SILESTONE QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE ® Key Product Attributes Summary π π π π π Made of Natural Quartz, the 4th hardest mineral found in nature The only countertop with built-in antimicrobial protection Scratch-, stain- and scorch-resistant Low maintenance - cleans with soap and water; never needs sealers Offers 15-year manufacturer’s warranty Silestone Main Advantages: Cleaner, Safer Countertop Choice π National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved π GREENGUARD certified as safe for the kitchen indoor environment π Antimicrobial protection to safely fight the spread of bacteria, mold and mildew, 24/7 for the life of the product Unique Silestone Characteristics π π π π Over 65 colors and two exceptional finishes Exclusive five-dimensional color process in the Mountain Series Largest fabrication and distribution network in the nation and recognized as the leader in the quartz industry Reliable inventory - 11 quartz production lines and over 20 distribution centers across North America Exclusive Benefits product comparison chart cleaner Silestone is the only countertop with built-in antimicrobial protection that safely fights the growth of microbes such as odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew 24/7 for the life of the product. safer Silestone has Certification under NSF 51 as a safe material for use in areas where food preparation could take place. Live safer. ™ 15 Laminate Solid Surface Granite 15-year Material Warranty yes no no no Antimicrobial Protection yes no no no Professional Installation Included in Price yes no yes yes good fair Scratch Resistance Live safer. ™ Silestone contributes to better indoor air quality because it has low-to-no emission (off gassing) of toxic chemicals into the indoor environment. Stain Resistance Silestone is GREENGUARD certified for low emitting interior building materials, furnishings, and finish systems used in educational (daycare and K-12) environments. All GREENGUARD Children & SchoolsSM products have been tested for their chemical emissions performance Scorch Resistance 15 www.silestoneusa.com Heat Resistance Renewable & Repairable Seamless Appearance Non-porous excellent ©2008 Cosentino N.A. All rights reserved. Silestone trademark and logo are the property of Cosentino U.S.A. under exclusive license from Cosentino, S.A. CLEANER. SAFER. very good GENERAL INFORMATION Quartz Besides its natural depth of color, Silestone® Quartz has unparalleled durability and strength. The only natural minerals harder than quartz are diamond, sapphire and topaz. Reliability Silestone is a hard, dense and non-porous material that is consistent throughout its composition, making it more reliable than any other natural stone. Antimicrobial Protection Silestone is the only countertop with built-in antimicrobial product protection to safely fight the growth of microbes such as odor causing bacteria, 24/7 for the life of the product resulting in countertops that are easier to clean and stay cleaner between cleanings. Manufacturer’s Warranty Silestone offers a 15-Year non-transferable material warranty. Customers must register their installed product with Cosentino. More information is available on www.silestoneusa.com. Scratch-resistance Common household accidents such as a dropped knife, a fallen piece of glass or errant scissors will not scratch Silestone because only materials as hard as, or harder than Silestone will scratch it. Beware: no surface is indestructible. Stain-resistance Because Silestone is non-porous, most spills stay on the surface and are easy to clean with soapy water or a mild household cleaners. Heat-resistance Silestone is heat- and scorch-resistant. It will withstand limited exposure to heat without burning or scorching. The fire of a lit match will not mar the Silestone countertop. However, as advised by crock-pot and electric skillet manufacturers, do not place these items directly on any countertop. We recommend the use of trivets when placing hot items on a Silestone surface to avoid thermal shock. Care and Maintenance Silestone Quartz is virtually maintenance-free. It does not need to be sealed and cleaning is a cinch. Simply wipe the surface with soap and water on a regular basis to maintain its beauty and shine for years to come. Difficult Spills To remove difficult spills, soak the area for 10 minutes with a mild household cleaner (such as Formula 409®, Lysol®, or Windex®) then rinse and clean away with a soft Scotch Brite® pad. For stains that harden as they dry, such as food and gum, remove by gently scraping off of the surface (using a blade or putty remover) and then clean using warm water and soap. Extreme Heat Silestone is resistant to heat and can withstand moderately high temperatures for brief periods of time without being damaged. As with any natural stone, however, certain exposure to heat may cause cracks due to thermal shock. Always use a rivet to place hot items on Silestone. Do not use crock pots or electric skillets while in direct contact with Silestone natural quartz surfaces. Harsh Chemicals The following may harm Silestone: Drano®, Liquid Plumr®, oven cleaners and floor strippers. DO NOT use these or any other harsh chemicals on your Silestone Quartz surface. Sunlight Exposure Continuous long-term exposure to direct sunlight (UV rays) may result in slight discoloration of Silestone Quartz surfaces. General Precautions To prolong the life of your knives, always use a cutting board. Natural quartz is one of the hardest minerals found in nature, making Silestone highly scratchresistant. That same hardness may dull the sharpness of most knives. CLEANER. SAFER.