Bench tops-8 Product choices you can make to add value to your home.

11/22/2011

Real estate agents generally agree that kitchens and bathrooms will sell a home. Many people are concerned with getting their homes just right. There is so much choice out there that knowing what design product will provide value for your dollar is very confusing. Below you will see some bench top materials and design tips that can be used in kitchens and bathrooms in an effort to help narrow down the decision making process.

Materials available to simplify your selection choices

• If you are building a new home and are signing a contract with a builder then make sure you know what the builder’s standard specifications allow for. When there is a downturn in the building trade make sure that you shop around because quite often in an effort to attract clients the builder will offer an upgrade from a standard bench top to a premium specification bench top at no extra cost.
• Laminates are generally provided as standard for a lot of builder’s selections. This material is made from many sheets of paper coated with a melamine resin and compressed at high pressure with heat to make a strong and durable product. It is recommended that a laminate that is patterned and lighter in colour with a textured surface will retain its new appearance for many years and can be used in a high wear situation such as a kitchen. Laminates with a gloss finish in any colour and dark plain colours in a flat finish are best used in a low wear situation such as a vertical surface. Remember that you cannot place hot cookware directly onto a laminate surface nor is it recommended that you cut directly on a laminate and it cannot be used as a splashback.
• Rocksolid granite is an engineered stone made from 95 percent natural granite and 5 percent polymer that is 6mm thick. It has all the benefits of granite such as being heat, scratch and stain resistant without the same price tag as granite. It is a great product for renovations because it can be applied directly over an existing laminate bench top and can also be used as a splashback. Just be aware that if you are using the existing cabinetry for the renovation that the internal carcass colour cannot be changed even if the doors are changed.
• Corian is a man made material that is made from natural minerals and acrylic in combination and was initially used as bench tops in science laboratories due to its resistance to heat, impact and stains. It is available in a wide range of colours and some builders provide it in their standard ranges for their kitchens.
• Essa stone/Q stone/Caesar stone/Silestone.These are all engineered stones made from natural quartz and a     polymer in combination. They have the same benefits as natural stone such as being resistant to scratching, abrasion and heat but have a more uniform appearance than natural stones such as granite or marble. Each name is different because different companies produce them.

• Stainless Steel is a manmade product that won’t warp or corrode and has traditionally been used in commercial kitchens due to its easy cleaning properties. It is becoming more popular in domestic kitchens currently where the client is looking for a more industrial style in there interior. It can also be used as a splashback.
• Concrete is another manmade product that appeals to those who want that industrial look while achieving a hardwearing surface. It can be poured into many different shapes and can have a matt or polished finish. You can even personalize the look you want to achieve with the stones that you select to be put into the mix.
• Granite is a natural product that is one of the hardest bench top materials that can be chosen. It requires little maintenance but because it is a natural product every slab looks different so make sure that you personally go out and see the slabs before you choose one. Never work from the sample you are given. Also, remember that because granite is a natural product it will need sealing to prevent staining.

When choosing your bench top make sure you have a clear understanding of your budget, style or look that you are trying to achieve and what you can and can’t afford to use. If you are trying to be environmentally friendly then a manmade stone is not reducing our natural resources but also look at where it is being produced. If it is being produced locally then it is not creating a large carbon footprint for transportation.

 Once you have decided then look at the largest sample of the product as possible that you have chosen so that you have a true colour sample. When you have the sample look at how it works with the flooring that you are going to use in the kitchen. Remember in my article “Match or Mismatch –creating flow in your home” I suggested you work from your largest area which tends to be the living/kitchen flooring and the next largest surface is generally the kitchen bench top.