Planning for a kitchen renovation? Along with numerous things, selecting a perfectly suitable and stylish benchtop can also be genuinely taxing if you are not sure which material to opt for. Kitchens are no more the place where only meals are prepared, but they are also the place where a lot of action happens, starting from homework and household admin to family meals and guest hosting. So, kitchen tops need to be chosen well so that they suffice both functional and aesthetical values. Along with the overall look, these are also the hardest working surface, so durability is a crucial factor to be considered. 

Top Kitchen Benchtops Materials

 1. Laminate Benchtops

It’s a trend, and it’s well accepted among smart homeowner – when tight on budget, laminate kitchen benchtops.  That doesn’t mean that when laminating your benchtops, you will have to compromise either on looks or quality. Laminate has a vast range of colors and designs which you can use to imitate the more luxurious materials such as stone, concrete, or timber. Moreover, laminate is resilient to stain, and you can maintain it easily. But, the only challenge is they are susceptible to scratching. So, don’t forget to use a cutting board and handle hot utensils carefully.

2. Timber Benchtops

Timber benchtops, like the American Oak tops, are made from one compact length or pieces that are bonded together. The surface of wooden or the timber benchtops need good finishing before they are ready for use and, once they oiled, they can absorb spills. You will see a lot of bamboo benchtops being readily available in the timber market. One of the best parts of these benchtops is that once in a couple of years, if you do a re-finishing, it will remove the marks, and your benchtop will new again. 

3. Concrete benchtops

Concrete is one of the best materials to be used in the kitchen, where exposure to fire and water is very high. Benchtops made of concrete are formed on the site, and depending on their weight, you may, at times, need to get an additional sub-floor structural work done, for support. It is also important to seal these benchtops before using, and the finishing of the contemporary benchtops varies widely. If you want a raw finish, then nothing can be better than this material! However, they also come in varied designs, or you can use paint to be creative with your benchtops.

4. Stainless Steel Benchtops

One of the most hard-wearing and hygienic materials for benchtops is stainless steel. Thus, it is widely used in restaurant kitchens. At home, integrate your splashbacks and sinks and leave no cracks for germs to wander. And if you can install the high-grade, thicker quality stainless steel benches, you can re-polished them every five to 10 years and enjoy the look of a new benchtop.