Whether you’re embarking on a complete home renovation project that has been in the works for a few years, or updating the bathrooms or kitchen in a residential complex, it can be hard picking out the right bench top that will work well with your design concept and environment. You may have heard a particular natural stone worked well for one friend while it turned out a nightmare for another, and so having the right knowledge about what sort of material will work for the bench tops and having a reliable provider is crucial.
Royal Stone has provided countless homes and commercial projects with high quality stone bench tops for their vanity ensuite, kitchen Islands/countertops and bathrooms in Sydney, and while there are other material options out there that can be used, there is nothing like the finesse and durability of a stone bench top.
When it comes to durability, affordability, maintenance and customisation natural stones provide tons of options. However, engineered stones are a great option as well and don’t need a lot of care as compared to Granite or Marble. Of course, there are many other options like timber and steel but the finesse of natural stones and their durability trumps them.
Now, let’s talk about the best natural or engineered stone bench top for you.
Different Bench Top Stones for your Home
There are so many options out there when it comes to choosing the perfect stone bench top in Sydney for your home, however not every stone offers the same functionality. Below is a list of some stone bench tops to take into consideration:
1. Engineered Stone
This stone is also referred to as Caesar stone, quantum quartz, Smartstone, Silestone etc
The benefits associated with this kind of stone include its durability as compared to other natural stones hence your benchtop will stand the test of time. They also come in a variety of colours. The stones are designed in a way that they don’t get damaged or discoloured by food spillage and maintains its natural look for a long time.
If you compare engineered stones with stainless steels regarding heat resistance, these stones have low resistance caused by the lead between the cabinet and the bench installation.
2. Granite
Granite is one of the most hard and durable natural stone out there that will truly give you your money’s worth and will stick around for a lifetime. You can install it both inside and outdoors as it fares well under sun exposure and is heat resistant as well.
It is a porous material which means that it will have to be sealed properly and maintained regularly to ensure that any spillage doesn’t go to deep into the fissures and leave any stains.
This also makes Granite an expensive bench top option as it doesn’t come cheap and needs annual maintenance, similarly there aren’t many customisation options either. Either way, granite does make any kitchen or bathroom stand out.
3. Marble
Like Granite, Marble also is a natural stone and one that doesn’t come cheap. If you’re generous with your budget then this will definitely draw compliments and awe from your guests that visit your home.
However, Marble is a more porous and fragile stone which chips easily if heavy objects are placed on it or if it meets with a strong impact. In order to protect it from stains it will have to be sealed carefully and regularly to avoid any stains from placing hot objects, or any spillage across the bench top.
Marble definitely demands long term care, but it looks stunning.
4. Limestone
For a more Earthy, rustic look Lime stone is a beautiful stone composed of calcites found in marine environments. It more durable than marble and is a great option if you’re looking to install in an environment with less traffic. Despite being the most versatile of the natural stones, it also needs sealing as it does react to acidic liquids like vinegar, lemon juice or wine, and if not cleaned up quickly it can stain easily.
However, the stains usually fade over time and can be polished out by choosing tiles of a higher density, which makes limestone a great option for kitchens that want more of a rustic look.
5. Onyx
The biggest benefit of an onyx countertop is the unique appearance that makes it stand out from other natural stone alternatives. Onyx is generally pastel or light in colour. Similar to other materials, onyx countertops are available in a wide range of colours, from blue and green to yellow and red. It is also available in neutral tones such as beige and cream. There are also many exceptional patterns and variations such as specks similar to quartz, veins seen on marble, and swirls just like in granite.
Unfortunately, onyx countertops are soft, fragile and require a lot of maintenance. Although similar to other natural stones in many ways, it’s not as hard. You can add a layer of fibreglass on the bottom of the onyx compound to give it more strength, but it may still be prone to scratching and cracking.
Additionally, the countertop needs to be sealed properly to protect the surface.6.
6. Porcelain
After enduring high fabrication temperatures, it makes sense that one advantage is its heat resistance. You should have no problem handling hot potts and pans even when you place them directly on a porcelain countertop. Porcelain is stronger than the hardiest granite – almost 30% stronger in fact. Quality porcelain used to make countertops is scratchproof, along with being heatproof and highly durable.
Porcelain also has limited but unique countertop edge profile options compared with other materials. The usual edges, such as round, bevelled, straight, cover or waterfall, are available. You can also get the edges mitred to create a consistent pattern, the most common choice being a square edge. Since porcelain countertops are thinner than others, a mitred edge is a good choice to give the illusion of a thicker slab.
We’ve shared the pros and cons of 6 natural and engineered stones that can be perfect for your home whether you’re looking at new kitchen remodelling or planning to install in residential apartments.
While choosing the best provider for stone bench tops in Sydney, Royal Stone is the perfect place to go with as we deliver you many options apart from the ones mentioned above, and provide excellence when it comes to durability and installation as well.
With us, you can be rest assured that your remodelling will be handled with extreme care and attention, so head on over to our website to find the best Stone bench top options.
If you have any questions or enquiries, you may contact us by a call, a message or just simply click here to get an online quotation.