Are you looking for the perfect benchtop material in New Zealand? With so many choices for your kitchen, it can be a daunting task. Here are 6 things you must consider before making your buying decision.
1. Hardness
Hardness can affect factors such as the rate of wear and tear and the strength of the surface. Hard surfaces are also less likely to chip or break. You would want to consider hardness if you constantly place heavier items such as big coffee makers on your benchtop. Prestige Bench Top Limited says that different materials vary in hardness. For example, an acrylic benchtop is not as hard as a quartz kitchen benchtop.
2. Resistance to water, heat, and stains
This is an important factor consider especially for a kitchen benchtop. The kitchen area is an active place that includes plashing water, heat from cooking vessels, and spillage of food and drink. Materials such as wood and marble require special treatment to prevent staining and water damage. Quartz and granite, on the other hand, are more resistant to water and heat and are less likely to stain.
3. Durability
With some benchtops, you may experience cracking, scratching and notable degeneration sometimes in less than five years of use. Durability is an important factor to consider if you want something that will last for a long time. For example, a composite stone benchtop will last you much longer than a laminated benchtop.
4. Aesthetics
This is definitely on top for anyone looking for a kitchen benchtop. For some people, aesthetics is more important than anything else. Luckily, you can get great decor and durability at the same time. Most natural or engineered stone products offer great aesthetics and give you many years of service.
5. Maintenance
For some materials, all you need is to wipe it with a damp cloth to maintain while others require more than that. Concrete and natural stone require regular resealing for protection. Care must also be taken to prevent spilling acidic substances to prevent damage. On the other hand, surfaces such as stainless steel and laminate are low maintenance.
6. Cost
If you are budget conscious, you need to consider the cost involved in the purchase and installation of a benchtop. For example, a granite or marble top will cost you much more than a laminate benchtop.
Remember that each material has its own strengths and weaknesses. It is important to ponder on your needs and expectations before making a purchase decision.