6 Kitchen Benchtop Options For your Kitchen
If you’re looking to sell your home, upgrading your kitchen benchtop is by far the most cost-effective way to increase its value and appeal. Likewise, if you’re looking to give your kitchen a facelift without undergoing a full renovation, upgrading your benchtop is the best answer. In one easy and effortless step, you can change the entire style of your kitchen.
According to interior designer Tara Smith, spending $5000 on a new splashback and stone benchtop in the kitchen could feasibly add $10,000 to $20,000 to the value of the house. So, upgrading your kitchen benchtop is definitely worth every cent of the investment.
I’ve met a lot of customers looking for kitchen benchtops in Perth over the years. If you are in need of upgrading your benchtop, you’ve certainly landed at the right place. Continue reading this article as I lay out six of the most popular options you can consider when shopping for kitchen benchtops.
1. Laminate Benchtops
In my experience, laminate benchtops are an incredibly popular option. In fact, of the many Australians who replaced their kitchen benchtops in 2023, 17% opted for laminate as their choice of material (Source: Houzz.com.au 2023 Kitchen Survey). Laminate is incredibly affordable, easy to maintain, and long-lasting. Laminate benchtops are available in a range of shapes, colour options, and patterns, and they can complement just about any kitchen. Expect to pay $120 to $330 per square metre for a laminate benchtop.
Read our Guide to Kitchen Laminate Benchtops for more information.
2. Wood Benchtops
Timber or wood has been widely used for kitchen benchtops for quite some time now. Wooden benchtops are lightweight, easy to shape and offer a distinctively warm feel. While they are prone to scratching, they can also be re-sanded and resealed to their original condition. If you’re looking for wooden benchtops, you can expect to pay in the range of $550 up to $1,600 per square metre. According to the Houzz.com.au Kitchen Survey, among Australians who replaced kitchen benchtops in 2023, 9% chose wooden benchtops.
3. Metal / Stainless Steel Benchtops
Stainless steel/metal benchtops are a fading trend, but do offer a modern, industrial feel to a kitchen. Highly versatile and durable, stainless steel offers an incredibly polished look, which transforms any kitchen. These benchtops require the same amount of maintenance as other types. Steel benchtops are available in an array of finish options and they perfectly complement other types of décor in a kitchen. If you want stainless steel kitchen benchtops, you can expect prices to hover around $900 per square metre.
4. Natural Stone Benchtops (Granite and Marble)
Granite and marble benchtops have been popular for a long time, especially here in Perth. However, they are also among the most expensive materials used for kitchen benchtops. They are porous and require a good amount of maintenance as well. If you choose granite or marble for your kitchen benchtop, you can expect to pay anywhere between $700 and $2,200 per square metre. Nevertheless, both granite and marble are extremely elegant and offer longevity. In 2023, 14% of Australians replacing their benchtops opted for granite.
5. Polished Concrete Benchtops
Polished concrete gained some popularity around 2015 but today is less common. As a benchtop material, polished concrete is flexible in design. Incredibly solid and available in a range of colours, textures, inlays, and shapes, this benchtop material can add a unique touch to any kitchen. However, it is quite expensive — expect to pay around $1,000 to $1,750 per square metre.
6. Low-Silica and Silica-Free Engineered Benchtops
Low-silica and silica-free engineered benchtops are now the compliant replacement for traditional engineered stone benchtops in Australia. They offer the same clean, modern appeal homeowners loved about engineered stone, with designs that can achieve a natural stone, terrazzo, or polished concrete look at a more affordable price than many natural stone options. These new-generation engineered surfaces are available in a wide range of colours, patterns, and finishes, making them a practical choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries. They are also easier to maintain than many natural stone benchtops because they are less porous, more consistent in appearance, and do not usually require ongoing sealing. Pricing will vary depending on the brand, slab, thickness, finish, and installation requirements, so it is best to compare current low-silica and silica-free benchtop options directly before choosing a surface.
Read our Stone Benchtops Buying Guide for more information.
While our online range of benchtops is limited — laminate benchtops can be browsed on our website, but stone benchtops require a special order due to their custom sizing and fabrication requirements — we can source the right benchtop for any kitchen. To secure a great deal on kitchen benchtops in Perth, please place a special order with us. Simply drop by our showroom and talk to our team at Ross’s, and we can place a special order to meet your requirements. Alternatively, you can call us and let us know what you’re looking for.
Kitchen Benchtop Comparison
If you’re choosing a kitchen benchtop, here’s a quick guide: Laminate is affordable with lots of styles, but can chip and isn’t heat-friendly. Low-silica and silica-free engineered benchtops are durable, stylish, and low maintenance, though they can be pricier and still need protection from hot pots and pans. Timber offers warmth and can be refinished but needs regular sealing. Stainless Steel is easy to clean and heat-resistant but may scratch. Concrete is unique and tough but heavy and can crack. Marble is luxurious but expensive and stains easily. Each has its pros and cons, so pick what fits your style, budget, and upkeep preferences.
| Benchtop Material | Pros | Cons | Price/m2 | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate | Affordable, versatile, stain-resistant. | Prone to chips, not heat-resistant. | $120 – $500 | Low |
| Low-Silica/Silica-Free Engineered Benchtops | Durable, low maintenance, wide colour selection. | Costly, limited heat resistance. | $400 – $1,200 | Low |
| Timber | Natural, warm look, can be refinished. | Needs regular sealing, sensitive to water. | $300 – $1,000 | High |
| Stainless Steel | Heat-resistant, hygienic, easy to clean. | Prone to scratches, can feel cold. | $900 – $1,500 | Low |
| Concrete | Durable, unique, heat and scratch-resistant. | Heavy, may crack, high cost. | $1,000 – $1,800 | Medium-High |
| Marble | Luxurious look, heat-resistant. | Expensive, scratches and stains easily. | $800 – $2,500 | High |
If you’re tossing up between stone and laminate, don’t miss our in-depth comparison of Stone benchtops Vs laminate benchtops.
Conclusion
Replacing your benchtop is one of the best investments you can make in a kitchen. There are plenty of options to weigh up, each with its own price point, maintenance demands, and design strengths. Low-silica and silica-free engineered surfaces have taken over from traditional engineered stone as the most popular choice for Perth homeowners wanting a durable, low-maintenance stone look. Laminate follows as the most accessible budget option, while granite, marble, timber, stainless steel, and concrete each serve specific styles and needs. Price ranges vary significantly — from around $120 per square metre for laminate through to $2,200 or more for premium natural stone — so it is worth considering your practical requirements carefully before committing.
If you want a great deal on a kitchen benchtop in Perth, get in touch with us at Ross’s Discount Home Centre with your measurements and we’ll happily give you a quote.
