The Ultimate Stone Benchtop Buying Guide
Whether you are planning on renovating your current kitchen, building a new home, or simply wanting to refresh some current elements of your kitchen, one of the most longed-for products is a stone benchtop. There are not too many kitchen benchtops on the market that compares to the luxuriousness and durability of stone benchtops.
As reputable stonemasons in Sydney, we know all too well how much of an impact adding a stone benchtop to a kitchen can make. It can completely transform the kitchen’s overall design and aesthetic. A simple benchtop upgrade can convert your outdated kitchen into a very contemporary kitchen.
To help guide you through the process of selecting the best benchtop for your kitchen, our experts have created an easy-to-follow stone benchtop buying guide.
Durability Of Stone Benchtops
Some people may believe that the most crucial element of a stone benchtop is its design. However, it is actually its hardness and porosity. The harder a stone is, the more durable it is. Plus, the lower the porosity, the chances of the material staining from everyday use are minimised.
Therefore, when you are searching for a stone benchtop on the market, a hard non-porous stone will prove to offer less maintenance and greater longevity. If you wish to retain a natural stone benchtop’s appearance and performance, regular sealing is required.
Also, when you are in the market for a kitchen benchtop, its resistance to impact, cracking, chipping and heat are a few of the many other factors that you want to take into consideration. A stone benchtop is a major investment, which means you want to guarantee that it offers great value for money whilst being able to last the test of time.
Types Of Stone Benchtops
When it comes to selecting a stone benchtop, it is important to understand that there are various options available on the market, and you will want to weigh out the pros and cons of each to find the perfect fit for your kitchen. Specifically, some examples of natural stone benchtops on offer include a variety of marble, granite, quartz, dolomite, travertine, limestone and onyx.
- Quartz
Quartz stone – also referred to as engineered stone or reconstituted stone, is a very popular choice of benchtop due to its affordability and a large selection of colours, patterns and designs. Quartz benchtops are made from quartz granules mixed along with a pigment and resin to create each benchtop’s design. Furthermore, quartz is a non-porous, scratch-resistant, heat-resistant and low-maintenance stone that does not require sealing.
- Marble
If budget is not an issue, it would be great to consider a marble benchtop. Known as a metamorphic limestone, marble is a very attractive and elegant material that never ages. They exude luxury and are mirrored by their high price tag. Marble is a very soft and porous material that is very susceptible to staining, cracking and chipping and requires ongoing maintenance to avoid damage. Marble benchtops also come limited in design, with their designs generally only available in tones of white, creams, brown and greys. Sealing is a must.
- Granite
Granite is a great kitchen benchtop material that is known for its unique veining patterns. Available in a wide range of colours and patterns, granite offers a very sophisticated look compared to the properties of the quartz material. Provided that the granite is sealed, it is a very hard and dense material that is highly resistant to chips and scratches and is very low maintenance.
Slab Thickness
Another factor to take into consideration when choosing a stone benchtop is to decide on the thickness of the slab. The thicker the slab is, the more costly it will become. Some stone benchtops can come in a range of different thicknesses and generally differ from supplier to supplier. For example, various thicknesses include 1.2cm, 2cm, 3cm.
A thicker slab will offer a more high-end and elegant appearance compared to a thinner slab of stone. Although, this will not have a dramatic impact on the overall design of the kitchen benchtop.
If you do happen to be on a tighter budget, we recommend selecting a thinner slab and putting the extra money towards other elements such as waterfall ends or a matching stone splashback.
Benchtop Texture
When it comes to engineered stone benchtops, for example, depending on the design you select, they generally come in numerous texture options. Some common kitchen benchtop materials come in the form of matte, polished, silk or lightly textured surfaces. It is important to remember that the more plain a benchtops surface is, the more effortless it will be to maintain and clean.
Budget Considerations
Stone benchtops are sometimes more expensive than laminate benchtops but are definitely well worth the investment. Creating a sense of luxury within the kitchen, stone benchtops can hence enhance the saleability and price of any home.
If you are on a budget and you wish to incorporate stone benchtops into your home, our experts can recommend opting for an alternative material slab. You can also save money by doing without those extra design elements like bench overhangs or waterfall ends to reduce the amount of stone needed.
Source the Best Stone Benchtops in Sydney
Your kitchen benchtop is an investment, so it is important to take into consideration these various factors when selecting your stone benchtop. A quality stone benchtop can make or break a project’s success.
So, if you need advice on installing a new kitchen island or new kitchen benchtops, consider selecting a stone kitchen benchtop from Made in Stone – Sydney’s leading stone fabricator. Contact Made in Stone today on (02) 9756 4599 or get a FREE kitchen benchtop quote online!
With over 25 years of industry experience, you will only get the highest quality Engineered Stones, Caesarstone, Silestone Calacatta Gold, Natural Stones, Marble Benchtops, Porcelain Materials and Granite kitchen benchtops in Sydney, all from Made in Stone. So, call us today and ask us about our wide range of offcuts to choose from to help save some $$ in your renovations.
As a local Sydney stonemason, we cater to any customer requirement, whether you need a stone installation for your kitchen benchtop, bathroom vanity top, bar, outdoor barbecue area, fireplace, columns, etc. Our team are available to assist you. So, speak to the stone experts today!