Laminate vs. Silestone vs. Granite – Which is Best?

With so many countertop choices available, we often get asked “What is the superior kitchen countertop surface?”   Medici offers 3 surface types that include Wilsonart decorative laminates, Silestone Quartz surfaces and Natural Granite surfaces.  All of these surfaces are great products, but each has individual characteristics that distinguish one from the other.   Read on to find out the advantages and disadvantages of each surface so you can make an informed decision.

 

 Wilsonart Laminate Surfaces

 Advantages

• Affordability – Most affordable countertop allows you to spend more on special extras or other things.
• Durable – New and Better Technologies give Laminate greater strength and help make Laminate last and look better longer. Plus newer laminates are more scuff and scratch resistant than ever.
• Low Maintenance - Low maintenance, easy care, easy to clean up and it is designed to be stain-resistant. Just wipe with a damp cloth and soapy water and for tougher stuck-on stains and residues scrub with a bristle nylon brush. Very easy to live with.
• Safe Surface - Safe and harmless to food since laminates do not harbor the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria or other microorganisms.
• Variety of Choices – Widest array of designs, colors and patterns of any surface material and new technologies improves clarity, fidelity, color and beauty. Looks terrific in the home and can match almost any décor.

 Disadvantages

• No Complete Resistance to Scratches and Cracks – No complete resistance to scratches and cracks, although the technology has vastly improved. Very sharp knives and other pointed objects can scratch the surface so slicing and preparing food directly on the countertop is not advisable.
• No Resistance to Heat – No resistance to heat, which means the countertop can melt or burn. It can also crack if it is exposed to hot objects such as hot skillets or a cup of steaming coffee.
• Cannot be Repaired – Cannot be repaired if the countertop is severely damaged. Most third-party seam-fill kits can reduce the damage or make it less noticeable, but they cannot completely repair a fragment that’s broken or cracked.

  

Silestone Quartz Surfaces

 Advantages

• Stain Resistant – Non-porous and extremely stain resistant and withstands everyday spills naturally.
• Scratch Resistant – Silestone Quartz surfaces are one of the hardest surfaces available today, offering scratch resistance that is unsurpassed by any other material.
• Scorch Resistance – Since Silestone is composed of 93% natural quartz, it is extremely heat resistant, offering burn and scorch resistant unmatched by plastics or solid surface countertop products.
• Care Free – Silestone needs no sealing, waxing or polishing and offers the elegance and luxury of natural stone with none of the work.
• Depth of Appearance and Variety – Silestone features the depth of quartz, offering a dazzling and luxurious appearance unlike any other material. Multiple designs and styles can typically match any décor.
• Color Consistency – Due to its advanced technology, Silestone delivers color consistency that is not possible with natural stone.
• Mold-Mildew Resistant – Because Silestone is non-porous, it is resistant to stains and bacterial growth, making it ideal for sensitive environments such as food preparation areas.

 Disadvantages 

• A Little More Costly – Silestone surfaces are priced more than Laminates and some levels of Silestone are priced more than Granite.
• Color Consistency – Although Silestone delivers color consistency, some feel that natural Granite offers uniqueness being that every slab of stone is different.
• Limited Color and Style Palettes – Compared to Laminate and natural Granite, Silestone has a limited number of color and style palettes, although it’s broad range typically is enough to suite many design themes.

  

Natural Granite Surfaces

 Advantages

• Variety of Choices and Colors – Granite offers almost unlimited choices in colors and patterns.
• Scratch Resistant – Natural Granite is also one of the hardest surfaces available and offers scratch resistance.
• Scorch Resistance – Granite it is extremely heat resistant, offering very good burn and scorch resistance.
• Low Maintenance -Although it is recommended to apply a granite sealer once a year (a simple wipe on, wipe off procedure), Granite offers the elegance of a natural stone with hardly any work. Please note sealing is for stain resistance and not for polishing since granite will always maintain its shiny polish that came from the manufacturer.
• Lower Cost – Many types of Granite are typically less costly than many Silestone surfaces.
• Depth of Appearance and Variety – Granite offers a dazzling and luxurious appearance.
• Color and Style Uniqueness – Since it is a natural stone, each slab of Granite is unique onto itself, whereby Silestone offers fewer than 50 choices, all of which have a similar repetitive appearance. Granite may offer hundreds and possibly thousands of different colors and styles to choose from. In some cases Granite enjoys a greater “prestige” due to its natural uniqueness and is therefore a greater value in the minds of many buyers.
• Bacteria-Mold-Mildew Resistant – Although there has been rumors that since Granite is porous, it is not resistant to bacterial growth, mold and mildew. There is growing evidence that Granite is just as resistant to bacteria and mold as Silestone Quartz surfaces.

 Disadvantages

• Not Stain Resistant – Although sealing your Granite is highly recommended to help resist stains, Granite can stain. All Granite style are different so some may be more porous than others, but Granite will absorb oils and liquids if left on for too long and not cleaned up quickly.
• Not Entirely Carefree - Granite should be sealed periodically to help resist stains. Sealing Granite is a very simple wipe on, wipe off procedure.
• No Color Consistency – One of its greatest advantages, its uniqueness, can also be a disadvantage if you are looking for complete color and pattern consistency. Plus if you add to your kitchen or countertop later, it will be difficult to match the original stone.
• Visible Seams – The lack of pattern consistency also makes matching seams difficult since you can not typically match patterns when putting together seams.

And the clear winner is….all of the above.  It is obvious each has its advantages and disadvantages and the only one that can answer which is best depends upon the homeowner and the homeowner’s needs and situation.

Best of luck making your countertop choice and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, comments or would like help with your choices.

To find more information on Laminate Countertops please visit www.wilsonart.com.

To find more information on Silestone Countertops please visit www.silestone.com.