Counters – Silestone, Corian and Granite – edges and other considerations – 10 steps to create a You-ser friendly kitchen, Step 8


silestone beige

When choosing a counter you have to take in consideration some very important points. The material and the edge of the counter will contribute tremendously to the overall look and feel of your kitchen.
First let’s talk material.

Silestone

Silestone is made out of a composite of 94% quartz material with dyes and resins and is basically engineered stone. Silestone’s countertops are available in over 60 colors and different finishes

  • 10-20% more expensive
  • May lend more elegant look by offering endless color choices, the quartz in silestone sparkles creating a glimmer of radiance
  • Appearance of granite. Can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, bars, on floors and on walls
  • It is non-porous so it is impervious to stains therefore sealing is not required
  • It is extremely hard, less likely to chip
  • Can be cut to have square or beveled edges
  • cutting on the surface may cause marks
  • heat resistant, but don’t recommend putting hot pots on it
  • No need to select a slab – since it’s manufactured there’s uniformity in color

Granite:

Pros:

  • Natural product. Quarried, cut and polished before entering your home
  • Comes in many different colors and patterns – it never gets boring providing endless variations in colors and shades.
  • Sometimes granite tends to be less expensive than manufactured stone
  • heat, scratch and dent resistent

Cons:

  • Very difficult to choose granite for a large project due to variations in color
  • Needs sealer for stain resistance
  • Visible seams
  • Cannot be molded

DuPont™ Corian®:

  • Simulate marble stone look
  • Pricing similar to Silestone and Granite
  • Constructed using 100% resin. Colors are added when the plastic is heated and processed
  • Comes in about 100 different colors
  • Unlike granite and silestone, comes in solid white, still preferred by many
  • Seamless in appearance
  • Versatility in shapes and forms. Can have molded built-in sinks
  • According to manufacturer – stain resistant – no sealing required
  • Not heat resistance, do not place hot pots or pans on corian
  • Can be dented and scratched by knifes
  • Easy repair unlike granite

Granite, Corian and Silestone are all wonderful choices for your countertop. When deciding it all comes down to color, pattern and perceived value.
And now the edges. Try not to get lost in all those bullnose terms. Basically, modern kitchens call for a clean simple edge and traditional require more complicated profile. Rounded edge is also a safer choice when you have kids running around in your kitchen.

Kitchen granite corian silestone counter edge

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Similar articles