Countertops: Counter-Arguments

Written in Stone

Engineered stone received the highest ranking among countertop materials in the August 2005 issue of Consumer Reports. It combines the durability and timelessness of stone with the consistency and colorful palette of solid-surface materials.

Silestone by Cosentino is made with natural quartz-another of the hardest stones? which is mined not in slabs but in small pieces. "We have a manufacturing process to make it into the form of the countertop, which is 93 percent quartz," says Gina Covell, public relations manager for Cosentino USA. "The remaining small percentage is natural pigments and binders."

Silestone is resistant to stains, scratches and heat, and according to Cosentino, can stand up to a lit match rested on the countertop. "The great thing about Silestone" is, not only is it beautiful, but it is very durable, and it's practically maintenance-free," says Covell. To clean Silestone, soapy water or a mild household cleaner does the job; abrasives and solvents should be avoided.

To help protect against germs between cleanings, Silestone? engineers the antimicrobial substance Microban into the material. "We"re the only one that has Microban," says Covell, though other countertops may incorporate different brands of antimicrobial products. Cosentino cautions that Microban is not a substitute for regular cleanings, however, and will not protect against foodborne illnesses.And what about the look" "the new addition of our Silestone? River Series, we now have close to 60 colors," said Covell. The series is part of a leather-texture collection, offering an alternative, polished matte finish similar to the look and feel of limestone.

Silestone can be used for backsplashes, wet bars, cabinet knobs and more. Backed by a 10-year warranty, it runs $45 to $95 per square foot installed and is available through a number of outlets ranging from large home-supply stores to builders to architects.Another engineered stone, Rocksolid Granit by Granite Transformations is 95 percent Italian granite mixed with a polymer resin to create a lightweight, durable surface available in 24 colors. It is heat-, stain- and scratch-resistant and, like Silestone, incorporates an antimicrobial substance throughout the material.

Specializing in remodels, Granite Transformations custom-fits its quarter-inch-thick engineered granite surface directly over existing countertops. "Even though it's so thin, once it's down with the two-part epoxy we use, it's very, very strong," says Tim Stickney, president of the company?s Raleigh branch. ?You can drop a bowling ball on it" which the company does in a promotional video.

"The other neat thing is that most of our jobs are done in one day," says Stickney. ?We come in the morning, we?re out in the afternoon, and you?re using your countertops the next morning. Rocksolid GranitTM can also be used for backsplashes, fireplace inserts and more. Granite Transformations offers a limited lifetime warranty on material and labor. Rocksolid GranitTM pricing is based on the amount of edging needed, the overall square footage and whether backsplashes, beveled edges and undermount sinks are part of the design. Total costs including installation and tax generally average out to between $50 and $65 per square foot.

Pioneered by DuPont three decades ago, Corian was the first solid-surface countertop material. Solid-surface countertops can be molded into just about any shape imaginable?even incorporating the sink into one continuous piece with the countertops, with no seams anywhere. This lends a sleek look and a smooth feel, with no physical crevices to trap food, germs or dirt. Corian? is also listed by the National Sanitation Foundation and commonly used in operating rooms.

Regular cleaning with all-purpose cleaner or warm soapy water is all that?s needed; for heavier dirt or the occasional stain, a light abrasive pad and a little elbow grease will do the trick. As with other countertops, strong chemical cleaners should be avoided.

With solid surface, its nonporous surface doesn't stain easily, but it is vulnerable to scratches and scorch marks. The good news: Blemishes are easy to repair with a light sanding. The homeowner can also have trivets and cutting boards inlaid into the countertop to avoid scratches and burns from the start.

With Corian and other solid surfaces, edges can be beveled, rounded, eased, squared off and more with inlays available in just about any of these edges. Most Corian? countertops are created with a matte/satin finish; semi-gloss and high-gloss are other options. More than 100 hues are available, from the subtlest neutrals to the brightest primaries.

Its color, texture and porosity are consistent throughout the entire surface, which is very attractive to many homeowners. Corian runs the consumer an average of $40 to $75 per square foot, with a 10-year warranty when fabricated and installed by a Certified Fabricator/Installer for DuPont Corian.