While there are many benchtop materials available on the market, in terms of durability, affordability and variety of aesthetics, stone remains the best option for all benchtop applications.

No matter your personal preferences, there is a stone out there that can exceed your expectations.

Stones are either naturally formed materials, porcelain, or man-made engineered materials. All offer an array of benefits and features, making some more suitable or unsuitable for particular applications. Check out the positives and negatives of natural stone and engineered stone in the following FAQs to better understand which type of stone is best for your application, home and family.

At Made in Stone, we provide many sought-after suppliers, offering a diverse collection of styles, colours and finishes, so a stone from us is guaranteed to complement your décor. Some of the premium stone products available includes:

• Silestone, an engineered stone made of 90% quartz, holds non-porous qualities, resistance to stains, scratches and even bacterial growth.
• Caesarstone, a 93% quartz-based engineered stone, which is resistant to cracks, scratches and stains, with low maintenance and non-porous qualities.
• Dekton is an ultra-compact proprietary blend of natural quartz stone, porcelain, and glass, and its best trait is high resistance to UV rays.
• Granite is a natural quartz stone with tremendous strength and density.
• Marble is a natural limestone famous for its luxurious aesthetic.
• Quartz is a manufactured stone containing 93% quartz which is exceptionally durable and long-lasting.
• Smartstone is an engineered stone made of 93% quartz and is the “smartest” way to enjoy the prestige of natural stone benchtops without the price tag.

When selecting your stone type, it is essential to research and weigh up each detail of a stone before purchasing your benchtop material. Do not only choose a stone purely based on appearance, but also based on how you will be using the surface. After all, your benchtops are the hardest working surface in your home!

As we use these spaces every day, it is essential to ask yourself and your family the following crucial question: Which stone will suit my family’s practical needs whilst seamlessly improving my space’s overall style?

Not only will a new stone benchtop completely revamp your space to suit your liking, but it is the most effortless renovation without requiring much work or requiring an entire renovation team.

Ready to pick out your next stone kitchen benchtop? Contact Made in Stone today.

There is no definitive answer to how much a replacement benchtop will cost since a stone benchtop price is dependable on many variables. Throughout the installation process, each homeowner will have a different set of preferences and particular circumstances that influence their decision and the final costs.

In contrast to other types of benchtop materials, stone benchtops are available at a wide variety of prices. So, no matter what your budget constraints or flexibilities are, our friendly staff at Made in Stone will find your perfect stone benchtop within budget.

If you are looking for a high-end or affordable stone benchtop for your next bathroom vanity, next kitchen benchtop or any other type of stone application, get a FREE quote online with Made in Stone today!

As the name suggests, natural stone is a naturally constructed material that is quarried from the earth. Used as a sturdy and beautiful surface for hundreds of years, natural stones contain no harmful chemicals, which is ideal for unnecessary exposure in the home. Natural stone is a popular choice for both residential and commercial applications.

Visually, a significant benefit of natural stone is the large variety of colours, patterns, styles and types available, which commonly exceeds that of engineered benchtops. Due to its unique qualities, natural stone provides a one-of-a-kind centrepiece in the home, sure to make a big impression on your guests, with no two slabs alike.

However, in terms of durability and scratch-resistance, natural stones do not hold well under intense use and are susceptible to premature deterioration if not properly cared for. As they are porous materials, your stone will need to be sealed a few times a year to ensure stain resistance.

Natural stones are specifically the perfect choice for BBQs, alfrescos and other outdoor surfaces since they hold heat resistant and UV resistance qualities which minimise the risk of these benchtops breaking down over time due to prolonged sun exposure.

Made in Stone is one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of natural stone products. We offer innovative design elements such as lit Onyx New York Marble which creates a speciality surface that is nothing short of breathtaking.

Natural Stones are most suitable for top-of-the-range kitchens if the price is no concern. Find high-quality luxury materials for your kitchen from the Made in Stone website, including:

• Marble Benchtops
• Granite Benchtops

As we are stonemasons, we do not carry our own line of natural stones, nor can we carry samples of natural stones due to the ever-changing patterns and designs available from suppliers. If you have an image or name of a natural stone, our team can do the leg work of finding suppliers with said stones. Contact us anytime; our stone experts are happy to discuss.

Since each piece of natural stone is different to the next, it is always best to view natural stones in person. Then you’ll know exactly what your natural stone benchtop will look like.

While natural stone has historically been the go-to for gorgeous benchtops, modern technology has improved upon the resistance and durability of stones with man-made alternatives, whilst still offering stunning natural beauty. Engineered stone is a scientifically developed stone that is a minimum of 90% natural forming quartz.

Unlike natural stones, engineered stone surfaces are non-porous because they are manufactured with quartz, one of the hardest minerals on earth. Engineered stone surfaces have superior resistance against scratches and chips.

Engineered stone surfaces are certified using the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive standards. Some of these include CSIRO certification for resistance to extreme heat, chemicals and stains, as well as the National Sanitation Foundation’s food safety certification.

Engineered stone is quality controlled to a specific recipe, offering identical products within each batch. This allows for consistency in style and colour, even if you require additional or replacement stones many years later. On the other hand, natural stone displays large variances between each product, making matching surfaces difficult.

Engineered stone is particularly ideal for bathrooms and kitchens, as it is water-resistant with low moisture absorption, making it perfect for indoor wet areas. Engineered stone benchtops are carefully tailored to ensure the material can withstand the intense use of an everyday kitchen benchtop. Most types of engineered stones offer high durability and great hygienic qualities, such as water, heat and stain resistance, as well as being easy to clean surfaces that do not require much ongoing maintenance or any sealing required!

Engineered stone can be used in both vertical and horizontal applications, including splashbacks, joinery, furniture etc., allowing for endless possibilities of innovative designs for your kitchen, bathroom and other renovations. Engineered stone is an excellent choice for both residential and commercial interiors.

Engineered stone also offers more design flexibility, finishes and sometimes even multiple slab thicknesses.

Quartz stone benchtops are processed by combining incredibly hard natural quartz chips with powder polymer resin. One quartz slab has at least a minimum of 90-93% natural forming quartz, offering non-porous and hard-wearing qualities. Whilst holding a CSIRO Certification for resistance to extreme heat, chemicals and stains, as well as the National Sanitation Foundation’s Food Safety Certification. At Made in Stone, the Quartz kitchen benchtops we sell include Caesarstone, Quartz, Silestone and Smartstone.

Porcelain stone is known in the industry as the most luxurious benchtop material, as a denser, less porous and more durable stone than quartz stones. Porcelain benchtops are constructed at a very high temperature from powdered clay and coloured pigments. At Made in Stone, we sell Dekton Porcelain Benchtops, Atlas Plan Porcelain Benchtops from Smartstone, and QuantumSix+ Porcelain Sheets.

Unlike engineered benchtops, porcelain benchtops are uniquely UV and weather-resistant, meaning there is no issue with installing this material outdoors.

Natural stones, engineered stones and porcelain can be used in a variety of areas. Some applications we offer at Made in Stone include:

• Kitchen Stone Benchtops
• Bathroom Vanity Stone Benchtops
• BBQ & Alfresco Stone Benchtops
• Stone Staircase
• Stone Fireplace
• Commercial & Retail Stone Benchtop

Wanting something completely different? Our team are highly skilled at creating unique & fully custom stone installations. Tell us what you have in mind, and we’ll work with you to bring it to life.

Our comprehensive knowledge and expertise set us apart, but don’t just take our word for it. Check out Our Gallery for stone inspirations and see our high-quality craftsmanship!

At Made in Stone, we work with you every step of the way. We help with the design, manufacturing and implementation. We want to bring our burning passion for design to your home and help you create the space you’ve always dreamed of. Whether it be a modern, classic, rustic or any other look you can think of, we do it all!