Silestone or granite countertops?
It’s your choice. Designing the perfect stone environment starts with a selection of the right materials. Granit Design offers many kinds of stone countertops but Silestone and granite are the most common. But what is the difference between a Silestone and a granite countertop?
Granite countertops are made of carved slabs of natural stone containing quartz while silestone is an man-made surface that is composed of 93% quartz aggregates that looks feels and weighs like natural stone. Both have their advantages.
Silestone countertops
Silestone has bridged the gap between nature and technology, bringing elegance to every home with surfaces and countertops that are virtually maintenance free. The finest selection of quartz particles are mixed with binders through a high-tech compression and heating process. The result is a dimensionally consistent material with an attractive appearance that is stronger and more durable than natural stone. And with hardness and thermal ratings many times that of marble and plastic laminates, Silestone countertops withstand typical wear and tear beautifully. This makes a Silestone countertop a perfect choice in the kitchen. A Silestone countertop is also ideal for areas prone to spills and stains like the kitchen since they are easy to clean. The non-porous Silestone surface makes these countertops virtually stainless and the high percentage of quartz in Silestone does not require to be sealed. Furthermore, there’s a large range of colors for a Silestone countertop. Thousands of customers like architects and designers prefer Silestone countertops, bathroom, vanities and flooring for its man-made durability and style.
Granite countertops
Granite is a completely natural stone that is partly composed of quartz and is found in nature. To make a granite countertop, the customer must first choose the slab of granite he wants his countertop to be made out of. The countertop is then carved in it. Granite countertops offer a unique look and texture as well as hardness, resilience and ease of maintenance. Granite is not as hard as Silestone, but it is still very hard. It is ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, as well as commercial surfaces but a granite countertop must be resealed every few years to keep its beautiful look. Resealling is easy and only occurs about every four years. The advantage to a natural granite countertop is its unique natural look that can’t be reproduced by man.
But whatever countertop surface you choose, be sure to carefully pick your color, finish and edge. Even if you have the most expensive countertops, it can still be a bad choice if you don’t really like it. You will work on your countertops a lot, so choose wisely. If you need advice concerning the matter, contact us.