Popular benchtop options you must consider for a gorgeous kitchen top
We all love our kitchens for obvious reason- it is the food hub! When it comes to kitchen tops, they should be decorative, classy and functional at the same time. We have come across numerous people asking for help in selecting the right kitchen top and if you are one of those, then you are at the right spot. While you may be wondering how to find a surface exhibiting all those qualities, we have a list of top benchtop options for you to choose from for your kitchen. Read on and make the right choice.
Timber
An option which never goes out of style neither your budget, Timber, is preferred as one of the most reliable kitchen tops because of numerous reasons. Opting for hardwood will serve as the perfect surface for food preparation along with being kinder towards your precious crockery as compared to other options. Use oil for a matte finish and easily sand away any cracks or scratches. However, low resistance towards water is a prominent issue with timber tops.
Stone
Stone kitchen benchtops are preferred all around the globe because of their beauty, natural pattern, ease to work on and durability. Stone benchtops are available in a wide variety and are high maintenance while being expensive. You can choose engineered stones as they range within the budget, look surreal and are quite versatile. Aside from marble and limestone, granite kitchen benchtops are gaining great popularity overtime. However, if your focus is on durability and a decent look, then opting for quartz and marble based mirrors is a better option than their original counterparts.
Tiles
Tiles are quite popular for wall and flooring and now they have started gaining popularity as kitchen tops as well. Tiles are easy to transform and they can be joined in different patterns for a unique look. Bigger grouting joint will keep them stable and since they are easily to clean, they are a great choice. However, they are not much durable and tend to break so be very vigilant when it comes to tiles.
Concrete
Even though concrete has a tendency to chip or crack easily, proper maintenance can ensure it's longevity. Concrete is fun to experiment with as it is heat and scratch resistant, edgy and sturdy in a way that you can use interesting colours and designs to personalise the benchtop. Concrete is priced low in comparison to natural stone but due to its weight and installation process, it requires heavy labour work which can skyrocket the overall expense.
Laminate
Simply put, laminate is a wooden surface which is laced with a decorative paper which can be used to replicate numerous natural designs such as stones,, concrete and more. Laminate is adequately durable and little care will help in increasing it's life as your kitchen top. Keeping away hot utensils and refraining from direct chopping on the surface will do wonders as it will protect the melamine layer and prevent water seepage as well. Overall, laminate is best option for you for in terms of durability and price.
Stainless Steel
A popular option in the commercial cooking industry, stainless steel is durable and provides ease in cleaning food stains and chemicals. This material is highly prone to denting and scratching and long heat exposures will do no good to it as well. Glued to timber surface, stainless steel can withhold great pressure, can be fabricated into different shapes and gives a pristine look initially but you should be ready for damages and scratches.
Stone kitchen benchtops would be our pick because of it's durability and comfort and also because of the cheaper options this variety has to offer. For right decision making, keep your requirements on top and you will find the perfect option for you with ease.
Written on behalf of www.swanstone.com.au
