new kitchen what benches

[toon_town_nutter]

Designing my kitchen and although I love stone I'm seriously considering laminex benchtops.

Anybody used freeform for square form in the last couple of years? Can you post a pic?

[kitty-kat1234]

Hi if you love granite go for it.

Its cheaper to buy yourself in slab form,some companies will have the numbers of installers or there are some home sites you can visit that maybe able to help you find one in your area.

Granite is timeless,we have had granite in 2 houses & used the same installer who does weekend cashies.

Dont use a kitchen company as they charge a fortune & you dont get the excess granite that  can be used as chopping boards,splash backs or bench-tops for your outdoor kitchen or barbi area.

I like the look of rustic wood too but its considered very unhygienic,love concrete as well, its also a specialised job.

Not everyone likes the same thing........thank goodness,all you have to do with granite is reseal every couple of years will still look like new in 30 yrs time.

Go with what you really wont otherwise you will always wish you had.

Good luck.

[acacia_pycnantha]

wood is not unhygenic as it has some antibacterial stuff in it naturally.

it just looks grubby, maybe not  "neat" enough for some.

it's a bit like with lawn. there are lawn nazis who need the lawn to look like green painted concrete and there are ppl who let the flowers (called "weeds" by the lawn nazis) grow.

i quite like stone, but if you drop something it may survive dropped on wood, but certainly shatter on stone.

that is why i am going to put a new vinyl floor into the kitchen and not tiles.

[acacia_pycnantha]

i didn't mean to insult you kitty, i just don't like those sanitised gardens with tortured plants.

i don't understand why they bother with real grass if they want it to look like plastic.

[kitty-kat1234]

Hi acacia,not sure what the sanitised garden comment is about,dont worry you wont insult me,each to their own i believe.

I do love looking at formal gardens but they are not for me,plus we live in the bush,very hard to get neat here,not even interested in trying,it wouldn't work.

It takes time to work out what you like,how or what best works for you,there are also web sites that you can plan

 out your kitchen putting in different bench-tops to see what you like or dont.

Heres a link http://www.thelaminexgroup.com.au/

Search around & you will find the design section.

Also this website is very helpful,you can search the colour etc you like to see if anyone has used it etc...

http://forum.homeone.com.au/

[i-need-a-martini]

Toon - laminex is fantastic! Go for it.

It just has to be done the correct way so it doesn't look cheap - square edge the ends of the bench and make them flush with the front of your cabinets. The overhang makes them look old fashioned.

Most people want caesarstone in their kitchen and that's about $500m2 depending on the colour. Granite is a little cheaper but the granites on the market today are cheap and have more imprefections so you can most likely expect a crack within 5 years (usually at pressure points where they have made cut outs like the sink or cooktop). I'd be wary of granite.

But I always put laminex in the areas clients don't care about like the laundry benches and they are always surprised by how good it can look. I am going to redo my kitchen within the next year or so and I have already picked out the laminate. And I will do a ply timber look ABS edge.

This is my list of laminex do and don'ts:

• Don't make the ends round.
• Don't have an overhang.
• Don't pick a gloss
• Don't choose any other brand other than Laminex. 
• Don't put the joins anywhere near the sink.

Email me if you want some colour combo ideas.

Here is a square edge benchtop in laminate: http://www.kitchenconnection.com.au/kitchens/kitchen-cabinets-benchtops-laminate.html

Or you can do it square form like this: http://www.homedesigndirectory.com.au/articles/FeaturedProducts/laminex.shtml#.Ue5Gw43Tx8E

But for goodness sakes don't do it like this: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mount-eliza/other-home-garden/complete-kitchen-cupboards-benchtops/10...

[kitty-kat1234]

Good informative post INAM.

For anyone else interested in granite,please ask where it is from,there is good & bad quality in everything.

And dont ever accept joins near the sink or stove,a huge NONO!

Any joins should be hidden & very hard to see.

Love to see what you choose,post a picture,i'm sure it will be lovely whatever you decide.

[crystal**flake]

Is there a difference between laminate and laminex or is it just the wording?

[i-need-a-martini]

Laminex is a brand. Laminate is the surface they put on the substrate so the finish on Formica or Melamine or Laminex is laminated on if that makes sense.

In terms of quality and durability Laminex is the best cause they use the thickest laminates. Then Formica and Melamine is the cheap stuff they normally put inside cupboards. But on saying that even Malamine is OK on the vertical surfaces - I did my last kitchen in white Melamine and it looked great.

[buzzlightyearsgirlfriend]

I got quoted a stupid price for my timber benchtop by a kitchen mob, ridiculous in fact.

I researched and eventually bought the timber online, had it delivered and my builder built the tops for me for a fraction of the cost the kitchen bloke quoted.

If you're doing a splashback too, well I suggest a properly treated pressed metal job. I know they are a fad, but they are not very expensive so easily replaced when you tire of them. I so so so so want one.

[acacia_pycnantha]

the feel in your hand when you put a glass or a china mug down on granite is hard and jarring and if you're not careful stuff might chip or crack.