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The most economical of benchtops. With so many colour choices available the options are endless. Postforming allows many edge profiles without unsightly joins on the edges. Laminate is also very hygienic and hardwearing.
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For that "commercial" look stainless steel is still popular although it shows scratches quite often, this becomes part of the character over time. The are now patterned grades available that do not show marks as much. Stainless Steel is the only totally heatproof bench and also one of the most hygienic.
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Always popular especially with a contemporary timber Kitchen, this natural product is hard wearing however is still porous to certain products and can be cold to touch and hard on china and glasses. Available in mostly darker colours there are many different grade and quality of granite , generally indicated by their country of origin.
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When choosing granite or marble, insist on selecting the actual slab you will be purchusing. As a natural product each piece will differ in colour and texture, therefore a good fabricator will welcome you to come and choose your piece.
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With the trend towards lighter colours on the horizontal surface , marble or Travertine is always a classical look , however it is one of the most porous of benchtops and must be sealed extremely well. Marble benches are especially popular with pastry makers.
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A great look for the "country" kitchen however must be treated with great care. Can be sealed with polyurethane or oiled , like a chopping board. Many species of Timber are available , depending on your colour choices however we would recommend using a Hardwood in preference to a Softwood for lesser damage. A big advantage of Timber is that it can be sanded back and resurfaced in the future.
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Concrete formed benchtops have really come out in the last couple of years. Besides being able to colour and give texture they can also be finished with many types of sealant to make them imporous. The weight of the benchtop does require some thought to the cabinetry and some manufacturers pour the concrete insitue which means quite a bit of time for curing.
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A combination of crushed quartz and resins , engineered stones are flooding the market. Being stain, heat and scratch resistant it is totally durable and available in a large array of patterns and colours.
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Although Tiled Benchtops tend to remind us of the "70's kitchens there are some very interesting options and patterns emerging again in tiled tops. Being heat resistant and durable the can be a cheaper alternative, with grout lines sealed effectively.
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Misrepresented as the most expensive benchtop on the Market, Corian is like a Designers putty. One of the biggest advantages of Corian is there are no joins on the benchtop. It is also the only benchtop that can be repaired on site. Prices do vary according to colour however the fresh white favorite of the moment is one of the cheapest.
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The are no rules saying that you must use only one type of benchtop. Why not have the island bench in more expensive top as your showpiece, with the surrounding benches in another product. Or maybe the Cooktop area in stainless with the serving area in timber or another option?
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