LAMINATE VS STONE BENCHTOPS

Posted by Deepak Kumar on January 3rd, 2017

Benchtops are the most used surfaces in a kitchen, hence, choosing the surfaces and finishes for your kitchen is a big decision. Stone benchtops are definitely the current trend, but they are not always the best choice. It is important to take some factors into consideration while choosing the right material for your kitchen, including overall aesthetics, maintenance requirements, and durability of surface, budget and ways you plan to use the benchtop.

Stone benchtops can add style and glamor to your kitchen. They are classic, beautiful and luxurious with a timeless appeal. Natural stone comes in a variety of shades, styles, features and types including granite, marble, limestone, slate, sandstone, and travertine. Granite is the most popular stone used for benchtops and doest not requires as much care as other natural stones, including marble, soapstone, and limestone.

Pros and cons of stone benchtops:

Pros:

• Last a lifetime if maintained with periodic sealing
• Naturally stunning
• Highly resistant to scratching
• Heat resistant, resilient and tough

Cons:

• More expensive than laminates
• Gets cracked if hit with heavy object
• Can get stained

Designer Laminates are made by using plastic-coated synthetics. High-pressure laminates are versatile and attractive option for kitchen benchtop. Laminates are available in variety of designs, textures and colours.

Pros and cons of laminate countertops:

Pros:

• Can mimic the look of stone
• Lasts 10-20 years with low maintenance
• Can be used for backsplash
• Hard wearing and waterproof
• Easily custom fitted
• Non-porous

Cons:

• Not immune to scarring., chipping, and scorching
• Surfaces get dull with cleaning
• Susceptible to water damage and can ruin the foundation materials if it gets cracked.

It really depends on your budget and how you wish to plan your kitchen. If you are the one who loves to spend a lot of time in the kitchen whipping up culinary masterpieces then you should choose stone for your kitchen laminate benchtops. If kitchen is just a place for you to quickly make your meal and relax in some other room, then laminate is the option for your the benchtops.