What are engineered stone benchtops?

When you are considering a kitchen renovation, there are a lot of things to think about. Floors, splashbacks, tapware, cabinets... and that's just the beginning. But, have you thought about your benchtop? A benchtop can make or break a kitchen, and it can become a beautiful and functional centrepiece to your space no matter the season. But, what material should you choose to do the job perfectly for you?

There's marble, laminate, stainless steel, granite... the list goes on. When it comes to a benchtop that offers a hard-wearing surface that still looks amazing, then engineered stone should be a serious consideration. To help you with your choice, check out a few positives and negatives when it comes to engineered stone benchtops and a little more about the structure and properties of this man-made material.

What is engineered stone?

Engineered stone is as its name suggests - a material that is man-made from a mixture of aggregate chips, resins, pigments and other binders. The main ingredient is naturally forming quartz, which is a super strong mineral. The need for engineered stone arose in the 1980s when people wanted a more consistent-looking material that didn't have differing colours from slab to slab.

Engineered stone can also be referred to as 'reconstituted stone', and some people use engineered stone and 'Caesarstone' interchangeably. Caesarstone however is a brand of engineered stone, not the actual material itself.

What are the properties of engineered stone?

Being a manufactured product, and not one naturally occurring, means that engineered stone has the following properties:

• Non-porous.
• Durable.
• More flexible and harder than natural stone.
• General consistency in colour and pattern.
• Scratch and chip-resistant.
• Hygienic, as the non-porous nature of the material, will not support the growth of bacteria, viruses, mould or mildew.
• Stain-resistant.
• Uniform internal structure, ensuring no hidden cracks or flaws that may exist in natural stone.

What are the pros and cons of an engineered stone benchtop?

There is a range of both positives and negatives when it comes to an engineered stone countertop, so we have collated some of the major points below.

Pros of an engineered stone benchtop

• Stain-resistant.
• Wears very well.
• Hygienic.
• Durable.
• Easy to clean
• Uniform colour and pattern variations.
• A wide range of colour schemes is available.

Cons of an engineered stone

• Should not be used outdoors as the polyester resins are not completely UV stable.
• Can be damaged by heat - not as heat resistant as other options.
• Uniform colour and pattern variations can also be viewed by some as a negative, as the material loses its uniqueness.
• Never place a hot pot or pan on engineered stone!
• More expensive than a lot of other options.

Are engineered stone benchtops worth it?

Yes, engineered stone is worth the cost. If you are after a durable material that is easy to clean and wears well, then an Engineered Stone Benchtop is a suitable option for you. If you are after something a little more unique, with diverse patterns and colour variations, then you may wish to consider Marble or Granite as an alternative. All in all, however, Engineered Stone is a practical and beautiful option for a benchtop, and we highly recommend it.

Your skilled engineered stone benchtop specialists in Brisbane

If you have any questions regarding using engineered stone benchtops or would like to speak to someone about incorporating it into your kitchen renovation plans, give Haddon Kitchens a call at 07 3204 0399 today. We are your local kitchen reno experts in Brisbane

Resources:

Wikipedia (Engineered Stone): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineered_stone

Countertop Guides: https://countertopguides.com/guides/the-benefits-of-engineered-stone-countertops.html

Please note - Haddon Kitchens & Cabinets can provide a wide range of benchtops for our custom kitchen renovations. As we specialise in complete kitchen renovations, we do not supply ‘benchtops only’ for existing kitchens or DIY kitchens.