Engineered Stone Benchtops
Engineered Stone Benchtops, strong, durable and high quality
Engineered Stone Benchtops are made up of 91-97 percent natural quartz with the remaining slab being composed of polymers, resins and other various pigments.
This therefore ensures that manufacturers of Engineered Stone are able to produce strong, durable and high quality products. The Engineered Stone Benchtops are available in a wide range of colours, with the growing trend imitating a marble look. They give you a gorgeous marble look at a fraction of the cost, without requiring continuous upkeep or wearing out like marble.
Engineered Stone slabs are quite consistent in colour as hundreds of slabs are produced at a time that are batch matched. However some inconsistencies may be there between batches, although this gives you the flexibility of selecting a colour from a sample without necessarily viewing the slab beforehand.
How long does process take?
Once your cabinetry has been installed and is level, our team will come in and create a digital template of the area. The lead time for engineered stone to be installed is 7-10 working days from successful measure of cabinets. For Ultra-compact surfaces, extra processes may be required and therefore the lead time will be between 10-15 working days from template creation to installation.
It is important that you provide all the relevant information at the time of creating a template. Delays in providing any information may result in longer lead times.
Cost of Engineered Stone Benchtops
Engineered Stone Benchtops are more expensive when compared to traditional laminate Benchtops.
Nevertheless, it has been proven that upgrading to stone for your house increases your property’s value. However, we have a wide range of colours and our suppliers can provide a cost-effective option if you so desire. We will work to ensure that you receive a colour that fits your house within your price range.
Where can you use Engineered Stone?
Engineered stone can be used for many applications within your home. The options are endless but here are some of the places we highly recommend you use the engineered stone:
- Kitchens
- Dining tables
- Dining seats
- Coffee tables
- Study desks
- Vanities
- Back panels
- Feature panels
- Sculleries
- Waterfall ends
- Splashbacks
- Laundries
- Fire mantles
- Fire hearths
How can you get your new Benchtop?
The first step to acquire your new Engineered Stone Benchtop is to contact us for a free quote. We will require a sketch drawing of your benchtop with visible edges marked.
You do not have to be an architect to do the drawing as we will be happy to talk to you over the phone to help you get a quotable plan.
Our professional team of experts will guide you through other details such as sink and hob mounting or other cut-outs that you may want. Our Benchtops are priced depending on the brand or colour options and we will ensure you get the best option that will fit your budget and match with your house.
However, you will have to visit our showroom to choose your final colour; while here you might as well pop into our adjoining factory and view the fabricating process.
After selecting your final colour, your home situation will determine the next steps; whether you need a renovation or a new build. Talk to us today and find out what will work best depending on your circumstances.
Caring for your new Benchtop
Your new Stone Benchtop is heat-resistant, stain-resistant and scratch-resistant. Our manufacturers have spent millions of dollars in R&D to ensure a wear-resistant surface.
However there are a few rules you should follow to keep your Benchtop looking great always:
- Use a chopping board or heat mat to put hot pans or pots on always. This includes slow cookers, fry pans and any other hot equipment.
- Do not chop foods directly on the benchtop, use a chopping board instead.
- Do not drag utensils or other objects across the surface of the benchtop.
- Avoid using any abrasive cleaners on your benchtop
- For everyday cleaning, use warm soapy water.
UPDATE (October 2023)
Engineered stone, traditionally contains a high percentage of silica because it’s made up mostly of quartz. However, there have been concerns about the health impacts of respirable crystalline silica dust, especially for workers who cut, grind, or polish these surfaces, leading to the need for low-silica alternatives.
Manufacturers who aim to produce engineered stone with lower silica content can follow several strategies:
Alternative Fillers: Use alternative non-silica minerals or materials to replace a portion or all of the quartz filler. This can include materials like marble, metal flakes, recycled glass, etc. The goal is to maintain the desired properties (strength, durability, appearance) while reducing silica content.
Resin Content: By increasing the amount of resin in the mixture, the silica content, by definition, will decrease. However, there’s a limit to this approach, as too much resin can compromise the mechanical properties of the final product.
Enhanced Compaction: Techniques such as vibrocompression under vacuum can be employed to increase the density of the engineered stone, thereby allowing for a smaller amount of quartz to be used.
Silica-Coating: In some experimental setups, quartz particles are coated with non-silica materials. This reduces the amount of respirable silica that can become airborne during cutting or polishing, although the overall silica content of the material might remain the same.
Engineered Porosity: Introducing controlled porosity can reduce the overall amount of silica, but this can also affect the material’s mechanical and aesthetic properties.
Alternative Production Methods: Nano-cemented materials or geopolymers might be used to produce engineered stone-like surfaces with much lower silica content.
Safety During Manufacturing: While reducing the silica content in the stone is one approach, ensuring that workers are protected during manufacturing, cutting, and installation is equally crucial. This can include wet-working methods to reduce dust, proper ventilation, and appropriate personal protective equipment.
Manufacturers aiming to introduce low-silica engineered stones need to strike a balance between maintaining the aesthetic and functional qualities of their product, ensuring worker safety, and meeting any regulatory requirements.
