Jul 29, 2020
In this episode, Frances continues the benchtop discussion
outlining an additional 10 benchtop materials to consider. She also
outlines the criteria to assist in deciding what benchtop material
is going to be the best for your kitchen.
SHOWNOTES
In the last episode of the Kitchen Design Essential (episode
36), 3 key materials were discussed with Laura from Cosentino;
- Dekton
- Reconstituted Stone
- Natural Stone
In this episode, Frances cover other benchtop materials
including Recycled glass, porcelain, Paperock, Timber, Solid
acrylic surface (Corian), Concrete, stainless steel, laminate.
Key criteria for choosing your benchtop;-
|
Product
|
Cost
|
|
Laminate
|
Low
|
|
Porcelain
|
High Low
|
|
Paper Rock
|
Low
|
|
Timber
|
Medium Low
|
|
Stainless steel
|
High Medium
|
|
Solid acrylic surface (Corian)
|
High
|
|
Polished Concrete
|
High
|
|
100% recycled glass
|
High
|
|
85% Recycled glass
|
Medium High
|
- Durability
- Type of cook and you are
- How else you use your kitchen –
- Type of entertaining
- Homework
- Casual eating
- Aesthetic
- How it fits in the home
- How aesthetic will reflect the kitchen you have
- Details that are important to you – no joins, thickness – 40mm
or more
- Maintenance
- Durability
- Material size - Standard slab size: 2800-3200mm x
1000-1200mm
- Overhang
- Overhang on island bench – 300-400mm – not all materials allow
for overhang more than 300mm (eg, Dekton), so check.
- Waterfall edges
- Good for durability – hardier material as gets knocked into a
lot with kids.
- How thick do you want the benchtop?
- May like thinner and have shadow lines
- Solid acrylic surface can be as thick as you like it – no
limit
- Laminate – difference thicknesses with square or rolled edge
(bullnosed)
- Concrete – no limit and cast to suit requirements like solid
acrylic
- Reconstituted stone – 20mm and then thicker is achieved with a
piece added to the face.
Benchtop materials – Part 2
- 100% recycled
glass– Newish Product available in the market.
- Heat-treated
- Compacted and looks like stone
- Sustainable
More expensive than a reconstituted stone
- Only available in limited colors
- 85% Recycled
glass– It is bound with bio-resin so the glass
particles are visible – like a terrazzo.
Can be mixed with different colored glass or one colour, and you
can make it a big feature.
- Porcelain– a
ceramic material made by heating materials
- Can have a thin profile - 6mm thick
- Very durable and resistant to wear and tear
- Stronger than granite – can be compared to Dekton – but not
made of minerals.
Not made of minerals but a porcelain product
- They come in big slabs so they can be tricky onsite
- Paperock– layer upon layer of renewable paper sources and
bonded with resin and heat/pressure cured.
- It is a remarkably strong composite building material suitable
for wet areas
- Sustainable
- Most cost effective than stone
- Timber –
- Sustainable
- Natural product
-
-
- Needs maintenance- sanding, and sealing. Special sealer
available via Ecotimber than makes suitable for wet areas.
- Solid acrylic surface -It is made with a mold, can make any
shape or thickness.
- Great for curved benchtops and illuminating
- Has technology to create charger in benchtop
- No joins
- Repairable
- Non -porous and hygienic
- The darker color are more susceptible to the scratches being
visible compared to a lighter color.
- A little bit more expensive than a reconstituted stone.
- Concrete- freeform concrete is often made on site. It is made
with a mold so it can be any color or shape
- any shape or colour
- no joints
- Very durable
- Will chip and crack – can be fixed
- Not completely stain resistant
- Stainless steel-
- Anti-bacterial
- Stain resistant
- Heat and fire resistantsurface
- Easy to clean
- Timeless
- Can scratch and smear when cleaned
- Not a cost -effective option
- Laminate
- Cost effective – lots of different finishes mimic stone,
concrete
- Different edged finishes
- Not heat resistance and can stain
- Not water resistant if water gets into particle board under
surface - it will expand
- Can’t have undermount sink with it.
There are so many choices for your benchtops. We encourage that
you do your research and ensure you have the right benchtop to suit
all your needs. Look at your objectives, the things that are
important to you, and any sustainable criteria.
Engaging with an interior designer might help you determine
what’s best for you, when there is so much choice available.
Available Resources:
Overwhelmed by the number of decisions that need to be made when
creating a stylish, functional, and durable Kitchen? What materials
to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is
going to best suit the space, and your requirements.
We offer several kitchen design packages to assist with your
kitchen design – be it a makeover, renovation or new kitchen. Click
the link
here to find more:
If you’re thinking about renovating or building your own
“Forever Home”, get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a chat
with her.
Events
We have a full calendar of Webinars throughout the year, so be
sure to view our Events page to find
out about upcoming events.
Related Resources:
Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1
Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them
Early On
Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and
Location
Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder’s
Insight
How to Choose the Right Bench Top
Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops