Have you ever heard of Silestone? If you've never heard of it or if you want to know more about this coating, this article is for you! Silestone is so well known but it is nothing more than an industrially produced synthetic stone.
So, it has all the benefits of materials produced in factories, such as the uniformity and standardization of the pieces, on the other hand, they are not natural stones. If you prioritize using natural stones, Silestone may not be the best option, but considering ecological issues and so many others that we are going to present here, it is a very beautiful coating that offers as many or even more advantages than natural stones.
If you are interested in learning more about this synthetic stone, so present in current buildings, continue reading this article to understand more about its characteristics. From there, it will be possible for you to assess if it is an interesting stone for what you want and if it meets your needs.
Then, continue with me to understand what Silestone consists of, what are its advantages and disadvantages, what are its models, where it can be used in a construction, its price and, finally, how to clean and maintain the stone. Let's get started!
What is Silestone?
Silestone is industrially produced and is composed of 94% natural quartz, polyester resin and pigment, which makes it very hard and resistant, even more so than granites. These stones are manufactured using a high-tech process, the Vacuum Vibrocompression System, making them extremely hard and resistant.
Because it is industrially produced, it is possible to find a multitude of models, with different colors, textures, styles and finishes. Perhaps this is its great advantage. Hardly, you won't find one that fits your architectural project. Very different from what happens with granites and marbles, which, because they are natural stones, are more porous and with less uniformity, which somewhat restricts their use.
The stone is known by the name of Silestone, but it is important to clarify that it is only a registered trademark. Therefore, it is possible to find this type of stone from other manufacturers. Just search and budget with several of them, right?
What are its advantages? And drawbacks?
As for pluses that the use of Silestone offers are numerous. Now let's get to know some of them:
Strength and Durability: Silestone has a hardness higher than, even, other stones, such as Granites and marbles. This makes it very resistant to impacts, cracks, scratches and stains, making it much easier to maintain. If you already thought that granites were resistant stones, Silestone is even more so.
Less susceptible to stains, dirt and bacteria: Silestone has a very low porosity and, therefore, is less prone to the appearance of stains, accumulation of dirt and the proliferation of bacteria and fungi, making it the most hygienic stone that exists. However, it is still possible to intensify these qualities with the use of a specific product, which I will talk about later.
Very simple cleaning and maintenance: there are no secrets to cleaning the stone and keeping it preserved, which makes it extremely practical for everyday use, when we don't have much time to dedicate to it.
Aesthetic finish: this advantage, without a doubt, is the main reason that makes many people choose this type of stone. This is because, because it has various types of models, colors, finishes, it combines with any decoration proposal. In addition, Silestone has no veins or granules, like marbles and granites, and thus, it is much easier to combine and give a clean look to the environments.
As for the disadvantages that Silestone can offer, we can talk about the price, which is much higher, especially, than granites. However, one must evaluate all the advantages that this stone can provide, since the cost-benefit often pays off. It is also a stone that should not be used outdoors, as the sun can discolor it. And finally, its last disadvantage concerns the need to change the entire piece of the stone if it is damaged. However, because it is very resistant, it is not very common to happen.
Well, now that you have learned about the advantages and disadvantages of using Silestone in your construction, it is possible to weigh its characteristics to assess whether it is suitable and if it meets your needs, okay?
What are the Silestone models?
If you log in to website from Silestone, it is possible to find the various types of stone models. In addition to the countless possibilities of shades, you can give it any style and finish you want. Therefore, it is very easy to combine it with various types of projects and environments. This is the great advantage of being an industrially produced stone, which you will never achieve with a stone formed in nature.
The styles can be smooth, with veins, fine or coarse-grained, and the finishes have variations in texture, such as polished, suede and volcano. But this does not require consulting the manufacturer to know and understand more about the stone options.
Where to use Silestone?
Silestone is widely used for kitchen countertops, for example. Because they are resistant, do not stain easily and are still very easy to clean, the kitchen is the preferred environment for architects to use Silestone. In addition to these functional characteristics, which are perfect for a kitchen, it has a different aesthetic appeal and can be combined with any style you choose for the environment. If you want a basic stone, it is ideal, as it does not interfere with the overall decoration of the place at all. It can also be used in bathtubs, stairs, tables, in short, there are infinite possibilities of purposes that can be given to the stone.
What is the price of Silestone?
As we mentioned in previous topics, priced of the Silestone is not the lowest. When compared to granites, it is much higher, but compared to marbles, depending on which of them, it can be equivalent.
The price of Silestone is around 1200 reais per square meter. It's an investment, but the return that the stone will offer is also quite high. So, consider all its advantages to assess if it's worth it for you!
How to clean and maintain Silestone?
That Silestone is much less porous than granites and marbles, we have to agree. However, no stone is 100% waterproof and, therefore, no matter how small its porosity, it can be subject to the harmful actions of water, such as infiltrations, which can generate the much dreaded blemishes.
With that in mind, Blok developed a hydrophobic product ideal for applying to stones so that they are completely protected against infiltration in addition to preventing the accumulation of dirt.
I'm talking about BlokSeal, which, after being applied, creates an invisible layer, without altering the characteristics of the material, which protects the entire stone against any adverse effect that water may cause. Despite all the advantages of Silestone, it is essential to water it with BlokSeal, okay?
In relation to neatness of the Silestone, we can say that there is no secret. Just wipe with a damp cloth or a very soft sponge to remove dirt. It is not recommended to use abrasive products, as they may damage the material. So, before doing any cleaning procedure, consult the manufacturer who can best guide you in this regard.
Conclusion
Silestone is a very interesting coating and, therefore, is one of the preferred options of architects to include in decoration projects. In addition to its undisputed aesthetic appeal and versatility, Silestone has very advantageous functional characteristics, which increases its use in buildings. If you are thinking of using Silestone or if you already own it, be sure to talk to the Blok team to learn more about BlokSeal, the product that will keep your stone beautiful for much longer!
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