Properties of silestone countertops

What are the characteristics of this man-made stone that makes it one of the most-preferred countertop materials?

Durability – This stone is said to have four times the flexural strength of granite, making it less prone to damage during transport, fabrication, installation, and daily use. This refers to the stone’s degree of flexibility coupled with its resistance to damage.

Like granite, it can stand up to stress from objects being heaped on it and from slicing and chopping directly on its surface. You can even knead dough or use a rolling pin directly on the surface of silestone countertops.

Heat-resistance – These hardy countertops can take anything, from piping hot soup pots to freezing cold ice cream tumblers on their surfaces. Unlike other synthetic materials such as formica or laminates which can easily warp or get burn stains from extremes in temperatures, silestone doesn’t show any signs of buckling no matter how hot or cold an object put on top of it may be.

Stain-resistance – Granite needs to have sealant applied on it to make it impervious to spills and staining. Silestone countertops, on the other hand, are engineered to keep any sort of chemical from penetrating their surfaces. Thus, you won’t have to fuss about accidentally spilling juice, oil, coffee, tea, or wine on your beautiful countertop.

Scratch-resistance – A Silestone countertop is also guaranteed to resist scratches from household utensils and other objects accidentally scraped on its surface. As there are only three other minerals (diamond, topaz, sapphire) said to be tougher than its component, quartz, you can expect a Silestone countertop to look as good as new after years of reasonable use.

Luster – This refers to the sheen you’d find in Silestone countertops. It is actually caused by the natural minerals found in it, which synthetic materials cannot duplicate. While quartz is this material’s main ingredient, manufacturers have included other colors to ensure that you’ll find the particular slab you’re looking for. Silestone colors can be of a solid color, or mottled and textured just like granite.

How is Silestone cleaned?

A countertop made of this material can be cleaned regularly with mild soap. Avoid using abrasive cleaning agents or those that have harsh acids. Also use a soft absorbent cloth rather than Brillo pads which may scratch the glossy surfaces, making them dull over time.

Some brands even have antimicrobial products incorporated in the stone so you’ll get protection in every slab you buy. This innovation safely fights the proliferation of odor-causing bacteria, mildew, and mold. With it, you’ll get countertop surfaces that are easy to clean and that stay sterilized longer in between cleanings.

You can also find more info on granite slabs. Kitchencountertopbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about kitchen counter.

Granite slabs used for countertops can come in different finishes. The most common is a smooth and glossy finish, which is achieved by intensive polishing at the fabrication factories using huge sanders for smoothing the surface and rotating pads for buffing it.

Some people prefer a matte look for their granite slabs. This is often used for flooring and for use in bathrooms where it is unsafe to have stone that is extremely smooth. Matte is achieved by using rougher, larger-grained sanders.

You will also come across flamed granite varieties. These countertops are subjected to a torching process, which makes for a textured look. The tumbled look, on the other hand, features edges that are more rounded than the others.

To protect whatever finish you choose for your home, you should always make sure that the slab is properly sealed.

Sealing granite slabs to make them last a lifetime

Acids can be very harsh and could wreak havoc on the sealer of your countertop. In the kitchen, there are a lot of substances that are acidic and whose spills, therefore, should not be left unwiped on the countertop. Some examples are vinegar, juice, and even coffee.

Over time, these spills could eat away at the sealant applied on the surface of the countertop. When this erodes, the liquid may find its way into the stone itself and through the spaces between the particles, making stains permanent.

To clean spills, use a sponge to dab the spill, as wiping it spreads the damage on the surface. Use a mild cleanser or detergent to safely remove any harmful chemical substances left behind by the spill. Most importantly, never use harsh chemicals and abrasive scouring pads to clean granite slabs with. Always use only a pH-neutral chemical to disinfect and sanitize your countertops.

When you have done a good job of properly sealing granite slabs, you won’t need to worry about burn stains from hot pots or scratches from knife chops. Granite is one of the hardest materials you can ever find for a countertop, and they can even withstand the abuse that careless children heave on them.

Granite slabs – the whole ones, not the granite countertop tile variety – can cost you an arm and a leg and should thus be properly taken care of. Despite the price, sealing granite slabs is much easier than maintaining the integrity of granite tiles because the latter has a lot of joints and spaces you need to always seal off. As long as the sealant of a granite slab or tile countertop is preserved, you will be assured of an eternally shiny countertop that’s going to be the envy of your neighbors and friends.

You can also find more info on installing granite countertops. Kitchencountertopbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about kitchen counter.