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5 Top Benchtops Materials To Consider For Your Kitchen

Posted On Monday, 07 March 2022 20:02
5 Top Benchtops Materials To Consider For Your Kitchen

The modern kitchen has evolved over the years, and it’s no longer a place to prepare food alone. Today, your kitchen serves as a place where your family can have their dinner, a place for entertainment, or a place to do other homework. That’s why your kitchen design is important in your interior décor. Thus, more thought is put when designing the kitchen, including its components and the material to be used.  

One of the most important parts of a kitchen is the benchtops. A benchtop serves as the master of all trades in your kitchen, as almost all activities, like mealtime, take place there. Therefore, the material used in creating the benchtop should be able to withstand heat, resistant to stains and scratches, and also beautify your kitchen.  

This article looks at some of the materials you can consider for your kitchen benchtop:  

  1. 1. Engineered stone  

One of the most popular benchtop materials used in modern kitchens is engineered stone. This type of material is made from crushed quartz held together using resin and is considered more affordable than natural stone. Moreover, it’s durable and will give your benchtop an amazing look that’s indistinguishable from natural stone or concrete. (1) 

Engineered stone comes in a variety of finishes and colors. So, when buying this material, you’re not limited to only one color or one type of finish. Of course, you can go for only one finish or color if you want a cohesive look for your kitchen. Alternatively, you can mix and match for a more elegant look in your kitchen. (2) 

While engineered stone is durable and requires low maintenance, you should avoid chopping directly on the surface or placing hot pots on it. Instead, you can pair engineered stone with low-profile flush mount sinks to ensure cut-edges and surfaces aren’t damaged or chipped off by pans. (1)(2) 

  1. 2. Natural stone

Since stone is a natural material, it means every slab of your benchtop will be unique. The most popular stones used are marble and granite. If you’re an enthusiastic cook, marble should be your go-to material as it’s perfect for rolling pastries. However, marble can be stained easily by water, wine, vinegar, and spices. So, while using it, ensure that you avoid spilling on it. (2) 

In contrast, granite is less porous. This makes benchtops made from granite less susceptible to stains and scratches. Granite also comes in a wide range of colors, giving you a wide range of finishes. The finish of stone benchtops can either be honed or polished. (2) 

  1. 3. Solid surface

A solid surface is made up of mineral dust, such as marble, and is mixed with resin and pigments to give it the texture and color. It has grown in popularity in recent years as it makes seamless countertops and benchtops. A solid surface benchtop has a unique texture compared to other benchtops. This is because most benchtops will have a matte finish instead of a shine or reflection finish. (3) 

While this type of benchtop is popular because of the matte finish and the unique texture, it still has some downsides. It has a softer surface, and it’s easy to stain compared to granite benchtops. Thankfully, if it has been stained, you can run sandpaper on it to remove the stains. (3)

  1. 4. Stainless steel  

Stainless steel benchtops give your kitchen a professional feeling and have been inspired mainly through commercial kitchens and cooking shows. It’s popular because it’s stain-resistant, so spills from wine or spices won’t damage it. However, it’s not scratch-resistant. But over time, the scratches won’t be noticeable as they’ll blend into each other. (3) 

Moreover, stainless steel benchtops require low maintenance because of their high durability. Also, while stainless steel countertops aren’t heat resistant, they won’t be damaged by hot pots and pans if placed for a short time. You can also get steel countertops and steel kitchen sinks from the same fabricator for a more cohesive look. (3) 

  1. 5. Porcelain  

Porcelain is created from natural materials such as clay and silica, and it’s one of the trendiest designs in constructing kitchen countertops. Porcelain material is very dense, hence materials aren’t easily absorbed. They’re also resistant to heat and scratch. Benchtops made from porcelain mimic natural stone finishes. Moreover, they can be supplied in large panels, so you won’t require as many joins as other materials. 

The downside is that porcelain is more expensive than engineered stone. They’re also vulnerable to chipping, which means much care is needed during installation. (1) 

Conclusion 

When designing your kitchen’s benchtop, it’s essential to look at your materials, as different materials have different strengths and weaknesses. You can also consider how the material will relate to other designs in your kitchen. However, these five materials are top quality and can fit your kitchen seamlessly.

References

  1. 1. “Buyer’s guide to choosing the right benchtop for your kitchen”, Source: https://www.homestolove.com.au/kitchen-benchtop-guide-19237 
  2. 2. “6 kitchen benchtop materials to consider for your next renovation”, Source: https://www.yourhomeandgarden.co.nz/inspiration/interior-style/6-kitchen-benchtop-materials 
  3. 3. “How to Choose the Best Kitchen Benchtop”, Source: https://www.buildmat.com.au/blogs/building-renovating-tips/choosing-kitchen-benchtop 
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