We have installed numerous stone and engineered stone benchtops, bathroom vanities and fire surrounds in many different situations. We’ve learned that a little bit of preparation in the early planning stages avoids costly mistakes at the build and installation stages.
This page contains a collection of questions we regularly get asked from clients, and some care and maintenance advice for your benchtops. With a little bit of love your benchtop will stay in top condition for years to come.
If you have questions about you project please contact us. We regularly work with architects and designers, and our background in the building trade means we are aware of many of the build considerations.
Planning for Your Benchtop Installation
Why should I get you in at the planning stage? I already have a joiner / architect?
From our experience the earlier we are engaged in a project, the better the outcome is. Although other tradesmen can offer advice on benchtops we are both qualified builders and specialists in stone and engineered stone. There are many considerations that other tradesmen may not realise such as design, access and weight restrictions. Early consultancy avoids issues such as having to put in unexpected joins and ensures you get the outcome you envisaged, or better. We have been in positions before where we have had to order cranes to lift benchtops into position, add extra supports to walls to hold weight and work around other design limitations. All of these situations can be avoided with a bit of planning and design.
How can I avoid joins in my benchtop?
Sometimes joins are inevitable but often they can be designed around if we are engaged early enough. Avoiding joins may be as simple as decreasing the size of a kitchen island by a few centimetres, or paying slightly more to enable a benchtop to be cut from one piece of stone, rather than taking shortcuts. Early design can often mean this otherwise wasted ‘offcut’ can be used in another part of the design such as adding a splashback or surround. If we are involved in your entire project, and a join is unavoidable we’ll advise you early on, and ensure you hardly notice it.
Which type of stone benchtop or vanity is best for XYZ?
There are many types of stone available for different circumstances. This can range from the stable range of granite, marble, quartz’s and the ever popular engineered stone. Different types of basalt and limestones are popular choices for fireplace surrounds. It should be noted that despite stone being a very hard wearing surface, it is not indestructable. Although uncommon, it is possible to shatter stone if a very hot pan is placed on very cold stone surface, scratch a bathroom vanity with a diamond ring, or stain a surface with alkaline or acid based products such as nail polish remover. Many small marks can be repaired, depending on the surface. We can advise on the pros and cons of each depending on the location and use.
Considerations for your Benchtop
What are the different ways of putting a sink cutout within my benchtop?
There are three main ways to place a sink into a benchtop : flush, top or undermount. All of these provide a slightly different finish.
Are stone worktops hygenic?
By default, all stone worktops will have a hygienic seal on them ensuring they are a very safe surface for food preparation, and easy to clean.
Benchtop Care and Maintenance
How do I look after my stone benchtop?
Stone benchtops are very hard wearing surfaces however you should treat them with care to ensure it remains in top condition for years to come. The best way to maintain your benchtop is to clean it with warm soapy water and dry with a microfibre cloth. You should avoid any prolonged spillage such as red wine as the tannins can stain under extreme circumstances. Stone is a natural surface, and despite being sealed they can soak up liquids over time. Rings and other jewellery can scratch surfaces, and extreme heat temperature differences has been known to crack cold stone. Note that the circumstances above are quite abnormal and sensible care of the surface will avoid any of these issues.
Can chips be repaired?
In most circumstances chips can repaired to stone surfaces using coloured pigments and resins to match your surface. We may also polish the damaged area. It is best that we view the damage to pick the best repair procedure.
Stone Bathroom Vanity Considerations
Is a stone bathroom vanity too heavy for my wall?
Stone can weigh between 60 and 90kg per square metre. Occasionally we may have to add additional support to walls. If we are involved in planning with architects or designers we can address this early in the process.
Stone Fire Surrounds Considerations
What are the different types of stone fire surrounds?
There are many different types of stone that can be used for fire surrounds. Different limestones and basalts are popular choices. Fireplaces must be designed to allow for required safety clearances depending on the type of fire you will be using.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you have, either via the contact form on this website, or the number below.
