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In today’s kitchens and bathrooms, engineered stone benchtops have become a top choice for many Perth homeowners. They offer the luxurious look of natural stone while delivering enhanced durability and ease of maintenance. At Schmick Stone & Cabinets, we specialize in crafting and installing high-quality engineered stone benchtops that elevate your space with style and practicality. If you love the idea of a stone benchtop but worry about upkeep, engineered stone might be the perfect solution.
Engineered stone (also known as composite stone) is a man-made material designed specifically for use as surfaces like benchtops. It’s typically composed of about 90–95% crushed natural quartz (one of the hardest minerals on earth) mixed with resins and pigments. The result is a slab that looks and feels very much like natural stone but comes with added benefits: it’s non-porous, consistently colored, and exceptionally resilient. There are many popular brands of engineered stone on the market, such as Caesarstone, Silestone, Essastone, Smartstone, and others. Each offers a wide range of colors and patterns, but fundamentally they all share the same core advantages that make engineered stone so appealing.
Engineered stone has earned its reputation in Perth and around the world due to a host of advantages:
Unlike natural granite or marble, engineered stone is non-porous. Spills from coffee, wine, oil, or acidic foods won’t seep in and cause stains if cleaned up promptly. This also means you never have to seal an engineered stone surface – it’s naturally protected.
Engineered stone is extremely hard and dense. It resists scratches, chips, and cracks from everyday use. You can chop and prep food on it (though we still recommend using a cutting board to protect your knives and the countertop). It’s also tough enough to withstand heavy pots and pans being placed on it without cracking (just be cautious with extreme heat).
These benchtops handle the heat of normal cooking well – placing a warm pot or tray on them briefly won’t typically cause damage. However, as a precaution, it’s wise to use trivets for very hot cookware or things straight out of the oven, since the resin in engineered stone can be sensitive to extremely high temperatures. In general, they offer better heat resistance than many other countertop materials (like laminates), but slightly less than natural stones such as granite.
One of the biggest draws of engineered stone is the variety of looks available. Because it’s manufactured, it can be made in almost any color or pattern. Whether you want a pure snow white benchtop, a jet black surface, a design that mimics classic marble benchtops with realistic veining, or a sparkle-infused modern style, you’ll find an option in engineered stone. The uniformity of the product also means the sample you see in a showroom will closely match what gets installed in your home.
Engineered stone slabs are created with consistency in mind. Unlike natural stone which can have wide variations from slab to slab, engineered stone of the same model will look very similar. This makes it easier to match multiple slabs for a large kitchen. It also means if you have a long bench that requires a join, the pattern can continue with less noticeable variation.
Because there are no pores in the material, engineered stone doesn’t harbor bacteria or mold. This makes it an excellent choice for kitchens (including commercial food prep areas) and bathrooms where cleanliness is paramount. A simple wipe with a mild detergent is all that’s needed to keep the surface sanitary.
With no need for periodic sealing and its general resistance to staining, your upkeep is minimal. Routine cleaning with soapy water or a gentle spray cleaner is sufficient to keep your benchtop looking as good as new. There’s no special polishing required – engineered stone keeps its shine year after year with very little effort from you.
Homeowners love the design flexibility that engineered stone provides. Want the luxurious look of Calacatta marble without the worry of etching and staining? There are engineered stone designs that impeccably mimic marble’s gray veining on a white background – giving you the style you crave with none of the fuss. Prefer something bold and contemporary? You’ll find solid colors, playful patterns, and even matte concrete-like finishes in some ranges. Engineered stone can complement any kitchen or bathroom aesthetic, from ultra-modern to classic. Many Perth homeowners choose engineered stone for its neutral palettes (like whites, creams, and greys) which create a light, open feel in a kitchen. Others love the dramatic options, such as deep charcoals or shimmering blacks, to make a statement on a kitchen island. No matter your style, there’s likely an engineered stone option that matches it.
How does engineered stone stack up against natural stone benchtops like granite or marble? In terms of durability and maintenance, engineered stone often comes out on top for the average busy household – it doesn’t require sealing, it’s more forgiving if you accidentally spill something like red wine, and it’s less likely to chip if you knock a heavy object against it. Natural stones, on the other hand, have the unique, one-of-a-kind patterns that some homeowners adore, and materials like granite can take hot pots a bit better without potential damage. Cost-wise, engineered stone tends to be mid-range: often more affordable than high-end marble, and sometimes comparable to or slightly less than quality granite (depending on the color and brand). For many, engineered stone offers the best balance of beauty, strength, and value – it captures the essence of stone luxury while minimizing the drawbacks associated with natural materials.
Choosing a great material is only part of the equation – professional installation is key to getting the most out of your engineered stone benchtop. At Schmick Stone & Cabinets, our experienced installers know all the tricks to make your countertop look impeccable. We plan the layout to minimize visible joins, and we use color-matched epoxy resins at any seams so they blend in seamlessly. Our team ensures your cabinets are properly prepared to support the weight of the stone (engineered slabs are very heavy, similar to natural granite). We also carefully cut out spaces for sinks and stovetops using diamond tools, avoiding any cracks or stress points in the slab. When you work with Schmick, you can trust that your new benchtop will be measured, cut, and installed with precision and care.
Schmick Stone & Cabinets works with leading engineered stone brands because we believe in delivering quality. We can source and install popular ranges like Caesarstone’s latest collections, the stylish designs from Silestone, or Australian-made options like Essastone. Each brand we carry has been tried and tested for durability and comes with a manufacturer’s warranty (often 10+ years for peace of mind). Our team will help you navigate the choices, showing you samples and explaining the differences – for example, one brand might offer a particular color or textured finish that stands out to you. We stay up-to-date with new releases, so if there’s a trendy engineered stone pattern on the market, we likely have access to it. When we install your benchtop, we follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to the letter, ensuring you retain full warranty coverage.
Ready to enjoy the benefits of an engineered stone benchtop in your Perth home? Contact Schmick Stone & Cabinets for a free consultation and quote. We’ll discuss your needs, help you choose the perfect engineered stone design, and take care of everything from start to finish. Visit our Armadale workshop or give us a call to get started. With Schmick’s expert guidance and installation, you’ll soon be enjoying a gorgeous, worry-free benchtop that truly stands the test of time. Remember: “Want perfection? Ask for Schmick.” We’ll make sure your new engineered stone surface lives up to that promise.