A lot of people who remodel their homes opt to upgrade from Formica counter tops to something more luxurious. When the biggest issues are quality and appearance, there's something on the market that's fast overtaking granite for the upgrade of choice.

Silestone counter tops offer some of the same perks as granite, but many believe they are more beautiful and durable. Silestone counter tops are made out of natural quartz. With the ranking as the fourth hardest mineral in nature being held by quartz, these counter tops are known and loved for their durability. Beyond that, however, silestone counter tops are also quite beautiful.

With quartz as the main ingredient in these counter tops, the end result is a surface that's simply breathtaking to behold. Master craftsman have managed to make these countertops work into a rainbow of colors, too, ensuring that homeowners can pick the style and design they choose. The properties of quartz enable the creators of these counter tops to make them as shiny or flat as a buyer might desire, putting choice squarely in the hands of the consumer.

Silestone countertops are some of the best choices on the market for stain and scratch resistance, as well. With only a few minerals tougher than quartz, doing damage to these counter tops is almost impossible.

The advantages of silestone counter tops over other similar natural stone surfaces include:

* Strength. It's incredibly hard to damage a silestone counter. Since quartz is so durable, the end product doesn't require maintenance beyond cleaning. There is no need to worry about sealing the countertop.

* Luster. Silestone is all natural by design. This means there are no plastics involved in their creation to cause problems with scratches or scorches. With this in mind, the silestone surface can be as shiny or matte as a buyer might want.

* Durability. It's a simple fact that silestone tends to resist scratches and burns better than just about anything under the sun. This can be great for those who want a beautiful kitchen that will stay that way. The sad reality is those who buy synthetic counters tend to regret it down the road when scratch and score marks become permanent fixtures.

* Decorating choices. Silestone counter tops are made by a company that specializes in quartz working. This means it's possible to get counter tops of quartz that will go well with similarly designed floors and even bathroom counters. In addition, the color palette provided in Silestone is pretty impressive. Just about any hue imaginable can be found in these countertops.

Granite might be the choice for some, but others opt for Silestone counter tops for a whole host of reasons. Coming from one of the world's hardest stones, these countertops are not only beautiful, they are durable. Offering choices for not only kitchen counters, the designs found in silestone transfer to floors and other counter surfaces, as well. This makes silestone a great choice for uniform decorating. The counter tops might be more expensive that other options, but when it comes to providing lasting beauty, they are hard to beat.