Choosing a Kitchen Benchtop That Suits Your Kitchen Needs
If you are in the market for kitchen benchtops, you may get overwhelmed when you come across different materials that have great aesthetics. It can be difficult making a choice, but some key factors can make this decision easier for you. Read on to find out:
Porous Nature of Kitchen Benchtop Material
If a particular material is said to be porous, it means that it has air spaces that can allow moisture to enter. To avoid this, you might be required to apply sealant regularly, which means more maintenance activities for you.
Scratch, Stain and Heat Resistance
Of course, a benchtop is used in the kitchen. You can expect to place hot cookware and bakeware on the benchtop. Is it heat-resistant or do you need to place a heat-resistant layer/material on a particular area on the benchtop?
You also want a benchtop that is not susceptible to scratches. It may not be uncommon to find yourself using the benchtop as a cutting surface, if this is you, find a kitchen benchtop that does not scratch easily. You can also train yourself to use a cutting board.
The kitchen is also prone to stains. You can either train yourself to wipe spills immediately or find a benchtop material that is not easy to stain.
Hygiene
Kitchen benchtops should be hygienic, meaning they should be easy to clean. You don't want a benchtop material that can harbour bacteria, which can contaminate your food and lead to food poisoning. This also depends on your level of cleanliness in the kitchen.
Cost
Some kitchen benchtops can be expensive, so before looking at the different materials and designs available, have a budget. You should also decide on how much money you are willing to add if you find that the benchtops in your budgeted price range don't meet your needs.
Level of Maintenance
Kitchen benchtops have different levels of maintenance (whether you need to apply sealants or oils, whether you need to clean them regularly with a particular product, whether you need to sand them, etc.).
Is Your Kitchen Located Outside?
If you want to install kitchen benchtops for an outdoor kitchen, you have to think about all environmental conditions, including the weather, which can cause damage to the benchtop. An outdoor kitchen benchtop might also be high maintenance.
Durability and Versatility
You want a benchtop that is strong and durable. It is not uncommon to drop cookery, crockery and cutlery on your benchtop. It should be strong enough to withstand the impact.
Keep these things in mind as you look for kitchen benchtops.
