Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Feb 27, 2008 5:26 pm Hello, we hope you can help us. We're trying to decide what to have our kitchen benches made out of. We don't really know what all the options are, or the relative costs of each.
Some sort of laminated stuff on MDF? Ceaser stone? Granite? (most expensive we think?) Can anyone help? Thank you Simon and Fiona Building an architect designed home out of Insulated Concrete Forms on acreage in semi-rural SE Melbourne. Developer approval obtained, engineering complete, getting quotes Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 2Feb 27, 2008 5:52 pm I'm going for Ceaserstone (or the equivalent other brand names).
It is stain resistant, comes in a wide range of colours and does not require sealing. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 4Feb 27, 2008 6:15 pm Even though we thought about Caesar Stone, I managed to convince my dh that a laminated was better for me personally.
I find granite-type surfaces cold - literally and emotionally - and I always get the distinct impression something's bloody well going to break if it isn't put down just so gently on 'em. It's all a personal preference, of course. Go to a few kitchen display places and actually have a "feel" of the different surfaces. I know it sounds weird, but the tactile approach is often the best way when considering kitchen benchtops as you'll be having your mitts all over it once you're preparing food! Fiona Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 5Feb 27, 2008 6:19 pm The Dynamic Duo Hello, we hope you can help us. We're trying to decide what to have our kitchen benches made out of. We don't really know what all the options are, or the relative costs of each. Some sort of laminated stuff on MDF? Ceaser stone? Granite? (most expensive we think?) Can anyone help? Thank you Simon and Fiona A standard 34mm laminated top will set you back about $160 per liner metre for 600mm deep board - the substrate will most likely be HMR Chipboard. Caesarstone and granite prices vary depending on the type of colour and pattern - Caesarstone have three pricing levels, low, mid and high. I recently priced some Caeserstone for a client for approximately 3.5m of 20mm, 625mm deep "Nimbus" a mid range colour - which came to $ 1958 installed - Caesarstone and granite have to be measured, cut and installed by the stonemason supplying the product, which gets done after the kitchen is installed. In a conversation I had with this particular mason I was quoted the same price for 20mm granite in a similar colour to the Caesarstone... Cheers, Earl Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 6Feb 27, 2008 6:37 pm Thank you Earl and others, that is helpful.
Are there any other bench surfaces apart from laminate, Cesarstone and Granite? Building an architect designed home out of Insulated Concrete Forms on acreage in semi-rural SE Melbourne. Developer approval obtained, engineering complete, getting quotes Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 7Feb 27, 2008 6:55 pm The Dynamic Duo Thank you Earl and others, that is helpful. Are there any other bench surfaces apart from laminate, Cesarstone and Granite? Yes stainless steel, marble, ceramic tile, concrete and timber. Would not consider any of these. Go engineered stone (eg. Ceaserstone). Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 8Feb 27, 2008 7:04 pm Casa2 Yes stainless steel, marble, ceramic tile, concrete and timber. Would not consider any of these. Go engineered stone (eg. Ceaserstone). OK, next question - do we need super strong kitchen cabinets or anything to support the weight of a stone bench? Thanks Building an architect designed home out of Insulated Concrete Forms on acreage in semi-rural SE Melbourne. Developer approval obtained, engineering complete, getting quotes Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 9Feb 27, 2008 7:36 pm If you are going for Caesarstone or granite then standard carcasses will be fine - the fabricator might need to take into consideration that the tops will be stone rather than laminate to allow for fixing surfaces, but the cabinetry will otherwise be as for any other top (except maybe concrete...)
Cheers, Earl Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 10Feb 27, 2008 8:04 pm Strumer If you are going for Caesarstone or granite then standard carcasses will be fine - the fabricator might need to take into consideration that the tops will be stone rather than laminate to allow for fixing surfaces, but the cabinetry will otherwise be as for any other top (except maybe concrete...) Cheers, Earl Thanks Earl. Building an architect designed home out of Insulated Concrete Forms on acreage in semi-rural SE Melbourne. Developer approval obtained, engineering complete, getting quotes Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 11Feb 27, 2008 10:00 pm nzfiona I find granite-type surfaces cold - literally and emotionally - and I always get the distinct impression something's bloody well going to break if it isn't put down just so gently on 'em. Agreed. Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 12Feb 28, 2008 7:45 am nzfiona I find granite-type surfaces cold - literally and emotionally - and I always get the distinct impression something's bloody well going to break if it isn't put down just so gently on 'em. We had granite tops in our apartment, and now in our rental. I am NOT a gentle cook! Hot trays from the oven go on them if I can't find a heat mat at the time - I mash potato in the pot on the granite top. I've done some work in a commercial kitchen with s/steel benches and haven't really changed my approach. So they can be tough! After 4 years - we're in! Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 13Feb 28, 2008 10:41 am How did you find working on stainless steel compared with granite ? Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 14Feb 28, 2008 10:45 am Cabinfever
I LOVE s/steel benches for a working kitchen - no need to be precious! But I wouldn't have them in my home - a number of reasons 1. Fingermarks 2. Scratches 3. Quite a "cold" feeling We want our kitchen to be somewhere warm and inviting - sometimes the steel look makes people afraid of being in the kitchen. If I went with a stainless steel kitchen at home - then I'd want to fit it out like a commercial kitchen - underbench fridges, full steel splashbacks and a powerful exhaust system. Perhaps if I had a super stylish city pad as my city home and then our place in the outersuburbs After 4 years - we're in! Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 15Feb 28, 2008 12:51 pm Very interesting. I have heard that stainless steel is the most hygenic surface, but then they're probably all pretty good. As for scratches I've also heard that you notice them (with horror) when they start, but within a few months they all sort of merge together and so become "invisible".
Do you think stainless steel would look out of place in a "family home" kitchen ? Stainless steel kitchen: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/professionalkitchens_1989_419286 Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 17Feb 28, 2008 1:14 pm Cabinfever I think it looks great.
I too have spent a few years in hospitality and can greatly appreciate the virtues of a professional kitchen. Both my wife and I would agree to build a fully stainless commercial style kitchen in a flash - pending only the finances. Seperate larder for dry goods and a big high pressure hose to clean the place out with. A part time dishpig would also be a nice extra. Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 18Feb 28, 2008 1:38 pm IMO - There is way to much white in the above kitchen - hence the harsh stark look.
There are many different stainless finishes and for some reason the hard to clean brushed look stainless gets used in home appliances - (which is a pig to clean) hence stummers needs for a dish pig But if you use commercial kitchen finished stainless is does look good and it does not show up the scratches, wipe up etc as much IMO. I used to own a cafe. Hate to say it - but it's a big feng shui stuff - keep the balance of metal and wood energies and it works. I saw a really nice custom made stainless kitchen (bench and sink made as one) along one wall and corner, and the splashback was not as high as the onbe above. With recycled jarrah on the island bench with open timber 25mm ply cupboards below the stainless benches, and it looked really nice as it softened the stainless look and made it very appealing. On the front of the island bench was an ocean blue laminate with mini orb corrugated iron inserts - edged with jarrah and the mini orb was designed to be replaced if desired in the future to allow the kithcen to be updated with ease. So as another option for stainless - This is a bit better but the white IMO still makes it a bit harsh. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Steve Re: Different types and costs of kitchen benches 19Feb 28, 2008 5:10 pm I dont think that it's the S/S that makes this kitchen look very average, I just think the person that designed it didnt have much creative flare about them. White and S/S in this instance doesnt really cut the mustard.
And the S/S splashback doesn't do it any favours either. An all white kitchen looks great in the right house and when done properly. I've seen plenty of S/S bench tops that look a million dollars. And plenty of mixture of granite/S/S or S/S and timber b/tops. yep you need a joint, foam is easiest, will look fine once rendered with a joint. 2 5245 Hi, have purchased a house with 2 single garage doors. The Centre pillar one side sits proud to the other. Can I change 2 doors into one. Please see picture. 0 6357 Hi All, This is our second home build and first time with a custom builder. They are small builder and have built some houses with good quality. They tender and color… 0 622 |