Natural Products: Silestone

Quartz is a manmade material, using Quartzite crystals in combination with resin binders and dyes to create solid sections of non-porous engineered stone.

The standard characteristic look of Quartz worktops is to have a textured pattern with visible chips. More recently, trends have shifted towards more natural looking marbled textures. While these materials have been engineered and are thus subject to rigorous quality control, the resulting worktop designs are typically heterogeneous, and will vary between slabs.

In this page, we will explore some of the most important considerations when deciding on a Silestone Quartz worktop.

Properties of Quartz Worktops

Veining

Veining characteristics in Quartz are unique to each material. Colouration is usually consistent, but the frequency, thickness and direction of veins can vary wildly.

Drainer Grooves

When draining grooves are machined into a Quartz worktop, these will typically not be as finely polished as the main surface. This can mean they appear comparatively duller.

Directional Luminance

The crushed Quartzite used in Quartz worktops may in some lighting appear to have a granular texture. This can change based on viewing angle, and may make pieces from the same batch appear mismatched if at different angles.

Colour

Colours within Quartz worktops are quality controlled, although frequency may differ. Some Quartz styles may have both a foreground and background veining. Colours may differ when viewed in person to as they appear on a screen. Plain colours are prone to occasional contamination of patches.

Joints

Quartz worktops have visible joints. Pieces will have a small, silicone sealed inwards ariss. For Veined styles, it’s not uncommon for veins to change in direction at a joint.

Slab Size Limitations

Typical slab sizes for Silestone are 3.04m x 1.38m. Select colours are also available in Jumbo formats of 3.25m x 1.59m. Worktops which exceed these dimensions may need a straight join, or hob/sink slips.

Corners & Material Cost

Designs which include non-right angled corners may incur additional material cost, due to the wastage of material. Where worktops with irregular shaping need to be produced, the cost is calculated based on the long edge.