. Using a clear coat on your white quartz can also help protect against resin reaction. Call in Marble Concepts to cut and install your stunning quartz countertops today. Get your kitchen or bathrooms renovated with quartz today. Give us a call at 215-396-7393 today to learn more.

Does quartz change color over time?

Does White Quartz Turn Yellow?