Links- Benchtops

MR2 · Feb 13, 2013 7:09 am

Winner!

Thankyou

Wandin Valley · Feb 16, 2013 11:29 pm

BENCHTOPS:
just a heads up for anyone starting out here are my conclusions

1) Engineered Quartz products( 10 or more suppliers) are produced on similar plant using an identical process. Anyone telling you that their Ceasarstone is superior to Essastone or anything else needs a "Good lie down" and a "tin of two fruits".

2) Even low end homes from project builders currently offer Engineered Quartz benchtops(at least as an option). laminex even flog Essastone..................geddit, laminate is deader than disco for Benchtops. I know someone always going to tell you that their multi-million dollar waterside appartment has laminate Benchtops but I say what happens behind closed doors between consenting adults should remain their concern, and their concern only. I dont have any problems picking Laminates from, Marble/granite or Engineered Quartz and the highest compliment you can make is to state: "It looks somewhat like stone"

CuttingEdgeKitchens · Mar 01, 2013 8:19 am

Wandin Valley

BENCHTOPS:
just a heads up for anyone starting out here are my conclusions

1) Engineered Quartz products( 10 or more suppliers) are produced on similar plant using an identical process. Anyone telling you that their Ceasarstone is superior to Essastone or anything else needs a "Good lie down" and a "tin of two fruits".

"

Totally agree! Caesarstone is actually a small company in the US compared to a company like Silestone.

Most people in Australia havent even heard of silestone!

CuttingEdgeKitchens · Mar 01, 2013 8:21 am

Wandin Valley

geddit, laminate is deader than disco for Benchtops. I know someone always going to tell you that their multi-million dollar waterside appartment has laminate Benchtops but I say what happens behind closed doors between consenting adults should remain their concern, and their concern only. I dont have any problems picking Laminates from, Marble/granite or Engineered Quartz and the highest compliment you can make is to state: "It looks somewhat like stone"

Sorry no idea what you are saying here????

Laminate is actually very cheap for bench tops!

What do you mean "picking Laminates from, Marble/granite or Engineered Quartz"???

Evelin · Mar 10, 2013 1:44 am

been to my quartz benchtop supplier today. It was a little bit too much choice. According to the company, engineered quartz benchtops are all the same, what's different are the colours.

I believe it is worth to think about bench sizes as a slab of engineered quartzstone comes in standard sizes, 3040x1400x20mm. To my understanding, I as a buyer have to pay for the whole slab or multiples of it. So, I guess it makes sense to think how large my benchtops will be in order to avoid paying for an extra slab just because of a few centimetres, so to speak.

CuttingEdgeKitchens · Mar 10, 2013 3:54 pm

Evelin

been to my quartz benchtop supplier today. It was a little bit too much choice. According to the company, engineered quartz benchtops are all the same, what's different are the colours.

I believe it is worth to think about bench sizes as a slab of engineered quartzstone comes in standard sizes, 3040x1400x20mm. To my understanding, I as a buyer have to pay for the whole slab or multiples of it. So, I guess it makes sense to think how large my benchtops will be in order to avoid paying for an extra slab just because of a few centimetres, so to speak.

There are a few differences but really its only the colour that really matters.

Silestone has antibactireal agents build into the stone and comes with a 15year warrenty.

Smartstone has 1500x3040x20mm slabs and comes with a 15year warrenty

CaesarStone comes with a 10year warrenty and has 1400x3040x20mm slabs.

The product is made the same way though!

Evelin · Mar 10, 2013 5:04 pm

@cuttingedgekitchens

thanks for the information.

newstart2day · Aug 29, 2013 1:07 pm

Would anyone please let me know if my island benchtop dimension 2570 (length) x 1310 (width) should be ok for one slab of caesarstone/quartz stone? Thanks.

Evelin · Aug 29, 2013 1:54 pm

yes, slabs are 3000x1400

check their website

Michelle · Jul 16, 2014 8:19 am

Hi all, have you found this link yet to Caesarstone?
Have fun!

http://www.caesarstone.com.au/visualise ... Visualiser

damienh7 · Jul 24, 2014 1:54 pm

Wandin Valley

2) Even low end homes from project builders currently offer Engineered Quartz benchtops(at least as an option). laminex even flog Essastone..................geddit, laminate is deader than disco for Benchtops. I know someone always going to tell you...

Here's something I wish someone had told me before forking out for Essa Stone bench tops. They are relatively fragile, and seem quite succeptible to chips. In fact, I would suggest that anyone considering buying engineered stone tops should EXPECT some chipping to the surface. Mine happened within a couple of months of installation, while we should've still been enjoying them in all their glorious "newness". And it wasn't through misuse or abuse. Just an innocuous knock of a breakfast bowl on just the right angle by my daughter as she dismounted the breakfast bar, bowl in hand. I've since heard similar stories of glass bottles clipping the edge of the surface and taking a chip out.

Buyer beware, I suppose. I wish I'd heard these stories BEFORE sinking the extra $ for stone. I probably would've stuck with laminate in hindsight.

Michelle · Jul 25, 2014 10:30 pm

damienh7

Wandin Valley

2) Even low end homes from project builders currently offer Engineered Quartz benchtops(at least as an option). laminex even flog Essastone..................geddit, laminate is deader than disco for Benchtops. I know someone always going to tell you...

Here's something I wish someone had told me before forking out for Essa Stone bench tops. They are relatively fragile, and seem quite succeptible to chips. In fact, I would suggest that anyone considering buying engineered stone tops should EXPECT some chipping to the surface. Mine happened within a couple of months of installation, while we should've still been enjoying them in all their glorious "newness". And it wasn't through misuse or abuse. Just an innocuous knock of a breakfast bowl on just the right angle by my daughter as she dismounted the breakfast bar, bowl in hand. I've since heard similar stories of glass bottles clipping the edge of the surface and taking a chip out.

Buyer beware, I suppose. I wish I'd heard these stories BEFORE sinking the extra $ for stone. I probably would've stuck with laminate in hindsight.

Yes....stone, solid or engineered will chip! I'm not sure why people think it won't? Bit like laminate flooring, not happy with excess water, stone will chip and break. If your looking for a stone look top you might want to consider Corian..... its repairable and you can have it either full gloss or matt depends on your liking.

http://www.dupont.com/products-and-serv ... olors.html

I'm currently doing 2 kitchens in Corien at the moment, its been around for many years!!

Michelle · Jul 25, 2014 10:50 pm

To be fair here, I have done many kitchens in C/Stone and Quartz and have not had a complaint about them from my clients.

You have to realize Stone, Quartz, Marble, Slate are all porous so that should tell you/everyone it can be fragile. Fragile means chips and cracks. This IS NOT a thumbs down for these products, it just means you need to take a little care with them.

When I did my kitchen reno I used 600 x 600 Italian floor tile as my bench top, and I'm constantly worried someone will chip them with a saucepan, at least the colour goes all the way through so you won't see the chip if it happens.

So just be a little aware of the product you choose......do your homework to find the bench top that suits you and your family.

Have stone, just be careful.

GBDesign · Aug 02, 2014 12:10 pm

Michelle

If your looking for a stone look top you might want to consider Corian..... its repairable and you can have it either full gloss or matt depends on your liking.
http://www.dupont.com/products-and-serv ... olors.html
I'm currently doing 2 kitchens in Corien at the moment, its been around for many years!!

A caveat on the above reply - don't *ever* do a gloss finish on solid surface benchtops (Corian, Staron, Hi Macs)etc. Most of the fabricators will flat out refuse to anyway. Also, stay away from the dark colours for Kitchen tops when using these solid surface materials (Acryllic).

Michelle · Aug 02, 2014 5:49 pm

GB Designs....my mention of the surface was meant for the owner when they are buffing their surface.
I know a Corrian, Hi-Max installer personally.

Do your home everyone, your bench top is very important to how you live/how you treat the surface.

dolphinblu · Jul 06, 2015 2:01 pm

concrete bench tops.

mike100jobstodo · Sep 10, 2015 10:46 am

Hi, Michelle.

Thank you for sharing the information about the various types of benchtops we can choose from. I’ll definitely be better informed when I decide to revamp my kitchen cabinets next time. There are so many options to choose from. I am pleased.

Michelle · Feb 08, 2018 7:39 pm

Thinking this post might need an up date...

notremaison · Jan 03, 2019 5:54 pm

Well here's ours just installed using Dekton. Install was 3160mm long and 1250mm wide (think a single slab can go to 3200mm).

We've previously had Caesarstone 40mm and 20mm installed in properties and like this finish a lot more. This grey marble look has a slight brown tinge to match the flooring. Couldn't find much on info prior to choosing of the kitchen companies recommendation as most were installed in the US.

https://www.dekton.com.au/ & https://www.dekton.com.au/advantages/ blurb is basically more scratch resistant, can place hot pans and no damage, stain proof.

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NathalieBou · Feb 19, 2019 9:12 am

I choose Formica for my kitchen countertops. Thanks!