If it makes you feel any better, for the longest time I thought that Corian and Silestone were just two manufacturers' versions of the same thing. Not so.
Man-Made Material vs. Organic
The chief difference between Corian and Silestone is composition:- Corian - man-made material, mostly a polymer (plastic).
- Silestone - quartz (organic).
Radon Worries?
Granite is known to emit radon, a type of radioactive gas tied to cancer. What about Corian and Silestone?- Corian - none.
- Silestone - since quartz comes from the earth, some radon gas may be present. But the Cosentino Corporation, makers of Silestone, say that Silestone "has been tested and found to be low or free of radon gas."
Non-Porous and Resists Stains?
No countertop material completely resists staining. But Corian and Silestone do a reputable job of it, and their manufacturers claim the following:- Corian - yes.
- Silestone - yes.
Any Kind of Warranty?
Both DuPont (Corian) and Cosentino (Silestone) offer warranties:- Corian - 10 year limited.
- Silestone - 15 year limited.
How Many Colors are There?
The chief difference between Corian and Silestone is composition:- Corian - 100 colors.
- Silestone - 65 colors.
Claim to Fame
Both Corian and Silestone have bragging rights:- Corian - first solid man-made surface to achieve such resounding success.
- Silestone - a very malleable stone surface for people who don't want to deal with the problems of natural slab stone.
Luster and Depth?
- Corian - a duller appearance, but shiny is not always wanted.
- Silestone - because it is quartz, some varieties of Silestone can be quite lustrous.
