Suave Silestone Quartz Countertops

Silestone Countertops are constructed from two main ingredients, quartz and a polymer. The raw material blend consists of nearly 90% quartz and less than 10% polymer, known as engineered stone. Although it is not entirely naturally occurring, Silestone is a viable alternative to a natural stone granite countertop.

As quartz is one of the hardest known natural minerals, the overall durability of Silestone is on par with granite and is seldom questioned. Some other features include:

Aesthetic Performance

The patterns on Silestone countertops may appear slightly more uniform to some than granite, as the assortment of patterns found on natural stones like granite can vary greatly. However, this consistency of pattern is preferred by many people, since it is easier to match the countertop with the surrounding area.

Homeowners who are very specific about the kind of color pattern they want to establish in their kitchen space usually opt for Silestone. Other natural-stone countertops can have certain areas wherein the color hue seems dense and some spots where the shade has a slightly duller appearance. This cannot be altered since these variations are inherent to the natural, stone-forming process, whereas Silestone countertops have a uniform finish, ensuring that the color pattern is exactly the same in every piece of Silestone slab.

With a uniform pattern, the seams of a Silestone top are easier to maneuver, a lesser-acknowledged advantage that Silestone offers over natural stones that usually have variation in their patterns, making it difficult to create consistent seams. In terms of color availability, there are wide varieties of shades and designs that are specific to Silestone.

Maintenance Requirements

As compared to other countertop choices such as marble, Silestone is much more durable. Silestone countertops offer years of issueless performance, being highly resistant to household chemicals and common kitchen issues like scratching and hot surfaces.

Just like granite, the Silestone surface is naturally non-porous which is extremely useful for preventing moisture-related issues. An occasional, thorough cleaning is sufficient to ensure that your Silestone countertop will last for many years. A simple cleaning tool like a moist sponge is sufficient to clean Slestone countertops and there is no need to buy any specific cleaning solution.

Further, most Silestone countertops are offered with a ‘Microban’ coating. This coating is an anti-microbial treating that ensures that the countertop surface isn’t inhabited by microorganisms, ensuring it remains germ-free. Silestone countertops offer additional cost-saving as they do not require any special sealants.

Many countertops need sealant application to ensure that the polish is retained and the stains are repelled. However, these qualities are built into your Silestone countertop during its manufacturing process. As a result, common countertop installation and maintenance needs like re-sealing, sanding or re-finishing are negated—a substantial time and cost saving!

We use a phrase that we believe aptly describes Silestone, “It has all of the good and none of the bad”.

Additional Resources:

• Quartzology
• Silestone Colors