More Than One Way to Finish
One of the pleasures of choosing Silestone is that a single colour can be had in more than one finish and the finish you pick changes the whole feel of the surface. There are three main textures to know, the classic polished, the soft matt suede and the tactile volcano, along with a surface treatment called N-Boost that enhances them all. Understanding these options helps you create exactly the look you want, from a bright, glossy, contemporary kitchen to a soft, understated, tactile one. The choice is about style and touch as much as colour.
Because the finish affects how light plays across the surface, how it feels underhand and even how easy it is to keep looking its best, it is well worth a little thought. The same colour can feel quite different as a glossy polished top compared with a soft suede one. This guide explains each finish in turn, along with the N-Boost treatment, so you can match not just the colour but the character of the surface to your kitchen and the way you like to live in it.
PolishedGlossy and reflective
SuedeSoft matt texture
VolcanoTactile and textured
N-BoostA performance treatment
The Three Finishes Compared
Each finish has its own look, feel and ideal setting. The polished finish is bright and classic, the suede finish is soft and understated and the volcano finish is textured and contemporary. The table below sets them side by side so you can picture each in your kitchen and see which suits your taste and lifestyle.
| Finish | Look and Feel | Best Suited To |
|---|
| Polished | Glossy, reflective and smooth | Bright, classic and contemporary kitchens |
| Suede | Matt, soft and velvety to the touch | Understated, warm and modern designs |
| Volcano | Textured, tactile and slate like | Bold, characterful and contemporary looks |
As the table shows, the finish is a real design decision in its own right. The polished surface reflects light and makes a colour look vivid and glossy, which suits many kitchens beautifully. The suede and volcano finishes are matt and textured, giving a softer, more understated feel that is very much in vogue. There is no right or wrong choice, only the one that matches the mood you want to create, so it is worth seeing and touching each before you decide.
Feel the Finishes for Yourself
The finish is best judged by touch. Visit our Elstow showroom to see and feel polished, suede and volcano surfaces and get a clear, no obligation quote for your kitchen.
To explore the colours in each finish and picture the look in your own kitchen, our main Silestone Worktop page brings the range together with guidance on samples, templating and fitting across Bedford and the surrounding area.
What Is N-Boost
N-Boost is not a texture but a treatment, applied to the surface of Silestone to enhance its performance. It works at a molecular level to make the top even better at repelling liquids, which improves stain resistance and makes everyday cleaning easier. It also helps colours look vivid and gives the surface a lovely finish. In short, N-Boost is part of what makes modern Silestone so easy to live with, working quietly alongside whichever texture you choose to keep the surface looking its best.
Easier CleaningN-Boost helps liquids bead and lift, so spills wipe away with even less effort.
Vivid ColourThe treatment helps the colour and finish of the surface look rich and clear.
Works With Any TextureN-Boost enhances the surface whether you choose polished, suede or volcano.
In short, Silestone offers three textures, glossy polished, soft suede and tactile volcano, with the N-Boost treatment enhancing them all. Choose the finish that matches the mood you want, since it changes the feel of a colour as much as the colour itself.
Choosing the Right Finish
Picking a finish comes down to the look you love and a few practical points. A polished finish gives a bright, glossy, classic feel and makes colours pop, though on a very dark colour it can show the occasional fingerprint or water mark, which a quick buff removes. Suede and volcano finishes offer a soft, contemporary, anti glare look and a lovely tactile quality and they hide marks differently, though a dedicated cleaner keeps darker matt surfaces looking even. The best way to choose is to see and touch samples in your own light.
It also helps to think about the finish alongside the colour and the care routine, since they are linked. A finish influences how a colour reads and how you keep it looking its best. Our guide to Popular Silestone Colour Ranges helps you pair a finish with the right shade, while How to Care for Silestone Worktops covers looking after each finish so it stays beautiful for years.
Silestone Worktops Guide
This article is part of our complete Silestone Worktops Guide, covering what Silestone is, how it compares, what it costs and how to care for it.
Explore the Full Guide
For every design and care decision in one place, our Silestone Worktops Guide gathers the whole series so you can choose your finish with complete confidence.
How Finish Affects Everyday Living
Beyond the look, the finish you choose has a subtle effect on daily life, which is worth bearing in mind. A polished surface is wonderfully easy to wipe clean and reflects light around the room, making a kitchen feel bright and open. On darker polished colours you may occasionally notice a fingerprint or a water spot, though these lift away with a quick buff of a soft cloth. For many people the bright, glossy character of a polished finish is exactly the classic kitchen look they picture and it remains the most popular choice.
The suede and volcano finishes bring a different everyday experience. Their matt, anti glare surface is soft and contemporary and it does not throw back reflections, which some people find calmer and more understated. Because they have a little texture, darker suede and volcano colours can show the odd mark from metal or grease but these clean away easily and a dedicated cleaner made for these surfaces keeps them looking even and fresh. Many people love the tactile, modern feel these finishes give, especially in a pared back design.
None of these points should worry you, since every finish is easy to care for with the right gentle approach. They are simply worth knowing so you can choose with your eyes open and pick the finish that suits how you use your kitchen. If you love a bright, reflective look, polished is ideal. If you prefer a soft, matt, tactile feel, suede or volcano will delight you. Seeing and touching each in person is the surest way to find the one that feels right for your home, since the difference between a glossy and a matt surface is something you appreciate far better in the flesh than in a photograph.
Where to Go Next
The finish pairs closely with a few other choices. Our guide to Popular Silestone Colour Ranges helps you match a finish to a colour, while How to Care for Silestone Worktops covers looking after each one. If a surface ever dulls, Restoring Shine on Silestone explains how to bring the gloss back.
Speak to the Silestone Team in Bedford
If you are weighing up Silestone for a new kitchen, we are here to help you understand your options with no pressure at all. Visit our Elstow showroom to see and feel the surfaces for yourself, ask about colours and finishes and get honest advice on what will suit your home and budget.
To ask a question or arrange a quote, call our team on 01234 348 590 or request a quote online. We will help you choose the right Silestone surface then take care of templating, fabrication and fitting from start to finish.
