Question about granite/Silestone countertops

[ctrl+alt+del]

I want to re-do my countertops and wanted to know some things:

What is the cost of granite compared Silestone and the like?

Are there any drawbacks to using Silestone?

Where in Houston would anyone recommend ordering/installing this?

Thanks in advance! c+a+d

 

[hollisdude]

We're starting the re-model process of our kitchen as we speak. Talked with several companies. Here's the pro/con of what we've heard collectively so far from Houston remodelers:

1. Granite is now a little less per square foot than silestone or corian.
2. Granite can chip or crack IF you drop something hard and heavy enough. Problem ... can't be repaired.
3. Silestone, if chipped or cracked, can be repaired or rubbed out. Don't know about corian.
4. Silestone and corian comes in more colors. Granite is what you can get from Momma Earth.

Even though most of that points to silestone, we're still leaning towards granite. I'm thinking the remodelers are going to direct us to the granite place if and when we are ready to pick a color.

 

[ctrl+alt+del]

Anyone know the approximate cost of granite? Silestone?

 

[hollisdude]

One quote we have as an allowance is $50 sf on granite. Nothing on silestone.

 

[Texas Horn]

$50 is high. You can get granite for $39/sf, according to a good friend who is a GC.

 

[zzzz]

I believe you have to seal granite annually, I don't think that is the case with Silestone. Corian (solid surfacing) can also be repaired.

 

[suttree]

Silestone is a nice product, but I don't think it compares to the beauty of natural granite. In Houston there are some places off of old 288 that have the huge granite slabs from which you can pick. What you will see is the natural variations in color that will make each kitchen unique. Silestone is immediately recognizable as Silestone because it only comes in about 8 colors.

Granite does require some limited maintenance. You do need to seal it every year or so, and you shouldn't use commercial cleaners on it. We use vinegar Windex. It can also stain, although I've never had a problem.

I think in terms of resale granite is perceived as more high-end.

 

[ctrl+alt+del]

In reply to:

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[jimmyjazz]

Home Depot will tell you $39/sf (+ $12/sf for installation).

For those who know, what is the conventional wisdom on

* heat tolerance
* staining

???

 

[Texas Horn]

find a friend in the business who will install for $5/sf

 

[big_fat_horn]

Silestone is a non porus man made material. It is made in Italy in huge slabs and shipped to the US where it is fabricated into countertops. It is made from quartz and polymers bonded together under intense heat and pressure. It has no voids or micro cracks like granite. It doesnt have to be resealed every six months like granite. It will not chip, split, crack or scorch. You can put a hot skillet directly on it, and cut on it. Cleanup is with a soap or disinfectant. It does come with a guarantee. Granite usually has no guarantee. Silestone comes in about 25 colors/patterns. You dont have to pick an individual slab like granite because all the Silestone will have a consistent look. Anymore questions, just ask, I am the Dept Head of pluming, kitchen&bath, and applainces for a big orange box.

 

[KS1866]

we remodeled with granite slab last year. Can't remember what it cost. All I remember is that granite tiles are a hell of a lot cheaper that granite slab.

You might also look at limestone. I thought it looked better than granite, but was quickly overruled by the boss.

 

[TexasEd]

You have to be careful of the calcium/limestone content - if it bubbles with lemon juice or vinegar on it you have to seal it.

You have to be careful about installing a much heavier material on your existing cabinets. Make sure they are reinforced.

$50 sq/ft is a good budgetary number

 

[swTXSU]

When we built our house I thought the Silestone selection was better than granite because it was more consistent. If you like the natural imperfections of the granite then it may be for you.

Family owns a tile/granite/flooring store and I still went with the Silestone. Crack or chip a granite countertop - no fix, just replace.

 

[ldogg53]

SIlestone and Corian are just harder versions of linoleum to me... they look like manufactured blandness.... I love the variation and uniqueness of granite... I just put in a granite called Copper Canyon into my kitchen and it is stunning... people walk in and say "wow" and have to touch it... that will never happen with Silestone or Corian...

as for this issue of sealing the granite... some of you seem to have no clue... if you buy a quality stone sealer you only need to seal the granite every 3-5 years... and sealing it is no big deal.. might take you 10-15 minutes... no way should that be a deal breaker... I'll concede the issues of chipping and placing hot things on the surface, but if you take care of your counters you won't have any problems.. it isn't a big deal...

prices on granite are great right now too... since you are in Houston go check out a place called Colours of the Rainbow which is off of 59 at Newcastle... and also a place called Natural Stone Gallery which is near Sharpstown off of Beechnut I think... they both selled prefab slabs from China.. these are already made 1 1/2" bullnosed slabs of granite in 8' long pieces... the cost is about $250-350 each depending upon color... then there is the install charge which isn't too bad considering they will cut them on site... undermount sinks will cost more than drop in.... typical colors available are Baltic Brown, Absolute Black, Black Galaxy, Giallo Veneziano, Giallo Fiorito, Santa Cecilia, Uba Tuba and a few others... this is what most builders do these days in new homes instead of custom fabrication...

to give you an idea of price we paid $990 total for my master bathroom... this was for 2 of the 8' prefab pieces, 2 drop in sinks and backsplashes.... so basically for 31 sq ft we paid $31 per sq ft....

there are also a ton of granite dealers/installers located in several warehouse type business off of Hempstead Hwy by Northwest Mall and further up Hempstead..... these are smaller guys and will certainly negotiate seriously on price.. we almost bought from a guy there but he didn't have what we needed for the kitchen..

DO NOT buy from Home Depot or Lowes or any large store as you will be getting taken to the woodshed... if you need more info drop me a PM... there are lots of places to get granite and get them cheap... you just need to know where to find them and how to deal with them... most of these places are run by immigrants...

 

[hullabelew]

We just remodeled our kitchen. My wife wanted Silestone but after looking around, changed her mind to granite. I love the look of the granite. We did about 26 linear feet of counter top. The builder ran a cost comparison against Corian and the granite was less than $400 more.

 

[txzen]

Limestone is great, but porous and as mentioned has issues with anything acidic - vinegar, tomato sauce, etc. These substances will etch the finish. I love the look (especially of Carerra Marble), but I don't think - at least for me - that I could deal with it in the kitchen.