Granite Counter Tops

After more than 10 years we still love the Silestone countertop we have.  
No maintenance other than a little detergent and water.  No sealing as with
granite.  No problem putting hot pans from the gas stove on the counter.  
No scratches from cutting veggies directly on the surface.

I like the look of butcherblock, but our kitchen is too small.  If you
really like wood cutting surfaces (and I do, but don't have them), I'd
suggest small or big cutting boards.

--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid

Not all granite needs sealing.  I've never touched ours and there are no
stains whatsoever.  Silestone is too soft.  Quartz is a really nice man-made
solid surface.


Or at least an easily replaceable section of a butcher block counter, or
better, an island with a prep-sink.

My Silestone isn't soft, and it is quartz
<http://www.silestoneusa.com/docs/frequently-asked-questions.cfm> :
<quote>
1. What is Silestone?
Silestone® is naturally beautiful, durable quartz. Silestone is the
world's leading natural quartz surface - a superior stone for myriad
interior surfacing applications because of its ideal combination of
beauty and practicality.

Silestone features a range of more than 65 unique colors, so no matter
what your taste or style, we've got the perfect fit.


Yes, that would be fine too, but my kitchen is only 8x14 ft, with an
outside door, a basement door, and a dining room door.

--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid

    I would just like to say that I too have Silestone and have had it for
a few years now.  I spent more time than I probably should have trying
to decide if Granite or a Quartz top was the best choice.  I chose
Silestone even though it costs more than Granite after that research.  I
am glad I decided as I did.  Highly recommended.

The thing that confuses me is that quartz is a mineral, not a stone;  and
yet, the manufacturer seems to imply that it is a naturally occuring stone.
Confusing too, is the range of colors offered; quartz does come in some
different colors - purple (amethyst) for one - but it is normally colorless;
en masse, whitish.

Is silestone made by embedding quartz in a matrix (probably acrylic)?

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

Yes, "quartz" countertops are made by embedding quartz in a "polymeric"
matrix.  I put 2 photos up on abpw (or will soon), so you can see.


--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid

Thanks, Han.  Any idea/guess as to what percentage is quartz vs the matrix?

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

Oops, I lost my cheatsheet with your real name, sorry.
No I don't know the %.  Even the little quartz-less patch in the counter is
plenty hard.  And the stuff IS heavy.  If you want to come by to take a
look, just ask.  I'm in 07410.

--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid

Ok, I didn't realize that Silestone was just a brand of quartz.  I was
thinking it was closer to soapstone.


Granite comes in a lot more than that.  ;-)


A drop-in section of a counter would work.  This makes it easy to pop out and
refinish, or replace as it gets dinged.

You're an idiot.

At least you admit that you're a head case.

LOL. He is such a nice guy.

Isn't your mommy proud?

As proud as she "could" be. Passed away about 15 years ago.

Amazing.  ...before you were born.

LOL. You're a few decades off.

When we bought the Silestone, it was much cheaper than granite, now it is
reversed.  The drop-in idea is good, but for us it wouldn't work
esthetically and practically.  As I said, my wife cuts veggies straight
on the counter, with no discernible bad effects on knives or counter.  
The counter cleans really easily after that.  Nevertheless, I would like
her to use a cutting board.


--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid

It's not going to be good for one of them.  Cutting boards were invented for a
reason (disposable).  ;-)