What is Silestone?

When renovating your kitchen, your choice of benchtops will have a major impact on the aesthetic and functional performance of your new kitchen. For those looking for an attractive and durable benchtop, Silestone can be an excellent choice – but what is Silestone?

Read on to find out more about this popular benchtop material to decide if it could be the right option for your kitchen renovation.

Key Summary

What is Silestone? Silestone is a prominent brand of engineered hybrid benchtops that mimic the look and feel of natural stone.

Silestone is a brand of engineered stone benchtop produced by globally-renowned company, Cosentino.

A hybrid surface which is comprised primarily of quartz (around 90 per cent), along with binding resins, colours and other recycled materials which enhance its strength and style, Silestone is designed to emulate the same look and feel to that of natural stone, while overcoming some of the issues typically associated with natural stone benchtops.

Quartz vs Silestone vs Granite: What’s the Difference?

Quartz, Silestone and Granite are often confused with each other—here’s a quick overview of how these benchtop materials differ.

Quartz

Quartz is a popular benchtop material that is both beautiful and durable. While quartz itself is a natural mineral, it isn’t used in its pure form to produce benchtops.

Quartz benchtops are manufactured using a mixture of natural quartz and other stone aggregates (such as granite and marble), which is bound together with a polymer resin.

Silestone

Silestone is one of the major and most well-known brands of quartz benchtops on the market.

Granite

Unlike quartz benchtops which are an engineered aggregate, granite is a form of natural stone which is quarried directly form the earth, cut into slabs and used in its natural form.

Made up of quartz, mica, silica, feldspar and trace minerals, granite is available in a wide variety of colours, swirls and patterns.

What’s the Difference Between Silestone and Caesarstone?

Silestone and Caesarstone are both well-known brands of engineered quartz benchtops.

While both are very similar, hard-wearing benchtops, Caesarstone typically contains a slightly higher percentage of quartz.

Caesarstone also typically costs slightly more than Silestone, however price can vary according to the chosen design and retailer.

Both brands offer a similar sized range of colour and design selections which are available in three finish options.

What are the Advantages of Silestone Benchtops?

There are a range of benefits to using Silestone benchtops in your kitchen.

• Cost: Silestone is on the higher end of the scale, however, as an aggregate engineered material, it is typically more affordable than many of the natural stone alternatives.
• Durability: Silestone performs very well in terms of durability. It is extremely hard-wearing and scratch-resistant, and unlike natural stone, does not need to be sealed for protection. As a dense, non-porous material, it is very resistant to stains you’re likely to encounter in kitchens such as coffee, wine, vinegar and oils.
• Cleaning and hygiene: Silestone is very easy to keep clean and shiny by regularly wiping up any spills with a non-abrasive cloth. Silestone is acid resistant, so it can also comfortably handle most household cleaning products. Another major benefit of Silestone is that it features bacteriostatic protection, which prevents the growth of bacteria, mould and mildew.
• Aesthetics: As a man-made product, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from in terms of colour and design. You’ll also be able to select from three finishes depending on your preferences—polished, suede and volcano. Silestone also offers flexibility in terms of size and thickness, with your choice of 12mm, 20mm or 30mm benchtops in either standard or jumbo slab sizes. In addition to benchtops, Silestone can also be used for sinks, flooring and cladding, allowing you the flexibility to match your benchtops to other design elements in your kitchen and home.
• Sustainability: Silestone products now include a percentage of recycled materials in their construction, making it a more sustainable option compared to some of the alternatives.

Are There Any Disadvantages of Silestone Benchtops?

While Silestone performs well on most fronts, a key disadvantage of the material is that it’s not heat resistant.

While it can comfortably withstand some degree of heat, placing a hot pot or pan directly on the surface may cause it to crack or become discoloured. The use of a pot holder or other heat-resistant material is always recommended.

Silestone can also be affected by prolonged exposure to UV light, meaning a benchtop located in a very sunny or brightly lit kitchen may slightly fade over time.

Planning a Kitchen Renovation? Speak to Our Kitchen Renovation Experts

If you need some help settling on the ideal materials and design for your new kitchen, our team of experienced kitchen renovation experts can show you a range of options to suit your aesthetic, lifestyle and budget requirements.

Find out more about Mint kitchen renovations

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