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Quality in Quartz

Granite countertops have been the high-end choice for several years, but today, new engineered stone made from quartz crystals offers the look of granite with eye-catching options and performance advantages over natural stone.

Article Image Silestone, one of the brands of quartz countertops, is made of 93 percent crushed quartz crystals and seven percent bonding agent mixed with resin and pigment. Quartz lends a glimmering radiance and depth not seen in granite, and with quartz registering a seven on the Mohs hardness scale, quartz countertops are five times stronger than granite and are less likely to chip or crack. This engineered stone is stain and scratch resistant and is non-porous, without veins or minute cracks where bacteria could grow, so it never needs sealing. Silestone has been awarded the Greenguard Indoor Air Quality certification for chemical emissions performance so you can rest assured that the product will do its part to protect the quality of your indoor environment. Another advantage of quartz countertops is the color and pattern consistency; with no strong patterns and no matching of veins necessary, seams are less obvious. If you don't like the shine and glare of most stone countertops, Silestone can be honed to a softer matte or leather finish. While Silestone is heat resistant as well as scratch resistant, the bonding agent could possibly discolor under a hot pot and it is possible to put a gouge in the surface if you hit it hard with a sharp tool, so it's always best to use a protective cutting board and trivet as you would with any other surface. One mistake could result in a costly repair or replacement. Quartz countertops are also manufactured by other companies including Caesarstone, Cambria and Zodiaq. Cosentino's Silestone comes in over 65 colors and was chosen best of the lot by Consumer Reports. Silestone is available at Randall Lee's Flooring America in Gearhart and Rosenberg Builders Supply carries Staron and Vitara brands at their store in Tillamook. - by Stella Bennett

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  • Published in: Coast Style Spring 2009
  • Click to see other items about: Home Improvement