Builders & Renovations FAQs

Your quick guide to benchtop options

Bring your new home alive with a beautiful benchtop

Transform your space into an area of function, comfort, and relaxation, with a beautiful and stylish benchtop. A space where you can really relax and cooking won’t be just another chore. A benchtop is considered a major fixture in any home, so it pays to do your research, as there are so many different finishes for every style. From rustic colours or traditional shapes, your new benchtop will bring convenience as well as an aesthetic pleasure to any room.

Building a new home or renovating?

Whether you want a luxurious marble top or an affordable laminate surface, a new benchtop is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to give your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room a fresh look, plus it will add value to your home. With so many options and styles, you’ll be sure to find what you’ve been searching for in no time!

Factors to consider:

1. Function - will the benchtop accommodate household use?
2. Appearance - will it enhance the decor of the room and look aesthetically pleasing?
3. Maintenance - will there be costs for maintenance?
4. Cost - will the overall costs fit into my budget?

Benchtop options

Granite Benchtops

Granite is one of the more common choices for people wanting a stylish option that will suit most kitchen designs and decor.

Pros:

• Stylish appearance
• Huge range of finishes and colours
• Scratch resistant
• Hardwearing

Cons:

• Porous surface
• Needs to be resealed regularly to prevent bacterial growth and stains.

Marble Benchtops

Marble is extremely popular, it has a stunning appearance and is very durable. However, it may not suit your budget as it is one of the more expensive benchtops on the market. Well suited for a kitchen that does not have high demand.

Pros:

• Unique patterns and features in each individual piece
• A real showpiece in any kitchen

Cons:

• Porous surface
• Prone to scratches and stains
• High maintenance

Quartz Benchtops

Quartz benchtops also known as Silestone or Cambria are not actually solid quartz and actually not stone at all. They are non-porous and made from about 90% ground granite, marble, and natural stone recycled products such as glass and ceramics. The other 10% is a polymer or cement-based binder.

Pros:

• Non-porous
• Resistant to chips, cracks, and stains
• Hygienic option

Cons:

• Low heat resistance
• Quite heavy, and may require additional structure for support

Concrete Benchtops

Polished concrete benchtops are not one of the more chosen benchtop styles, however in they can add a stunning finish in the right setting.

Pros:

• Long-lasting
• Versatile can be stained in a variety of different colours
• Great for an outdoor entertaining area

Cons:

• Porous
• Can be expensive
• Regular maintenance required
• Heavy, may require additional structural support

Engineered stone benchtops

Caesarstone Benchtops

Caesarstone is a man-made stone and is also known as engineered stone or reconstituted stone. Caesarstone has many positive features.

Pros:

• Resilient and durable
• Wide range of colours to choose from
• Resistant to colour fading
• Low maintenance

Cons:

• Heat resistance is low - avoid placing hot pots or pans directly on the surface.

Essastone Benchtops

Essastone benchtops are an engineered stone brand now owned by Laminex.

They are made up of 95% quartz and are one of the most common choices for many homes.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Strong and durable
• Scratch and stain resistant

Cons:

• Not heat resistant

Lithostone Benchtops

Lithostone is made from quartz and various other particles, a great choice for high-traffic areas.

Pros:

• Wide variety of choices in colours and textures.
• Low maintenance

Cons:

• Will discolour if hot pans are placed directly on the surface
• Harsh chemicals and aggressive cleaning can damage the surface

Solid Surface Benchtops

Solid surface benchtops or countertops are acrylic options that offer the visual appeal of natural stone without seams. They are composed of mineral dust combined with acrylic, resin, and pigments. The mineral dust used to create solid surface countertops is typically derived from marble. This mixture melts upon heating and is then put into a mold to define its shape.

Pros:

• Seamless joints
• Impact resistant
• Non-porous surface
• Restorable
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Not practical for high-use areas due to being easily damaged and scratches being quite visible
• Not heat resistant
• Susceptible to scratches and surface damage
• Vulnerable to strong chemicals

Stainless steel Benchtops

Stainless steel benchtops are becoming a preferred choice for indoor and outdoor kitchens in Australia. Stainless steel will not crack, chip, or fade over time. Stainless steel offers a clean, utilitarian look, and is an excellent choice for its hygienic properties and low maintenance.

Pros:

• Indestructible
• Hygenic
• Strain free
• Easy to install
• Easy to clean
• Recyclable

Cons:

• Retains fingerprints
• Can be scratched or dented
• Noisy when putting pots or pans on the surface
• May look  unappealing in certain settings

Timber Benchtops

Timber benchtops give a warm and natural and organic look to any kitchen, and can definitely last as long if not longer than any other material used for kitchen tops. Timber benchtops are made using spotted gum, blackbutt and brush box timber to name a few.

Pros:

• Sustainable
• Unique natural and earthy appearance
• Easy to install

Cons:

• Easily scratched
• Not heat resistant
• Requires regular maintenance

Laminate Benchtops

Laminate benchtops come in a huge range of prints, solid colours, and neutral solid colours. Laminate will undoubtedly have a design or colour to suit any kitchen interior. Laminate offers styles and colours to suit budget-conscious buyers.

Pros:

• Water-resistant
• Choice of high-pressure laminate
• Lightweight and easy to install

Cons

• Prone to scratches, cuts, and dents
• Not heat resistant
• Generally requires replacing after 10 years
• If chipped cannot be repaired

We provide helpful information in regard to benchtop materials and styles, we can also advise the most suitable benchtop to suit your household needs and budget. Call 07 5558 3812 to speak to one of our professional team.