Benchtop information

Choosing the right benchtop is essential to achieving both the desired look and functionality for your space. From the luxurious elegance of natural stone to the budget-friendly versatility of laminate, each material comes with its own set of benefits and considerations. This help sheet aims to guide you through the various benchtop options available, providing valuable information about standard designs, materials, and maintenance requirements. Armed with this knowledge, you can make an informed decision that perfectly suits your needs and style.

Popular Benchtop Choices:

  • Engineered Stone

  • Natural Stone

  • Laminate

  • Timber

  • Porcelain

  • Corian

Engineered Stone

Engineered stone is an excellent choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries due to its many advantages. It is highly durable, resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, making it ideal for high-use areas. Its non-porous surface ensures easy cleaning and maintenance, while also being more hygienic than natural stone. Additionally, engineered stone is available in a wide range of colors and patterns, allowing for versatile design options that can complement any style.

Pros:

  • Durability: Highly resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, making it ideal for high-use areas.

  • Low Maintenance: Non-porous surface requires minimal maintenance and is easy to clean, making it practical for busy households.

  • Hygiene: Doesn't harbor bacteria or mold, ensuring a hygienic environment.

  • Aesthetic Variety: Available in a wide range of colors and patterns, can mimic the look of natural stone, providing versatile design options.

  • Consistency: Offers uniformity in color and pattern, ensuring a seamless and cohesive look.

Cons:

  • Cost: Can be more expensive than other materials such as laminate.

  • Heat Sensitivity: Extreme temperatures can still damage the surface, so using trivets and hot pads is recommended.

  • Seams: Although less noticeable than in natural stone, seams can still be visible in larger installations.

Suppliers:

  • Caesarstone

  • Smart Stone

  • YDL Stone

  • AC Stone

  • WK Stone

Natural Stone

Natural stone is a popular choice due to its timeless beauty and unique characteristics. Each piece of natural stone is one-of-a-kind, offering a luxurious and elegant appearance that adds value to any space. However, natural stone requires more upkeep compared to engineered stone. It is porous, which means it can stain and harbor bacteria if not properly sealed and maintained. Regular sealing and special cleaning products are necessary to keep it looking its best. Despite the extra maintenance, many homeowners appreciate the unmatched charm and durability that natural stone brings to their homes.

Pros:

  • Aesthetic Appeal: Offers a timeless, luxurious look with unique patterns and colors that add value to any space.

  • Durability: Highly durable and can withstand heat and heavy use, making it suitable for kitchen environments.

  • Longevity: With proper care, natural stone benchtops can last for many years, maintaining their beauty and functionality.

Austral Dream - CDK Stone

Cons:

  • Maintenance: Requires regular sealing and special cleaning products to prevent stains and bacteria, demanding more upkeep.

  • Porosity: Susceptible to staining and water damage if not properly sealed.

  • Cost: Can be more expensive than other materials, both in terms of initial investment and ongoing maintenance.

  • Weight: Heavy, which may require additional structural support and professional installation.

  • Hygiene: Can harbor bacteria and mold if not properly sealed and maintained, requiring diligent care to ensure a hygienic surface.

Suppliers:

  • CDK Stone

  • WK Stone

  • Avant Stone

  • Art of Marble

  • SNB Stone

  • SMG Stone

Porcelain

Porcelain is an excellent choice for benchtops due to its remarkable durability and aesthetic versatility. This non-porous material is highly resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, making it perfect for high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Available in a wide array of colors and patterns, including designs that mimic natural stone and wood, porcelain offers great design flexibility. Its resistance to UV rays also makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, ensuring long-lasting beauty and functionality. While porcelain benchtops can be a more expensive option, their low maintenance requirements and exceptional resilience make them a worthwhile investment.

Pros:

  • Durability: Highly durable and resistant to scratches, chips, and impact, making it suitable for high-use areas.

  • Heat Resistance: Can withstand high temperatures, so you can place hot pots and pans directly on the surface without damage.

  • Non-Porous: Resistant to stains, bacteria, and mold, ensuring a hygienic surface.

  • Low Maintenance: Easy to clean and maintain, does not require sealing or special cleaning products.

  • Design Flexibility: Available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and finishes, including options that mimic natural stone or wood, offering great design versatility.

  • UV Resistant: Resistant to UV rays, making it suitable for outdoor use without fading or discoloration.

Graphite Sinterra - Avant Stone

Cons:

  • Cost: High-quality porcelain can be expensive, both in terms of initial investment and professional installation.

  • Weight: Slabs can be heavy, which may require additional structural support and careful handling during installation.

  • Edge Vulnerability: While the surface is durable, the edges can be more prone to chipping if not handled carefully.

  • Limited Repair Options: Damaged porcelain can be challenging to repair, often requiring professional assistance or replacement of the affected area.

Suppliers:

  • CDK Stone

  • WK Stone

  • Avant Stone

  • Art of Marble

  • SNB Stone

  • SMG Stone

Laminate

Laminate is a versatile and budget-friendly option. It offers a wide variety of colors, patterns, and finishes, including designs that mimic the look of natural stone and wood. Laminate is easy to clean and maintain, making it a practical choice for busy households. Its non-porous surface is resistant to stains and bacteria, contributing to a hygienic environment. However, laminate is less heat-resistant and durable compared to natural or engineered stone, and it can be prone to scratches and damage from sharp objects. Despite these limitations, laminate remains a popular choice due to its affordability and design flexibility.

Pros:

  • Affordability: One of the most budget-friendly benchtop options, making it accessible for a wide range of homeowners.

  • Design Variety: Available in numerous colors, patterns, and finishes, including designs that mimic natural stone or wood, offering great flexibility in design.

  • Easy Maintenance: Non-porous surface is resistant to stains and bacteria, making it easy to clean and maintain.

  • Lightweight: Lighter than many other materials, which can simplify installation and reduce the need for additional structural support.

  • Versatility: Can be used in various settings and is adaptable to different design styles.

Raw Birch Ply -Laminex

Cons:

  • Durability: Less durable compared to materials like natural or engineered stone, prone to scratches, chips, and damage from sharp objects.

  • Heat Resistance: Not highly heat-resistant, can be damaged by hot pots and pans, so using trivets and heat pads is necessary.

  • Seams: Seams can be visible, which may affect the overall appearance.

  • Lifespan: May not have the same longevity as other materials and might need to be replaced more frequently if not looked after properly.

Suppliers:

  • Laminex

  • Polytec

Corian

Corian is a highly adaptable and durable material, making it an excellent choice for your space. Its non-porous surface is resistant to stains, bacteria, and mold, ensuring a hygienic environment with minimal maintenance. Corian is available in a wide range of colors and patterns, allowing for seamless and visually appealing designs. One of the most remarkable features of Corian is its ability to be easily shaped and molded. This means it can be crafted into virtually any form or design, offering unparalleled flexibility for custom projects. Whether you need intricate curves, integrated sinks, or sleek, seamless surfaces, Corian can accommodate your design vision.

Pros:

  • Durability: Highly durable and resistant to scratches, stains, and impact, making it suitable for high-use areas.

  • Non-Porous: Surface is resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew, ensuring a hygienic environment.

  • Seamless Appearance: Can be molded and shaped to create seamless and visually appealing designs without visible joints.

  • Repairable: Minor damages and scratches can be easily repaired by sanding and refinishing the surface, prolonging its lifespan.

  • Customizability: Available in a wide range of colors and patterns, offering great design flexibility and can be customized to fit unique shapes and sizes.

CASF seamless sink

Cons:

  • Heat Sensitivity: Extreme temperatures can still cause damage, so using trivets and hot pads is recommended.

  • Chemical Sensitivity: Harsh chemicals and cleaners can damage the surface, so it is important to use gentle cleaning products.

Suppliers:

  • CASF

Timber

Timber brings a natural warmth and character to kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries, making it a favorite among those who appreciate organic aesthetics. Each timber piece has unique grain patterns and colors, creating a one-of-a-kind look. Timber surfaces can be sanded and refinished, prolonging their life and allowing for a refreshed appearance over time. However, timber requires more upkeep compared to other materials. It is susceptible to water damage, scratches, and dents, and needs regular sealing and proper care to maintain its beauty.

Pros:

  • Natural Warmth: Brings a natural warmth and character to any space.

  • Unique Beauty: Each piece has unique grain patterns and colors, ensuring a one-of-a-kind look.

  • Renewability: A renewable resource, making it an environmentally friendly choice when sourced responsibly.

  • Repairable: Can be sanded and refinished, allowing for repairs and refreshes over time to extend their lifespan.

CASF seamless sink

Cons:

  • Maintenance: Requires regular sealing and proper care to prevent water damage, scratches, and dents, demanding more upkeep.

  • Water Sensitivity: Susceptible to water damage and can swell or warp if exposed to moisture without proper sealing.

  • Heat Sensitivity: Can handle some heat, but hot pots and pans can scorch or damage the surface, so using trivets is recommended.

  • Cost: High-quality timber can be expensive, both in terms of initial investment and ongoing maintenance.

Suppliers:

  • Speak to us to find out more.