Engineered Quartz (manufactured product)
Silestone
Silestone is an engineered stone product primarily composed of natural quartz (crystalline/amorphous silica), high-density polyester resin, and pigments. It is a mineral low-silica surface, utilizing Hybriq+® technology, which reduces crystalline silica content and incorporates a minimum of 20% recycled materials. This composition results in an extremely hard and resistant material.
- Origin
- Not applicable (manufactured product), Spain (produced by Cosentino)
- Quarry
- Not applicable (manufactured product).
- Mohs hardness
- 7 (Quartz, the primary component, has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale).
- Water absorption
- ≤ 0.05% (very low). Silestone is non-porous, making it highly resistant to stains and water absorption.
- ASTM spec
- Silestone meets characteristics for ceramic tile (ANSI A-137) and dimensional granite (ASTM C-615). It is NSF listed for Standard 51-Food. Fire reaction is tested according to EN 13501-1 standard.
- Installed price
- $60 - $150 (Installed prices typically range from $60 to $140 per square foot, with some premium options reaching $145-$150/sq ft. Labor costs are generally $10-$40/sq ft).
- Slab price
- $60 - $120 (Raw material slabs typically range from $60 to $120 per square foot, with premium colors and finishes at the higher end).
- Finishes
- Polished, Suede, Volcano, and various other textures and colors.
- Applications
- Kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops, backsplashes, flooring, wall cladding, interior applications.
- USA distributors
- The Home Depot, Keystone Granite Oregon, various local fabricators and design centers across the USA.
- Maintenance
- Non-porous, so it does not require sealing, polishing, or reconditioning. Highly resistant to stains, scratches, and impact. Easy to clean with mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive cleaners. Not suitable for prolonged outdoor exposure.