Benchtop: Quality First

When it comes to kitchen design, few surfaces work harder than the benchtop. It is the stage for preparing meals, entertaining guests, and coping with many more aspects of everyday life. That is why the first and most important consideration when choosing any benchtop must be durability and easy-maintenance.

In our recent Guest House project, I worked on a 60 m² build where the kitchen is visible the moment you walk through the front door. I selected Verde Fantastico, a new-generation man-made stone that is crystalline silica free, meeting the latest safety requirements. This material offers the elegant look of natural stone while being engineered to resist stains, scratches and heat. It is also easy to clean, making it a practical choice for a guest house or busy households.

A durable benchtop is a necessary investment. Cheaper products can quickly show signs of wear, with chips and stains that are difficult to repair. Spending a little more on a quality product means your kitchen will stay looking fresh and inviting for many years.

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If you are planning your own renovation or build, here are three tips to help you choose the stone wisely:

1) Check the Composition and Certification

Always ask about the materials used and whether they meet current Australian standards. Many brands now offer cristalline-silica free products that are safer for your home and for tradespeople. I highly recommend Quantum Zero.

2) View Large Samples or Full Slabs

Small samples do not reveal the true character of a benchtop. Whenever possible, look at a larger section or an entire slab, especially if the character is a long vein. This helps you see the overall pattern and colour.

3) Consider Your Everyday Habits

Think about who uses the kitchen, how you treat the counter, have children prone to spills or holiday guests that will not care... select a material that is robust enough to handle your routines without fuss.

Don't you think that this humble kitchen looks great? and it's mostly due to the quality and looks of the stone we selected. Your benchtop is more than a style statement. It is the hardworking surface at the heart of your home. By focusing on quality and durability, you can be confident it will serve you well for years to come, and it will look great for a long long time.

James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information. Learn more from James' knowledge via his FREE online shows James Bought A House (a renovation) and James Bought A Guest House (a brand new build).