OT: Anyone have experience with Silestone or Cambria countertops?

[mrsstats]

For the pp who says hers doesn't shine try using Pledge Specialty Surfaces polish (silver can with yellow top)- it's safe for stainless, granite, natural stone and more..

I was told using anything other than what silestone tells you will void the warranty.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I have silestone and while I like it I am sorry that I did not get granite. I love the way granite shines and I dont get that same shine from silestone

Hmmmmmm
That really shouldnt be and the first I have heard that. Mine is quite shiny. Do you use windex on it? I think Id be upset if that were me...

I have had no issues with mine, looks exactly like when installed. We did the decorative edging (like granite) and have no maintenance (unlike granite) plus no write ups about alleged possible toxicity issues (like granite) so another happy camper here. Enjoy, OP!

 

[njsweetP]

I was told using anything other than what silestone tells you will void the warranty.

I was never told to use a specific product and it doesn't mention it on the website (unless I missed it).

 

[mhsjax]

We have Cambria. I don't like it at all and will never have it again. We have a decorative edge and it tears holes in my shirts. Also it doesn't shine like granite. Just not something I would recommend. Then again, I am over the whole "granite" thing anyway.

 

[MrsToad]

We put in a Silestone kitchen counter top about 4 years ago and it still looks shiny and new. I love it and have no regrets. Silestone also incorporates the "Microban antibacterial technology" - whether that truly helps or not, I don't know, but it IS very easy to clean.

Silestone was marketed to us as tough enough to cut on, but I don't, not to protect the counter top, but rather my knives! Our counter is the Blue Safita color.

 

[clh2]

Big Cambria fan here...had ours almost a year. now. LOVE IT!!!

DH simply didn't want the "hassle of sealing granite" which would have been my job anyway. So - DH was OK with formica (eww) or quartz. I was OK with granite or quartz. So - we went with quartz.

And...DH has it in his head that granite requires a stay at home spouse because picking out granite slabs would take forever... I can only imagine where he came up with that one...since he doesn't know anyone who has granite.

But - LOVE the Cambria!!!!

 

[Fly4free]

Love my Cambria! Doesn't stain or scratch and has stayed beautiful and shiny. The only thing I would watch out for, before having a template made, is color pooling. I had one large area of light color on my slab, but it was able to be eliminated.

So easy to keep clean and no maintenance. Just use a bit of quartz cleaner every once in a while.

 

[KDIPIAZZ]

I have a Silestone counter and tub surround in one bathroom, granite in another bathroom and soapstone in the kitchen.

The soapstone is my favorite - perfect for our old Victorian. Not a huge fan of our granite - it shows every water mark and in a frequently used bathroom, it's just a pain to keep looking nice. I wish I'd chosen a honed surface. I wanted to do soapstone again in the other bathroom, but cost was prohibitive. The Silestone has been a nice compromise and it's not a chore to keep spotless.

 

[nancycg56]

We have Caesarstone which is the same thing and we just love it. It shines up beautifully and I can do anything on it. I love that it's cold enough that I can roll out dough without a special cold board, I can put hot pots and pans on it with no problems, and nothing stains it.

I would never have anything else

 

[Princess Dolly]

We had quartz installed in our master bath and kitchen in our last house and I LOVED it. This house I tried granite in our master bath and found I prefer quartz so when we redo this kitchen I'll be going back to my first love. Great stuff.