How to Compare Granite & Silestone

Granite counters are frequently used in kitchen designs.

Silestone, a quartz composite material made by Cosentino, and granite are two of the most commonly used countertop materials used today. Both materials are hard, durable and can provide a sleek and polished component to any kitchen design.

While both products are made primarily of quartz, they vary widely in color, looks and maintenance. While granite is a natural stone with varying characteristics, Silestone is a quartz product that has been refashioned with resin. Therefore, a product such as Silestone will have a more uniform appearance.

Instructions

1. Consider the design of your kitchen and the way you want your countertop to look. Granite counters will have a great deal of variation to them. Even the more sedate stones may have blotches or veins of color in one end that are not in another end. Silestone is a more uniform material; the same pattern will typically be visible throughout the stone.

   Choose granite is you like a lot of variation, can accept surface marks such as pits and fissures or you would like a wild pattern. Choose Silestone if you want a uniform appearance, a bright color such as red or apple green, or you feel you would be unable to accept fissures or spots.

2. Examine your maintenance habits. Granite, like any natural stone is susceptible to staining. It will need to be cleaned with a stone cleaner and sealed on a regular basis. Silestone is nonporous and bacterial resistant.

   Choose Silestone if you prefer to clean with vinegar, bleach or harsh chemicals. Choose granite if you prefer using gentle, natural cleansers in your kitchen and would not mind sealing the stone.

3. Examine your cooking habits. Granite can etch and stain if subjected to acids such as lemon juice and tomatoes. While both products can withstand heat and knives, you will need to wipe up spills from granite immediately.

   Choose Silestone if you prefer to clean the kitchen after a meal. Choose granite if you feel you can wipe up materials left on the counter as soon as possible to avoid marks and stains.

4. Compare pricing in the color you desire. Both granite and Silestone have a wide range of prices, starting with the most basic of $25/square foot and going up to $300/square foot for some of the more expensive blue granites, as of 2010 prices.

   If you desire a blue kitchen counter, choose Silestone for a more cost effective material. If you are using a sedate or plain counter, choose one of the lesser expensive granites such as Bianco Sardo.

Tips & Warnings

• Both granite and Silestone are available in multiple colors.

• Granite will range from grays, creams and whites, to blues, greens, blacks and reds. No two pieces will ever be exactly the same in terms of shading and color. You should select your exact granite slab and get a sample from this if you need to choose other colors to match it before installation. The color of generic samples does not always hold true.

• Silestone has a similar range of colors, with the addition of some bright blues, reds, greens and oranges for modern installations. Silestone will be consistent from piece to piece, so a sample will give a good indication of the color you will receive.

References

• Stone Info: Granite Vs. Corian
• eCounters: Silestone Overview