Granite Vs Silestone: Which is better?

Kitchen renovation is an exciting task, but the sheer number of decisions you have to make can be very stressful. One of the most common sticking points for renovators is the material they select for their countertops. Most countertop discussions these days come down to granite or silestone.

Let’s dig a little deeper into this important decision.

Both are resistant to bacteria.

Many advocates of silestone argue that it is resistant to bacteria, while granite becomes a breeding ground for germs. This argument arises mainly due to the fact that granite almost always has more pockets and chops on its surface than permanently smooth silestone.

Although granite countertops have a more uneven surface, if you clean yours regularly, there will be nothing to worry about when it comes to bacteria.

Looking at them from a material point of view, both granite and quartz-based silestone naturally resist bacterial growth.

Silestone comes pre-sealed

This argument is true, and goes in favor of silestone. When you install a silestone countertop, it will already be sealed to resist water, stains, and all the other blemishes that build up over time. Granite countertops often require you to seal them yourself to give them the same level of perfection against the daily wear and tear that you will put them through as well.

While silestone is arguably more convenient when you first install it, the granite sealing process isn’t particularly difficult, time-consuming, or expensive. You will only have to seal your granite countertop once, and after that initial procedure it will be as clean and protected as silestone.

Granite generally costs less

Silestone countertops are usually more expensive than granite countertops. Silestone is a processed material, while granite countertops are cut from whole slabs of natural stone. In some markets, a silestone countertop can cost up to 30% more than a granite countertop of equivalent size and shape.

However, the price of granite is variable and the best deals on the material usually come from specialty dealers and not from big box home improvement stores.

Remember that appearance matters

While your kitchen is primarily a functional space, you need to remember that it also needs to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. When it comes down to it, most people prefer the look of granite countertops over silestone countertops.

Granite countertops are cut from a single slab of stone, giving each piece its unique look and pattern. No two granite countertops look exactly the same.

On the other hand, silestone countertops are all uniform in their construction. While silestone comes in a wide variety of colors, you’ll also have a handful of granite colors to choose from if you opt for the above material.

make the choice

At the end of the day, neither granite nor silestone is demonstrably better than the other as a countertop material. The decision you make will likely come down to nothing more than personal preference, and which one best suits the overall theme of your kitchen project.

If you can afford it and value comfort above all else, silestone will be the obvious choice.

If you are more concerned with aesthetics and spending less money, granite is the best option.

But at the end of the day, both are great kitchen countertop materials and you can’t go wrong choosing either one.