Adding a touch of natural stone to your Townsville home is a fantastic idea. However, you should consider your lifestyle and how you use the space before choosing the perfect stone benchtops. Unlike engineered stone, natural stones like marble can stain. Spills of acidic substances such as lemon juice, vinegar, berries or chilli oil must be cleaned up quickly to avoid what is known as etching.
Natural Stone Benchtops
Natural Stone Benchtops is a beautiful and durable material that works well as a benchtop in your kitchen. It has a timeless appeal that can add value to your home, but it’s important to consider your budget and the look you want to achieve before choosing a material for your benchtops. There are many different types of natural stone, and each has its own unique characteristics. For example, marble is softer than granite, and it’s more likely to chip or crack if you drop something heavy on it. Granite is much more durable than marble, and it’s also heat resistant, which means that you can place hot cooking pans on it without damaging the surface.
The best way to choose the right stone benchtop is to discuss your options with a qualified professional. A supplier can help you determine what materials are right for your needs and budget, and they’ll provide a free quote. They can also help you find the perfect colour and style for your benchtop. They can even suggest ways to incorporate your favourite features into the design of your kitchen. They can also connect you with a licensed installer who will take care of the entire installation process.
Types Of Stone Benchtops
Stone benchtops are a popular addition to new & contemporary homes. There are many different types of stones, each with their own unique look & appeal. The selection process is mainly driven by the aesthetics of the home, the owner & their personal preference. Natural granite, marble, sandstone & limestone are popular choices for kitchen benchtops, splashbacks & bartops. They also work well in bathrooms, laundries & other areas that are prone to moisture. Engineered stone is becoming increasingly popular as it looks like natural stone but is much harder & more durable. It is also non-porous so it is hygienic for kitchen, bathroom & laundry areas. It is also scratch resistant & resists heat. It is also available in a wide range of colours that are not available in natural stone.
Reconstituted stone, or engineered stone, is made of aggregate chips, resins & pigments. It is very durable & is available in a wide range of colours that cannot be achieved naturally. It is also non-porous & resists staining & marks much better than natural stone. It is also scratch-proof & resists heat but it is not as hard as granite, sandstone or marble.
Methods Of Natural Stone
As mentioned above, natural stone bench tops are sourced from the earth rather than manufactured in a factory. This means there is no unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals within the home or released into the environment during manufacturing and disposal processes. This allows for a wide range of colours and textures to be created that will suit your home’s unique style, and will provide one-of-a-kind designs that are difficult to replicate using other types of surface materials. Furthermore, there is no risk of the abrasive effects that can occur with some other types of benchtops if you use harsh abrasive cleaners on your stone surfaces.
Engineered stone is a popular alternative to natural stone, due to the fact it’s largely non porous and is resistant to heat. However, it’s important to note that it is not fully stain proof. A good way to test a particular type of engineered stone is to pour dollops of lemon juice, red wine, olive oil and ketchup on the surface and see how it holds up. Also worth mentioning is that many stone fabrication companies are still using workers without properly accredited respirable crystalline silica (RCS) training. This can lead to serious, potentially fatal lung disease known as silicosis. Luckily, CFMEU enterprise agreements now ensure all workers receive nationally accredited silica awareness training.
