Silestone Quartz
Silestone is a manufactured material made from natural quartz crystals using new technology. The remainder of raw ingredients being polyester resin, color agents, and antimicrobial protection. The polyester resin binds and holds the crystals together to create the Silestone surface.
The natural quartz provides many color tones, styles, and finishes for kitchen countertops and bathroom treatments, complementing many home styles and decorating tastes. Though Silestone quartz resembles granite and marble, it shines brighter because the crystals provide more luminescence to sparkle more than the naturally occurring materials.
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Silestone Quartz Components
Silestone Quartz Crystals
Silestone is a hybrid surface of premium natural quartz (crystalline/amorphous silica) that is the most advanced and sustainable material on the market.
QUARTZ FACTS
- Quarts is one of the most abundant minerals on earth
- The chemical composition of quartz is silicon dioxide (SiO2)
- Quartz hardness rating on the Mohs scale is 7
- Quartz forms in a crystal structure
- Pure quartz is colorless – in its formation, other elements (lithium, sodium, potassium, and titanium) change its natural color
Silestone Quartz Resin
Silestone quartz countertops use high density polyester resin, which function as binders and pigments to give the desired color. The percentage of natural quartz is its granulometry. The larger the quartz grains are, the less resin needed in the color. These variations in composition have no impact on the properties of the product.
The difference between Silestone resin and acrylic resin: Acrylic resin uses either a mineral component (ATH, derived from bauxite), and a different resin (acrylic resin and not polyester or polyurethane). The percentage of resin in other “Solid Surface” products is around 35%, much higher than Silestone. Those “Solid Surface” products’ resistance to scratching and heat is lower than Silestone countertops.
The polyester resin is not resistant to UV light, so it yellows and loses color with ultraviolet rays, which is why Silestone is exclusively for interiors.
Silestone Quartz Pigments
Remember, pure quartz is colorless. Only when it forms do other elements like lithium, sodium, potassium, and titanium change its natural color. To adjust the coloring and patterns in Silestone quartz, synthetic pigments create the palette of color for Silestone countertops. The percentage of natural quartz is up to 94% and vary per collection.
How Silestone Quartz Is Made
When the raw materials comes in from suppliers, it is checked for quality in the laboratory. The mineral, resins and pigments are transported to mixers where they are homogenized. The mass passes a control to assure consistent distribution. Then there is a system of aspiration of vacuum and simultaneous vibration to extract all the air to compact the conglomerate. Next it is pressed in a hydraulic press of 100 tons. After pressing, the Silestone quartz is baked and cooled naturally for 24 hours naturally. In the proceeding step, the slab passes a calibration process to achieve a desired thickness. This guarantees a constant edge profile thickness and leveling. The process then eliminates excess material and impurities with discs and diamond cutters. The last step is polishing to obtain the finish.
Silestone Quartz Countertop Options
Silestone Quartz Colors & Collections
Silestone colors options and collections offer an incredible number of combinations and consistency. Find the Silestone colors you need, and then design Silestone countertops online to preview your Silestone colors for your home. There are so many ways to combine Silestone colors to create a new world of artistic and functional possibilities.
Silestone Quartz Costs & Price
What makes one color more expensive than another? The production cost and the manufacturer’s ability to obtain the desired color from raw materials. A good indicator is granulometry. The more discreet the grain (more uniform and smooth), the more resin content it contains and, therefore, the more expensive it is to produce.
Silestone Quartz Slabs
There are 2 size options for Silestone Slabs:
Standard is 55 inches by 120 inches
Jumbo Slab is 63 inches by 128 inches
There are 3 thickness options for Silestone Slabs:
1.2 cm | 2.0 cm | 3.0 cm
The thicker the material you select, the more resistant it is to flexion and impacts.
Locate Suppliers for Silestone Quartz
Let’s save you some money on quartz countertops. Silestone Central has a portfolio of regional and local distributors of Sile stone countertops.
Silestone Quartz Warranty
Cosentino guarantees the registered owner of installed Silestone against any manufacturing defects for 25 years from date of purchase!
Cosentino guarantees that the Silestone material will be free from manufacturing defect for 10 years from the date of installation.
The Performance of Silestone Quartz
Stain Resistance
Silestone quartz is highly resistant to stains from coffee, wine, olive oil, make-up and many other everyday products when properly maintained. The Silestone coefficient of porosity is practically null and much lower than that of granite or marble. It is also more stain resistant than acrylics and laminates. However, be careful not to leave on liquids, such as, tea, coffee or red wine on the surface for more than 24 hours. Reason being, if liquids like these are exposed to the surface for such a long time this may penetrate the material, and may require a billable service call request. Remember that Silestone is stain resistant, not stain proof.
Silestone is not affected by common kitchen acids like lemon juice, tomato juice or vinegar (food acid). Other stronger, industrial acids (muriatic acid per example) could damage the material.
Silestone does not need any water repellent or gloss enhancer. Avoid these products as they can lead to important care and maintenance problems that void your warranty.
Heat Resistance
Silestone holds up better than a majority of other countertop or interior surface products, such as, laminate, wood and solid surface. It is recommended that you use a trivet because Silestone quartz is not warranted against thermal shock.
Impact Resistance
Silestone quartz resistance to impact is very high. It far exceeds that of other products with similar applications, such as, natural stone or solid surfaces. That being said, care not to hit the exposed ends, corners, cutouts and edge profile especially in the dishwasher and sink area.
Scratch Resistance
Silestone is highly scratch resistant because quartz is one of the hardest minerals in existence. The Mohs scale classifies it as the hardest 7 earth mineral behind topaz, corundum and diamond. It will not “micro-scratch” like acrylic products and is broadly more resistant than any laminated or stratified product. Even so, you should still use a cutting board and avoiding jagged knives, ceramic knives, choppers, unfinished dishware, and clay pots directly on the worktop. Scouring pads or abrasive sponges should be avoided as they can deteriorate the polished surface.
Microbial / Bacteriostatic Protection
Due to its low porosity, Silestone quartz countertops are considered an antibacterial surface, which limits the proliferation of bacteria. Please note that Silestone is not an antimicrobial surface. By medical definition, only a substance that kills microorganisms like bacteria or mold, or stops them from growing and causing disease can be labeled as antimicrobial.
Need Silestone Quartz Installers?
Again, we can save you money on Silestone Quartz installation. Silestone Central has a portfolio of regional and local installers of Sile stone countertops.
Silestone DIY Design Tools
Bathroom
Moodboard
Vizualizer
