Engineered Stone Out: The Rise of Non-Silica Benchtop Innovations
The official engineered stone ban coming into play in Australia on the 1st of July 2024 has been a major shake-up for the Interior Design and building industries. Like every major change, this has spurred some incredible creativity, leading to some exciting (and safe) new products and options. In case you need a re-cap on the ban, this is what it is all about…
Crystalline silica, the main component of sand and many rocks, is also used in engineered stone to give it strength and durability. While harmless in solid form, the process of cutting engineered stone creates airborne dust containing crystalline silica particles. Inhaling these has been found to cause silicosis which is incurable and deadly. Devastatingly this has affected tradesman and their families around the world. In the interest of workplace safety Australia is now banning this product to keep our trades safe.
For those wondering what it means for the engineered stone in your home, fear not, once installed it is safe as the silica is no longer airborne. This ban has led to a huge shift in the industry, with suppliers discontinuing older stone varieties high in silica and developing new, safer formulations to match the look of existing products. Many suppliers have worked hard to recreate and match existing product colourways with the silica free technology. Where suppliers have not been able to replicate pre-existing colours they may have discontinued the design, so best check to ensure you are viewing their current range if you’ve been considering any products lately.
Here’s a quick summary of what’s currently on offer for your new build or renovation project:
For Natural Elegance, we love:
CDK Stone: Calacatta Viola Marble Sink
Granite: Naturally a high-end choice, it is a timeless beauty and in terms of durability and strength it is hard to compete with granite. Sometimes more cost effective than marble, Granite is worth a look for a luxury option.
Marble: Luxurious and captivating, yet can be quite demanding in terms of upkeep. We’ll always love the way marble elevates any space with its intricate, and natural veined elegance. However, for the time poor, it’s worth noting that its porous nature can mean it’s prone to ‘etching’ and staining, and the time and regular effort it requires to maintain its pristine look is sometimes not practical.
Quartzite: Watch this space for this rising star, quartzite offers exceptional strength and a natural beauty that some may say will give granite a run for its money. Due to the density of the product, it will cost a little more but its resistance to etching makes it an excellent option.
Engineered Alternatives, we love:
Porcelain: Offering versatility and a wide range of price points, porcelain as an alternative to engineered stone is taking Australia by storm, with an estimated 60% increase in sales since the announcement of the engineered stone ban. Its ability to mimic natural stone, replicate wood or glass, porcelain can be used across a wide range of design styles. We love the versatility of porcelain and the way the renewed focus on this product has brought with it product advances in relation to the durability of the product. We particularly love porcelain as a splash back solution, enabling continuity of design from benchtop to vertical surface. Its extreme heat tolerance is perfect for use behind cook tops and stoves, while its large slab size means most installations will require no joins.
Tip : Check with your stone mason whether they’re currently working with porcelain as many haven’t in the past.
New products we’re loving:
The Caesarstone porcelain range. With an incredible range of colours and finishes: honed, silk, raw. Plus, it's non-porous, so it's hygienic and low-maintenance. Caesarstone porcelain is also UV resistant, so you can use it for outdoor kitchen or splashback areas.
Caesarstone Porcelain colour: Archetta
Mineral Surfaces: Although they mimic the look of natural stone, mineral surfaces contain no silica. Mineral surfaces are created by combining crushed minerals, resins, and other binders. This manufacturing process allows for consistent colours & patterns. Caesarstone has also replaced its well known engineered stone range with a mineral surfaces range.
New Mineral Surface Products we’re loving: The new MinQ Zero range by Talostone. This new range comes with a 15 year warranty and has many of the original Talostone colour ways we love with zero crystalline silica components used! Here’s a sneak peak of a new and exciting option in this range the ‘Taj Mahal’. Look out for it in our future projects!
Solid Surface: You may have heard of the brand name Corian as it a leader in solid, synthetic surface materials. We love this product as it is a non-porous acrylic that can seamlessly mimic natural materials. Corian type finishes can be used on benchtops, splashbacks, integrated sinks and basins, drawers and doors and even statement wall finishes. The non-porous surface is hygienic, hard-wearing, low maintenance and visually beautiful.
Corian colour: Witch Hazel
Laminex: Is definitely worth a consideration as it offers a contemporary and budget-friendly alternative to traditional stone benchtops. They've come a long way since the laminates of your childhood, boasting beautiful designs that are perfect for real-life use. Laminex creates hardworking surfaces that are perfect for benchtops, cabinetry, splashbacks, wall panels and even doors. Plus, they offer a variety of specialty surfaces to suit your needs, from anti-microbial options for kitchens to fire-retardant surfaces for added safety. The colour options available in Laminex are endless, so you’re sure to find that ‘exact’ colour match!
Laminex: Cabinetry in Paper Bark AbsoluteMatte, Cabinetry (upper) in Calm Oak, Benchtop/Island Bench in White Linen, Benchtop (back) and splash back in Premio Carrara TrueScale
Specialty Options:
Concrete: Offering a unique opportunity for customisation with tinting and aggregates, concrete countertops add a touch of industrial chic. Pre-cast options are available, although some applications may require on-site pouring which can be expensive. We love concrete as a striking and hardwearing design element.
Image via marplusask.com
Tiles: A new trend gaining traction, tiled countertops offer visual continuity throughout a space. While aesthetically pleasing, the grout requires careful consideration as it can stain and dis-colour over time.
As always, Heliconia is here to help you navigate this new world of options and find the product that best suits your needs and budget.