SileStone Countertops vs Granite Countertops

Through superior strength, incredible beauty and an unparalleled distribution network, Silestone is rapidly becoming the choice for discerning consumers.

Natural Beauty
Silestone offers a sophisticated elegance and timeless beauty. The natural quartz in Silestone delivers distinctive depth, brilliant clarity, glimmering radiance and a cool, solid feel unique to natural stone.

Versatility
Silestone can be used in virtually any indoor surfacing application in kitchens, bathrooms and floors, including: countertops, island tops, vanities, tub and shower surrounds, backsplashes, walls, wet bars, tabletops, desktops, fireplace surrounds and more.

Widespread Availability
In North America, Silestone is available through approximately 3,500 retailers including The Home Depot®, e-counters.com, as well as a variety of kitchen and bath retailers, cabinet shops, tile/flooring outlets, designers' showrooms, architectural firms, builders, and more.

Scratch-Resistance
The quartz in Silestone makes it naturally scratch-resistant. Only three other natural minerals - diamond, sapphire and topaz - are harder than quartz. Quartz is a seven on Mohs Hardness Scale (diamond is a 10).


So, while a careless slip of the knife will scratch most other countertops such as laminates and solid surfaces, it won't leave a mark on Silestone. Although Silestone is durable, it is not scratch-proof; it could be damaged with excessive force or pressure.

Stain-Resistance
Silestone is non-porous and therefore it is highly resistant to stains from coffee, wine, lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, makeup, and many other common household products. Unlike granite, Silestone does not need to be sealed to keep its lustrous shine.



Scorch-Resistance
Unlike solid surfaces and laminates, Silestone is scorch-resistant. It will withstand limited exposure to heat without burning or scorching. The fire of a lit match will not mar Silestone. However, as advised by crock pot and electric skillet manufacturers, do not place these items directly on any countertop. Always use trivets when placing hot items on any natural stone or quartz surface to avoid thermal shock.

Strength
Silestone has four times the flexural strength of granite, making it less susceptible to chipping and cracking during transportation and installation.

Maintenance-Free
Because it is non-porous, Silestone does not need to be sealed. Granite, marble and limestone, on the other hand, must be sealed on installation and resealed regularly to prevent staining. Silestone is a maintenance-free star compared to solid surfaces that may require rigorous maintenance to clean up tough stains, scratches and scorch marks.

Colors and Edges
Silestone is available in a wide array of dazzling colors, from conservative neutral hues, to daring bright colors, ensuring that there is a Silestone color to suit most any style or taste. Silestone delivers a uniformity and consistency that allows for virtually unlimited edge designs.

Experience and Professionalism
Silestone is available through a mature network of dedicated distributors and fabricators backed by the experience of Cosentino with more than 70 years in the natural stone industry. Plus, Certified Silestone Installers are trained through a unique curriculum that includes expert, hands-on training.

Innovation
Silestone leads its category in innovative ideas for a product that already is known for its ingenious physical properties and customer benefits. Silestone offers the most colors in natural quartz; the most innovative sink installation methods, such as integrated, flush- and bevel-mounted; and the latest, newest products such as the exclusive Silestone® Leather™ with Microban®.