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Silestone Kitchen Countertops
If you are planning a kitchen design or makeover for your home, one of the best design ideas you can implement is to install Silestone Quartz countertops in your kitchen. In the past seven years, it has been sweeping the countertop market in Lowe's and Home Depot due to its beauty, durability and utility. Few people know it has been available for over 20 years.
Silestone is made of 93% crushed quartz and low-grade silver, bonded with resins,other adhesives and pigments. Quartz is a natural element with a hardness and durability on Moh's scale of 9; second only to diamond. The bonding process results in a non-porous solid countertop surface. Silestone does not absorb liquids - unlike granite countertops.They cannot be damaged with acidic foods and drinks and therefore doesn't need to be sealed like granite.
Silestone countertops come in a large variety of colors and patterns that are uniformly distributed in the material. It is a kitchen designer's fantasy since almost any kitchen design can be matched and improved with this versatile material.
The main problem with Silestone quartz materials is the cost of cutting and installing it into your kitchen. Measurements of countertop space and backsplashes must be precise. Prices soar when material has to be recut.
Its ease of maintenance is another reason silestone is surpassing other styles of counter top surfaces like granite and solid surface. They are hypoallergenic and are almost maintenance free. Wiping with a mild detergent to keeps them beautiful. They never need to be sealed or resealed like granite and unlike solid surface materials like Corian or Gibraltar they will never need to be re-sanded because of cuts or nicks.
Normal kitchen usage will never leave marks on a silestone surface. It is not 100% resistant to scratches but you would have to work really hard to create one. The industry refers to silestone as practically scorch resistant. It is not scorch-proof. Never put extremely hot pots and pans on them - especially if you've chosen a light-colored surface countertop. You would be wise to use either a pot holder or trivet to protect them from possible burns.
Kitchen countertops done in Silestone will cost you from $45 to $95 per square foot. The reason your price may vary is because of the patterns you select or the edge profile you choose. This price should include both manufacturing and installation. As an investment, it holds its value very well. It's beautiful and striking in appearance and has a high-value perception to home buyers. It has a built-in 10 year warranty and will last for decades.
You won't find a better choice for your kitchen counters. You won't find a more versatile material for your kitchen design. Granite is old school. Silestone is the way to go.
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