Question 1

Is Silestone Still Available in Australia After the Engineered Stone Ban?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Silestone is still available and fully compliant. The engineered stone ban applies to products containing at least 1% crystalline silica by weight. Cosentino's current Silestone range uses HybriQ+ technology, which replaces the traditional quartz base with premium minerals and recycled materials, reducing crystalline silica to compliant levels. The QXeron line goes further with zero crystalline silica. Both are legal, available, and stocked at Ross's.

Question 2

Which Type of Stone Benchtop Is the Easiest to Maintain?

Accepted Answer

Silestone and sintered stone are the easiest stone benchtop types to maintain because both are non-porous and require no sealing. A wipe with warm water and mild detergent keeps them looking sharp. Granite and marble both require annual sealing, more frequently in heavy-use Perth kitchens, and marble is also vulnerable to etching from acidic foods and liquids regardless of how well it’s sealed.

Question 3

Which Type of Stone Benchtop Is the Easiest to Maintain?

Accepted Answer

Silica-free engineered stone and sintered stone are the easiest types of stone benchtops to maintain. Both are non-porous and require no sealing, so warm water and mild detergent are usually enough. Granite and quartzite require sealing, and marble needs the most care because acidic foods and liquids can etch the surface even when sealed.

Question 4

Do Stone Benchtops Need to Be Sealed?

Accepted Answer

Not all stone benchtops need sealing. Silica-free engineered stone and sintered stone options are non-porous and never require it. Granite needs sealing once a year to protect against staining and moisture, more frequently in high-use kitchens or coastal Perth locations where salt air accelerates sealer breakdown. Marble requires the most diligent sealing and remains prone to etching from acids even when sealed.

Question 5

How Much Does a Stone Benchtop Cost in Perth?

Accepted Answer

Stone benchtop costs in Perth vary by material, slab selection, edge profile, cut-outs and installation complexity. As a guide, silica-free engineered stone benchtops, including Silestone, generally sit around $650 to $1,350 per square metre installed. Vitrum and Zenith pricing varies by tier and should be confirmed in-showroom. Sintered stone benchtops are usually around $700 to $1,500+ per square metre installed. Granite and quartzite typically range from $700 to $2,000 per square metre installed, while marble usually sits around $800 to $2,500+ per square metre installed.

All figures are indicative and should be confirmed before you commit. Material supply, fabrication and installation may be quoted as separate line items, so make sure you compare full installed costs rather than slab price alone.

Question 6

What's the Cheapest Stone Benchtop?

Accepted Answer

Of the compliant custom stone benchtop options available through Ross's in 2026, Silestone is generally the most recognised entry point for a custom-fabricated stone surface, sitting around $650 to $1,350 per square metre installed. Vitrum's entry-level SELECT range may offer another accessible silica-free option, but pricing should be confirmed in-showroom. Sintered stone, granite, quartzite and marble typically sit higher depending on slab choice and fabrication complexity.

Question 7

What's a Cheaper Alternative to Stone Benchtops?

Accepted Answer

Laminate is the most affordable alternative to stone benchtops, starting from around $120 per square metre, and modern laminate offers realistic stone-look finishes that have improved considerably over the past decade. Stainless steel runs around $900 per square metre and timber around $900 to $1,600 per square metre, so neither offers a meaningful saving over stone. For Perth homeowners who want a stone-look surface at a lower price point than any custom stone option, our prefabricated DIY Densified Stone benchtops are worth considering as an alternative to a full stonemason installation.

Question 8

What Is the Most Durable Type of Stone Benchtop?

Accepted Answer

Two characteristics determine how a stone benchtop holds up in daily use: hardness, measured on the Mohs scale (the lower the score, the easier it scratches), and density, measured as mass divided by volume. Of the four types covered in this guide, sintered stone is the most durable for a working kitchen. It is manufactured by compressing natural minerals under extreme heat and pressure — up to 30,000 tonnes at 1,200°C — without resin binders, producing a fully non-porous surface that resists scratching, heat, UV, and staining. Silestone matches it on scratch resistance at Mohs 7. Marble is the softest by a significant margin at Mohs 3–4, which is why it etches and scratches more readily than any other option in daily use.

MaterialHardness (Mohs)Density (g/cm³)Sintered Stone7–82.4–2.6Silestone (HybriQ+)72.26–2,29Granite6–72.65–2.75Marble3–42.52–2.64

Question 9

Are Silica-Free Benchtops Better Than Marble?

Accepted Answer

For a working kitchen, silica-free engineered stone is usually more practical than marble. Marble is softer and more porous than manufactured alternatives, so it is more prone to scratching, chipping, staining and etching from acidic foods such as lemon juice, vinegar and wine. Silica-free engineered stone is non-porous, does not need sealing and is easier to live with in a busy Perth kitchen. Marble suits lower-traffic spaces where the natural look is worth the extra care.

Question 10

Can You Put Hot Pots on Stone Benchtops?

Accepted Answer

Stone benchtops are heat resistant, not heatproof, and the tolerance varies by material. Sintered stone handles heat better than other options because it contains no resin binders that degrade under sustained heat. Silica-free engineered stone and granite can withstand normal kitchen heat but are not designed for direct contact with very hot cookware. Marble is the most vulnerable. Regardless of material, trivets and heat pads are always recommended.

Question 11

Do Stone Benchtops Add Value to a Home?

Accepted Answer

Stone benchtops can add value in Perth's renovation market because buyers consistently respond to premium kitchen finishes. The strongest return usually comes from materials that are low-maintenance and visually consistent. Silica-free engineered stone and sintered stone tend to hold their appearance better than marble in a working kitchen, which matters when a property is presented for sale.

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