Imagine this: you woke up in the early morning on your dream home with a bit of time to spare. You go to the kitchen, prepare a cup of coffee, and sit on the island counter. Have you noticed how comfortable it is to sit on a kitchen benchtop even if its primary function is to prepare everything you need for cooking or for when you need to catch up while getting some snacks? These kitchen benchtops play a big role in every kitchen because it needs to be tough to handle the heat and scratches but still look good years down the line.
What Are Kitchen Benchtops?
A kitchen benchtop is a flat surface where you prepare most of the meals—meaning it’s a high-traffic area where it can function as almost anything you prefer. But what are the materials you should look for in a kitchen benchtop?
Key Things to Look for in a Kitchen Benchtop
The typical things to look for will mostly be its durability to withstand the heat and the sharpness of your kitchen tools, if it is easy to clean, and if it fits your style as well as your budget. Here are some of the materials you might want to check out when looking for that balance in strength and style:
Engineered Stone. Engineered stone is one of the most popular choices in homes because when blended with crushed quartz and resin, it creates a surface that not only is sophisticated in itself but also resists stains and scratches as well as heat. It’s a top choice for people who want to have that feel of a luxurious home without the weight of the cost and maintenance.
Laminate. The great thing about laminates today is that they offer realistic designs of wood or stone that you can temporarily install, especially if you are not only on a budget but also living in a home that you might be needing to move out of.
Timber. Any wood surface gives warmth and character to a home, so when you choose timber as a kitchen benchtop material, it means that you are a person who enjoys the rustic vibe. And even if it requires a bit of care, you can never compare its strength and timelessness.
Porcelain. Porcelain is on the pricier end, but its performance is always premium because it is resistant to UV rays, making it handle any kind of heat and stains with ease. This is why any high-end home would always prefer getting a kitchen benchtop of porcelain material.
Concrete. Concrete is a statement in itself. With its characteristic of being raw and completely customisable, whether in itself or other furniture, appliances, and furnishings, a concrete benchtop is proven to be heat-resistant, as it doesn’t need sealing to prevent any stain.
Your kitchen benchtop reflects your lifestyle.
Regardless of the goal you want in your kitchen, every material has a different characteristic than the other, and what you choose will reflect the life you’re currently in. At the end of the day, the best design for you will always be the one that makes your kitchen durable.
