Silestone is a specific brand of quartz countertop created by Cosentin. It's a solid surface material frequently used in kitchen and baths as a countertop. Made primarily of quartz, Silestone also consists of a small amount of resin and colorants to enhance the natural beauty of the quartz. It resembles granite and other natural stone products, but it has more sparkle thanks to the flecks of quartz embedded within it. Although it's probably the most well-known quartz surface, Silestone is one of several manufacturers of this engineered stone. When compared to other stone and engineered surfaces, Silestone has both positive and negative features.
Pros
Silestone is scratch- and scorch-resistant since it's made of quartz, which is one of the hardest minerals found in nature. It also resists stains because it's non-porous, so food and liquids cannot penetrate below the surface. The nonporous nature of Silestone eliminates the need for the sealing and maintenance required by other stone surfaces like granite and marble. One of the most advantageous features of Silestone is that it has built-in antimicrobial protection that prevent bacteria growth. It's also available in a wide array of colors and patterns to match every taste and decor.
Cons
While Silestone’s positive features outweigh its negatives, some negatives exist also. Silestone contains quartz, but it's a manufactured product rather than a purely natural one. While it can mimic the look of granite and marble, it does not possess the natural variances that give each piece of stone a distinct look. Silestone is also installed in slabs, which requires careful planning to minimize the appearance of seams. The biggest drawback of Silestone, however, is its price. As of 2017, you can expect to pay $50 to $100 per square foot for Silestone. By comparison, granite slabs can be had for $5 to $20 per square foot.
Other Considerations
There are more factors to consider when choosing a countertop surface. Because it's manufactured, you can choose Silestone from samples rather than trekking to a stone yard. Another consideration is that, unlike natural stone, Silestone emits low or no levels of radon gas. Silestone edges and corners can chip and need professional repair when they do, but this is true of all stone countertops. Opting for rounded edges alleviates this issue.