Quartz stone has recently supplanted granite as the top choice for kitchen countertops today. That is not really a big surprise. Quartz countertops are very durable and require little maintenance. They also come in a wide range of styles and colors, and manufacturers are coming out with new models regularly.
Some quartz stones look enough like natural stones to fool anybody but an expert, and some are unmistakably man-made, but still beautiful. One of the top brands of quartz countertops is Silestone by Cosentino, and they have some amazing products to offer in both styles.
Silestone provides solutions for homeowners that want the look of natural stones such as marble, granite, and soapstone, but do not want to deal with the issues that come with them. The following Silestone models should come under consideration for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanity tops.
Marble
Helix
The look of marble is one of the biggest sellers for quartz stone products, primarily because marble is so beautiful but not as durable as granite or quartz. One of the more subtle Silestone models that mimic marble quite well is Helix. It has very faint gray veins spaced widely apart called large repeats. It is only one of several models with this pattern.
Pulsar
Another good marble doppelganger is the Silestone Pulsar. It has a white or light color background with an intermittent sprinkling of gray streaks and mustard yellow. The veins are in a large repeat design designed to keep the colors from overwhelming the stone. The result is a deliberate randomness that keeps the product from looking too busy. It is a great choice for homeowners looking for a little unexpectedness in their countertops.
Lyra
Carrara marble is one of the most popular types of marble with a pristine white background and a sprinkling of feathery gray veins. A durable, low maintenance substitute for this is the Silestone Lyra. It has the same vein patterns and subtle elegance as this classic Italian marble, but without the vulnerabilities of true Carrara marble. Some people might say it is not as good as the real thing, but in practical terms, it might even be better.
Granite
Halley
If you want a neutral or earth color for your countertops, you might want to consider the granite-like Silestone Halley. It is part of the Galactic Series, but It may not immediately catch your attention. The subtle shades of brown and gray intermingle with the cream background, making for a warm look. It might not set your heart racing, but that is not a bad thing in the kitchen or bathroom. Halley is a particularly good choice for seamless countertops.
Pacifica
Silestone Pacifica is part of the Ocean Series and mimics granite in its arrangement of colors and crystals. It is predominantly brown and gray with streaks of opalescent white that brings to mind oyster shells against a bed of satin.
A striking looking stone, Pacifica countertops definitely call to mind the beauty of the deep ocean. Most of the colors are dark, but the effect is quite cheerful and bright, thanks to the swirls of pearly white. It works equally well with light and dark kitchen cabinets and floors, and it definitely the star of the show.
Kimbler Mist
Silestone Kimbler Mist is another granite lookalike. It is a Custom Silestone product with distinct clusters of veins and crystals in gray and pinkish beige. It is a neutral stone, ideal for all styles of kitchens and bathrooms, and most definitely a consideration for granite fans.
Urban Frost
Silestone Urban Frost is part of the Big Rock Series, and as close to white granite as you can get. White granite is very seldom solid white, and this model has the striations and crystals in black against a white background distinctive of granite rock. It is a good choice to give depth and transition to black and white kitchens, white bathrooms, and white kitchens.
Soapstone
Calypso
If you want the suede-like look of soapstone, but want something a lot more durable, you might want to look at Silestone Calypso. It is part of the Nebula Alpha Series with a sophisticated look inherent to the deep gray color and soft pale veins. You will not have to oil countertops using Calypso quartz as you would true soapstone, and will not easily scratch, either. These are just some reasons to choose this Silestone product over soapstone.
Conclusion
More people today favor quartz countertops over granite, marble, and other natural stones because they look enough like them to pass muster. Quartz countertops are low maintenance and readily available, advantages that put them high on the list of desirable acquisitions.
The only drawback to choosing quartz countertops is you have to get them from authorized distributors. They are not available off-the-shelf to homeowners. You also need to have an authorized company install them for you. Fortunately, you have all that with Fairfax Kitchen Bath.
Fairfax Kitchen Bath services the DC, MD and Northern Virginia metropolitan areas. We are a Class A, licensed and insured contractor, registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have a showroom in Fairfax, Virginia, which houses all our products.
We sell only top quality products for all your remodeling needs, from natural and engineered stone slabs, cabinets, shelves, sinks, faucets tiles, backsplashes, knobs and pulls, and hardwood flooring. We carry only the top brands for these products, such as Schrock Cabinetry, Silestone, Blanco, Kohler, and Mosaic Décor.
Contact us today to get free in-home design consultation and quote for your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project.
