Bans on engineered stone could reshape kitchen trends.

From July, Australia will become the first country to ban engineered stone benchtops.

The moment the ban was announced in December last year, the scramble began to fill what will be an enormous gap in the market. About 60 per cent of all new homes built in Australia in 2021/22 had engineered stone benchtops, according to the Housing Industry Association.

That represents around 130,000 homeowners each year who will have to choose an alternate product.

While Caesarstone, one of the major brands in engineered stone, has confirmed plans to launch a crystalline silica-free range that mimics their existing engineered stone range before July, it may come at a higher price point.

In the meantime, more budget-friendly alternatives are jostling to catch consumers’ attention alongside the pricier natural stones.

Laminate

Like John Travolta in Pulp Fiction, laminate is on a mission to prove it’s not the dag you remember from the 1970s and 80s.

Modern laminates come in a huge range of on-trend colours and finishes including stone, wood and concrete-look prints that can be hard to tell from the real thing – apart from the price tag.

And in a bid to step up their stone game, Laminex last year released a high-end imitation marble called TrueScale. As the name suggests, it copies the pattern of natural marble slabs at scale. So, in a single 3600mm x 1800mm slab there are no pattern repeats, which are often the tell-tail sign of an imitator.

New fingerprint-resistant matte laminate finishes are also proving popular with designers. A matte black Fenix laminate benchtop has featured on trendsetting renovation show The Block. Pronounced “phoenix”, no doubt for its ability to rise from the ashes, this high-tech laminate can be repaired by running a warm iron over scratches.

Too much heat, however, is the enemy of laminate and one of its major downsides is that it can be scorched by a carelessly placed pot or oven dish.

Wood/bamboo

Wood and bamboo benchtops are gaining popularity as nature-based interior decorating tones such as blues and greens gain traction. These benchtops also pair beautifully with black cabinetry in Scandi-inspired kitchens.

While timber benchtops are a simple, sustainable and budget-friendly choice, be wary of putting wood around sinks, as it’s hard to keep the moisture from seeping in and causing decolouration. Homeowners also need to beware of burning the surface with hot pots.

On the upside, wood can be easily sanded back and refinished. And homeowners don’t have to wait weeks for installation, as is often the case with stone.

Solid surface

Acrylic polymer, or solid surface as it is known, is a zero-silica product that has a lot to recommend it. It’s completely safe to cut and sand and, if damaged, can be easily repaired with fillers applied and sanded in situ.

Solid surface replicates the look of stone, although it is warm to the touch, rather than cool. Solid surface slabs can also be heat-moulded to virtually any shape and joins are invisible, creating seamless splashbacks.

This product has impressive green credentials too. Major solid surface brand Corian boasts its benchtops comprise 5-20 per cent recycled plastics and no offcuts go into landfill – they are either put back into product or used as road base.

On the downside, solid surface can look and feel a little more like the plastic it is, rather than the stone it aims to replicate.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is hygienic, budget-friendly and can seamlessly roll up into a splashback. Possibly the only drawback to stainless steel is that it harks back to an era when Jennifer Aniston had the coolest haircut on the planet. But with many 90s trends doing the rounds again, perhaps it’s time for stainless steel to have another moment.

It’s the go-to surface for commercial kitchens because it’s easily the most practical — quick and easy to clean, hard to damage and it won’t send you broke. For keen home chefs, it’s also a great surface for mixing, kneading and rolling out dough and pastry.

Homeowners can cut costs by opting for practical stainless steel on rear benchtops and splashing cash on a statement stone island.

Porcelain

Hard-wearing porcelain has been touted as the successor to engineered stone, although it comes at a higher price. With a virtually unlimited range of patterns and finishes porcelain is fast becoming the designers’ darling.

Porcelain can mimic the look of marble, a trendy large-format terrazzo, or slate. Or come in bold block colours. Essentially it is tiles at scale.

Porcelain is also non-porous so, unlike some natural stones, it won’t stain, and the kiln finish means hot pots and pans are no bother.

An expensive option, porcelain slabs can be brittle and easily damaged. As the finish is only surface deep, any damage can expose the plain interior.

Natural stone

Like porcelain, natural stone is a more expensive option but has a timeless appeal. It is porous to varying degrees, spills need to be cleaned immediately, and steer clear of turmeric lattes.

Natural stone will usually be sealed before installation to minimise issues and should be regularly re-sealed.

Popular benchtop stone includes:

Quartzite: Beautiful and dramatic, it is one of the most hard-wearing of all natural stones.

Granite: There is a reason people say “hard as granite”. It’s fine with a hot pot but needs regular resealing to resist staining.

Marble: One of the softer natural stones, marble is also the one most synonymous with luxury. It can be high maintenance and should be resealed as often as twice a year if you’re a keen cook (or clumsy red wine drinker). Unlike granite, marble can be scorched by hot pots.

Why has engineered stone been banned?

A spike in silicosis cases and deaths, particularly among stonemasons working with engineered stone, prompted the ban. Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny particles of silica called crystalline silica, which are released when stone is cut or ground. These particles get stuck in the lungs, causing scarring and fluid build-up, making it hard to breathe.

What about other stone products?

Engineered stone contains crystalline silica at much higher levels than other products. According to WorkSafe Victoria, engineered stone can have up to 95 per cent silica content compared to granite (25-60 per cent), porcelain (14-18 per cent) and marble (less than 5 per cent). Expert analysis has also indicated the composition of engineered stone poses unique hazards over other stone, Safe Work Australia has reported.

When will it take effect?

In most States and territories, the ban will take effect from 1 July 2024. However, at the time of writing, it was undetermined whether this date will mark a ban on sales and installation, or just sales.

Is it dangerous to have an engineered stone benchtop?

Work Safe Australia has reassured homeowners it is not dangerous to have an engineered stone benchtop. It is when it is cut or ground that crystalline silica particles are released.

More detailed information can be found: Safe Work Australia

Article from: Haven - Winter 2024 Magazine