The Complete Guide to Choosing Between Cambria vs. Silestone Quartz Countertops

If you‘re considering a quartz countertop to add beauty and durability to your kitchen or bath, Cambria and Silestone both rank among the top choices. But how do you decide whether natural stone-inspired Cambria or consistent Silestone is the best fit?

As a homeowner, you want quartz countertops that perfectly suit your space and lifestyle. This comprehensive guide compares Cambria and Silestone across all the factors you need to make the right decision. You‘ll get the insider expertise to buy smart, with countertops that will upgrade your home for years to come.

The Rise of Quartz Countertops

Engineered quartz has become one of the most popular countertop materials on the market. In fact, quartz now accounts for over 14% of countertop sales, surpassing laminate and solid surfaces. Cambria and Silestone rank among the top quartz manufacturers.

What fuels quartz‘s growing popularity? For starters, its durability rivals or even surpasses natural stone, without the steep price tag. Quartz also offers advantages like:

• Scratch, stain, and heat resistance
• Non-porous, antimicrobial surface
• Easy maintenance – no regular sealing needed
• Flexibility for seamless custom designs
• Stylish polished or matte finishes that retain luster

According to a survey by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, quartz is now the most commonly chosen material for kitchen countertops.

Cambria vs. Silestone: How Are They Different?

Cambria and Silestone have more similarities than differences. Both offer high-quality engineered quartz countertops renowned for beauty, durability, and low maintenance. Yet their unique compositions create subtle but important distinctions.

Cambria

• Made from 95% natural quartz stone
• Acquired from quarries in the United States and Canada
• Products contain about 5% polymer resins
• Features natural color variations and patterns

Benefits: Unparalleled strength and hardness from high quartz content. Environmentally responsible sourcing. Gorgeous natural stone aesthetics.

Silestone

• Made from 90% ground quartz blended with resins and pigments
• Sources quartz from locations across the globe
• Formulation includes bacteriostats for antimicrobial properties
• Consistent solid colors and minimal variations

Benefits: Extremely durable and scratch-resistant surface. Specialty colors and finishes available. Contains Microban® for mold/mildew resistance.

Now let‘s compare these two impressive brands across the factors most important for your purchasing choice.

Durability Showdown

With heavy usage every day, quartz countertops need to stand the test of time. Both Cambria and Silestone pass with flying colors.

The quartz content gives these materials their formidable durability. Natural quartz rates 7 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, slightly behind diamond.

Material	Hardness	Density	Flexural Strength
Cambria	7	2.55 g/cm3	6,000 psi
Silestone	7	2.40 g/cm3	4,000 – 6,000 psi

With a higher quartz percentage, Cambria has a clear durability advantage over Silestone based on hardness and density ratings. Nonetheless, both deliver excellent scratch and chip resistance.

Minimal maintenance also contributes to product longevity. The non-porous surfaces equally resist stains and etching from spills. Neither material requires regular sealing. This prevents the degraded appearance you may experience over time with surfaces like granite.

When it comes to durability, you can rely on both Cambria and Silestone as smart, long-term investments.

Care and Cleaning

One great benefit of quartz is that it‘s essentially a "wash and wear" countertop. Simple care keeps it looking pristine.

Marilyn Mills, a home cleaning expert at Maid Right Professional House Cleaning, recommends:

"For routine cleaning, use a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and mild soap. Avoid harsh cleansers or anything abrasive that could dull the finish over time. Quartz is extremely low maintenance compared to alternatives like marble."

The non-porous quartz surface resists liquids, food, oils and grime. This prevents stains from penetrating and makes cleanup much easier than with natural stone.

Cambria‘s website suggests cleaning with their Cambria Stone SoapTM or a comparable mild soap. For Silestone, use warm water with pH-neutral dish soap or an approved specialized cleaner.

Disinfecting your quartz regularly is also important to inhibit bacteria growth. Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide work well to sanitize without leaving any residue.

With the proper care, your Cambria or Silestone quartz countertops will maintain their like-new appearance for years before needing professional refinishing. Preventing damage in the first place is most important.

"Always use cutting boards and trivets," advises Nicole Curtis, a contractor, realtor and host of HGTV’s Rehab Addict. "Never cut or place hot pots directly on quartz surfaces. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Appearance and Styling

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but quartz offers something for everyone. Cambria and Silestone both provide stunning options to match your personal tastes.

Cambria draws design inspiration from natural stone. The variety of colors, veining, flecks and patterns mimic granite, marble, travertine, onyx and other striking surfaces. This creates one-of-a-kind slabs.

"Every Cambria top is unique," explains Dan Natkin, Director of Residential Design at Cambria. "We embrace the natural beauty of quartz rather than limiting it to uniform manmade appearances."

Cambria‘s range covers whites, neutrals, blues, grays, beiges, browns, blacks and more. New designs are constantly introduced. You‘re sure to find the perfect hue and pattern for your space.

Silestone‘s aesthetics celebrate the consistent color and flawless smoothness that makes quartz shine. With over 70 varieties, Silestone offers every color from cool creams to vivid gem tones.

"We balance beauty with reliability," says Katie Altieri of Silestone. "Homeowners love that our surfaces stay uniformly pristine and don‘t develop random stains or etchings over time."

Silestone‘s integrated bacteriostats also prevent mold, mildew and microbes from taking hold.

Both brands allow seamless one-piece countertop installations up to 120 inches, avoiding disruptive seams. Edge profiles can be customized from flat to bullnose to laminated. Integrated sinks are also available.

Cost Considerations

Quartz counters provide luxury and durability at moderate price points compared to natural stone. Cost depends on the slab size, thickness, edge treatments and installation.

Cambria ranges from $60-$100 per square foot installed. More complex projects or rare stone designs run higher.

Silestone runs $50-$100 per square foot installed, with exotic varieties at the top end.

Of course, total spend depends on the scope of your project. A basic run of standard-depth countertops is budget-friendly. For full demo and replacement of a large gourmet kitchen, you may spend $5,000-$15,000 or more.

Both Cambria and Silestone provide 15-20 year limited warranties protecting against defects. This offers peace of mind on your investment.

"When it comes to something permanent like countertops, it makes sense to get the highest quality you can afford," recommends Chris Deziel, a home builder and repair specialist. "Sticking to brands like Cambria and Silestone ensures reliability and value."

Eco-Friendliness

Today‘s homeowners value environmental responsibility along with quality. Both brands offer eco-friendly options but Cambria leads in sustainability.

Cambria is manufactured from abundant natural quartz stone. Their products contain a minimum of 5% recycled materials. Renewable solar energy powers facilities along with water recycling and purification during production.

Multiple Cambria products hold UL GREENGUARD Gold certification and Cradle to Cradle certificationTM for safe indoor air quality and sustainable manufacturing. The brand is recognized for leadership in eco-standards.

Silestone incorporates recycled glass, porcelain, and mirrors into its fabrication along with quartz and resins. Cosentino, Silestone‘s parent company, runs a reduced emissions program and Silestone holds GREENGUARD and Greenguard Gold certifications.

While not as focused on sustainability, Silestone does meet exacting environmental standards.

Finding the Right Installer

Professional installation is critical for perfectly integrated countertops that will last. Be sure to hire experienced specialists.

The Cambria and Silestone websites provide lists of certified fabricators. According to HomeAdvisor, average costs range from $40-$100 per hour.

"Interview at least three installers and ask to see examples of their work," advises Leigh Spicher, a kitchen designer. "Make sure they have experience with quartz rather than just natural stone. A flawless install avoids issues down the road."

Reputable professionals take care to inspect and prepare substrates. They seam edges perfectly and precision-cut openings for sinks and cooktops. Quality installation ensures your satisfaction.

Cambria vs. Silestone: Which is Best for You?

Now that you know the full story behind these brands, how do you choose? Here are tips:

For natural stone aesthetics, Cambria provides an unparalleled variety of colors and designs that feel strikingly authentic. Every surface is unique.

For a uniform, consistent look, Silestone celebrates the modern uniformity and high polish of engineered quartz. The integrated Microban protection helps surfaces stay pristine.

For heavy-use kitchens, Cambria‘s superior density and scratch resistance give it an edge. But Silestone also excels for most cooking demands.

For low maintenance, both deliver outstanding stain resistance and antimicrobial properties with minimal care needed.

For eco-friendliness, Cambria leads with Cradle to Cradle certification and recycled content. Both meet exacting environmental standards.

For budget value, Silestone starts lower but Cambria‘s pricing remains very competitive for its top-tier quality.

No matter which you choose, follow care and cleaning guidelines to maintain the pristine beauty. With the right selection, your new quartz countertops can look like new for over 15 years in your home.

The Bottom Line

• Quartz countertops like Cambria and Silestone provide durability, easy care, and resistance to wear.
• Cambria celebrates the natural beauty of quartz while Silestone promotes uniformity.
• Both deliver stylish, non-porous surfaces ideal for kitchens and baths.
• Maintenance is simple with regular cleaning and prompt spill wipe-up.
• For natural stone looks, choose Cambria. For consistent minimalism, pick Silestone.
• Work with professional certified installers to ensure a quality result.

With this comprehensive guide, you have all the information needed to decide between Cambria and Silestone. Trust your instincts to pick the right quartz countertops that align with your personal style, needs and budget. Soon you‘ll be enjoying beautiful, practically maintenance-free surfaces that enhance your home for years to come.