orner EasyTo Clean, Maintenance-Free Countertops (NAPSA)—Designing your dream homestarts with selecting the right materials. Strong and beautiful natural quartz has been identified as the ultimate surface for kitchen countertops. Quartz is one of the earth’s most abundant materials and perhaps one of the most intriguing. It makes dazzling jewelry, yet it has the energy and precision to power the most accurate timepieces. The mineral is extremely hard, with unparalleled strength, depth, clarity and radiance. In fact, it is the fourth-hardest natural mineral after topaz, sapphire and diamond. With these attributes, it’s no wonder quartz surfacing has become so popular among homeowners across the country. Quartz surfaces are non-porous, which means they’re stain-resistant and can help protect your food and family from cross-contamination. Even with kitchen spills such as tea, lemon juice, barbecue sauce, wine and other foods, the natural quartz surface keeps its shine without the arduous sealing other stones require. Perhaps best of all, quartz surfacing materials such as Silestone by Cosentino are virtually maintenance-free. Silestone is more resistant to scratches than solid sur- An integrated sink that sits flush with your countertop helps reduce build-up of dirt and food particles. faces, and requires practically no maintenance. Quartz surfacing is available in a widevariety of colors, and it’s a lot more consistent than granite. Furthermore, natural quartz surfaces can be designed with a variety of edge treatments. Uniform and durable, quartz allows for smooth integration, providing the no-edge look popular in today’s kitchens. Silestone natural quartz offers three styles of integrated sinks: undermount, flush mount and beveled. This integration provides a sleek appearance and again keeps maintenance to a minimum. To learn more about how quartz surfacing can transform your kitchen, visit the Web site at www.silestone.com.
