Quartz has been a leading choice for worktops for many years, favoured for the complex range of styles and finishes available, and it's hard-wearing durability.
About the Silestone Eco Range
ECO by Cosentino¨ is an original product manufactured from 75% of recycled materials such as mirror, glass, porcelain, earthenware, and vitrified ash. Even 94% of the water used in its manufacturing process is re-used. ECO by Cosentino¨ is a product that embraces sustainability, design and quality that has produced a new category of recycled surfaces. These are an ecological alternative to similar surfaces available for construction and decoration.
Silestone Aesthetic Considerations
Colour Variation
Silestone is manufactured on a continual processing line. Each mixed batch only produces around 150 – 200 slabs so colour can vary slightly between batches.
Since Silestone is manufactured from natural quartz, variations in the colour, shape and pattern of the stone may occur and unique characteristics are to be expected with this product. Such variation does not affect the products performance in any manner. Samples are only a representative and are not an exact replication of what will be installed.
In addition, variations in shade, the density of coloured features and veining or areas of contrast are all common within veined Quartz, occasionally this can be quite dramatic in both veining and colour groups, within each worktop and between worktops in a kitchen.
Surface Appearance
In some cases, areas of ‘milkiness’ and swirls can be evident. This could arise from natural variation in the colour of the quartz stone itself, a pigment drip or foreign material.
Plain colours are easier to manufacture but harder to keep uncontaminated during manufacture e.g. light colours may have small dark spots, darker colours may appear patchy with lighter spots.
Pinprick ‘pitting’ of the surface is a common feature of engineered (quartz) stone and arises from release of air / gas during the manufacture process.
All above are inherent in the manufacturing process of engineered stone and are not considered defective.
Silestone Worktop Technical Specifications
Introduction
Silestone® is made from an amazing 93% quartz with the remaining 7% polymer binder.
- Complete with polished finish.
- Ideal for vanity tops, worksurfaces, cladding etc.
- Extremely hard, 7 on the ‘Moh’s Hardness scale’.
- The quartz used coupled with highperformance, stain resistant polymers results in a durable, non-porous, chemical resistant surface.
- Silestone® keeps its lustrous gloss and ultra-smooth surface without polishing. Because it is non-porous, it does not require sealants or waxes.
Tolerance
Tolerance in Silestone® is ±2mm
Joints
Silestone® joints are finished with a small ariss to the top edge, silicone sealant is applied to prevent water ingression.
Thermal expansion
Due to thermal expansion Silestone® can expand up to 1mm per metre. A gap of at least 3mm should be left at each end of the worktop when fitted and filled with decorators caulk. When Silestone® is joined to other materials (such as glass, steel or wood) an elastic type of adhesive, for example polyurethane is required for expansion.
Overhangs and supports
Any overhang extending more than 300mm must be supported.
Hob & Sink cutouts
- A minimum of 120mm is required between two hob cutout.
- A minimum of 100mm is required between hob and sink cutouts.
- A minimum of 50mm is required between two sink cutouts.
- Sink cutouts are placed a minimum of 50mm from the worktop front edge.
Internal radius
Internal profile edges on all edge detail other than bevel edge must have a radius of at least 60mm. Bevel edges don’t have this constraint as they are hand finished.
Upstands
Upstands should ideally be 100mm high, as material less than this height is extremely fragile. Upstands are not normally cut from the same slab as the worksurfaces, therefore an exact colour match is not possible. Silestone® upstands are straight and rigid, gaps will be visible where there are variations in the wall profile.
Plastering or tiling should ideally be completed after the worksurface installation.
Scratches
Silestone® is scratch resistant but not scratch proof. Small scratches less than 25mm in length are considered within tolerance by the manufacturer and are considered acceptable.
Stainless Steel Sinks
Please specify the preferred undermounting of Stainless Steel Sinks. Silicone sealant may be rendered ineffective when plumbing the sink in, it is important that the sink is re-sealed by the plumber, or the 12 months guarantee will be invalid if the work is not carried out.
If a waste disposal unit is fitted to an undermounted sink after installation, additional support will be required, otherwise your warranty may be invalidated.
Handling
For installations you will need to supply additional labour on orders which have worktops weighing above 150kg. Every additional 75kg requires an extra person to assist with lifting. Size of ‘scant’ or ‘slab’, is a major factor in selecting the maximum usable length of a work surface. Approximately 3m x 1.3m is the largest work surface we are able to manufacture, this may be drastically reduced if you require a cutout.
Due to the weight of Silestone®, please ensure that your units are level and securely fixed
