Does anyone have a quartz (esp Silestone) worktop?

madget_2

I've almost decided on my new kitchen-to-be, but need to do a little more research on worktops, and would be grateful for your help with this, please.

As I need a practical, durable and hygienic kitchen, but also want it to look good, I've narrowed the choices down (after much testing) to two: Silestone quartz or Duropal melamine.

Silestone is extremely expensive, much more so than the Duropal. However, it also looks much better, even though Duropal is a vast improvement on the same kind of surfaces which were available years ago. Still, I don't want to fall into the trap of valuing style over substance for the worktops.

I'd really love to know whether anyone has any Silestone, other quartz or granite worktops? If so, please could you answer as many of the following questions as you can?

1) For how long have you had your worktop?

2) What colour is it? Light or dark? Flat or mottled effect? Shiney or honed (more matt)?

3) Do you find it easy to maintain?

4) Has it stained? If so, what caused the stain?

5) Is it chipped, cracked or damaged in any way? What caused the damage, if so?

6) Finally, do you regret your purchase, or do you love it?


The actual worktops I have in mind are:

Silestone (lighter colours performed better in my product testing, and this colourway is really stunning IRL - perfect for my cream doors and warm oak floor):

Negro Ulises



For Duropal, it would probably be either of these 2 colours. Both look pretty good with straight edging as I've seen them in kitchen showrooms. One is the most similar I could find to the Silestone colour above. Both have a "crystal stone" texture - matt with random pits and a hint of shine in some of the pits. It's pretty indesctructible!

Flash Black


Taurus Stone




As for my product testing, I've not been able to either scratch or stain the Duropal "Crystal Stone".

The Silestone has performed equally well with the staining tests, but did scratch ever so slightly, using a lot of pressure and a sharp knife. Scratch marks were visible on the darker colours, but not really at all on the lighter ones. Similarly, a tin of baked beans dropped from a height of 3 feet onto the Silestone did not mark the light shades, but did scratch the dark. Finally, I was able to slightly chip the corner edge of one of the darker Silestone colours using a very heavy saucepan or a baked beans tin.

Staining tests on both products were carried out using tomato ketchup, apple & boysenberry fruit juice, double strength blackcurrant & apple undiluted squash, dark soy sauce, red wine and olive oil.

madget_2

Bumping to see if anyone can help.

CKdesigner

Hi

There is a world of difference between a solid work surface and a laminate one. I can't think of anyone that has purchased a laminate work surface because they wanted laminate rather than a solid worktop.

The other half and I have sold Silestone as our main Quartz work surface fo meny years and would always recommend it over any other form of work top. We had Silestone tops in our previous house and it was everything we expected. When we extend our present house we will have Silestone again in our new kitchen. One word of warning though, as with any solid work surface, the quality of the fabricator (or the work they do I should say) is far more important than the solid material itself.

Its up to you, but as with most things in life you get what you pay for, so if you can afford it then have the Silestone.

CK

madget_2

Thanks very much to you all for your help. I've seen samples from several companies now, and I must say that Silestone did seem (to my untrained eye) to be excellent quality and to have the most attractive colours and patterns.

The first 2 quotes I have for the whole kitchen to be re-done, including worktops, is too expensive for us to be able to afford Silestone. We're awaiting the second, though, and I do expect it to be cheaper. However, I need to bear in mind that I have to also buy a fridge-freezer, kettle and various other new items on top of that.

Keeping my fingers crossed for the Silestone, but I do very much admire the way that Duropal has passed my rigorous testing with flying colours, so it's a good fall back option for me.

SARAH172H

Hi

I'd like to know did you go for the silestone? as i am looking at granite or if it is worth going for the more expensive option of silestone. Any help would be great.

Alan_M_2

Quartz vs Granite?

I get asked this on a daily basis, which is better?

For a domestic installation there really isn't enough in it to make a decision of one over the other, just choose what you like.


Granite is naturally porous, although the darker colours are quite dense (one of the reasons Blacks have always been popular as a counter tops), once fitted it's chemically sealed. Quartz is completely impervious.

As a rule of thumb granite is slightly more dense than Quartz therefore slightly more resistant to scratching. Don't read that as Granite won't scratch, Quartz will - they will both scratch if you don't use chopping boards etc.

Small samples of either product can be terribly misleading, despite being a representative sample, the material on a large scale can appear different to a 100mm x 100mm sample. Take every effort to go and view a full slab of this material, and if possible pick the piece or pieces that will actually be used for your installation.

Granite being a natural product will have natural shade variations, quartz being a man made product has shade variations from batch to batch, that's why it's important to see the very pieces that will be installed in your kitchen.

As far as Silestone goes, I'm not entirely convinced with the Microban thing, especially considering quartz is an entirely impervious product, what good is an "Anti Bacterial" agent in a product that is entirely impervious? It's certainly good advertising, but don't think it's twice as good because it's twice as expensive.

SuzieSue

I've just had black quartz fitted in my kitchen and I am very happy with it. The only problem I have is that there are white limescale marks around the tap. Next time I think I would go for a lighter colour.

madget_2

SARAH172H wrote: »

Hi

I'd like to know did you go for the silestone? as i am looking at granite or if it is worth going for the more expensive option of silestone. Any help would be great.

No, I actually went for the Black Flash Duropal worktop in the end and am delighted with it. It appears to be pretty much bombproof and the Quadra (straight-edged) profile makes it look fantastic - so much better than the old-style melamine.

SuzieSue

madget wrote: »

No, I actually went for the Black Flash Duropal worktop in the end and am delighted with it. It appears to be pretty much bombproof and the Quadra (straight-edged) profile makes it look fantastic - so much better than the old-style melamine.

That's very similar to my quartz - do you have a problem with limescale (or perhaps you live in a soft water area).

aliasojo

Am I the only one who wonders how and where the OP did his/her tests? I have visions of someone walking round showrooms with a tin of beans in one hand and a saucepan in the other, furtively whacking away at worktops. :rotfl:

Alan_M_2

I have customers that ask for samples on which they can undertake experiments, we're happy to supply them if they want to come and pick them up.

It was amusing watching a guy with a sample of our quartz and a cigarette lighter trying to melt it.....He burnt his fingers without it marking!