Central Coast Home & Lifestyle Autumn 2023

Kitchen Benchtop Options B enchtop options are only limited by your imagination and a material's ability to be made waterproof. There are many hardwearing options on the market that look great in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms and are not expensive, including: Engineered stone benchtops - This popular choice of benchtop material for renovators is made using natural aggregates mixed with resins, it comes in a wide range of colours, from bright whites to dark greys. You can choose either a solid colour or have flecks of different-coloured stone through it to add interest. The non-porous surface is easy to clean, resists staining, scratching and doesn’t need any ongoing maintenance. Quartz is a common engineered stone benchtop. Laminated benchtops - Laminates are by far the most economical mass produced benchtop product on the market. Laminates are made from melamine resin. The thickness of the laminated benchtops is determined by the number of layers used. If your kitchen reno is on a tight budget then laminate should be your go-to, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on looks.

choose from. Stainless steel benchtops - Heat-resistant and hardy, it can be wrapped over worktops and island benches, formed seamlessly into sinks and kitchen splashbacks, and used for feature shelves, too. A chef’s dream. Embossed stainless steel comes in many patterns and hides scratches. It will require more cleaning than a regular stainless steel bench. Polished concrete benchtops - Formed concrete looks so cool…... What more do I need to say? If you are a keen do-it-your-selfer, "have a go" at constructing a concrete benchtop yourself. Otherwise you can hire a professional concrete polisher to create a unique bench for you. You will need to look after your concrete bench. It should not be left unsealed. It should be sealed with a polyurethane coating or something similar. Add raw contrast to timber or glossy joinery by using concrete on benchtops, over a wall as a cool backdrop to open shelves or as an island bench and top in one. Like stone, concrete requires sealing and is not practical for splashbacks. Porcelain benchtops - Porcelain benchtops are growing in popularity thanks to their durability, versatility and affordability. They can withstand high heats, scratches and stains and their low porosity makes them a very hygienic option.

Laminate has the widest range of colours and designs that imitate more expensive materials such as timber, stone and even concrete. That means you can get the look you’re after without the expensive price tag. It's resistant to staining and easy to keep clean but is more susceptible to scratching and scorching so always use a cutting board and be careful with hot pots and pans. Marble benchtops - a beautiful, natural stone that is commonly used in kitchens as a benchtop and splashback material. It's a timeless and sophisticated option but it comes at a substantial cost. Though it's surprisingly porous there are plenty of ways keep marble looking clean and brand new. Solid surface benchtops - are an acrylic resin with a filler of alumina. The joins between each piece of benchtop are invisible after installation, so it seems like one big slab of stone. You can also have the sink moulded into the benchtop so there’s nowhere for dirt to collect, making it easier to keep clean. It’s also UV resistant so is the perfect choice for an outdoor kitchen which is so popular these days. Granite benchtops - makes for an exquisite and enduring surface for your kitchen benchtop. Granite is considered the second most expensive material after marble. There is a stunning variety of styles and colours to

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