Silestone is a man-made material which is primarily made from quartz – about 90 – 94% in content. There are several defining factors which make Silestone particularly useful for kitchen countertops, bathrooms, floors and wall cladding. When compared with granite and other materials which are used for the same purpose, let’s weigh the pros and cons to using Silestone.
Properties of Silestone
Quartz is a natural mineral composed of silicon dioxide and is found in all forms of rocks, including igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. The chemical compound is very abundant on the earth’s surface and it comes in many colours. It is very resilient, it resists many forms of corrosion. Because of this, it is not only useful as a gemstone, but is also used to manufacture all forms of glass including flat plate glass, specialty glasses and fiberglass. Because it has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale (where diamond is rated with a hardness of 10), it is harder than most materials and can be useful for building purposes.
Silestone is a synthetic combination of quartz and other materials to be applied in on different types of surfaces including kitchen countertops. It comes in many different colours, is stain resistant and is an ideal material for different types of indoor applications .
Benefits of Silestone
Stain Resistance: Unlike marble, and granite Silestone is non porous, so it won’t be stained by coffee or other spills.
Food Safe: Because it’s not porous, Silestone can’t harbor harmful mold or bacteria. It stays dry and microb-free making it extremely hygienic , and suitable for contact with food .
Scratch Resistance: Quartz is a very hard material, so Silestone doesn’t scratch or chip under the pressures of daily cooking.
Strength: Silestone resists rupture, so it won’t buckle, warp, or crack over time.
Low Maintenance: Silestone is easy to clean, and unlike marble or granite, it never needs to be sealed or treated to maintain its good looks.
Designer Options: Silestone comes in a wide range of colors and grains to suit any decor. Countertop edges are easily cut into a range of attractive profiles for a custom finish.
Caring and Maintenance of Silestone Surfaces
Cleaning silestone is fairly simple, as it only requires a soft cloth and no special chemicals. There is no need for hard scrubbing and because of its quartz based properties, silestone does not require special maintenance for wear and tear that is expected for regular kitchen activities. However, silestone is not particularly heat resistant . Hot pots and pans should not make direct contact with Quartz surfaces for an extended period of time . Quartz surfaces are not UV resistant and should only be used for interior applications .
If you are looking for more advice, consider paying a visit to KCPC’s showroom for a quotation. A company that specialises in silestone applications, they’ll be able to take you through the design, selection of slabs , and finally, the installation process. Happy building your dream home!
