VERYSTORMY Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 We are getting ready to build our first home and as part of the package stone bench tops are included. Now, they have said they will offer a free upgrade from the essa stone things to real stone. Being a geo, obviously I am thinking I want real stone. But my wife thinks no. What do you guys think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest16631 Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 ......I'd choose granite....... .......I have hardwood ATM......but will replace the island with granite as its not a big piece..... .......but if its affordable I think it's worth getting real stone.....it's durable and functional ime.....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckleface Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 No brainer for me - real stone. Have to admit though that I don't like imitation anything. We used granite in our kitchen and I love it. I put hot things on it, cut on it etc when I'm in a hurry and nothing seems to bother it. We have been in this house for around 12 years and it looks as good today as the day we moved in. We used marble in the bathrooms and while its great as well I don't think I would be as relaxed with it in a kitchen. We are in the process of designing our next house and will use both materials again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Real stone is great. Granite is good. I'd only go for marble if you have cash and then don't mind if it stains or scratches after you've spent all that money on it If not, stick to granite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ptp113 Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 We are getting ready to build our first home and as part of the package stone bench tops are included. Now, they have said they will offer a free upgrade from the essa stone things to real stone. Being a geo, obviously I am thinking I want real stone. But my wife thinks no. What do you guys think? Whatever looks best with the Induction cooktop........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest66881 Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 We have marble effect 40mm chipboard, does the job cleans very easily looks really nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckleface Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 ......I'd choose granite..............I have hardwood ATM......but will replace the island with granite as its not a big piece..... .......but if its affordable I think it's worth getting real stone.....it's durable and functional ime.....! We had ironbark cupboards and bench tops in our last house - beautiful, but not as practical as granite. If you don't want to do your entire kitchen you might be able to get an off cut from the granite place. Some of the off cuts are fairly large. We got a lovely off cut to use for our BBQ bench thingy (not sure what its called but like an outside kitchen bench). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernbird Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 We are getting ready to build our first home and as part of the package stone bench tops are included. Now, they have said they will offer a free upgrade from the essa stone things to real stone. Being a geo, obviously I am thinking I want real stone. But my wife thinks no. What do you guys think? We chose Quantum Quartz in our kitchen which is similar to Essa stone. We have had it for 7 years now and it's great. Not a mark on it, not a scratch, blemish - nothing! I spend a lot of time cooking and have found the reconstituted stone more than adequate. I don't know anything about the hardiness of real stone in comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest16631 Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 We had ironbark cupboards and bench tops in our last house - beautiful, but not as practical as granite. If you don't want to do your entire kitchen you might be able to get an off cut from the granite place. Some of the off cuts are fairly large. We got a lovely off cut to use for our BBQ bench thingy (not sure what its called but like an outside kitchen bench). .....agree the wood is beautiful......but not practical.... ......have a stone mason looking out for a piece of granite....... ......need a certain colour and size..... ......and other things have taken priority ...! .....if you can do it VS.......go for granite......some beautiful pieces ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewe Witton Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 I do a lot of house reno's. everyone seems to be going for the engineered stone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted January 27, 2014 Author Share Posted January 27, 2014 Thanks guys. We were going for the essa stone. But, it seems a shame not to go for the real thing when it is a free upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest16631 Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 ......I suppose it depends on your preference...... ......lots of new builds use engineered stone.......and many of the effects are stunning..... ......my chef son has the cheapest tops available...... ......but he uses boards for all his kitchen work..... ........says its easier and more hygienic.....! ..........and would of used stainless if he could.... ........personal choice..... ........guess VS will have to decide based on how they use their kitchen....... .......sorry VS.......you've already decided.....! .........too slow as usual ...lol... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 We got Quantum Quartz from memory and in our absence it has apparently got a big chip out if it (son and family responsible!) Bloody annoying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forgil Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 I have a friend who went for Essa Stone. She put something extremely hot on it and now it has a permanent brown mark on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackboots Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 We went for granite . The cupboards will probably rot first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicF Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 We have marble effect 40mm chipboard, does the job cleans very easily looks really nice. Black marble effect laminate work tops for us. Much less echoey when you accidentally drop something on it. Although I have to admit I would rather like granite worktops if we could afford them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NowPerth Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 A bit off topic, but where are you planning to build VS? We chose one of the reconstituted stone tops (not Corian, but similar) and I can't remember why now. They are really practical though and easy to keep looking good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKC Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 We have been looking at benchtops for when we renovate, and I think that we will choose something like Caesarstone. We have a big kitchen, which is fitted in to a bay window, meaning that the benchtop is angled in an elongated hexagon, so I think that the engineered stones will be easier to fit. Plus, because we have a breakfast bar area, and we would like the thicker tops and a waterfall edge to the breakfast bar, so the engineered will be more affordable. Having said all that, had budget not been a factor (it is unfortunately because we need three new bathrooms and new flooring throughout, plus re-wiring) we would have chosen stone. We can afford stone benchtop and laminate flooring, or a cheaper benchtop and better flooring, but not both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Thanks guys. We were going for the essa stone. But, it seems a shame not to go for the real thing when it is a free upgrade. What is essa stone? I've not heard of that before. Ours is Formica, and we had water get into the crack and its blown. We'll probably look at granite next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakeboard1980 Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Having been involved in plenty of projects over the years I would have to say I prefer the man made stone. Very easy to have repaired as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Thanks guys. We were going for the essa stone. But, it seems a shame not to go for the real thing when it is a free upgrade. VS might be obvious, but ask for the cut outs from the sink and cooker top. Can be very useful, I have one next to the cooker top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted January 27, 2014 Author Share Posted January 27, 2014 Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted January 27, 2014 Author Share Posted January 27, 2014 A bit off topic, but where are you planning to build VS? We chose one of the reconstituted stone tops (not Corian, but similar) and I can't remember why now. They are really practical though and easy to keep looking good. Southport, Dawesville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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