Silestone is a man-made countertop surface manufactured by the Spanish decorative stone company Cosentino. It is comprised of 94 percent natural quartz and 6 percent resin binding agents and pigment, which allows the natural beauty of quartz to show through with great color consistency.
Quartz is surpassed in hardness only by topaz and diamond. The quartz content in Silestone is what gives it its remarkable strength; the pigment is what makes Silestone available in a variety of colors. Silestone and quartz are often compared to one another.
On This Page:
- Total Cost of a Silestone Counter
- Silestone Prices
- Advantages of Silestone Counters
- Disadvantages of Silestone Counters
- Silestone Options
- Conclusion
Total Cost of a Silestone Countertop
The cost to install a Silestone countertop depends on the size of the countertop and the complexity of its design. Silestone and quartz are comparable in price. Here are some common sizes and installation costs:
Type of Silestone Counter | Labor | Materials | Total |
25 sq ft, no seams, basic edge | $340 | $1,200 | $1,540 |
25 sq ft, 1 to 2 seams, basic edge | $510 | $1,200 | $1,720 |
25 sq ft, complex seams, decorative edge | $850 | $1,200 | $2,050 |
50 sq ft, no seams, basic edge | $650 | $2,500 | $3,150 |
50 sq ft, 1 to 2 seams, basic edge | $1,000 | $2,500 | $3,500 |
50 sq ft, complex seams, decorative edge | $1,750 | $2,500 | $4,250 |
60 sq ft, no seams, basic edge | $800 | $3,000 | $3,800 |
60 sq ft, 1 to 2 seams, basic edge | $1,200 | $3,000 | $4,200 |
60 sq ft, complex seams, decorative edge | $1,800 | $3,000 | $4,800 |
The list above reflects the lowest cost option, which may not include the rich colors or patterns of higher-priced Silestone. Medium-priced Silestone costs about $1,300 while higher priced material costs about $1,500 for a 25-square-foot countertop.
Extra Costs
Backsplashes and sink cut-outs can cost extra. Always ask whether these are included in a quote. Cutting a hole for a surface-mounted sink shouldn’t cost much, if anything, but an under-mount sink takes a bit more work and can come with some additional cost.
- Backsplash – For a 10-foot backsplash with a height of 4 inches, expect to pay around $350.
- Sink Cut-out – A top-mounted sink should be free of charge since it’s a simple hole in the counter. An under-mount sink requires more exactness and measuring, so this can add about $250 to the overall cost.
- Edging – A standard edge may not cost you anything. But if you want an edge with a more intricate design, such as a bullnose (rounded edge) or an ogee (an “s” shaped edge), it can cost from 15 to $30 per linear foot.
Silestone Prices
Before jumping in and ordering a Silestone countertop, be sure to visit your local hardware store for samples of the various patterns and styles. Big box stores often have plenty of samples, usually 4”x4”x.5,” for about $10 each. Samples will allow you to see how the different colors and patterns will look in your kitchen and under certain lighting conditions.
Silestone is priced by the square foot. It is separated into grades that indicate the smoothness and grittiness of the material as well as its pattern and color. Here are some cost examples:
- $47 per square foot
- Blanco City – A light-colored surface with small “pebbles” throughout
- Nightmist – A dark surface with star-like flecks throughout
- Rosa Grey – A grey surface with rose-colored “pebbles” sprinkled among many grey pebbles, giving it a busy yet warm look
- $55 per square foot
- Absolute Green – Like Rosa Grey, this is a busy-looking countertop. The pebbles are greenish grey
- Bamboo – A neutral beige surface with a mixture of large and small pebbles
- Coffee Brown – A dark brown surface with mostly larger pebbles
- $63 per square foot
- Stellar Night – Similar to Nightmist, a black surface with larger, black pebbles and light flecks accented throughout
- Stellar Snow – Stellar Night in white; the flecks are not as readily noticeable, but they do provide a subtle touch
- Tigris Sand – A neutral color with a sandy look
- $72 per square foot
- Chrome – A neutral grey with flakes of black pebbles and darker and lighter flecks of grey
- Black Dragon – Not as black as Nightmist or Stellar Night; more of a grayish green color reminiscent of dragon scales with veins of gold and white
- Sierra Madre – A dark, neutral, brownish grey with large pebbles reminiscent of the natural stone found in the Sierras
The patterns found in Silestone are similar to those found in quartz, but the colors and patterns are far more consistent in Silestone. This makes the material perfectly suited for people wanting a particular color and pattern scheme without a lot of variation.
Price Factors
There are a number of factors that can add to the cost of Silestone itself. These include the thickness of the slab, the edgework and the corner details.
The thickness of the slab is one of the first factors you will encounter. A typical Silestone countertop is about ¾-inch thick and usually requires a plywood support underneath. A thickness of about 1.25 inches doesn’t generally need support, but it may increase the cost of the material by $5 per square foot.
Edgework can affect the cost of your countertop as well, adding $15 - $30 per linear foot. A standard edge is a squared edge with rounded corners. Bullnose edges have a curved top while the popular ogee edge has an “s” curl to it. Different suppliers may offer different edges, so ask to see a catalog and discuss the price points for the edge you want. Other edges include:
- Demi-bullnose – Rounded top, flat bottom
- Bevel – Similar to the demi-bullnose but with a flatter edge on top
- Waterfall – Looks similar to the standard edge, but with softer corners
- Dupont – A small, sharp drop-off that turns into a rounded edge.
These are the edges normally available on ¾-inch thick Silestone. As slabs get thicker, it is possible to include more intricate designs, such as the “Triple Pencil”, which has three rounded edges stacked on top of each other. Be sure to ask for a catalog.
Corner Details
Inside corners can add to the cost of a countertop. Seamed joint, in which the corners are cut at angles and joined, will generally cost less than rounded, seamless corners.
The same usually goes for outside corners as well. A squared corner takes less work than a rounded one and may cost more. But, because squared corners may cause injuries -- especially in children -- rounded outside corners are sometimes worth the extra investment.
Advantages of Silestone Countertops
As a countertop material, Silestone has many advantages over other stone types.
- It offers the beauty of natural quartz with a wider color and pattern selection.
- It’s acid-, stain-, scratch- and impact-resistant.
- It’s available in a wide range of textures.
- It’s anti-bacterial.
Disadvantages of Silestone
Like all countertop materials, Silestone also offers some disadvantages:
- It doesn’t look like true natural stone.
- Silestone costs more than some other popular natural stone options.
- Silestone is often heavier than granite, requiring more support beneath the countertop.
Silestone Options
Silestone comes in many different colors. Cosentino offers 136 colors and patterns, ranging from pure whites to vivid colors to the darkest blacks. In fact, it’s even possible to find vivid shades of blue, magenta, red, green, yellow and orange to suit any kitchen.
The various patterns of Silestone are offered within a group of mythology-inspired “series” — including Nebula Alpha, Ocean, Galactic, Platinum, Mesopotamia and others.
Smaller flakes and pebbles give some patterns a softer look, while larger flakes and pebbles give a more dramatic effect. Many people use the “softer” patterns in master bathrooms to help improve the “domestic escape” that most people desire.
Patterns with larger flakes tend to look busier, but also manage to look more interesting. Popular for kitchen counters and floors, these patterns offer a more natural look, but still manage to maintain the consistency of color and pattern that you just can’t guarantee in natural stone.
In Conclusion
There are some people who prefer the unpredictable look of natural stone in their kitchen countertops. Others, however, want a more consistent pattern and texture. Silestone is a low-maintenance material that offers the look of natural stone and the warmth of natural quartz combined with the consistency and durability of manufactured stone.