The Beauty and Versatility of Natural and Engineered Stone Benchtops

Have you ever noticed how many people congregate in the kitchen at parties? The kitchen is not called the heart of the home for nothing! It’s a warm and welcoming space to spend time in. So it’s extra important to choose the right materials for your cabinets and benchtops. Two of the top design trends for 2020 include natural colours and eco-friendly materials. Both natural stone and engineered stone benchtops fit the bill for either of these trends. Let’s explore the beauty and versatility of these options.

What Are the Benefits of Natural Stone?

Natural stone has age on its side. It formed through natural processes thousands of years ago. That makes it strong, durable, and long-lasting. You can also find many types of stone, like marble and granite. Those same natural processes also make many types of stone resistant to heat, which is perfect for a kitchen benchtop. Other surfaces can crack or even blister when exposed to heat, but certain types of natural stone won’t. Its durability also means it resists scratches and chips. All these qualities make it an excellent investment. Granite benchtops bring a personality to the kitchen because it’s a natural material. If you’re worried that means you’re stuck with a single colour, don’t be. Natural stone still comes in a range of colours and textures, because the stone isn’t a single type of substance. It works well in lots of kitchen designs because it’s so eye-catching. The timeless appeal of natural stone means your benchtops can last for years.

What Are the Benefits of Engineered Stone Benchtops?

Engineered stone is made by mixing crushed quartz with a polymer resin. Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. You get all the appearance of stone but without the price tag. The finished material is still very hard. In some cases, it’s more durable than its natural counterpart. Our engineered stone is called Stellastone and mixes quartz and silica. Its manmade structure also means this engineered stone is extremely low in porosity. It resists stains, scratches, and chips. This stone also resists bacteria growth because it’s not porous. Because it’s manmade, it’s fully customisable so you can choose a colour, texture or design to suit your kitchen. It comes in at a lower price point so it offers good value for money. It’s often a more environmentally-friendly option since quartz is so abundant. Stone is a non-renewable source and mining can cause problems.

Which Option Should I Choose?

If you’re changing the benchtops in an existing kitchen, choose tops to suit what you already have. Granite works with most aesthetics and will last will. Engineered stone benchtops are a great option in a full redesign. You can choose a range of colours to suit whatever aesthetic you’re going for. Or choose new cabinets to match your favourite type of Stellastone. Remember all of our products come with a 7-year warranty. Why not check out our gallery to see how you can use engineered stone benchtops in your kitchen? Questions? Contact our team on 08 9209 2620 or email us at sales@granitewarehouse.com.au and we’d be happy to help.