There are so many different materials available when choosing a new kitchen worktop it can feel almost impossible to choose between them, especially when new worktop materials keep appearing.
Dekton and Silestone are relatively new materials that are popular for kitchen and bathroom countertops. However, many people are still unsure what these engineered materials are and what the differences are between them.
This blog will cover everything you need to know about Silestone vs Dekton to help you decide which material is best for your renovation.
We’ll cover:
- What Dekton is
- What Silestone is
- What are the differences between Dekton and Silestone
- If Dekton is better than Silestone
What is Dekton?
Dekton is a porcelain-based material made by the Cosentino Group, commonly used for kitchen and bathroom countertops. It’s also sometimes used for flooring and cladding.
How is Dekton made?
Dekton is made from a mixture of porcelain, natural quartz stone, and glass. These raw materials are compressed under incredibly high pressure to create a dense and ultra-compact slab. Because of its manufacturing process, Dekton countertops are durable and long-lasting, making them ideal for bathroom and kitchen countertops.
Dekton can also be made into much thinner slabs than other countertop materials. This gives you a worktop with a sleek profile and more design flexibility. It also resists heat and UV rays, so it can be used indoors and outdoors. Dekton is low maintenance and requires no sealing, unlike natural stone work surfaces such as granite and marble.
Benefits of Dekton
- Stain and scratch resistant.
- UV resistant, so you can use it outdoors without the colour fading.
- Heat and fire-resistant, so you can place hot pans directly on the surface (though using a trivet is still recommended).
- Thinner than other worktop materials.
- Durable and low maintenance.
What is Silestone?
Silestone is a surfacing and worktop material made by the Cosentino Group. It’s a type of engineered quartz. Like Dekton, it’s mainly used for kitchen and bathroom worktops. However, Silestone can also be used for floors, cladding, sinks, and shower trays, making it an incredibly versatile material.
How is Silestone made?
Some people refer to Silestone and quartz interchangeably. However, Silestone is the brand name for hybrid quartz work surfaces manufactured by Cosentino. These engineered stone slabs are made using a unique combination of 94% quartz bonded with polyester resins, adhesives, and properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria and microorganisms.
This manufacturing process creates a durable, non-porous surface that requires little maintenance and is easy to clean. However, despite being long-lasting, Silestone is still susceptible to heat and damage from heavy objects.
Benefits of Silestone
- Durable and withstands most impacts.
- Non-porous material, so it’s highly stain-resistant.
- Resists scratching.
- Flexible, so it can be adapted to fit bespoke worktop designs.
- Minimal maintenance and easy to clean.
What’s the difference between Silestone and Dekton?
There are some similarities between the two materials; for example, they’re both hybrid materials made by Cosinto that come in a huge variety of colours. However, there are some key differences between them.
Material
The biggest difference between Silestone and Dekton is that they’re made out of different materials. Dekton is made from a mix of porcelain, natural quartz and glass. However, Silestone is primarily made from ground natural quartz (mixed with a small amount of resin and coloured pigments).
Durability
Both materials are incredibly tough and durable. They’re popular for being able to withstand heavy impact and scratches.
However, Dekton slightly has the edge when it comes to impact and scratch resistance. It’s claimed that you can even cut directly on Dekton work surfaces, but we would still recommend using a cutting board to be safe. Dekton is also heat, fire and UV resistant.
Warranty
Cosentino offers a 25-year warranty on both Dekton and Silestone slabs, provided you register your worktop within six months. These warranties don’t cover abuse or improper use. This includes chipping caused by scraping the edges of your Dekton worktop or heat damage caused by placing hot pots on your Silestone worktop.
Dekton vs Silestone price
Both Silestne and Dekton are priced similarly per square foot. Because they are both high-tech, durable hybrid materials, their price is higher than more budget worktop materials, like laminate.
The exact price will depend on the thickness of the material, but on average, Dekton is slightly more expensive than Silestone. With both materials, professional installation is necessary. Otherwise, the warranty is void.
Colours, finishes and sizes available
Silestone and Dekton are both available in a range of colours (about 50 colours and patterns) to suit any kitchen design. This includes popular white, black and grey options in plain colours and ones with marble-inspired veining.
With Dekton, the pattern is printed onto the surface rather than throughout the material (like it is with Silestone. This means that if Dekton does chip, which is highly unlikely, it can be difficult to repair effectively.
Both products are available in large slab sizes that help reduce the number of joins and seams, making for a cleaner and more attractive installation. It’s worth noting that Dekton is available in thinner slabs than Silestone due to its manufacturing process.
Is Dekton better than Silestone?
Dekton is superior to Silestone in many ways – it’s more durable and fully heat resistant. Dekton is also available in thinner slabs, perfect if you want a sleek worktop design. It can be used outdoors as it’s not affected by UV rays. This makes Dekotn an incredibly versatile choice for kitchens and bathroom worktops.
However, Dekton is more expensive than Silestone, so Dekton might not be the right choice if you’re on a budget.
How Mo’s StoneX can help
If you’re interested in buying a beautiful Dekton worktop and having it installed by a team of professionals, we can help.
Mo’s StoneX is an experienced and reliable Dekton, granite and quartz worktops supplier. We have over ten years of experience supplying, templating and installing premium Dekton worktops. Our Dekton worktops are available in a huge range of colours and customisable finishes, so it’s easy to find the perfect worktop for your kitchen or bathroom renovation.
If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable alternative to Dekton, we also have a huge range of luxury quartz countertops available at a more affordable price than Silestone surfaces.
Fill out our online enquiry form for a free quote, or contact our friendly team to learn more about our Dekton worktops and if they’re the right fit for your home!