I'm picking quartz countertops for my new kitchen. The color I like best is made by Cambria, but a friend of mine is getting Silestone. Is there a difference? Anyone who has either one and good or bad experiences?

I looked at both Cambria and Silestone. Actually I thought both offered great selection of colors and I could have chosen either one. I live in TX and my custom home builder uses Silestone so that's basically how I made my decision (Silestone is based in TX). Gotta tell ya Quartz is the way to go...I love my countertops, they have the beautiful look of all natural stone without the hassle!

I have ALMOST decided on quartz for my new countertops. My last decision is: backsplash in same surface? I have marble countertop in a bathroom with file on the wall behind the marble. Behind the sink, water has somehow got behind the clear caulking and a small amount of mould is appearing. I would appreciate advice as to whether or not I definitely should have a quartz (silestone or hanstone) backsplash in the kitchen or has anyone run into problems with tiling on the wall behind the kitchen sink?? Thank you

Suzanne,

I think it has less to do with whether you choose quartz, marble, tile, etc., than with how well the counter is caulked and what kind of drywall, caulk and paint you use. Have you talked to a local contractor?

Have you looked at Zodiaq Quartz Surface? Pretty interesting patterns.

Cornel
Italian Marble and Granite

My company is certified to install Cambria and Silestone. We also install other brands of quartz as well, including Zodiac. I can tell you emphatically that Cambria has the best colors. Cambria uese larger and whiter quartz, and also has a special machine that allows them to add more colors into their slabs. The result are colors that are deeper and better. They have also chosen pallets that are best suited for the US market. Silestone is made in Spain, and they must like more monochromatic and bright/Jazzy colors. Here we like the natural granite looks more.

Lastly, with Cambria all the colors and edge profiles are priced the same, so it's much more straight forward - just get what you want - no pricing games

Although both are good products I decided on Silestone. I researched both and I found that Silestone has more colors to offer and edge profiles. Also, they are the only one with microban protection. Most importantly Silestone was very curtious and professional!!

Highly recommend it!

I am in the middle of what could be a Cambria nightmare. I don't know if it's the dealer from whom I purchased--who came highly recommended--or Cambria product itself. The two pieces that needed to be seamed together on the main countertop do not match--one is more black and one is more brown. Right now, I'm being told that the Cambria has larger particles in it and that's to be expected that the colors will differ that significantly. (Nothing of this was mentioned during the ordering process!) Furthermore, the sample I chose had NO orange in it at all--the countertop has a significant number of orange particles in it. We're being told that some runs have more orange than others. If this is a man-made product, how can there be such differentiations. Until I get a resolution, I am on the hook for a $6,000 countertop that will NOT increase my home's resale value and may even impact it's ability to be resold.

If you are considering cambria, I would bring up these problems with your dealer and see what their response is.

Carol in SC

Carol that is horrible news...is the issue resolved? I am thinking of Cambria as well but
am starting to hear some negative things about color matching. I will certainly put it in my contract. Let us know how this is being resolved!
Good luck, GB

As some of you seen honed caesarstone? It looks very much like natural stone and does not have that shine and polished look like granite. It looks more modern and understated than those big shiny blocks. How does it aged?

Anne: I am shopping Caesarstone & specifically the Honed product because it does look sooooooo good! The best prices I've found (so far) are through my local IKEA. BUT they have a "caveat" that is provided by the Caesarstone folks about HONED FINISHES. Specifically, the document you are provided to SIGN states that the honed finishes will require more daily maintenance (than the polished finishes) and metal marks, finger prints and other signes of daily living will be more apparent - especially in darker colors! Apparently those "daily living" blemishes will not be consiered product defects during the 10 year limited warranty period... Something I am definitely thinking over now.

quote:

Originally posted by Anne:
As some of you seen honed caesarstone? It looks very much like natural stone and does not have that shine and polished look like granite. It looks more modern and understated than those big shiny blocks. How does it aged?

All these materials are good and should match and make beautiful tops. Problem is in the fabrication. Seams should be minimal and match. Be present at template and ask where the seams will be. Get your slab size! Know who is fabricating and go visit the shop.