Kitchen Benchtop Materials: A Comprehensive Guide

When redesigning a dream kitchen, the countertop choice is crucial for merging beauty, functionality and safety. As experienced interior designers, we guide clients through all options to find the perfect fit for their home. With the upcoming Australian ban restricting installations of engineered stone due to silica exposure risks, the studio has received several enquiries from concerned homeowners as to what benchtop materials they can use for their upcoming kitchen renovation.

The Engineered Stone Situation

While still currently allowed, engineered stone products like Caesarstone and Smartstone are facing their products being banned nationwide from 31/06/2024. This ban is being implemented because their surfaces contain upwards of 90% crystalline silica dust which can cause lung disease when inhaled during fabrication and installation. These suppliers are planning to release new silica-free alternatives to their existing products once the ban is implemented. The intention is for these products to look and feel the same, although being the first generation of a new product we are unsure of how their performance will stand up in reality.

Natural Stone

For timeless, unique luxury, natural quarried stones remain king. Granite has long been a high-end favourite, boasting conversational slabs artfully blending cream, brown and blue mineral deposits. While stain and scratch resistant when properly sealed, granite can be susceptible to staining from acids like wine and citrus.

Marble similarly dazzles with incomparable veining and soft, organic hues ranging from crisp whites to rich greens. However, this calcium-based stone is quite porous and prone to etching from spills if not meticulously maintained. Some homeowners opt to reserve marble for lower traffic areas.

Soapstone offers another classic, refined look in warm greys with incredible durability and non-porous, stain-resistant integrity. This ultra-dense quarried rock develops an enviable, rustic patina over time with little maintenance needed beyond occasional treatment with mineral oil.

Solid Surfaces

Composed of acrylic or polyester resins, solid surfaces like Corian and Hi-Macs provide seamless, non-porous, low-maintenance benchtops. They resist stains, mold, mildew and bacteria buildup for easy upkeep with just a damp cloth. These versatile solid surfaces come in a wide range of colors and patterns replicating everything from stone to wood grains.

They can generally withstand normal heat from pots and pans but not long exposure to extreme temperatures. Design possibilities are practically endless as this material offers advanced fabrication in creating sinks, coved backsplashes and wraparounds from the same monolithic material. Seam lines are virtually imperceptible on expansive islands.

While strong, solid surfaces can potentially scratch from abrasive cleaners or suffer impact damage over years of use requiring professional refinishing. However, newer products like the resilient LG Hi-Macs offer improved scratch and scorch resistance thanks to enhanced polymer formulations.

Laminate

This classic, cost-effective solution involves bonding a plastic laminate top to a wood or particle board base. Laminates from premium brands like Formica are extremely stain-resistant and easy to clean with just mild detergent and water.

Modern laminates also now mimic the rich colors and textures of natural stone like granite remarkably well through advances in imagery printing. For instance, Formica's Radiant Collection offers high definition designs including flowing patterns replicating the veining and chromatic details of exotic granites.

Despite their realistic aesthetics, laminate counters can't withstand much heat so need to be protected from hot pans and pots. They also aren't repairable, though affordable replacement is an option when surfaces become too worn down over time.

Porcelain

A relative newcomer gaining popularity, porcelain countertops are formed by compressing natural materials including clay and minerals under extreme heat and pressure. The result is a dense, non-porous and highly durable surface resistant to stains, heat damage, scratches and even UV discoloration.

In terms of aesthetics, porcelain slabs can beautifully mimic concrete, marble and other natural stone effects. This material offers a vast array of colours, veining and unique patterning that won't fade or require frequent sealing like actual stone materials. The extensive design versatility allows achieving both traditional and contemporary looks.

Porcelain does tend to be more expensive than laminate but offers greater durability and scratch resistance, comparable in toughness to granite or quartz surfaces. It can be susceptible to chipping if heavy objects are dropped on it but is still well loved as a high performing countertop material.

With so many increasingly innovative countertop varieties, our Sunbeam Studio design team provides knowledgeable guidance on weighing all factors. We'll help navigate evolving material landscapes to achieve your dream functional and stylish kitchen!