Marble and granite are natural products, they are not smooth industrial products and they do not contain poisonous substances or substances which are detrimental to health. 

• Granite is a volcanic stone with a prevalent siliceous component that makes it very hard, it is hard-wearing, abrasion resistant and compression-proof.  It appears with several shades of colour: uniform, veined or with oriental patterns.
•  Marble is a stone of medium hardness, made up of mostly fine grain crystals.  This particular composition allows great results in the polished finish.

Maintenance:

The maintenance of natural stones is easy and inexpensive.  In order to preserve a top over the years you simply have to keep it clean with water and soft detergents (such as mild soap) and then rinse and wipe it.  Only in the case of a difficult stain do you have to use specific products.

Lemon, oil and vinegar, as well as chemicals, can leave rings and soil the top.  In instances such as these, remove the stains immediately, rinse generously and wipe.

Precautions:

•  Do not use solvents, bleach or alcohol.
•  Limit the use of detergents and avoid the aggressive ones (such as cleansing products for ovens, grills, dishwashers etc) and the acid ones.
• Do not use pickling substances, caustic soda, products with a high pH value; do not allow powerful chemical agents, decolourants or paint removers to come into contact with the stone.
• Do not place objects on the surface which have been removed from the hob.
• Keep the top clean of foodstuffs.

Silestone is an engineered quartz surface that looks and feels like natural granite or marble.

Silestone is manufactured by a computerised process which mixes binders and pigments with natural quartz particles, vibrates them, compacts them and then heat processes them to produce a dense, hard, non-porous material with the lustre and depth of natural stone.

The non-porous surface does not need to be sealed, polished or sanded and resists stains that are normally permanent such as wine, juice, markers and ink.  In the bathroom, make-up, perfume and hairspray will not damage Silestone high gloss surface.  The polished surface, which has a thermal and hardness rating superior to marble and plastic laminates, can be cleaned with any detergent.  The synthetic stone is suitable for both residential and commercial applications.

Silestone is highly scratch resistant and will hold up to normal household use.  The surface is also heat resistant, meaning you can place your hot coffee cup on it without damage.  Although resistant to thermal stress, Silestone can be damaged by direct exposure to high temperatures, such as placing pots and pans directly from the stove or oven onto the surface.