With so many bench top product types and colours available on the market, choosing one could be quite overwhelming and exciting. So what type of bench top are you wanting?
Here the main types of bench top you can choose from:
Laminate Benchtops
This is the cheapest option for your bench top. Until recently it has been the standard bench top product for most Kiwi homes.
If you are wanting the cheapest option then this is definitely for you. Contact our partner TOPWORKS for a quote.
Advantages:
- Most affordable. Cheaper than natural and engineered stones
- Versatile and customizable
- Easy to change and does not require special chemicals for cleaning
- Does not harbor the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria, and other microorganisms
Disadvantages:
- Not as durable as natural stones
- Abrasive cleaning may cause marks and damage
- Will look dull and old if damaged
- Easy to cut and scratch.
- No resistance to heat, which means it can melt or burn and thus, could leave burning mark
Quartz Benchtops
A regular Quartz benchtop will consist of 93% quartz by weight and 7% resin. This is one of the top quality bench top products. It is stain, heat and scratch resistant.
Advantages:
- Offers a luxurious appearance unlike any other material
- Extremely stain resistant
- Has one of the hardest surfaces, which makes it scratch resistant
- Extremely heat resistant (burn and scorch resistant)
- Resistant to stains and bacterial growth
Disadvantages:
- More expensive or costly than Laminates and Granite
- Does not have the same look as naturally occurring slabs of stone
- Long-term exposure to sunlight can cause discoloration
Granite Benchtops
Granite countertops are all natural stone. Its near diamond-hard surface makes it the ideal stone material for kitchen bencht tops. Granite are heat, scratches and stain resistant plus it does not requires sealing.
Advantages:
- Are typically less costly than any other surfaces
- Offers almost unlimited choices in colors and patterns
- Natural Granite is also one of the hardest surfaces available so it is scratch resistant
- Extremely heat resistant thus, burn and scorch resistant
- Once sealed, granite is stain resistant
Disadvantages:
- Can be very expensive
- Needs to be sealed once every 2 years
- Absorbs oils and liquids
- It can crack easily
Marble Benchtops
Marble bench tops are made from limestone. It is softer than granite and is typically the preferred stone for bathroom installation, wall and floor tiles and those that are surrounded by fire.
Advantages:
- Classic, timeless beauty, and a white brightness not available in other stones
- Because it is softer to work with than any other stones, Marble is less likely to get chipped or damaged when it is cut
- It’s naturally cool and not a heat conductor
- Heat resistant
- Easy to find as it is widely available
Disadvantages:
- Can be quite expensive
- Since it is a softer stone, you can expect to see more stains and scratches appearing on the surface
- Once it becomes stained, it can be considered to be permanent
Acrylic Benchtops
Acrylic bench tops are a very attractive and an affordable alternative to granite bench tops and other stone surfaces. They’re resistant to stains and are said to be renewable and repairable, however, with various brands on the market there are differences in quality and durability. It is important to check the warranties that are offered.
Advantages:
- Can be very easy to clean and is not affected by chemicals in common household cleaners
- Can be inexpensive and are easy to install
- Stain resistant
Disadvantages:
- Not as durable as other stones
- Have the ability of scratching easily, which is usually permanent
- It can get damaged easily when exposed to hot things as it’s not heat resistant
- Tend to look very plain and boring
- Can chip or scratch more easily than other stones
