Counter offer

More than just an excuse to buy new appliances, updating your kitchen gives you the chance to correct any faults in the current design or layout of the space and this includes the choice of materials for the countertop.

With a multitude of options available to you, it can seem daunting at first, trying to decide which surface will best fulfill your needs, says Cosentino marketing manager Lorenzo Marquez.

"Before consulting a kitchen designer, it's a good idea to think objectively about your current counters and make a list of the features you like and those you don't.

"This way you'll be better able to choose a surface that is both practical and pleasing to look at remember, just about any style or color is available in the material that is going to offer you the durability you require."

Lifestyle is also going to play a big role in the type of surfacing material you choose.

"Ask yourself, are you part of a growing family constantly putting the kitchen to use? Do you entertain often? Or perhaps you are a busy professional who tends to eat out a lot," says Marquez.

Another trend increasingly gaining consumer recognition is sustainability. Are the products you use in your kitchen respectful of, or harmful to, the environment?

"If sustainability is one of your concerns, then it's worth considering the ECO by Cosentino range of surfacing materials. ECO is made up of 75% recycled materials including glass, porcelain and stone scrap," says Marquez. "The production of ECO by Cosentino is expected to reuse the equivalent of 60 million glass bottles every year. Not only that, but during the production process, 94% of the water used is recycled minimizing the consumption of a vitally important resource."

A nonporous material, ECO does not require sealing, making it a low-maintenance surfacing option. The use of ECO can also contribute to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. ECO also resists staining, scratching and scorching and is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

Creating a point of difference with an interior design scheme is something we all aspire to and the kitchen is no exception.

The Prexury Collection by Cosentino is one way of adding difference to a kitchen design without sacrificing the overall functionality.

"The Prexury Collection is a range of semi-precious materials that have been recomposed in slab form for fabrication as a countertop or flooring surface," says Marquez.

In addition to offering a range of physical features, the Prexury Collection stones have a hardness of between 7 and 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness while granite has a hardness of between 5 and 7.

As well as their undoubted aesthetic credentials, semi-precious stones are ascribed natural healing properties, adding a further dimension to their appeal.

Natural stones have always been a popular choice when it comes to surfacing materials and the appeal of granite and marble is not likely to be diminished through the increased options available.

With its new range of granites, Cosentino has managed to improve on nature. The SenSa range of granites eliminates many of the ongoing issues of maintenance, says Marquez.

"SenSa is Cosentino's line of premium natural granite that has been given a patented stain-protection treatment SenGuard that bonds with the granite molecules to form a protective barrier that gives resistance to staining."

So sure is Cosentino of the stain-resistant properties that the company offers a 15-year warranty against staining on all SenSa products.

Finally, there's Silestone, Cosentino's flagship brand. Made of natural quartz, with a minimum Mohs hardness of 7, Silestone is available in more than 70 colors.

"Since its debut more than 15 years ago, Silestone has become one of America's most popular choices in surfacing materials," says Marquez.

"Silestone is suitable for use as a countertop, a flooring surface and wall cladding. Also, Silestone is the only surfacing material with the combination of built-in Microban protection, Greenguard Certification and NSF Certification."

For further details, contact Cosentino NA, 13124 Trinity Dr, Stafford, TX 77477, phone tollfree (800) 291 1311, fax (281) 494 7299, or visit the website: www.silestoneusa.com.

Story by: Trendsideas