Choosing the Perfect Benchtop: Guide to Materials, Durability & Design

Which Benchtop Is Right for Me?

Selecting a benchtop is a fun and exciting part of the kitchen renovation project! With a plethora of products and brands on the market it can be difficult to pick the “best” one for you. While there is no absolute right or wrong, we at Markel Design are on hand to offer our expertise and advice to help you understand the options available to you.

Some clients have a very firm idea of what they want and what their personal style is. Their property has a definite “look” or character. Other clients have absolutely no idea as to what they want or should do. A “statement” with “wow factor? Or subtle, simple, understated? Fortunately all tastes can be catered for. Once we narrow down what you like (we have samples on hand!) we will take you to see full slab pieces to finalise your selection. Along the way, we’ll offer you guidance, ensuring you’re happy with the outcome.

What to Consider

• How it looks – Colour, veining, texture, gloss, matte, contrast.
• How resilient – Will it stay looking good? Resistant to scratching, chipping, staining, ultraviolet, heat, chemicals, lemon juice, and vinegar.
• How maintenance-free – Will it need resealing, resurfacing, repolishing?
• How timeless – Will it look outdated? Will you tire of it?
• How expensive – Will it work within your budget? Does it come in a slab size that can be economically optimised?
• What guarantee – Has the supplier got a track record? How many years is the product covered by a guarantee?
• Can it also be used as a splashback?
• Sustainability – Is it ethically sourced and manufactured? Does it make use of recycled materials?

Commonly Used Materials

Natural Granites

• Pros:
  • Beautiful natural material where every slab is unique.
  • Large slab sizes, often quarried in Italy, Brazil, India & China.
  • With sealing, it is reasonably impervious to staining.
  • With re-polishing and re-sealing, the product can be restored.
• Cons:
  • Susceptible to thermal shock, so care needs to be taken when placing hot items on the surface.
  • Limited resistance to staining.
  • Natural slab variations & flaws.
  • Flaws can cause cracking during fabrication.

Natural Marbles and Travertine

• Pros:
  • Beautiful natural material where every slab is unique.
  • Large slab sizes, often quarried in Italy, Brazil, India & China.
• Cons:
  • A relatively soft material, very porous, and prone to staining, so it requires regular sealing.
  • Acidic solutions like lemon juice and vinegar can damage the surface.
  • Limited resistance to heat.
  • Natural slab variations & flaws.
  • Flaws can cause cracking during fabrication.

Sintered Stone (e.g. Dekton and Neolith)

• Pros:
  • Variety of patterns, colours, textures & finishes.
  • Man-made with consistent colour & quality batches.
  • Good mimicking of natural stones.
  • Large slab sizes & a variety of thicknesses.
  • Completely non-combustible & heat resistant.
  • Not affected by ultraviolet.
  • Completely non-porous, stain-resistant, and hygienic.
  • Can be used indoors & outdoors, on walls & floors.
  • Can be used in specialist applications – Pitt Cooking, Gaggenau.
• Cons:
  • The density of the product makes it extremely heavy.
  • Requires specialised fabrication.

Engineered Stone (e.g. Xeron & Caesarstone Mineral)

• Pros:
  • Variety of patterns, colours, textures & finishes.
  • Consistent colours in batches.
  • Good mimicking of natural stones.
  • Large slab sizes & a variety of thicknesses.
  • Some resistance to heat & staining.
• Cons:
  • Limited resistance to heat & staining.
  • Not flame-proof, so limited use behind a gas cooktop.
  • Not UV resistant.

Porcelain (e.g. Infinity & Caesarstone Porcelain)

• Pros:
  • Variety of patterns, colours, textures & finishes.
  • Consistent colours in batches.
  • Good mimicking of natural stones.
  • Large slab sizes & thicknesses.
  • Some resistance to heat & staining.
• Cons:
  • Limited resistance to heat & scratching.

Solid Surface (e.g. Corian, Staron, Hi-Macs)

• Pros:
  • Seamless “invisible” joins glued together on site.
  • If limited site access (e.g. high-rise with a small lift), it is easy to transport and install.
  • UV resistant.
  • Curves & organic shapes are achievable.
  • Completely non-porous.
  • Can integrate sink & draining board grooves.
  • Repairable product.
• Cons:
  • Some colours & patterns are not “realistic” or on-trend.
  • Synthetic product, which can feel plastic to some.
  • Warm to touch, though some may prefer this.
  • A soft material that is easily scratched. Can be buffed out but does require some maintenance (cream cleanser).
  • Not flame-proof.

Solid Timber

• Pros:

  • Beautiful natural product with every piece unique.
  • Warm to touch.
  • Textural, colour & pattern variety.
  • Rustic, organic feel.
  • Can be sanded back, resealed, repolished, or repainted.

• Cons:

  • Not recommended around water – stains, silvers, rots.
  • Contracts & expands – warps, moves, limits sink & tap selections.
  • Porous, can harbour bacteria.
  • Not heat resistant – will burn & blacken.
  • Susceptible to scratching.

High Pressure Laminates (e.g. Laminex, Formica, Duropal, Polytec)

• Pros:
  • Comparatively less expensive.
  • Longer lengths achievable without obvious joins.
  • Huge variety of colours and textures.
  • Reasonably chemical and stain-resistant.
• Cons:
  • Some colours & patterns are not “realistic.”
  • Warm to touch, though some may prefer this.
  • Not flame-proof.
  • Not as heat-resistant as stone.

Stainless Steel

• Pros:
  • Stain-resistant.
  • Impervious.
  • Heat-resistant.
• Cons:
  • Susceptible to scratching.
  • Requires specialist fabrication.
  • Requires regular polishing to maintain its original look.

While considering the type of project, style and budget we will personally work with you to make sure you select the best benchtop for the job!