I have been doing some research on the colors of and the cost of SileStone as opposed to using Granite. I am really on the fence here, but I do like how durable the surface is and we have many more options as far as patterns and colors go. Robin made a comment on my last post saying that they are very good if you “really cook in your kitchen”. I do like to cook, especially for special occasions like Mothers Day.
Here is what I have come up with:
Our online SileStone Estimate
This is Minerva Cream SileStone
Waterfall Edge for countertops…I like this one
What do you think? Will it be too much white in the kitchen? Keep in mind we have dark wood ceilings, dark wood window trim and our mahogany cabinets are going to be dark. I like the idea of a kitchen that has cleanable surfaces that are white, for some reason it feels more sterile to me…and that is good when you are in the kitchen.
Popularity: 16% [?]
Get samples! Some SileStone of it looks a lot like Corian (by DuPont)….so better get it in your hand and kitchen light. While out on DuPont I saw they have ZodiaQ that looks to be same as SileStone. Check it out. What color did kitchen turn. I think I heard green was going away.
I like it!
Stefan and Summer, Congrats on the move, the uhh, inheritance and the house!! I agree with Robin, get a sample if you can of everything, countertop, floor, cabinet and ceiling sample and put them all together, ideally in your kitchen, and see how they all fit together. If you can’t get a sample take your stuff to the supplier and look at it in person. Keep in mind the lighting when you are looking.
As for the silestone, its a quartz based product that is very similar to granite (crushed up quartz mixed with resin). It requires the same tooling, diamond bits, etc, and is very durable. About the only thing you can’t do with it is put a hot pot or pan on it due to the resin the quarts is impregnated in. The resin allows the material to be consistant in design and color, although there might be some variations. Also cutting on it will dull your knives.
Robin is right there are several companies out there that have the the same product (all of them are basically made the same) and the same or similar colors. Silestone is a good product and we have been fabricating it for a few years.
A couple of things, you definatly want an undermount sink. Think about a 4″ backsplash, I think it looks better then a 3″. If you are thinking of doing a tile backsplash don’t do a silestone one. The tile going directly to the countertop looks a lot better. If Minerva Cream looks close to the picture you’ll be happy as long as it you like it with your other kitchen componets, don’t forget about cabinet pulls if you are getting them. Don’t get a bright white color. Careful with staining, they claim it doesn’t stain but I am always skeptical with the lighter colors, keep oil cleaned up and don’t use a decorative oil container on the top, careful with red wine too? Ask how many and where the seams are going, you should only have one in the corner.
Cleaning, don’t use anything with vinegar or amonia as a daily use cleaner, over time it could dull the finish on the top. Once in a while is fine. Silestone says otherwise but I’ve seen granite dull because the customer was using Windex. Be on the safe side, Glass plus doesn’t have amonia in it, or at least it didn’t. Remember this is a combination of stone and resin.
The window wells, well, they are window wells, not 1/2 of a big pipe. Home Depot might have them. get covers too as they will keep critters from falling in and keep you from having to make multiple rescues.
If you get a chance, look for some additional land down there, I just sent 10K to my long lost Nigerian uncle too for a cut in his 100 million dollar diamond mine too, there must be a lot more diamond mines and long lost uncles in Africa then I thought. Think you could handle a neighbor?
Can’t think of anything else, you have any questions let me know. Good luck!! Chip.
Hey, one other thing, get what you like!! You have too look at it and use it for a very long time. House looks great! Chip