The kitchen benchtop is a fundamental design feature in any kitchen and it’s possibly the most crucial decision you will make.

Being the main focal point, the benchtop will heavily influence your decisions around the rest of your kitchen finishes so it’s a good place to start when selecting materials.

The kitchen bench is often used as a dining table or entertainment area as well, so it may need to accommodate more than one practical use.

Choosing the right surface is paramount. Depending on your individual needs, some options will be more suitable to you than others as each have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

No 1: Engineered Quartz

Engineered Quartz (e.g. Caesarstone, Quantum Quartz, Silestone, Smart Stone) is a man-made composite of quartz (93-95%), resins & colour pigments (6-10%). These are crushed into a powder and combined, much like ingredients in a cake, then cured at high temperatures and polished to form smooth, non-porous slabs.Engineered quartz is the standard go-to for kitchen benchtops. About 7 out of 10 customers will opt for engineered quartz as its non-porous nature is perfect for kitchens/food prep areas.

Pros: Stain resistant, non-porous, safe for food prep, consistent colour, fairly low maintenance.

Cons: Resins are not UV stable so may fade in direct sunlight, not suitable for outdoor use, cracks and scorches are non-repairable.

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