When renovating a home, it can be challenging to determine the best material to use for your countertops, bathroom vanities, or flooring. Homeowners often find themselves comparing quartz vs Silestone countertops, trying to discern the distinctions between the two.
Silestone and quartz stand out as two beacons in this complex landscape, each offering its own set of unique qualities and benefits. However, the distinctions between these two popular choices can sometimes blur, leaving homeowners and designers pondering if Silestone is the same as quartz.
The choice between Silestone and quartz ultimately hinges on prioritizing specific features such as technological advancements, warranty coverage, and design flexibility to best suit your home’s needs.
Whether you are opting for Silestone or quartz countertops, experts in kitchen remodeling services can guide you through the selection process, ensuring you choose the material that best suits your lifestyle and kitchen’s aesthetic. Their personalized consultations aim to grasp your vision and requirements, proposing cutting-edge design solutions and the newest trends to revitalize your kitchen space.
Silestone Vs. Quartz? What Are They?
What is Silestone?
Silestone is one of the most popular countertop materials due to its exceptional combination of durability, versatility, and aesthetics. Crafted from natural quartz crystals and advanced resin binders, Silestone offers unmatched strength and resistance to scratches, stains, and impacts, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Its non-porous surface prevents the growth of bacteria and mold, ensuring a hygienic environment for food preparation and daily activities. Additionally, Silestone comes in a vast array of colors, patterns, and finishes, allowing homeowners to customize their countertops to suit their unique style preferences and design visions.
What is Quartz?
Quartz countertops are typically crafted by blending natural quartz crystals with resins and pigments, culminating in a durable and versatile surface material. This combination undergoes a meticulous manufacturing process wherein the quartz crystals are crushed into fine particles, mixed with resin binders, and then molded into solid slabs.
Through advanced manufacturing techniques, this blend is transformed into solid slabs, showcasing an extensive array of colors and patterns to suit diverse design preferences.
With exceptional durability and resistance to scratches, stains, and heat, quartz countertops offer enduring beauty and functionality for various interior applications.
What Are Their Main Differences?
It can be difficult to decide whether you should go for Silestone or quartz for your kitchen, bathroom, or flooring. Understanding the pros and cons of Silestone countertops versus quartz surfaces is crucial for making an informed decision about your home.
Here’s a helpful guide on the main difference between Silestone and quartz.
| Features | Silestone | Quartz |
| Composition | Silestone is actually composed of 90-94% quartz, while the remaining 10-6% includes resins and pigments, which bind the quartz particles together and introduce a vast spectrum of colors and unique patterns. | Quartz is made of 90-95% crushed quartz, which is combined with polymer resin and pigments to bind and provide color to the material. |
| Application | Silestone is typically used for countertops, wall cladding, and flooring. Due to its moisture-resistant nature, it is also used for sinks and shower trays. | Similar to Silestone, quartz is also used for countertops and bathroom sinks. This material is also suitable for areas in the home that deal with high temperatures. |
| Durability | Silestone is rated 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means it is highly durable. It is also scratch-resistant and features patented N-Boost technology for enhanced stain resistance and easy cleaning. | Aside from being scratch-resistant, quartz is also impervious to stains and heat. However, it does not have the N-Boost technology. |
| Maintenance | Silestone’s non-porous nature and built-in antimicrobial protection make it extremely easy to maintain. No need for sealing, resealing, or special cleaners, you only need simple daily cleaning with mild soap and water. | Quartz countertops are relatively low-maintenance, and their non-porous surface is stain-resistant and anti-bacterial. Some quartz surfaces may need occasional resealing. |
| Aesthetics | Silestone caters to a wide array of design preferences. Its surface finishes include polished, suede, and volcanic textures, along with various edge types. | Quartz is available in a wide range of colors and patterns, from monochromes to rich, veined finishes that closely resemble natural stone. |
| Unique Features | Featuring N-Boost for brighter surfaces and better stain resistance, Silestone integrates sustainability through HybriQ+ technology. Its product line extends to sinks and shower trays, offering seamless design options with added antimicrobial benefits for enhanced hygiene. | Quartz is prized for its durability, and the ability to replicate natural stone looks consistently across slabs. Its maintenance-free, non-porous surface makes it ideal for food safety and busy spaces. Some brands highlight sustainable manufacturing, appealing to eco-conscious consumers. |
| Price Range | Silestone is typically more high-end due to its advanced technologies like N-Boost and HybriQ+, it typically ranges from $50 to $100 per square foot installed. | Quartz countertops are competitively priced, often ranging from $55 to $75 per square foot installed, but this can vary widely based on the brand, quality, and design complexity. |
| Warranty | Silestone includes a 25-year limited warranty, protecting against manufacturing defects and offering transferability to boost home value. | For quartz countertops, warranties of 10-15 years for production defects underscore the importance of opting for a trusted brand. |
What is the Best Choice for You?
Selecting the perfect material for your bathroom or kitchen remodelling involves weighing various considerations to match your lifestyle and design preferences. Consider the material’s resistance to wear and tear, ease of care, alignment with your home’s aesthetic, and affordability.
Silestone and quartz present distinct advantages that cater to diverse preferences. Silestone, known for its advanced N-Boost technology, offers enhanced surface brightness and stain resistance alongside a 25-year warranty that underscores its quality and durability. Its wide range of colors and integrated sink options allows for seamless design integration.
Quartz, while similar in durability and maintenance to Silestone, varies more significantly in price and warranty terms between manufacturers, offering a broad selection but necessitating careful brand consideration.
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Silestone IS partially made of quartz! Also, it is NOT impervious to heat and staining. It IS highly resistant to staining, however. We have had a customer get a crack in their Silestone quartz by leaving a crock pot on it, with no pot holder or trivet, for several hours.