Kitchen Benchtop Materials: Options, Pros & Cons

By Zephyr and Stone

Choosing kitchen benchtop materials or benchtops for other rooms in your home or renovation? There are MANY factors that might influence your benchtop material choice - including the availability of benchtop material colours, aesthetics, durability, installation method... and let's not forget the bench top cost! Each bench top material has its own unique pros and cons, and the bench solution that best suits YOU won't necessarily fit the needs and lifestyle of the next person.

So we're sharing the KEY features of popular kitchen benchtop types, to help narrow down your decision... #letsgo

Zephyr and Stone • Retreat House Bathroom with Porcelain Benchtop

Porcelain Benchtops

Porcelain slabs are printed and sealed and rapidly gaining ground as a popular choice for benchtops. They're available in a growing range of colours and finishes including matte, gloss, satin and textured bench surfaces.

Pros - Solid, non-porous, heat-resistant, easy to clean and stain resistant to most chemicals. There are really very few drawbacks when it comes to a porcelain bench top! They are generally available in large slabs similar to other leading benchtop materials. We LOVE this finish for active families as it is highly durable for the daily knocks and bumps of family life.

Cons - Not all stonemasons work with porcelain so it's generally one of the more expensive options when it comes to installation. The material is also more expensive to purchase compared to some other popular materials.

Psst… Porcelain benchtop is our TOP PICK and Z+S favourite when it comes to benchtop options!

Zephyr and Stone • Retreat House Kitchen with Porcelain Benchtop and Splashback

Reconstituted Or Engineered Stone Benchtops

Made by mixing resin with aggregates, the reconstituted stone is a durable material that is available in a range of colours and tones or with a flecked finish. It's less expensive than natural stone but more expensive than laminate making it a good mid-range solution!

Pros - Heat-resistant, stain-resistant, scratch-resistant (#yesplease) and available in a wide range of colours. It can be used as an imitation marble or natural stone looking at a fraction of the cost and is typically easy to repair.

Cons - More expensive than a traditional laminate benchtop and often lacks the unique beauty of a natural stone bench top. Generally, the reconstituted stone is not UV resistant so can experience fading over time, especially in direct sunlight! And did anyone notice we said "stain resistant" above and not "stain proof"!? That's right - it can stain if the wrong liquid is left on it for too long.

Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Kitchen with Reconstituted Stone Benchtop

Natural Stone + Marble Benchtops

Nothing feels quite as luxurious as a natural stone BUT be prepared for some additional maintenance to retain its unique beauty - as it requires sealing (preferably yearly) to maintain its good looks!

Pros - Each piece of natural stone, whether it's marble, granite or quartz, has its own unique qualities like colour, texture and veining. It's striking beauty is near impossible to replicate with man-made materials and patterned slabs can be book-matched to create a striking feature. All Natural Stone requires regular sealing to minimise staining, although some stone varieties are more stain-resistant than others.

Cons - Natural stone is generally the most expensive option and stains easily when exposed to foods like citrus, tomato and oils, as well as certain chemical products. Even when sealed regularly, there are no guarantees that the spill won’t cause staining. If chipped or stained, it's very difficult to restore your benchtop to its original condition without spending considerable $$$ having a professional #worktheirmagic re-polishing the entire surface.

Zephyr and Stone • Resort House Kitchen with Natural Stone Benchtop and Splashback

Laminate Benchtops

Laminate is one of the easiest and most cost effective benchtop solutions on the market. It comes in a broad range of colours and finishes and can be custom cut to your specific measurements.

Pros - An affordable option that can mimic its Timber and Natural Stone counterparts - with a shorter lead time than most other materials. It's easy to maintain and lightweight for easy (and cheaper!) installation.

Cons - Whilst you can choose from a range of finishes that mimic Timber and Natural Stone, the look and finish will never compare to the unique beauty of the real thing! Laminate is also generally more susceptible to scratching, scorching and burning, and can lose its shine or dull over time. There’s also the potential of scratching and water damage or splitting and cracking if it’s exposed to repeated extreme temperature fluctuations.

Zephyr and Stone • Scandi Powder Room with Laminate benchtop

Solid Timber Benchtops

Using timber or wooden benchtops in your design adds beautiful warmth and texture. BUT a word of warning, woodbench tops and water aren't usually good friends… and this can become quite the problem in bathrooms and kitchens where water is #literallyeverywhere! Along with light sand, a sealant or oil should be applied at least YEARLY to maintain the structural integrity and beauty of timber benchtops.

Pros - Sustainable, unique and easy to install - timber benchtops are versatile, and stylish and add a grounding element to your home. Depending on the type of timber, wooden benchtops can be an affordable option compared to other benchtop finishes and are one of the easiest of kitchen bench top surfaces to DIY!

Zephyr and Stone: Kitchen Renovation Cost Calculator

Cons - More vulnerable to scratches and heat marks and need to be regularly re-sealed to maintain surface quality. Water, food, make-up and termites may also be a problem for timber benchtops if not protected correctly.

Zephyr and Stone • Coral House Powder Room with timber benchtop

Still not sure which material is right for you? You don't have to pick just one! If you love Natural Stone but don't want to live with the upkeep in your new kitchen - save it for a feature where stains from food won't be on the agenda. Or if budget is a factor -#wehearyou! - splash out on something special in your kitchen and opt for a more cost-effective solution in bathrooms and laundries! You can easily incorporate a range of benchtop materials in your home while maintaining a consistent look, as long as the style and colours of any products pair well.

Zephyr and Stone • Scandi Kitchen

Want to take the guesswork out of choosing colours, products and finishes, plus save valuable time and money on your new project? Explore our range of downloadable Colour Schemes and Plans for every room in your home - including detailed floor plans, cabinetry plans and elevations, paint colours, products and more! Explore our range.

Zephyr and Stone: Finishes Schedule Renovation Resource

Keep reading? Learn our 6 Tips For Creating An Interior Designed Home On A Budget