Here is a industry expert's tips on some of the popular benchtops material :

 Reconstituted and Engineered Stone (solid surfaces) –   

This is very much the "new kid on the block", its fashionable colours, aggressive marketing and sometimes aggressive sales people have made it rise in popularity fairly quickly. It is generally a combination of stone chips and resins or plastics to hold it all together. Sometimes dyes and other materials such as glass, mirror, shell, plastics, etc are also incorporated. There are a number of different products available in this product category, but they are largely all manufactured using a similar method.  

Quartz Component – The people selling these products will tell you that they are generally 97% quartz. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided by the manufacturers of one of the more popular engineered stone products shows that the actual quartz composition can be as low as 60%. 

 Heat Resistant – Their salesmen will tell you they are heat proof, but check the warranties they offer, you will see that they are not. If you check the MSDS for the same product mentioned above, you will see that the product will actually SELF-IGNITE at 490 degrees and that fire fighters in the USA should wear fully self contained breathing apparatus in positive pressure mode due to the toxins given off by the product. The MSDS also states that thermal decomposition (from exposure to heat) may lead to the release of oxides of Carbon and Titanium.  

 Scratch and Chip Resistant – Again, the salesmen of these products will often tell you that they are scratch proof, but their warranties say otherwise. Considering the hardest individual component in these products is quartz (granite chips), the product will not generally be any harder than granite, then when you consider some of the other components such as resins, glass, shells, and stones other than quartz that are used, you can see how the products cannot be scratch-proof.  

Fade Resistance – These products are not covered under warranty if they are used outdoors. In fact they are recommended NOT for outdoor use. This is because they will fade in sunlight (which poses questions about their longevity in kitchens windows with direct sunshine ) and the resins used to hold them together will break down over time under UV light.  
Some McDonalds restaurants have installed engineered stone tops as tables in both indoor and outdoor situations. Some of those used outdoors have faded from extremely in less than a year, with clearly visible breakdown of the resin binding.   Some have also experienced warping of the products used outside (just from the heat of being outdoors) and are beginning to see fading on tables placed indoors but near windows. Scratches are clearly visible in a lot of cases as well.  

Colour Variations and Uniformity – These products can provide some colours which nature cannot, and can also provide a uniformity of colour that is appealing to interior designers and the like as they can do an entire block of units and every kitchen will be exactly the same. Some natural granites also offer high rates of colour uniformity, but for many people the colour variations and patterns only available in Natural Granite are what makes it so appealing. Horses for courses!!! 

 Fashionable – Due to the enormous amounts of money being spent on marketing and the fact that these products are the "latest thing", they are quite fashionable, as are some of the colours they offer. The problem with fashion though, is it will date, and just like stonewash jeans and hypercolour t-shirts, some of these colours will date and become unfashionable.  

Unknown Longevity – Many of the products have been on the market for less than 10 years. Given that they utilize components that are known to break down over time such as resins and "special polymers" (plastics), how long they will last before beginning to break down is unknown.   We recently saw an advertisement from one manufacturer claiming that their product would last longer than granite!!! Considering their product has not even been in manufacture for 15 years and the stone we are putting in peoples kitchens is already millions of years old, we find it amusing that they can make statements such as this!  

Expensive – These products will often be the most expensive choice for your kitchen project, prices will be under pressure as the cost of oil byproducts increases.  

Laminates

–   Generally the cheapest choice for benchtops, and usually quite serviceable when looked after correctly. Tends to be quite fashionable colour wise and therefore goes out of fashion relatively quickly. Quality can vary greatly depending on manufacturer.  

Not Scratch Resistant – Most laminates will scratch easily.
 
 Not Heat Resistant – Most laminates can burn if not cared for correctly. 
 
Not Stain resistant – Most laminates will stain if  not cared for correctly..
..  
Can Harbour Bacteria – if not cleaned thoroughly.  

Not Fade Resistant – Most laminates will fade if exposed to UV rays. This area of laminate manufacture has improved over the years.  

Colour Uniformity – Laminates can provide constant colours over your whole benchtop, which can be a benefit in some cases.  

 Colour Options – Laminate can be made in any colour, making it highly fashionable. Unfortunately this can also be a downside for the product, as within a few years of installation the colours you have chosen can be quite unfashionable.

Remeber the bright green and orange laminates of the 70's? By the mid 80's most of them had been replaced!!! 

Timber –   

Timber has been around for a very long time, and in the right kitchen can look excellent.   Non – Scratch Resistant – Obviously Timber can scratch. 

 Non Heat Resistant – Obviously affected by heat.  

Must Be Sealed – to prevent liquids soaking into and staining and expanding the timber 

 Maintenance – Must be kept laquered to prevent moisture absorbtion.  Looks Beautiful – in the right setting and when done well. 

 Wears Relatively Quickly – you must look after a timber bench carefully to maintain its beauty (unless you're looking for the "used" look.)  

Stainless Steel –  
 

 Stainless Steel is great for commercial kitchens or if you're after that commercial look for your home.  

Non- Scratch resistant – scratches easily  

Highly Heat Resistant 

 Non Bacteria Harbouring – Probably the best product available on this count.  

Stainless steel is very expensive and has a distinctive look. It is easy to clean and can take bumps and scrapes. Scratches are a given with this product and tend not to detract too much from its appearance, as they are to be expected. If you like the industrial/commercial look, this could be for you.

Cheers!

Jack
[email protected]
http://www.kitchenatquality.com.au