Among a number of countertop options, there is quartz and granite. It is confusing to choose between both, as both have their own pros and cons. It all depends on what basis you want to choose. Either you’re looking for durability or more variety in color. And many more other options like that. So, here’s a list of differences between granite and Silestone countertops to help you choose better.

Silestone Countertops

The main obvious difference between Silestone and granite is the porosity. Silestone is not porous at all because it is engineered. It has only 90 percent of the quartz minerals, while 10 percent is resins and polymers.

In actuality, Silestone is a brand of Quartz, and it is manufactured in Spain. So, either we’re talking about the Silestone or the Quartz, it is the same. If you’re looking for more extended durability and more options in design and color, go for quartz. Also, as it is man-made, the variety of customization options is endless.

Silestone Doesn’t Need To Be Sealed

It is an advantage that Silestone has over Granite. Unlike Granite, which is a natural stone and needs to be sealed regularly, Quartz doesn’t require sealing at all.

As mentioned earlier, Quartz is non-porous. So, there is no risk of liquid and food crumbs seeping into the countertop, making it untidy and worn out over the years. Plus, in the case of a porous stone, there’s a risk of bacteria growing inside the pores and cracks.

Therefore, Silestone offers you a free hand from the constant headache of sealing. Go for Silestone if your kitchen is used a lot, and you need to maintain the quality over time.

Silestone Cannot Withstand Temperature

This is where Silestone loses its durability. The resins inside the quartz cannot stand high temperatures. So, if you’re accidentally going to place hot pots and pans on the countertop, your chances of getting away with it easily are almost none. You have to pay the penalty, which is the burning mark on the countertop.

Wide Variety Of Options And Cost

Along with its downsides, the Silestone is engineered with many pros as well. Of all the advantages, the most obvious one is its wide selection. No matter what color and design you want for any kind of kitchen, quartz has it.

But then, this advantage comes with its cost, as Silestone is more expensive than granite.

Granite Countertops

Unlike Silestone, Granite is a naturally manufactured stone formed underground when the magma cools down. It has its fair share in your home structure for kitchen and bathroom countertops.  And as granite comes from different parts of Earth, no two colors and designs can be the same. If you’re going to go for granite work tops, make sure to look for bigger samples, so there might be no variations in the slabs.

Even though the color and design variety is less in granite compared to the quartz. But it still does have many options to go for. If you want a plain or a subtle look, there are undertone options. Or else, you can go for more dramatic colors, flecked and dusted.

Granite Can Withstand Sunlight

Almost anything placed under the UV rays fades in color over time. Let’s take the example of Plastic chairs placed under direct sunlight or the painted walls of the outside of a building. In the same way, any countertop stone will fade away in the sunlight, except for the Granite.

Granite is natural and is not affected by UV rays. So, if your kitchen design is open with many windows to lead sunlight, prefer installing granite.

Granite Can Be Repaired Easily

Though Silestone gives you a free hand in maintenance, it is not at all an easy repair if damaged. For instance, in case of an accidentally falling pan chipping or cracking the countertop, no worries if the slab is granite. All you have to do is grab a repairing kit and fill the damage with epoxy, and good to go.

While in the case of the quartz kitchen countertops NC, they are not natural and thus requires expert attention to repair the damage. So, it will be better if you call up some professionals.