Despite a huge range of options to choose from, it can be tricky to find a kitchen benchtop that is aesthetically beautiful but also hard wearing and within your budget.  Through our extensive experience and knowledge, we are able to share some of the current benchtop solutions to consider for your next new home build or renovation project.

The Benchtop Products You Should Know About in 2016

Engineered Stone

Engineered stone is a very popular benchtop choice in Australia with colours and patterns being continually updated to align with contemporary design and consumer preferences. Engineered stone enables home builders and renovators to achieve a very attractive, hard and durable working surface that looks just like natural stone but without the high cost. Engineered stone benchtops are considerably less porous than granite, marble and concrete and as a result; they require less maintenance and are very hygienic. Engineered stone benchtops are usually quartz-based and manufactured mostly from natural stone mixed with a small amount of resin or bonding agent.

There are a huge range or colours and styles to choose from and because they are engineered, it is possible to guarantee consistency and repeatability in the colour and pattern.

For more information, visit the Essa Stone or Caesarstone websites.

Photo courtesy of Ceasarstone

Dekton and Neolith

Dekton and Neolith are very similar benchtop finishes to engineered stone that originate from Europe and are fairly new to Australia. They are becoming hugely popular due to their amazing qualities that combine function and beauty, whilst eliminating some of the issues that other benchtop materials are faced with. For example, they are a brilliant alternative to those who want the classic look of marble, but don’t want to deal with the ongoing maintenance and staining that comes with it.

The surfaces don’t scratch or stain and they are resistant to very high temperatures. Dekton and Neolith benchtops are UV resistant so they don’t fade and are non-porous so food can be prepared directly on them and they never need to be sealed, which makes maintenance easy. All you need to clean it is use dishwashing liquid and water.

Neolith and Dekton is a lightweight material, which eliminates the need for additional structural reinforcement to handle excess weight which can be an issue with some stone and concrete benchtops. Installation is straight forward and can be used on nearly any surface.

Just to top it off, Dekton and Neolith benchtops are 100% eco-friendly, making it an important choice for current and future generations.

The quality of this product also makes it a great choice for outdoor applications. A built-in-barbeque or an outdoor bar using the same product as your kitchen benchtop can provide an attractive and consistent feel and flow to your home.

The colour choices available are extensive and finishes are available in matte, gloss, metallic and marble look. Matte grey and a marble look are set to be popular choices for 2016.

Would you consider using Neolith or Dekton in your home? Imagine a built-in-barbeque surrounded by a marble look benchtop.

Take a look at these Dekton and Neolith websites for product galleries or watch the informative YouTube video below.

https://youtu.be/Kx1WBkDSQNw

Custom Benchtop Finishes

If you’re after a truly bespoke and luxurious piece for your home, check out Australian Brand Axolotl for inspiration. Benchtops can be created with one-of-a-kind inlays and in a huge range of finishes. How about copper plated timber? Or embrace the concrete trend and have a custom pattern, word, or picture formed into your benchtop for a unique look. You really are only limited by your imagination. If you love the beautiful organic look of concrete benchtops, but are put off by the cost and the weight; a new and innovative method for 2016 solves this issue for you. Concrete is applied over an MDF surface and then sealed with a polyurethane coating. These benchtops are totally customisable and are able to be pre-made in a factory so installation can be done quickly in your home.

Photo courtesy of Axolotl

If you are undertaking a custom design home or renovation project and would like to talk to one of our home design experts, please feel free to call us on 1800 GENTRIFY (1800 436 874) or email us at enquiries@gentrify.com.au.