If you are planning to renovate your kitchen or simply looking for changing the benchtop, you must be trying to have something extremely suitable. Finding the right stone benchtop for your kitchen would be pretty confusing because of the availability of different types of benchtops in the market.
Here are some of the popular options explained along with their characteristics to ease your selection process.
Natural stone
The first thing that comes to anyone’s mind is going with the natural stone benchtops in Melbourne. Among these, granite and marble have been the most popular ones because of their beauty, luxurious appearance and durability. Granite is the most preferred one and the reason is that along with offering durability, it is less prone to noticeable stains. The drawback with natural stone benchtop is that they are not temperature resistant. In the case of direct contact with extreme heat for example, if you put a hot pot directly on the benchtop, the stone can crack.
On the other hand, marble, a classic and luxurious option, is infamously porous and prone to stains and scratches. If proper care and maintenance are not done, it can crack because of its soft nature. Both the natural stone benchtops, granite, and marble are high-end kitchen benchtop options, but they require ongoing maintenance, regular cleaning and timely sealing and polishing.
Engineered stone
Caesarstone and Quantum Quartz are the two common engineered stone benchtop options used for kitchen surfaces. These benchtops are quite popular because they are non-porous and they are highly resistant to stains. Some acidic substances can harm and stain the surface provided you clean them immediately. These benchtops are not temperature resistant and so putting a hot pot on the surface is not advisable. It can crack or leave a burn mark on the surface.
Properly installed and cared engineered stone benchtops can resist scratches, cracks, and chips. Depending on the brand and choice of color, their price varies. In fact, each brand has its own pricing system within the categories. However, engineered stone benchtop is comparatively cheaper than natural ones.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel benchtops have been a popular choice of chefs and are used in restaurants throughout the world. The non-porous and hygienic nature of steel has made these benchtops extremely popular. Stainless steel benchtops, though fall on high-end of the pricing scale, it is popularly used industrial, contemporary and modern homes. One of the most important things that should be noted down here is that stainless steel benchtop can be easily scratched and depending on your personal likes and dislikes, it can add up to the beauty of your kitchen or do the reverse.
Timber
Even though a stone benchtop is more commonly used, timber benchtop would give your kitchen a classical and traditional look. There are different species of timber with which kitchen benchtops could be made. You can also select the most appropriate one because hardness and durability make timber a better option for kitchen surfaces. Placing any hot object directly on the surface would damage the finish and the material. So, it is recommended to take caution when needed. Timbers can be painted, polished and stained to match the theme and color of different kitchens or to accentuate the natural charm and character.
Solid surface
Solid surface is created and is a different form of the stone benchtop. This unique benchtop is non-porous, stain resistant and extremely hygienic. These are available in varieties of colors and the joints are concealed giving your kitchen benchtop a seamless finish. You get an added advantage because the material can be fabricated into any form. For example, you can make the kitchen sink of the same material. However, solid surfaces are soft and so, they are easily scratched. They are repairable also and so can come back to life if an experienced professional to buff it to bring the original luster by removing the scratches. The price varies from brand and to brand of stone benchtop dealers.
Laminate
Laminate is the most inexpensive benchtop option today. Varieties of colors, textures, and finishes are available and the laminate is considered as a benchtop offering great value for your money. It is a highly durable benchtop yet very hot pots are not recommended to be kept directly on them.
Benchtops in Melbourne have a great impact on a kitchen’s overall look and feel. A stone benchtop can be the centerpiece of your kitchen, especially if you’re going to install an island in your style and design. The type of material you will pick for your bench top along with the colour and style is what will provide your kitchen with a classy look.
The properties and the type of material you choose for your brand new benchtop should also be a top priority in making your choice. If you have children in your house, materials such as granite are not advisable, as granite can smash and might be very dangerous. If you are the kind of cook who repeatedly whips up delicious meals and desserts, you are better off selecting a family-safe stone benchtop that is heat and scratch resistant. The bottom line is to search for materials that have the longevity and durability to endure heavy use, at the same time are functional enough to go well with your lifestyle.
Stone kitchen benchtops in Melbourne usually come with a lifetime warranty. Stone as a material has extraordinary toughness, long lasting durability, and is available in a wide variety of colours and range of patterns. Stone benchtops have become a well-liked choice for homeowners wanting to construct their dream kitchen. Stone has for a very long time been the favourite recommended by the professional kitchen planners and builders across the world. Stone is an excellent choice for kitchen benchtops and other work surfaces due to its longevity & toughness. Always seek professional advice from a planner or an architect if you are planning to undertake some kitchen improvement or installing a new kitchen stone benchtop.