Choosing a material for your kitchen bench tops is one of the most crucial decisions that you will make during kitchen renovations. Your choice of bench top materials will typically dictate the appearance of other elements in your kitchen such as the flooring, the cabinetry and more. Therefore, the bench tops play a significant role in contributing to the aesthetics of the kitchen. However, this is not the only thing to bear in mind. Additional considerations when selecting bench top materials include the frequency of use that the countertops will endure, the amount of effort you are willing to put in, maintaining them as well as your overall budget. Here is a basic buying guide elucidating the popular materials that you could consider.
Metal
Whether your home is characterised by its contemporary design or if you have a traditional style kitchen, metal bench tops would be beneficial to your needs. Contrary to popular belief, metal bench tops are not exclusively used in new-age design kitchens. This material has been a staple in commercial premises and has recently started gaining popularity in residential applications.
The primary benefit of metallic bench tops is that they are extremely hygienic. Not only are they easy to sterilise, but also they will never harbour any germs or bacteria on their surface. Therefore, if cleanliness is of utmost concern when considering your countertops, then metal would be a good material to gravitate toward. Nevertheless, metallic bench tops do come with some cons. For instance, they tend to scratch easily, which would affect their overall appearance.
Ceramic tile
Although tiles are commonly used as splashbacks and flooring, they are quite useful when utilised as bench tops. Ceramic tiles can boost the appearance of your counters as you have the chance to be as creative as you want with colour options, patterns, shapes and more. Therefore, if visual appeal is your initial consideration when purchasing bench tops, then ceramic tiles would be right up your alley. Nonetheless, there are several issues to keep in mind if your ceramic bench tops are to serve you for the long-term.
Firstly, the grout that secures the tiles in place would be prone to staining. The grout lines can also harbour bacteria as the material used is porous. Therefore, it would be prudent to employ rigid cleaning and maintenance measures to ensure your bench tops do not become a health hazard. Secondly, you should make sure that the ceramic tiles are periodically sealed if they are to retain their pristine appearance. Lastly, never place hot cookware directly on the ceramic tiles as they could scorch.
Share18 August 2017
When I decided to become a freelance designer, I decided I would work from home. I was sick and tired of being in an office all day and to be honest, some of my workmates were pretty annoying. However, I did not consider that I might have to make some changes to my home in order to make it suitable. On the first day of my new life working from home, I realised I would need much more natural light, so I had new windows installed. I then realised that I would need a larger work table to work on my cut out designs. In the end, I made hundreds of changes and I learnt an awful lot about home improvement.