Choosing Benchtop Surfaces

Sublime Luxury Kitchen & Bathrooms offer a wide range of kitchen and bathroom benchtop solutions to choose when building, designing or renovating your Kitchen or bathroom Some of the surface solutions include Engineered Quartz Stone, ultra-compact surfaces, Solid Surface, Granite, Marble, and Onyx marble.

 

ENGINEERED STONE

Engineered Stone is a composite material made of crushed stone bound together by an adhesive, (most commonly polymer resin). The two common stones used in producing engineered stone are marble and quartz.

Advantages

• Less porous than Natural Stones
• Uniform in Colour
• Scratch Resistant
• No hidden cracks or Flaws – like Natural Stone
• Does not require Sealing

The material is produced in either 12 mm, 20 mm or 30 mm thicknesses. The most common slab size is 3040 mm x 1440 mm. Some of the Available Brands are Caesarstone, Silestone, Essastone, Smartstone and Quantum Quartz.

The polyester resins are not entirely UV stable in engineered stone and should not be used in outdoor applications exposed to direct sunlight. Continuous exposure to UV can cause discolouration of the stone, and breakdown of the resin binder.

ULTRA COMPACT SURFACES

The term “ultra-compact surface” is used to describe an entirely new countertop surface that is made by putting the raw materials found in glass, porcelain, and quartz under extreme heat and pressure to create an almost indestructible material.
What makes ultra compact surfaces almost indestructible? It’s the extreme heat and pressure in the manufacturing process, and when we say “extreme” heat and pressure, we mean it. Ultra-compact surfaces are typically baked at 1200º Celsius and compressed at 5900 pounds per square inch

Advantages

• Resistance to UV Light
• Heat & Scorch Proof
• Stain Proof
• Scratch Resistant
• Low Thermal Expansion
• High Abrasion Resistance
• Available Large Slab Format

Ultra-compact surfaces come in different thicknesses ranging from 6mm to 20mm.
Allowing us to fulfil your needs whatever they may be. Perfect for kitchens and bathrooms as well as floors, walls, paving, door cladding and even fireplace surrounds.
Some of the available Brands are Neolith, Laminam and Dekton

SOLID SURFACE

Solid Surface is a man-made material usually composed of a combination of Alumina Trihydrate (ATH), acrylic, epoxy or polyester resins and pigments.

Advantages

• Seamless
• Homogeneous
• Repairable
• Hygenic and Durable
• Thermoformed

Some of the brands are Corian, Staron and Hi-Macs
Some of its applications include benchtops, shower walls, external cladding for buildings, signage, and furniture where non-porosity and infrequent maintenance are highly valued. These are just a few of the many applications. Also, it can, be heated and thermoformed into curved and moulded shapes

GRANITE

Granite is an igneous rock (formed by heat) found deep within the Earth’s crust. Once quarried, cut, polished and sealed, granite is nearly impervious to scratches, heat, etching, staining or weathering. It is truly one of Mother Nature’s most versatile and beautiful creations.
Most granite is quarried in Brazil & India. However, we also have access to stones from Russia, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Norway & Finland. The majority of these rocks are imported to the U.S.A. via Spain & Italy where they are cut and polished into the forms you see at your local slab yards. The most common use for granite today is in building and remodelling projects such as vanity and kitchen countertops. The look, feel, durability and resale value of a granite kitchen countertop is unmatched by any other solid surface material on today’s market.

The care and maintenance of a granite surface include the application of a petroleum-based impregnating sealer into the stone once clean & dry. This can be done by the homeowner and should be applied on a yearly basis. As for daily cleaning, most household cleaners are fine. Granite’s polish is very durable and shouldn’t fade due to standard cleaning products’ acidity levels.

Granite prices depend on several aspects of the stone such as size, availability, place of origin, and demand.

MARBLE

Marble is limestone that has been pressed by the earth’s pressure to produce a hard substance of crystals and beautiful lines and colours. Marble can have nearly any colouring, from blacks to white, and with a number of fantastic colours in between such as green and pink. While some marble can be very hard and vitreous, like granite or ceramic tile, much marble can be easily scratched and stained.

ONYX

It works wonderfully where you can accent the stone and use under lighting or backlighting to draw attention to its translucent qualities. Onyx marble can be purchased in tile form or in large slabs for a versatile look and feel.

Careful consideration is needed when using onyx marble in your home. Think of your lifestyle and circumstances before committing to onyx as a countertop surface or a bar top.

The unique and distinctive beauty of onyx marble is not for everyone because of the possible maintenance. It will etch if you’re not careful, may need to be sealed, and is a softer and more fragile natural stone. If you know the maintenance and limitations of this stone and love the look, it may be a great choice for you. The looks achieved by using onyx are one of a kind. If you are comfortable with the care onyx needs and love the unique and exotic look, then choose onyx.

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