Making the right decision when selecting your Kitchen benchtop
Are you a first home buyer, interior designer or a keen renovator looking to upgrade your kitchen benchtop? Then choosing the right benchtop is key to the overall look of your home. With no doubt are kitchens considered the heart of the home which is why before selecting your kitchen benchtop or bathroom vanity top surface, take a closer look at the factors that matter most to you. Benchtops take a lot of wear and tear and generally are a high traffic area hence the importance of choosing the right benchtop.
This information below gives you a summary guide at the important factors that need to be considered before you invest in any kitchen benchtop, kitchen island benchtop or bathroom vanity be it laminate, engineered stone, solid surface, wood or granite.
"How much is a solid surface benchtop?": Cost almost always plays a deciding factor when planning a remodel. With so many surfaces to consider, you don’t need to sacrifice style and durability to fit your budget.
"How durable are laminate Benchtops?": How long will this surface last? Every kitchen brings its own set of threats (Knives! Pots! Kids!) that need to be considered before an investment is made.
"How clean will my new Benchtop surface stay?": Not all surfaces wipe clean equally. Fortunately, there is a surface out there that matches your lifestyle.
Price, durability and maintenance are just the beginning. We encourage you to further research additional considerations such as eco-friendly production and availability.
High, as long as no heat is applied directly.
Caesarstone,Smartstone, Quantum Quartz
Easy cleanup with soap and water.
Medium. Stands up to kids and everyday activities very well.
Wilsonart,Laminex,Formica,Polytec,Nevamar, Abet Laminati
Damp cloth will work. No bleach
Medium. Like a lot of surfaces, heat is an enemy. Scratches will show, but buff out well.
Wilsonart, DuPont Corian, Samsung Staron, LG Himacs
Easiest to clean, but water spots may create a dull or splotchy finish. Be sure to dry thoroughly.
Medium. Stands up to demands of commercial kitchens but will show scratches and knife marks if not extremely careful.
Does a lousy job hiding fingerprints and grease stains. However, cleanup is easy with mild detergent or baking soda and water.
Medium. Reclaimed versions hide wear better. Different species offer different features. Despite name, resist chopping directly on the surface.
Cleaning is dependent on the finish. A higher quality sealed finish will wipe down easier than a rougher, reclaimed finish.
High. Very heat and scratch resistant.
Warm wet cloth with granite-specific cleansers. Routine sealing required.
High. Very strong but susceptible to hairline cracks upon settling.
Mild soap and cloth. Requires penetrating and topical sealer. Nothing harsh.
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