Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Sep 27, 2008 7:29 pm If money was no object (wouldn't that be nice!!!) is there any such thing as the BEST kitchen benchtop material/product?
When I say best...basically, I'm mean something that, performance-wise, is clearly better than the rest..? I've heard pros and cons for things like Corian, CaesarStone, Essa Stone, TrendStone...and of course there are always arguments for granite, marble etc... But is there anything that is really the best? Scratch proof, stain proof, heat proof, won't chip, looks great... Maybe it doesn't exist, but hey...thought i'd ask!!! I'd love some thoughts... Cheers Adam Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 3Sep 27, 2008 8:01 pm haha well, that was easy...
looks like you're solving all my dilemmas at once Casa! Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 4Sep 27, 2008 8:09 pm I've been researching my custom design house for over a year now. And still going. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 5Sep 27, 2008 8:12 pm Linking in with the other thread ... what about laminate?
What is with this whole benchtop obsession that is going on?! Just don't go black granite - only looks great when perfectly clean ... any quick wipe leaves streak marks ... Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 6Sep 27, 2008 8:25 pm A no-gloss laminate really is a sensible product.
I also read about a 'green' product, it may have been bamboo?? Low environmental impact and strong. You may need to look in a few magazines to chase that one up. Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 7Sep 27, 2008 8:28 pm Hey Lyn
If it makes you feel any better, I'm not only obsessed with benchtops, but basically every aspect of building a new home!! We're basically going to be 'owner-building', although we have a close family friend who is a builder with 40yrs experience to project manage for us...so basically, we just have to make all the decisions and he'll make sure we don't stuff anything up!! haha well..that's how its meant to work anyway! So yep, at the moment, whether its kitchen appliances, benchtops, tiles, glass, lights, colours, taps....i'm just generally dazed and confused!! Oh...and thanks! It was my impression that laminates weren't as hard-wearing as 'engineered stone' etc...and don't worry, definitely not thinking black granite! the benchtop wil be a combination of stainless steel and some kind of stone to match!! Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 8Sep 27, 2008 9:17 pm My comment wasn't so much about your question but one of the other posts on this forum!!
Choosing everything for a new house can be so difficult ... but this forum helps ...sometimes... at other times it can plant bad (read expensive) ideas! CaesarStone is a nice product but we decided to sink our money into something other than a kitchen benchtop. Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 9Sep 28, 2008 10:31 am BuildingACT Hey Lyn If it makes you feel any better, I'm not only obsessed with benchtops, but basically every aspect of building a new home!! We're basically going to be 'owner-building', although we have a close family friend who is a builder with 40yrs experience to project manage for us...so basically, we just have to make all the decisions and he'll make sure we don't stuff anything up!! haha well..that's how its meant to work anyway! So yep, at the moment, whether its kitchen appliances, benchtops, tiles, glass, lights, colours, taps....i'm just generally dazed and confused!! Oh...and thanks! It was my impression that laminates weren't as hard-wearing as 'engineered stone' etc...and don't worry, definitely not thinking black granite! the benchtop wil be a combination of stainless steel and some kind of stone to match!! I was/am obsessed also about everything. I absolutely love the look of marble benchtops but got a sample and sat a wine glass with wine around the base onto it, 20 mins later took it off and the wine had eaten the coating off, once that happens it can't be repaired - I had heard it was a touchy product but had to prove it to myself. Anyway I think if you want a stone benchtop, Caesarstone or Quantum Quartz, Essa stone are all good. I have black granite at the moment, I dont find it a problem because I wipe it often anyway, as I will my next white benchtop. And, I love the stainless steel and stone combination, that will look very special! Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 11Sep 28, 2008 6:53 pm I like Corian Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 12Sep 28, 2008 6:55 pm renomart I like stainless steel Hey reno, I really like stainless steel as well...and about 2 thirds of our island bench will be in brushed stainless (the higher part, where the cooktop and b'fast bar are) but we thought we would use a stone/quartz type product for the lower end - for prep and with the sink built in..so trying to figure out what the best option might be! as far as i'm concerned, the less maintenance the better! Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 13Sep 28, 2008 6:58 pm Michelle I like Corian Is Corian the one that can't take much heat....or is it the one that might stain...or the one that looks less like stone I'm all confused... Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 14Sep 28, 2008 6:58 pm BuildingACT I really like stainless steel as well...and about 2 thirds of our island bench will be in brushed stainless (the higher part, where the cooktop and b'fast bar are) but we thought we would use a stone/quartz type product for the lower end - for prep and with the sink built in..so trying to figure out what the best option might be! as far as i'm concerned, the less maintenance the better! That will work. Everyone is different! Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 15Sep 28, 2008 7:04 pm Basically...we saw this kitchen (below) and absolutely loved it...so we're hoping to create something similar...don't suppose anyone has any thoughts on a good colour for the tall cabinetry...to "make a statement" ?
thats probably a question for another thread though...! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 16Sep 28, 2008 7:10 pm Greys in again….if your thinking of doing stainless with dark cupboards, I’d do the soft grey like in the photo. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 18Sep 28, 2008 7:15 pm Thanks Michelle! We're going for the fully integrated look, but as we are having a raked ceiling, downdraft ventilation, rather than a hood...so with nothing above the bench, want to make the cabinetry a feature!
Reno - that's the one!! We're just going to make some improvements to it! now if i can just find some nice big porcelain tiles the same colour as that floor, i'll be set! Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 19Sep 28, 2008 7:19 pm BuildingACT Reno - that's the one!! We're just going to make some improvements to it! now if i can just find some nice big porcelain tiles the same colour as that floor, i'll be set! You cant improve on a Poliform kitchen!!! I think the floor tiles might be limestone... Re: If money was no object...what is the BEST benchtop?? 20Sep 28, 2008 7:31 pm renomart You cant improve on a Poliform kitchen!!! I think the floor tiles might be limestone... haha I can try!!! thanks for the limestone tip....! No, not yet. It’s currently being assessed by our building surveyor 4 6326 As a tradesmen get a private inspector although I don't think there worth it in their profession themselves the reminder they serve to the tradesmen doing the work is… 3 27359 I've just had a look at the website. The company are just building broker's. There are plenty of similar companies that basically draw your plans (they own them so you… 8 10917 |