Benchtops
Avoid the boring ones, please!
You may think that you know all there is about bench tops but lets push the envelope on conventional thinking.
There are many traditional benchtop options on the market today and for many people they are the only options but lets untraditionaly
Bench top options are only limited by your imagination and a materials waterproofing abilities. There are many hardwearing options on the market that look fantastic and are also economical options for the ‘DIYer’. Today is the day you can compare the popular with the imerging options
Some typical options
Stone composite
Stone composites products are generally made up of reconstituted stones, shells or glass etc and is mixed with a resin or silicon base.
The product is so
ld in a slab form and is usually imported. mposite slabs are comparible in price to natural stone
Brand names – Ceasarstone, Essastone, Stone Italiana & Silestone.
Advantages – It is a presealed product and it is warm and flexible. It generally comes in two different thicknesses around 18mm and 28mm. The slab can me mitre cut for neat and deep bench edges.
Disadvantages – excessive heat will permanatly mark surface
Natural stone
Some stones can be extreamly expensive and usually cater to top end kitchens, some stones costing $2,500/m² 
Types – travertine (lime stone), granite, sandstone, marble, slate, soapstone
Disadvantages – some stones are naturally porus and can chip. The product is hard so you are more likely to break crockery. Granite’s are cold products, and very reactive to heat and will crack if not cared for correctly.
Laminates
Laminates are by far the most economical mass produced bench top product on the market. Laminates are made from melamine resin impregnated pattern paper over layers of phenolic resin impregrated Kraft paper with the back sanded to maintain uniform thickness and to facilitate bonding. The thickness of the laminate is determined by the number of kraft layers used. The laminating process combines the durability of melamine resins with the aesthetics of decorative papers creating a surfacing material that has been the standard for well over forty years. Taken from www.jbgroup.com.au/pruducts/laminate
Brand names – Polytec, Duropal, Formica, Wilsonart
Advanatges – Versitile product and long lasting if you care for the product. Countless finishes and colours
Disadvantages – can be adverse to heat, scratches, staining and marking
Formed resin
This product is a solid resin product and is very durable and flexible and can be made into any shape that you can think of.
Brand names – Corian, Freestyle
Disadvantages – can look plasticy but is not a cheap, originally used in labs it has found its way into the domestic market. Heat will mark the surface
Advantages – warm, flexiable, heat resistant to cracking, many colours and finishes
The imerging options
Formed concrete
Formed concrete looks so cool…... What more do I need to say.
If you are a "DIYer" have a go at constructing a concrete benchtop yourself or you can hire a professional concrete polisher to create a unique bench for you.
You will need to look after your concrete bench and it should not be left raw and should be sealed with a polyurethane coating or similar.
See You Tube video on concrete benches
See this You Tube video on a classic concrete bench.
Tiles
The American market has been using tiles as standard benchtop coverings for centurys and it goes fabulous with the French Provinchial look that is currently flooding the kitchen market.
Advantages – very economical and a DIY dream as there is no labour costs and an entire kitchen bench top can cost around $200
Disadvantages – bacteria can build up in grout joins so if you have the option ensure plenty of direct sun penetrates onto your benches. Like most products tiles will crack if in contact with high heat. A smaller tile looks best and this allows for any movement.
Copper
Copper has all the qualities of stainless steel but looks so much classier and unfortunately in today’s market is also very expensive.
Advantages – Very easy to clean, hygienic surface and it will not crack due to heat as easy as most other products.
Disadvantages – as with stainless steel it scratches easily. Many people think that stainless steel doesn’t leave scratch marks, and it doesn’t once the entire surface has been scuffed over years of use.
Embossed Stainless steel
Regular stainless steel will show every scratch until its been worn in but there is a new product on the market that eliminates the waiting time. Embossed stainless steel comes in many patterns and hides scratches as well. It will require more cleaning than a regular stainless steel bench but check out the Industrial pattern on the website above, very cool….
So, in short...
Let your mind run wild and don’t limit your choice with the mass market options. All your bench needs to be is impervious to water and easy to clean, the list of options can go on and on; timber flooring, glass, aluminium sheeting, timber slabs...
