One of the big decisions you’ll make when designing your kitchen is choosing your benchtop.
A kitchen benchtop is one of the most used areas of a home — it’s where you cook, prepare meals and entertain. A benchtop can serve as a focal point aesthetically, but practically — as a space that’s used daily, it needs to stand the test of time. But before you get into the nitty-gritty of colour, shape and texture, the first choice you should make comes down to its material: stone or laminate. But what are the differences, and what makes one product better than the other?
Let’s unpack both materials.
Stone
Stone is one impressive material and creates instant luxe to any space.
Every stone benchtop is a one-off piece. Just as no two rocks are exactly the same in their formations, veins and look, so are no two stone benchtops. This is ideal for those who want a unique and stylish look for their home.
It also has a tactile appeal. Run your hands over stone, feel its cool surface and the smooth appeal speaks for itself. Not only does it look good, it feels good, too.
Although there are a few things to keep in mind. Like any high-end product, stone has a price that reflects that. Stone is also a porous product, meaning you do need to take particular care around staining substances like red wine, coffee and turmeric. It will also require some ongoing maintenance to help it continue to look at its best.
And because of its resonates properties, it can be noisy, such as when you put a glass down.
At Geelong Homes, we use Essastone as our supplier of choice. The great thing about Essastone is that it’s specially engineered to guard the surface from straining, scratching and citrus acid marks. It is made in Europe from up to 95 per cent natural quartz. Each stone slab also has a 15-year limited warranty.
Laminate
The next choice is Laminate. One of the best things about laminate is that it comes in a myriad of choices — around 200 to be precise. Finishes include the sought-after look of veined Carrara marble, impressive textured surfaces or clean and colourful designs.
Laminate is great for families, this is a sturdy product capable of handling all the usual wear and tear that busy family life brings. It’s resistant to surface wear, boiling water, staining and more.
In terms of sustainability, laminate can give the look of stone or wood while not actually drawing on those resources.
The myth that laminate is made of plastic is untrue; rather its components come from layers of paper.
In addition to that, laminate is cheaper than stone — so not only does it look good and has great functionality but it’s a cheaper option.
At Geelong Homes, a Laminex benchtop is our standard inclusion, and you can choose from a variety of different high-quality finishes, styles and functions.
Summary
Cooking, meal preparation, entertaining — your kitchen bench is one of the most used items in your home. So you want to make sure you have chosen the right material — stone or Laminex — to suit not only the look of your home but its functionality.
Stone adds instant luxe, feels great and is durable. Laminex has a great price, comes in many colours and finishes, and has multiple products for different functions.
When designing your new kitchen, you should spend time thinking about the functionality and lifestyle of your family. Does your benchtop need to be durable, is the way it feels important to you and what’s your budget?
At Geelong Homes, all our homes come with a colour consultation in our Style Studio. At our Style Studio, our colour consultants can guide you through your decision.
With a good kitchen design and advice from our colour consultants, your benchtop will look great whether it’s finished with stone or laminate.
To learn more visit any of our display homes or phone 03 5222 5522.
