Granite vs. Silestone Countertops

Countertops are functional and decorative.

Remodeling costs fluctuate with the economy, and when the costs of materials and labor go down, a lot of people jump at the opportunity to make home improvements. Kitchen and bath remodels are at the top of the list for most homeowners, and replacing countertops is a major consideration. Popular choices to replace older countertops are granite and a manufactured material called Silestone.

Origins of Granite Countertops

Granite is a natural stone.

Granite countertops are made from a natural stone that is cut from the earth at quarries around the world, then polished, cut to size and installed in residences and businesses. The appearance of granite varies according to where it was taken from. Granite with unusual colors and unique formations in the stone are usually more costly, as is granite that has been dug from deeper in the ground.

Origins of Silestone Countertops

Silestone has an even appearance.

Silestone is a patented name owned by Cosentino, a large company in Spain. Silestone is sold by Cosentino through distributors. It is a manufactured product that blends quartz and other stone chips with a solid resin to bind them. Silestone is about 94 percent actual stone.

Attributes of Granite

Granite is porous and requires sealing every few months. Because granite is 100 percent stone, there can be many variations in the appearance. Take care to view granite slabs in advance of purchase and select slabs from the same area of the quarry. Granite can stain from highly acidic foods and is scratch resistant. Granite is available in a wide variety of colors.

Attributes of Silestone

Silestone is not porous and requires no sealing. The specked stone appearance of Silestone is even throughout, without variation. Silestone does not stain from highly acidic foods and is considered highly scratch resistant. Silestone can be purchased in many colors.

Radon Emissions

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, colorless gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in rocks in the earth. Natural granite is a variety of stone that was bonded together by heat and pressure from deep in the earth and may contain very small amounts of radioactive material. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not regulate countertops made with granite for radon and states that if radon is emitted from granite countertops, it is likely a minuscule amount that would disperse throughout the home. The EPA further states that a greater source for radon in the home would be the ground beneath a house.

References

• The New York Times: Interview, President and CEO of Cosentino
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: What about Radon and Radioactivity in Granite Counter tops?"