What benchtop should I choose for my kitchen renovation?

The heart of every home is the kitchen. It’s more than a place where food is prepared: it’s a place for families to gather together, to share their meals and the stories of their respective days. 

There are a lot of decisions that must be made when planning a kitchen renovation: gas or electric oven and stove top? What colour and style of cabinets? What layout best suits my family’s needs? What benchtop material should we choose?

That benchtop question is a big one. After all, it’s a surface you’ll be looking at, touching and cleaning every day. It’s both a major design feature – one that pulls together your whole kitchen’s look – and a question of functionality. And, of course, the material you choose can have a huge impact on your budget.

In this article, we’ll look at the best materials for your benchtops in terms of durability, cost and the level of maintenance required.

Laminate

Laminate is one of the most commonly used materials for benchtops. It’s highly cost effective and comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns – many of which look very similar to materials that are more expensive. 

While one of the most cost-effective options, the price of a laminate benchtop will vary depending on the cut, colour, edging and texture. Additionally, while it’s hardwearing and easy to maintain, a possible downside to laminate is that it can be scratched; it can also be burnt by extreme temperatures.

Polished concrete

Concrete can be manufactured to your desired look in terms of colour, texture and shape, making it completely unique. Once sealed, it is heat and scratch resistant, making it a very resilient material that’s perfect as a kitchen benchtop. While less expensive than natural stone, the price will vary depending on size, finish and aggregate used.

Stainless Steel

Long used in commercial kitchens, stainless steel benchtops are making their way to domestic kitchens. Steel benchtops come in a variety of finishes, all highly durable. It is hygienic, heat resistant and easy to clean. Stainless steel benchtops do tend to show fingerprints, as well as scratch and dent over time; in addition, they also tend to suit renovations that seek a modern industrial look, so steel may not be ideal if you prefer a rustic feel.

Granite

Granite benchtops give an elegant look to any kitchen. Natural granite is strong, durable, highly resistant to extreme temperatures, staining and scratching, and is easy to clean and maintain. It does require occasional resealing due to its porous nature. It is also one of the more expensive benchtop materials: cost will vary depending on colour, finish and the origin of the stone.

Marble

Marble is a natural rock, composed of minerals such as calcite and dolomite. Marble benchtops add a classic, luxurious look to any kitchen. Marble comes in a variety of colours; each piece is unique, making it one of the most expensive benchtop options. As marble is very porous, it requires more care and maintenance to prevent staining. In addition, extreme temperatures can cause it to expand and contract.

Want to know what the best benchtop option is for you (and the answers to any other kitchen renovation quandaries)? Contact Ash to discuss your kitchen design today!