Tag: quartz

Looking for ways to add value to your home with maximum impact? Installing a stone benchtop is the way to go. Stone benchtops are both beautiful but also incredibly durable.

Natural stone benchtops can withstand everyday wear and tear and last for years. This post will discuss the benefits of stone benchtops and how they can add value to your home. We’ll also share tips on choosing the right type of stone for your needs.

If you’re considering renovating your kitchen, be sure to consider a stone benchtop!

Benefits of Stone Benchtops

There are many reasons why stone benchtops are a great addition to any home:

1. They are incredibly durable. A stone benchtop can last for years, even with heavy use.
2. They are easy to care for. You can easily wipe them down with a damp cloth to keep them clean.
3. Stone benchtops are heat resistant so you can place hot pots and pans on them without worry.
4. They are stain-resistant, so spills will not damage the surface.
5. Stone benchtops add a touch of luxury to any home giving you the dream kitchen you have always wanted.

How to Choose the Right Stone Benchtop

A well-designed kitchen requires planning and thought. It includes deciding on whether you want a contemporary colour scheme, modern appliances and stone surfaces for a complete kitchen renovation.

When choosing a stone benchtop, there are a few things to consider. You’ll need to decide on the type of stone you want. There are many different types of stone to choose from, including granite, marble, quartz, and more. Each type of stone has its own unique look and feel, so it’s important to choose one that fits your style. You’ll need to decide on the colour of stone you want. Stone benchtops come in a wide range of colours, so you can choose one that matches your kitchen’s existing colour scheme. Finally, you’ll need to decide on the size and shape of the stone benchtop. Measure your space before purchasing so you know exactly what you need.

Installing a stone benchtop is a great way to add value to your home. There are many benefits of stone worktops. They are durable, easy to care for and offer a touch of luxury. When choosing a stone benchtop, be sure to consider the type of stone, colour, and size that will best fit your needs. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to find the perfect stone benchtop for your home.

Check out our other posts on home renovation and design! We also have a blog post that discusses the different types of stone benchtops. So if you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen, be sure to check it out.

View our colour range of stone benchtops at affordable prices. Transform your kitchen space today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Island Bench?

Island benches provide extra bench and storage space, two very important features of any kitchen.

What is the best way to maximise your space?

Maximise your space by installing kitchen cabinets from floor to ceiling.

What are the key features of your kitchen?

Apart from your choice of kitchen cabinet, your choice of kitchen benchtop is one of the first things potential buyers will see when viewing your kitchen; therefore, choose wisely.

What colour scheme should I choose for my kitchen?

Consider using safe colours such as white, natural tones such as grey and beige, and mono­chromes.

Why use Stone Benchtops?

Stone benchtops have been popular for decades, and in fact, they’ve been used since the beginning of time. They’re both sleek and natural-looking, and they’re versatile and practical too.

Are there different types of stone?

You can choose from natural stones or engineered stones as your material, depending on your budget and the style you aspire to achieve.

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Among the most popular stone benchtop designs is the waterfall benchtop.

Conventional countertops usually consist of a slab resting on top of base cabinets or an island, and they can be made from any material. 

A waterfall countertop edge creates an even more dramatic look than a simple edge. With this design, vertical sides extend from the countertop to the floor level.

The benchtop material extends beyond the top surface and falls to the floor. This design element creates an elegant countertop that enhances any modern kitchen design with a waterfall edge. 

How do you choose the materials to use for Waterfall Benchtops?

With a waterfall countertop edge, you need to choose a material carefully. You want the countertops to be made from one continuous material so they look seamless. It’s challenging to achieve this look with a waterfall countertop made from wood, marble or any other material that has a natural vein pattern. Mismatched veins will ruin the cascading waterfalls effect.

Quartz countertops are used by most designers today to create the waterfall look. We use the natural beauty of quartz combined with resins and pigmentation to create a versatile material. 

Waterfall granite countertops are expensive to install and maintain. On the other hand, quartz countertops don’t require any maintenance at all. Beyond installation, quartz benchtops benefit engineered stone by making it a much more practical option for everyday use.

What are the costs associated with installing waterfall benchtops?

Stone slabs (includ­ing quartz) for a waterfall counter costs from $40 to up to $100 per square foot. The installation will cost you as much as $1,000 per square foot. These costs are no more expensive than what you would pay for the materials and labour of installing a conventional countertop. 

Fabrication costs are the main reason why waterfall counters are so expensive. A manufacturer will use a CNC laser cutting machine to cut the slab precisely. It creates mitred corners that fit together perfectly. Expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,000 for this process, depending on which service you use.

With waterfall granite countertops, your costs don’t end there. You also need to be concerned about resealing the surface once every year. These prices range from $200 to over $1,000.

While the upfront cost of a quartz waterfall countertop may not be cheap, you’ll save a lot of money in the long run if you buy one.

Design Tips for your Waterfall Benchtop

Colours & Patterns 

Creating a waterfall kitchen benchtop with marble or granite is impractical and expensive, but it’s easy with quartz. 

Keep It Simple

A waterfall benchtop’s beauty lies in its simplicity. A square edge almost always looks best on a countertop.

Seamless Flow

If you want to create a seamless look in the kitchen, consider matching your countertop island to other kitchen surfaces, such as the backsplash.

Are there waterfall benchtop considerations to keep in mind? 

As with all benchtops styles and materials, there are a few things you need to consider before making this important decision for your kitchen space. Here are some pros and cons to think about.

Beautiful

A waterfall countertop is stunningly beautiful and it can be the centrepiece of any modern or contemporary kitchen.

Durability

Wood base cabinets can be scratched very easily. All belt buckles, utensils, and chair risks exist. On the other hand, quartz is a very resilient material. It’s unlikely that you’ll scratch a waterfall benchtop that’s made from quartz.

Cost

A good waterfall benchtop is going to be expensive. It’s unavoidable. Of course, you’ll spend more on materials for your waterfall countertop island. But you’re going to spend as much as $2k for the CNC fabrication proces­s.

Style

Waterfall countertops may be jaw-dropping, but they don’t necessarily suit every kitchen style. They’re mainly suited for modern and contemporary kitchen designs and may look out of tune in a traditional space.

Waterfall benchtops are incredibly popular – and for a good reason. They’re a unique approach to kitchen design, and they make for a beautiful space! Quartz is currently the best material for waterfall benchtops. Its versatility allows our teams to mould the stone into any shape or pattern.

Get in touch with our team and discuss your next stone benchtop and waterfall countertop options. 

Regardless of whether you want an industrial, rustic or modern look, there’ll be a kitchen benchtop to suit. While we often think about what will look nice, other essential things such as budget and ease of cleaning shouldn’t be overlooked either.

In this post, we cover the best benchtop for your kitchen, based on function, style and cost.

Industrial Look Benchtop Ideas

Concrete

The industrial style requires a polished concrete countertop, but this option is expensive. There are many factors, like cement, aggregates, and sand, which will influence the final colour of your concrete benchtop. Concrete needs to be sealed/polished to prevent staining and damage to the surface.

Things to consider with concrete benchtops includes being careful not to drop or knock any concrete – especially the corners, which are prone to cracking. You must also be careful when cleaning the surface to avoid bubbling or scratch marks.

Repolishing is recommended whenever the surface is damaged. If you leave the surface scratched, you could potentially let stains seep through, damaging the surface permanently.

Budget Conscious Benchtop Options 

Laminate

A laminate benchtop is a good option if you’re on a tight bud­get. Laminate (laying multiple sheets of paper over chipboard, ply or MDF) has been around for quite some time and has come a long way. You can now get a laminate benchtop to suit any style you want – wood grains, marble, and granite are all achievable with laminated surfaces. You can even create an amazing waterfall finish with seamless joints. Laminate is the leading brand when it comes to laminates.

Heat damage can also occur with laminate products. Stains are easily removed with a cleaner. Once the surface has been damaged, continued exposure to liquids and water can cause the boards beneath to swell.

Butcher Block

A butcher block countertop can give your kitchen a rustic look. It’s a less expensive alternative. Butcher block can be sealed either with oil or with polyester resin.

If you decide to have an oiled surface, remember that you’ll need to reapply the oil periodically so that it doesn’t dry out and crack. Any spills should be attended to straight away with a damp cloth (if the spill is on an oiled surface), warm soapy water or a spray and wipe type product if the spill is on a polyurethane surface. Harder abrasive cleaners will damage the paint’s surface and strip its gloss.

Natural Looking Benchtop Choices 

Marble

Marble is a good option if you’re looking for a natural stone like granite but don’t want to spend a fortune. It’s delicate and needs to be treated carefully. Marble is more porous, so sealing and ongoing care are a must.

Marble is one of the most common materials used for countertops, but there are some things to carefully consider. It may stain or etch, which means that it may leave marks on your kitchen counters. As time passes, it may begin to show signs of aging. If you don’t take proper care of and maintain your countertops, they could become stained or damaged.

You’ll eventually scratch marble by using it every day. But these won’t necessarily be noticed as you walk past them. Over time, marble develops a natural patina that enhances its unique beauty.

Porcelain

Porcelain is lightweight, so you don’t need to seal it, and it’s available in larger slab sizes. It’s versatile, too; you can use porcelain sheets for furniture, flooring, and outdoor areas.

It’s a natural material that has been around for centuries. Porcelain is one of the most popular choices for countertops because it resists stains and scratches better than other materials.

Porcelain is a good material for kitchen and bathroom countertops because it’s durable, easy to clean, and beautiful. Durability is one of its main advantages. It lasts longer than other materials and is easier to clean.

Quartz

If you want something practical, quartz is your answer. It’s probably one of the most popular choices at present – it comes in a range of colours and designs and is not as expensive as other stone materials. It’s also nonporous so you don’t need to seal it.

Attractive and functional are the best words to describe quartz. With this material comes an easy-to-clean surface that is durable, hygienic, and long-lasting. If you struggle with having to replace your kitchen counters constantly, you should start thinking about quartz countertops. It allows you to focus on the important functions – meal preparation, rather than kitchen clean up.

Our experts are here to help you with the best benchtop for your kitchen. Get in touch with Stone Benchtop Direct today and let’s discuss your next project.