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Looking for durable stone benchtops for your bathroom or kitchen renovation?
With many benchtop options available in the market and so many factors to consider like sizing, hardness, material and placement, making the right choice for your space is no small task.
The variety of options can leave you wondering which type of stone best suits your needs.
At Master Tops, we understand how challenging this decision can be, so we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help simplify the process. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the different types of stone benchtops that are ideal for any room in your home.
Whether it’s timeless elegance of marble, the durability of granite, or the modern appeal of porcelain, we’ve got all the information you need to make an informed choice.
Let’s explore the stone benchtop types and find the perfect match for your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry.
Top 9 Types of Stone Benchtops | Find the Right Benchtop for Your Kitchen
Each type of stone has its own unique properties, benefits, and aesthetic appeal. This makes it important to choose the one that best fits your lifestyle and design preferences. Below, we explore the top nine types of stone bench tops to help you get the perfect fit for your kitchen or any other area of your home.
1. Granite Benchtops
Granite benchtops are a popular choice for homeowners who want durability and style all together. Granite is known for its distinctive crystalline structure. This gives the stone a unique, almost ‘glitter-like’ effect.
One of the standout features of granite is its non-porous nature. It makes it highly resistant to stains, scratches, and spills. This durability makes granite an excellent option for high-traffic areas like kitchens.
Another advantage of granite is the wide range of finishes available.
Whether you're looking for a sleek matte grey, a bold red, or a neutral tone, granite offers a variety of options that can complement almost any room. This versatility, combined with its hard-wearing properties, makes granite a favoured choice for many homeowners.
Learn more about: Pros & Cons of Granite Kitchen Benchtops
2. Porcelain Benchtops
Porcelain benchtops are becoming an increasingly popular choice due to their incredible strength and versatility.
Unlike natural stones, porcelain is man-made and designed to withstand heavy use. It is highly resistant to scratches, stains, and heat which makes it suitable for both kitchens and bathroom.
Porcelain is also UV-resistant, which means it won’t fade or discolour when exposed to sunlight. Thus, it’s a great option for outdoor kitchens as well.
Porcelain benchtops come in a wide range of colours and finishes. From glossy to matte, it allows you to get the exact look you desire. They are also available in large slab sizes which reducing the number of seams in your benchtop. Hence, it gives your kitchen a sleek, modern appearance.
3. Caesarstone Benchtops
Caesarstone benchtops, also known as quantum quartz, are renowned for their durability and wide range of colour options.
Made from a blend of natural quartz and resins, Caesarstone surfaces are non-porous. It makes them resistant to stains and bacterial growth. While they don’t offer the same level of heat resistance as materials like stainless steel, they are highly resistant to other types of damage, such as chips and scratches.
One of the major benefits of Caesarstone is that it doesn’t discolour over time. This ensures that your benchtop remains as vibrant and beautiful as the day it was installed. With countless colour and pattern options available, it allows you to create a customised look that suits your kitchen’s aesthetic.
4. Marble Benchtops
Marble benchtops are often associated with luxury and timeless elegance.
Each marble stone slab is unique, featuring natural veining and patterns that make it a stunning focal point in any room.
Marble is particularly famous for its beauty. But it does require more care than other stone options. Because it is a porous material which makes it more prone to staining, scratching, and etching.
Despite its need for regular maintenance, many homeowners choose marble for its unique aesthetic appeal. Marble works well in spaces where you want to make a bold statement, such as a kitchen island or a bathroom vanity.
Learn more about: Tips to Choose the Best Natural Stone Benchtops for You
5. Quartz Benchtops
Quartz benchtops combine the beauty of natural stone kitchen benchtops with enhanced durability. Made from one of the hardest minerals on earth, quartz is extremely durable and non-porous. This makes it resistant to stains, scratches, and bacteria.
Additionally, it does not require sealing, which reduces maintenance and ensures long-lasting performance.
Quartz is also available in a wide range of colours and patterns. Many of which mimic the appearance of natural stone Perth. This versatility allows you to enjoy the look of marble or granite with the added benefits of quartz's resilience. Whether you're designing a modern kitchen or a traditional one, quartz can offer the perfect balance of form and function.
6. Dekton Benchtops
Dekton benchtops are the best benchtop option that combines raw materials used in glass, porcelain, and quartz surfaces to create an ultra-compact, highly durable material.
Dekton is resistant to scratches, stains, UV rays, and extreme temperatures. This makes it one of the strongest benchtop materials on the market. Its durability makes
Dekton ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications, as it won’t fade or degrade over time.
One of the key benefits of Dekton is its availability in large slab sizes, for a seamless, cohesive look in your kitchen or bathroom. Dekton also comes in a variety of colours and finishes. It allows you to achieve any design aesthetic, from sleek and modern to rustic and traditional.
7. Limestone Benchtops
Limestone benchtops offer a natural, earthy appeal that is perfect for those seeking a more traditional or rustic look.
Limestone is a soft, porous stone, which means it is more susceptible to scratching, staining, and etching compared to harder stones like granite or quartz. However, with regular sealing and proper care, limestone can be a beautiful and unique addition to your kitchen.
Moreover, it’s natural tones and textures add warmth and character to any space. While it may require more maintenance than other stones, the rich, natural look of limestone can be well worth the effort.
8. Essastone Benchtops
Essastone benchtops offer the luxurious look of natural stone with the added benefits of modern technology. Essastone is known for its strength and durability, making it resistant to scratches, stains, and impacts. It does not require sealing, which makes it a low-maintenance option for busy kitchens.
Available in a wide range of colours and patterns, Essastone allows you to achieve the look of marble, granite, or other natural stones without the associated maintenance. Its versatility makes it suitable for a variety of applications, from stone kitchen benchtops to bathroom vanities and more.
9. Onyx Benchtops
Onyx benchtops are a luxurious and outstanding option for those looking to make a bold design statement.
Onyx is a translucent stone that can be backlight to create a stunning visual effect. It’s a popular choice for feature islands and decorative elements.
However, onyx is a softer stone, meaning it is more prone to scratching, staining, and etching than other stone options. Due to its delicate nature, onyx is best suited for areas with less traffic, where its beauty can be appreciated without the risk of damage.
Check out this easy table for all stone bench tops, providing their Hardness (Mohs) and Density (g/cm³):
Benchtop Type | Hardness (Mohs) | Density (g/cm³) |
Granite | 6 | 2.65 – 2.75 |
Porcelain | 7 | 2.3 – 2.4 |
Caesarstone | 7 | 2.4 – 2.5 |
Marble | 3-4 | 2.52 – 2.64 |
Quartz | 7 | 2.65 |
Dekton | 7 | 2.4 – 2.6 |
Limestone | 3 | 2.3 – 2.7 |
Essastone | 6-7 | 2.4 – 2.5 |
Onyx | 7 | 2.5 – 3 |
Thinking of upgrading your space? Finding durable, stylish yet affordable stone benchtops?
Contact Master Tops | Find the Best Stone Bench tops for Your Home
We specialise in crafting and installing silica-free stone benchtops that enhance the beauty and functionality of your home. Whether you're looking for natural stone Perth solutions or options like porcelain for your kitchen benchtops, our expert team is here to help you find the perfect and affordable option.
So, don’t wait.
Call us at (08) 6161 1969
Stone Bench Tops FAQs
Q1: What is the best stone for benchtops?
Granite, marble, and limestone are popular choices for kitchen benchtops. Granite stands out as the toughest of these options, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic kitchen areas due to its remarkable durability.
Q2: What is the cheapest type of stone benchtop?
Among the various stone benchtops, quartz tends to be the most affordable options. It generally costs less than granite. At Master Tops, you can also get the most expensive benchtop ‘porcelain’ in a very affordable price.
Q3: Can I use stone benchtops outdoors?
Yes, some stones at Master Tops, like porcelain and Dekton, are well-suited for outdoor use. They’re designed to handle UV rays, heat, and weathering, making them a great choice for outdoor kitchens and patios.
Q4: What is the most durable stone countertop?
Quartz is known for being the most durable countertop material. It’s made from a blend of stone and resin, making it tough, scratch-resistant, and water-resistant. Quartz offers long-lasting durability with minimal upkeep.
Q5: Which is better, Caesarstone or quartz?
Both Caesarstone and quartz are durable and heat-resistant, but Caesarstone generally requires less maintenance compared to quartz. For a hassle-free experience, Caesarstone can be the better choice.
Q6: Can you put hotpots on stone benchtops?
Stone benchtops can handle some heat but are not completely heatproof. For instance, quartz can resist temperatures up to about 150 degrees Celsius, while granite can withstand slightly higher temperatures. However, placing very hot pots directly on the surface can still cause damage like discolouration or burns, so it’s best to use stands or heat pads.