Benchtops, whether for the kitchen, laundry or bathroom, need to be hard-wearing, durable and visually appealing. They also need to be stain, heat and water-resistant – and hygienic. For these reasons, the most popular materials are engineered stone, concrete, stainless steel, marble, laminate and acrylic, granite benchtops – or wooden benchtops for a softer, more earthy feel.  

What are the 10 best kitchen countertop materials for care and maintenance?

·        Stainless steel

·        Engineered stone

·        Natural stone

·        Concrete

·        Granite benchtops

·        Corian

·        Acrylic solid surface

·        Laminate 

·        Porcelain

·        Formica

.        Wooden benchtops

Why choose stainless steel kitchen benchtops?

Stainless steel kitchen benches are highly durable, resistant to water and heat stains and, coming in a variety of textured and coloured finishes, provide that sought after clean and shiny look to the kitchen area. A brushed finish will easily hide any scratches or investing in a higher grade of metal or scratch-resistant stainless steel can prevent scratches from occurring.

Cleaning a stainless benchtop is easy - best done with warm soapy water before being wiped dry with a cloth. So, while these benchtops may cost a little more than some other materials, the benefits make it an investment worth considering.  

3 easy tips for caring for stone benchtops

Care and maintenance for stone benchtops (whether engineered/composite stone, natural stone, slate, quartz marble, silestone, granite, soapstone, dekton, limestone or quartzite) is notoriously easy, so follow these top tips:

1. Keep on top of it. Cleaning as you go will prevent staining.

2. Wipe down daily. Use a warm soapy cloth or cleaners like a Caesarstone spray cleaner to maximise longevity.

3. Buff after each daily wash with a clean and dry cloth.

Acrylic benchtops: pros and cons

Acrylic countertops are non-porous so have an excellent hygiene rating, are durable and

Long-lasting – and easily mended if chipped or burnt. They are, however, known to discolour over time and their seams can lift, neither of which are easily fixed.

How to style concrete benchtops

Concrete countertops and polished concrete benchtops are no longer just the unsightly slabs of concrete they once were. With modern concrete options looking more like natural stone, they can be stained to match any interior colour scheme and can even have glass, stone or ceramic tiles embedded to add an extra visual feature.

Cleaning concrete benchtops is similar to stone – usually, a warm soapy wash will suffice.

The classic appeal of wooden kitchen benchtops

A hardwood, solid timber or bamboo benchtop provides a natural look that will soften and lighten a kitchen and provide a rustic and calming atmosphere.

To clean and maintain wooden benchtops, wipe up any spills immediately, clean regularly with warm soapy water and reseal the benchtop once a year.