Products available to simplify your selection options

  • If you’re building a new home and signing a contract with a builder, make sure you know what the builder’s standard specifications allow. When there’s a downturn in the construction industry, be sure to shop around because quite often, in an effort to attract customers, the builder will offer an upgrade from a standard workbench to a premium spec workbench at no additional cost. .
  • Laminates are generally provided as standard for many builder’s selections. This material is made from many sheets of paper coated with melamine resin and compressed under high pressure with heat to make a strong and durable product. A lighter colored and patterned laminate with a textured surface is recommended to retain its new appearance for many years and can be used in a high wear situation such as a kitchen. Gloss finish laminates in any color and dark solid colors with a matte finish are best used in a low wear situation such as a vertical surface. Remember that you cannot place hot cookware directly on a laminate surface nor is it recommended that you cut directly on a laminate and it cannot be used as a backsplash.
  • Rocksolid Granite is an engineered stone made from 95% natural granite and 5% polymer in a 6mm thickness. It has all the benefits of granite, like being heat, scratch and stain resistant, without the same price tag as granite. It’s a great product for renovations because it can be applied directly over an existing laminate workbench and can also be used as a backsplash. Just keep in mind that if you are using the existing cabinets for the renovation, the color of the internal casing cannot be changed, even if the doors are changed.
  • Corian is a man-made material that is made of natural minerals and acrylic in combination and was initially used as worktops in science laboratories due to its resistance to heat, impact, and stains. It is available in a wide range of colors and some builders offer it in their standard ranges for their kitchens.
  • Essa Stone/Q Stone/Caesar Stone/Silestone

These are all engineered stones made from natural quartz and a polymer in combination. They have the same advantages as natural stone, such as being resistant to scratches, abrasion and heat, but they have a more uniform appearance than natural stones such as granite or marble. Each name is different because different companies produce them.

  • Stainless steel is a man-made product that does not warp or corrode and has traditionally been used in commercial kitchens due to its easy-to-clean properties. It is increasingly popular in domestic kitchens today where the client is looking for a more industrial style in their interior. It can also be used as a dashboard.
  • Concrete is another man-made product that appeals to those who want that industrial look while still achieving a strong surface. It can be poured in many different shapes and can have a matte or polished finish. He can even customize the look he wishes to achieve with the stones he selects to put in the mix.
  • Granite is a natural product that is one of the hardest tabletop materials to choose from. It’s low maintenance, but because it’s a natural product, every tile looks different, so be sure to go out and see the tiles yourself before choosing one. Never work from the sample you are given. Also, remember that since granite is a natural product, you will need to seal it to prevent it from staining.

When choosing your workbench, make sure you have a clear understanding of your budget, style or look you’re trying to achieve, and what you can and can’t afford to use. If you’re trying to be environmentally friendly, then a man-made stone isn’t reducing our natural resources, but look where it’s produced. If it is produced locally, it does not create a large carbon footprint for transportation.

Once you have decided, look at the largest possible sample of the product you have chosen so that you have a true color sample. When you have the sample, see how it works with the floor you are going to use in the kitchen. Remember in my article “Match or Mismatch: Creating Flow in Your Home” I suggested that you work from your largest area, which tends to be the living room/kitchen floor and the next largest surface is usually the coffee table. the kitchen.

Bench Tops: 8 Product Options You Can Make To Add Value To Your Home

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