Many homeowners struggle with choosing between Caesarstone and Silestone countertops for their kitchen or bathroom remodels. Both brands manufacture durable engineered quartz surfaces that mimic the appearance of natural stone.
Silestone resembles quartz, while Caesarstone imitates marble or travertine. This guide explores the key differences between the two brands.
Company Overviews
Silestone and Caesarstone are leading manufacturers of engineered quartz countertops. Understanding their backgrounds gives insight into their products.
Silestone is a global quartz countertop brand headquartered in Almeria, Spain, with manufacturing facilities worldwide, including in the United States. Silestone’s creators first made quartz surfaces in 1990. The company is known for the vibrant color range of its products.
Caesarstone is regarded as the inventor of engineered quartz countertops. The company was founded in Israel in 1987 and maintains its global headquarters there today.
Caesarstone emphasizes the superior resilience of quartz over natural stone. It offers a range of textures, finishes, and edges to customize the look of your countertops. Some of the collections feature naturally derived minerals and aggregates like tiger’s eye and agate embedded in the material.
Durability
When choosing a material for kitchen or bathroom countertops, durability is a primary consideration. Both Caesarstone and Silestone perform well in this regard. The quartz countertops from both manufacturers have a hardness rating of seven on the Mohs scale, which means they resist scratches, scuffs, and cuts. The non-porous material will not absorb stains from coffee, oil, alcohol, or other substances. You can expect durability and resilience from both Silestone and Caesarstone.
However, putting extremely hot pots directly on these surfaces can cause thermal shock and result in cracks or fissures. Intense, direct heat may scorch or burn your countertop and leave a permanent ring-shaped mark because the engineered stone contains a small amount of resin. Remember to use trivets or hot pads to protect quartz surfaces. With proper care, Silestone and Caesarstone countertops will retain their original beauty for many years.
Quartz Content
The percentage of quartz in the slabs affects their hardness, durability, and aesthetics. Both Silestone and Caesarstone have a high proportion of quartz.
Silestone quartz surfaces contain at least 91% ground quartz aggregate mixed with resins and pigments. Caesarstone reports a quartz composition of up to 93%, depending on the product line. The small difference in quartz content of 2% or less doesn’t noticeably impact the quartz countertops’ performance or appearance. You can expect excellent resilience from both Caesarstone and Silestone.
Color Options
One area where Silestone and Caesarstone differ is in the diversity of colors and patterns available.
Silestone offers over 85 color options with names like Blanco Maple, Calypso, and Cemento. It’s available in three finishes: suede, volcano, and polished.
Caesarstone provides over 60 color choices, with polished, rough, and concrete finish options. Some patterns incorporate decorative aggregates to emulate luxury stones.
For homeowners desiring more color choices, Silestone’s wider spectrum of vibrant hues gives more options to complement your interior design. The range of tones from light to dark allows greater customization. Of course, having more colors to pick from can also make the selection process more difficult.
Price Comparison
In general, expect to pay a premium for Caesarstone over Silestone. Silestone quartz countertops range from $50–$70 per square foot. Caesarstone carries a higher price tag, averaging $60–$80 per square foot. Variables like the distributor, complexity of fabrication and installation, selected colors, and current promotions affect the final cost you’ll pay.
Budget-focused homeowners can realize significant savings by choosing Silestone over the pricier Caesarstone.
Warranties
Manufacturer warranties provide peace of mind that your investment will be protected. Both Silestone and Caeserstone back their quartz countertops with strong guarantees.
Silestone offers a standard 25-year limited warranty, but some distributors may offer longer warranties.
For residential installations, Caesarstone provides a lifetime limited warranty. If defects crop up, Caesarstone will replace or repair the countertops. The warranty transfers to the new owners if you sell your home, though only for 10 years after the original purchase date of the countertops.
In reality, most quartz countertop owners will never need to file a warranty claim. With over 20 years of experience as a real estate agent, I’ve observed that Silestone and Caesarstone countertops retain their beauty and performance for decades when properly maintained.
Key Differences
To summarize the distinctions:
- Silestone provides more color variety with over 85 choices
- Caesarstone costs more per square foot installed
- Silestone comes with a 25-year limited warranty
- Caesarstone warranties its quartz surfaces for life
While the brands share similarities, these differences help you decide which is better suited to your kitchen or bath remodel.
So, Is Caesarstone or Silestone the Better Choice?
For many homeowners, the decision between Silestone and Caesarstone comes down to price and color availability. Silestone provides an attractive value proposition that doesn’t sacrifice quality or durability. The expanded color palette allows more customization.
Caesarstone, while more costly, is a prestigious brand. Its color choices are plentiful but not as extensive as Silestone’s. Caesarstone’s lifetime limited warranty is reassuring, even if a claim is never needed.
No option is universally superior. Evaluate your priorities to determine whether the colors and lower price of Silestone or the luxury reputation and lifetime warranty of Caesarstone better fit your needs.
FAQs About Silestone and Caesarstone
What are the differences in feel and finish between Silestone and Caesarstone?
The surfaces of both quartz brands feel extremely smooth and solid. Visible differences between Silestone and Caesarstone finishes are subtle. Both offer polished, rough/textured, and concrete/matte options. Texture plays the biggest role in aesthetic variations.
Which is better for heavy usage areas like kitchens?
Both Caesarstone and Silestone provide excellent durability for heavily used kitchen countertops. The quartz content, hardness, scratch resistance, and stain resistance are virtually equal.
How do Silestone and Caesarstone quartz surfaces compare to granite?
Granite and quartz have high hardness and stain resistance. Engineered quartz lacks pores and has more consistent aesthetics. Granite has a more authentic, distinctive look compared to manufactured quartz.
Can you repair damage to Caesarstone or Silestone?
Minor damage, like superficial scratches, can be addressed through polishing. Extensive damage requires replacement.
How thick are Caesarstone and Silestone slabs?
The standard thickness is 1.25 inches for countertops. Some projects may use 1.5-inch slabs. Thicker slabs provide more structural integrity for heavily used surfaces like kitchen island counters.
Can you have an under-mount sink with either quartz product?
Undermount sinks provide a seamless countertop appearance. The materials and bonding strength of Silestone and Caesarstone both support under-mount sink installation.
