Silestone and Granite, which of these two do you think are more expensive when they come in the form of a countertop?
There are many differences between the two, and before we get to the question of which is more expensive than the other, we will take some time to first look at Silestone.
We will learn about some characteristics of Silestone, which is a form of Quartz. So let us get started.
Difference Between Silestone And Granite
No need To Seal Silestone
Sealing is one of the methods that we use on porous countertops so that liquids will not get absorbed or stain the countertop.
When you have a granite countertop, you will have to seal it not to get stained. Granite is porous by nature.
When we say that a stone is porous, it has several holes and pores that the naked human eye cannot see.
These pores and cracks will soak up any liquid spilled on the stone, and the porous stone can also get bacteria caught in the gaps and pores.
So to prevent any of these things from happening, you have to get the porous stones like Granite sealed.
The sealing has to be done annually to ensure that no liquid or bacteria gets absorbed into the cracks and pores in the stone.
However, milestones countertops do not need to be sealed because they are not porous.
You do not have to worry about sealing a Silestone at all. Since it is not porous, it will not absorb any liquid spilled.
So here, we can see that one advantage of Silestone over Granite is that, while Granite is porous and can absorb liquids that spill on it, Silestone are not passable.
You have to seal a granite countertop, but do not worry about sealing when you have a Silestone.
Natural Or Artificial
We all know that some countertops are artificial, and several benefits come with such countertops.
However, many homeowners prefer to go natural when choosing between an artificial countertop and a natural one.
So if you are one of those homeowners who prefer to have a natural countertop, the Granite is what you should go in for. Granite is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a natural countertop.
The Granite is quarried out of the earth in large blocks. The block is then cut into slabs and fabricated into the countertops that you see inside your various homes.
If you prefer an artificial countertop, Quartz is what you should be looking for. As I stated above, Silestone is a type of Quartz, and quartz stones are created from quartz minerals along with the resin.
The ingredients are made up of several dyes, giving a stylish and unique look. The quartz portion of your countertop may be natural. However, please do not allow yourself to be misled into thinking that the whole countertop is a stone, and it is not.
Quartz Will Get Burned Or Charred Under High Temperatures
The resin, which you can find in Quartz or Silestone, cannot withstand high temperatures and may get burned or charred.
If you accidentally leave a hot cooking pot or pan on the surface of a Silestone countertop, you may end up burning the countertop surface.
It may also get charred and get damaged in the process. There have been several stories of crock pots that left burn marks on quartz countertops.
However, we are yet to hear any such report about Silestone specifically.
Burning or charring the countertop surface is not something you will have to worry about when getting a granite countertop.
This is because the granite stones are forged in fire. You can place any hotpot or pan on the Granite, and nothing will happen to it.
So as you can see, granites are the best countertop you need if you have a habit of leaving the cooking pot on the countertop surface.
So if you have a granite countertop, you should not worry about leaving hot things, which is not the same for those who own Silestone or Quartz countertops.
Granite Countertops Do Not Face When Under Direct Sunlight
Most people are unaware that UV rays may affect countertops when placed under direct sunlight, and any Quartz would get faded by the UV rays under direct sunlight.
Wondering why? This is due to the resin ingredient inside the quartz stones. You should know that Silestone is not an exception, and it will also fade when placed under direct sunlight.
If left under the sunlight for just a few weeks, you will notice that the dark colors begin to brighten up, and these will probably turn yellow later.
This happens because when the UV lights meet with the pigment used in adding color to the resin in the quartz countertop, they do not get all as friendly as you might have hoped.
Yet again, we see that Granite has another advantage over Quartz or Silestone. Granite can be placed in the sun, while Silestone, a type of Quartz, cannot be placed in the sun.
Silestone Does Not Stain Easily
Spilling things in the kitchen happens almost when you are cooking. Most time, when you are in the middle of cooking something delicious, and it spills on the countertop, you will not stop cooking to clean the countertop until the whole cooking process is done.
If this happens while your countertop is Granite, then you can be sure that there will be some stains left on it.
Since Granite is porous, the spilt drink or soup will seep into the pores and crack on it. However, if the countertop is Silestone, there will be nothing to worry about, and this is because you cannot stain Silestone or quart that easily.
After all, Silestone is not porous like Granite is, and Silestone does not have any tiny pores and cracks on it that will absorb the spilling to cause a stain.
You will be able to wipe the spilling off it and have your countertop back without any stains on it.
Doing this does not mean that you should intentionally go about spilling things on the Silestone countertop in a bid to see if it cannot stain or not, and you might end up getting what you are looking for.
At long last, Silestone gets another advantage over Granite.
When it comes to Silestone, there are several types that you can choose from, and that is also another significant advantage that it has over Granite.
The customizations in quartz stones are limitless, and you can choose from a whole array of them.
On the other hand, Granite does not have any such level of customization. Granite is a stone that forms naturally underground after magma has cooled.
Doing this allows the development of significant crystal minerals. The crystal minerals are the ones that give Granite its color.
Granite is usually used in home remodeling projects such as kitchens and bathroom countertops.
Granite also comes in several colors due to the crystal minerals that develop when the magma cools.
Silestone is more popular than Granite due to its appearance. Silestone can be manufactured to look exactly like a countertop made of natural stone.
Aside from this, Silestone also comes with an array of customization options. Meaning you can get almost anything you want in customization when choosing a Silestone countertop.
The appearance of Granite has to do with the different forms of colors in which you can obtain it. It also has a classic and stylish look ideal for a kitchen countertop.
Silestone cannot be installed by a homeowner alone, and you need to get professionals to handle that job when it comes to installation.
This will decrease the chances of the new countertops sustaining any damage before you can even use them. That is the same when it comes to the installation of the Granite.
You will need to have a professional handle the process to avoid causing any damage to the granite countertop.
Another advantage of Silestone countertops is that they are durable. However, it would help if you still were careful when working on them.
They are durable does not mean that they can never get damaged. Also, make sure not to leave anything of excessive heat on the Silestone countertop.
Cost
When it comes to cost, Silestone usually is more expensive than Granite, and you will have to pay between $50 to $100 for a square foot of Silestone countertop.
The price will then depend on how big you want your countertop and the various customizations and other factors you will consider.
Granite also has a similar cost with a square foot starting from $40 to $100. The price can be affected by several other factors as well. However, siltstones typically edge Granite when it comes to the overall pricing.
When it comes to resale value, Silestone is attractive and easy to care for, making them have a higher resale value.
However, a natural stone like Granite will always have some form of value. Many homeowners prefer to have the traditional classical looks of Granite instead of Quartz.
They also like the natural feel of the granite stone. So, in this case, we will all agree that when it comes to resale value, Granite would be ahead of Silestone.
Repairing Granite Stains, Chips, And Cracks
It is pretty standard for accidents inside our kitchens, and we are all aware of that. One can accidentally drop something on the countertop when they hurry to do something else.
Due to this, one must be prepared at all times when in the kitchen. Having all the available information you need depending on the type of countertop you have is essential.
You should have the correct information on caring for your countertops when something happens to them. If you have a granite countertop, you do not need to worry about anything.
The granite countertops can be repaired quite easily when something happens to them. You can go over to a home improvement store and get a repair kit that you can use to fix whatever has happened to the granite countertop.
You can make use of epoxy to fill the chips back in, and no one would be able to notice it.
You cannot say Silestone as you cannot repair it that easily.
You will have to get an expert to look at it and not tamper with it unless you are an expert yourself. Once again, we get to see that Granite wins yet another advantage over Silestone.
So if you are looking for a countertop that is not hard to repair when something happens, then Granite is the one you should go in for. However, If you think you are rich enough to afford the repairs for Silestone, that is also quite cool.
Is Silestone More Expensive Than Granite?
Now, we get to the central theme of our article. You wanted to know if Silestone was more expensive than Granite, and the answer is yes. Silestone is more costly when compared to Granite.
However, the price will most likely depend on where you go shopping for the countertops. However, in most places, you will see that Silestone countertops cost more than the granite countertop, and the price of Quartz per foot is higher than that of Granite.
However, some more exotic granite countertops cost more than Silestone countertops. The prices of these stones are not really to the war between them.
I am sure that in light of this comparison in this article, most people would end up choosing Granite even though they would have to seal it annually or prevent any stains or water from getting absorbed in it due to its porous nature.
Conclusion
Although Silestone may cost more than Granite, it seems that they are both evenly matched in other places.
The cost of Silestone will be mostly higher than the cost of Granite. When you go out there in search of a countertop among these two, well, the choice will depend on what you like and not what they cost.
You can also check out our latest home improvement article covering how to fix fluorescent lights.
