Comments0 by in Rooms in your Home
September 8, 2014
Kitchen Bench tops and the One You Should Pick

Once the layout of your kitchen has been finalised, it’s time to choose the materials that will be used in it. The kitchen bench top is one of the most important components of your kitchen and needs to be made of a strong and durable material. You need to prioritise functionality and also consider the aesthetic aspect. Bench tops are essentially work surfaces and you must choose the material with care.

Types of Kitchen Bench Tops

Fortunately, we are spoilt for choice and you can find different materials in the market today that will suit your needs and compliment the look, or even be the feature piece, of your kitchen. Take a look at the different materials that are available and decide which one suits your requirements:

Laminated Bench Top:

A very budget-friendly option and one a number of homeowners opt for is laminated bench tops. It’s available in a number of different colours and designs and you can definitely find one that suits your requirement and style. Laminate is stain-resistant, long-lasting and easily available too.

Timber Bench Top:

Hardwood is a very strong and durable material and if you prefer a natural look in your kitchen, it’s a great choice. It looks great in every style of kitchen, but can be much more expensive than the other materials you can choose from. It’s important to seal timber bench tops and it can be easily repaired when required.

Solid Surface:

A solid surface bench top made of concrete is a great way of sprucing-up your kitchen and is also one of the latest trends in interior design. It lends a very sleek and chic look to your kitchen and one that is long-lasting as well. It is quite a heavy material to work with but is available in a number of textures, colours and finishes.

These kitchen bench tops are generally cast off-site and the cut-outs for the sinks etc are also taken care of, off-site. Though concrete is a very durable material, it is also sealed-off to reduce its porosity. From a cost perspective, it is on par with natural stone.

Granite:

This natural stone looks amazing and its quality is also very difficult to match with most other materials, though it tends to be a little expensive. There are also certain variances in durability, depending in the kind of stone you have opted for. But high-quality granite has a very low porosity and is also quite durable, though you will have to ensure that its sealed.

Stainless Steel:

Not all homeowners like the look of stainless steel in their kitchens, as it tends to have an industrial feel to it. But it’s durable and looks amazing in a home that has modern-style décor. This surface is durable, but it does tend to get scratch marks over time.

The Right Kitchen Bench Top:

Cost consideration:

Once you have zeroed-in on the material you want for your bench top, the other factors you will have to take into consideration are the cost of the materials and there installation. When you are looking at costs, factor in the price of the actual material as well as the supply and installation costs. Your kitchen is also a reflection of your personal style and you can also get creative and mix-and-match different materials to achieve the look you want.

Consider Maintenance:

Consider the maintenance aspect as well. For instance, if you want a low-maintenance counter top, consider ones that will not have to be polished, sealed or treated very frequently. Having a beautiful counter top in your home is also about ensuring that it is not stained, chipped, unclean or unfinished and the material you choose will, to a large extent decide how good it looks and how long it lasts.

Do you need help with your kitchen?

If you are renovating your home and kitchen, our team at Eastcoast Building Services can help you create and design that dream kitchen that you have always wanted. In particular we can also speak to you about the different types of kitchen bench tops and which one you should choose.

We hope that helps and have a great week.

Cheers,
Shane Caldwell
0414 446 572

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