Smart Material Choices The Definitive Kitchen Surface Selection Guide

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In recent years, the modern kitchen has become the focus of residential building design. Amidst the coronavirus crisis, the average Australian renovator spent 23% more on their project than people who renovated before the pandemic began.1 The figures are significant – Victorians spent an average of $71,067 on home renovations, while the average spend in New South Wales was $66,609.2 Much of this budget was spent on kitchen makeovers.

Surface selection is a major component of a successful kitchen build or renovation, requiring designers to balance practicality with style. Kitchen surfaces not only have to look good, but they must also be hardwearing, and able to withstand temperature variations, food and liquid spills, and damage from pots, pans and knives.

For a surface to be effective, the material choice must account for how the kitchen space will be used and who will be using it. Popular materials such as granite, marble, wood, laminate, solid surface and stainless steel all have different advantages, maintenance requirements and costs. Sustainability is also a growing concern as consumers seek to reduce the environmental impact of their home and lifestyle. Designers and specifiers need to look at all the factors involved to ensure the material choice meets the specific requirements of the project.

In this whitepaper, we provide a guide to the key design considerations when specifying kitchen surface materials, and compare common surface materials available on the Australian market.

“A functional kitchen requires surface materials that are suited to the needs of the installation environment and the lifestyle of the user.”

Cover image: Joinery by Valley Kitchens.

Introduction

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Site Conditions and Intended Use

A functional kitchen requires surface materials that are suited to the needs of the installation environment and the lifestyle of the user. The first step is to understand how the kitchen will be used and who will be using it.

Modern kitchens can serve a variety of purposes, each requiring a different balance between aesthetics and practicality. Some will be primarily used for cooking, while others will be used as the centerpiece of social gatherings. It is also important to consider how regularly the kitchen will be used as this may determine the level of durability required.

The type of user is also a relevant factor to consider during this phase. For example, a kitchen in a small apartment with a single occupant will likely be subject to less wear and tear than a home with a large family unit.

Cost of Purchase and Installation

The purchase cost of materials varies, even within individual categories, and add to this the cost of different installation methods. Heavy materials such as granite and marble may attract extra cost due to the difficulties in working with the material. Lighter weight materials may be easier to work with, but the trade-off may be in durability and/or aesthetics.

Durability

Most kitchen builds and renovations are intended to last for years, so you need a material that can withstand daily wear and tear. Materials with low durability are typically more expensive in the long run in terms of replacement and repairs. In kitchen design, it is important to look for

Making An Informed Decision: Key Factors

materials with properties such as resistance to chipping and scratching, heat resistance, chemical resistance, repairability and resistance to warping and cracking.

Porosity

A “pore” refers to a microscopic hole on the surface of a material. As a general rule, the more porous the surface material, the more it will allow liquids, air and even bacteria to sink into the surface. Over time this can lead to surface degradation, darkening and staining. Some natural materials, such as granite, limestone and marble, are naturally porous and must have a sealant applied to keep out moisture and air.

Hygiene

Surface materials for kitchen applications should prevent bacteria and mould growth, and generally contribute to a food-safe environment. To achieve this, you should consider the porosity of the material as well as its cleanability. Smooth, non-porous surfaces, with fewer seams and joints, are generally easier to clean and less susceptible to bacteria and mould growth.

Sustainability

Owners are becoming increasingly concerned with the sustainability of their kitchen fitouts. This means you will need to consider the overall carbon footprint of the surface material, including whether it is composed of renewable or non-renewable ingredients. The end-of-life management of the material should also be considered, meaning there are viable ways for the material to be recovered, reused or recycled at the end of its service life.

Toxicity

With health and wellbeing at the forefront of homeowners’ minds, it is important to specify materials that are safe and free of toxic chemicals. Timber is the obvious, non-toxic choice as it is all natural and can be finished with natural oils. Stainless steel also contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some laminate materials may contain formaldehyde so care must be taken to ensure the chosen product is independently verified as safe for human use.

Note the health risks related to silica exposure when using natural and engineered stone. Crystalline silica is a natural mineral found in stone products. While granite, slate and marble have relatively low silica levels, engineered stone can have 80% to 95% silica content.3 Cutting, grinding and polishing stone products releases respirable silica dust, which are small enough to breathe into human lungs. Prolonged exposure to silica can lead to silicosis as well as lung cancer and kidney disease.4

There are durable, silica-free materials that can be made to mimic the appearance of natural stone, such as acrylic solid surface.

Aesthetics

The visual aesthetic is a major consideration that drives surface material specification. Some materials such as wood, marble, granite have a timeless appeal and can be used for a wide variety of styles. Other materials offer a broad selection of colours and textures, giving designers greater flexibility to create unique, eye-catching designs.

Thickness

The thickness of the material will contribute to functionality and longevity. In general terms, the thicker the surface material, the greater its strength and stability. However, material that is too thick and heavy can be difficult to use. In that case, the extra cost of specifying thicker materials may outweigh the performance benefits.

Maintenance

A surface material’s lifespan and appearance are often dependent on good maintenance. The easier a surface is to clean, the more likely the owner will maintain it. Natural surfaces such as marble and wood offer a premium aesthetic, but owners will incur extra costs to maintain the surface. Other materials can be maintained simply by wiping the surface with a wet cloth.

Natural Stone

Natural stones remain popular materials for benchtops and other kitchen surfaces. Marble and granite are associated with luxury fitouts, and often come with a price tag to match. While expensive and heavy in weight, marble and granite result in durable surfaces that are resistant to chipping. However, both materials are porous and need to be sealed periodically to protect the surface against stains.

Soapstone and slate also fall within this category. Their subtle colouring complements most styles of kitchen decor. Soapstone is not as durable as other stone surfaces and requires oiling to provide stain resistance. Slate, on the other hand, is non-porous and requires minimal maintenance, but it is relatively soft and can easily show knife marks and scratches.

Despite being natural materials, stone surfaces are considered unsustainable. This is due to the finiteness of the materials, and the high embodied environmental costs associated with transportation, extraction and manufacturing.

Engineered Stone

Engineered stone is a man-made stone material comprised of quartz crystals held together with a resin binder. It offers an attractive, stone-like finish and is less expensive than its natural counterparts. Quartz offers greater durability than granite, which means it is less prone to chipping and has several low maintenance properties.

While its longevity contributes to its sustainability, quartz is a finite resource with significant environmental impacts associated with mining and petroleum use. The high silica content in engineered stone also poses a considerable health risk.

Ceramic Tiles

Given the modern preference for seamless kitchen surfaces, ceramic tiles have become less popular. However, they are affordable and suitable for a variety of classic and contemporary decors. Tiles are commonly used for splashbacks, secondary work surfaces, and countertops. When specifying tiles, ensure they are rated for use on floors or countertops as they can easily crack if the tile is too thin.

Laminate

Laminate is a budget-friendly surface material that consists of a plastic overlay and design layer bonded to a man-made board. Modern laminates can realistically mimic natural finishes such as weathered wood and veined marble, while being water resistant. Laminates are not as durable as stone surfaces and can be damaged by heat and scratches, though they are generally easy to clean and maintain. Some laminate products contain formaldehyde, which can pose potential health risks, but formaldehyde-free laminate options are available.

Types of Surface Materials: Pros and Cons

Wood

The specification of wood immediately adds character and warmth to any kitchen. It is also a sustainable choice if the wood is sourced from sustainably-managed forests.

However, wood is high maintenance and arguably less durable than other surface materials. It is softer than stone, is easily damaged by heat and water, and can be faded by sunlight. Temperature and humidity changes can cause wood to swell, shrink and warp. It also needs to be consistently treated with oil or wax to maintain its appearance and performance over its lifetime. These properties limit the range of applications in which wood can be specified, especially applications that will be subject to prolonged exposure to moisture.

Concrete

Concrete is growing in popularity as it lends itself to an on-trend industrial look. It resembles natural stone, and offers similar levels of durability, but a wider range of colours can be achieved by adding pigments to the concrete mix. It also has the ability to be shaped, formed and pre-cast into custom elements.

However, concrete is not without its downsides. Concrete surfaces require annual resealing at a minimum. It is heavy and the requirements of concrete fabrication and installation can easily result in a more expensive product. In addition, the production of cement – the key ingredient in concrete – causes significant greenhouse emissions.

Stainless Steel

In addition to its stylish finish, the appeal of stainless steel in a kitchen setting is that it is very easy to clean, requires virtually no maintenance and is especially suited for kitchen activities. Though generally very durable, stainless steel can quickly show scratches, water marks and limescale, and its surface can dent easily.

Steel is also not the most sustainable option due to the large energy output and toxins associated with its manufacturing process.

Solid Surface

Of the man-made surface materials, solid surface is one of the most attractive in terms of performance, aesthetics and design flexibility. Solid surface is a non-porous material made from acrylic and polyester blends. It is lightweight, dimensionally stable, durable and highly resistant to stains and scratches. It can be made to mimic the natural look of stone, but it is completely silica free. Solid surface can also be joined nearly invisibly by a trained craftsman and is generally repairable should damage occur.

Spanning a history of more than 65 years, Nover is a proud Australian owned and operated company specialising in the wholesale distribution of quality products to the kitchen, joinery and furniture manufacturing sector. With their continued dedication to excellence and an unwavering focus on innovation, Nover offers a high quality range of decorative kitchen panels, benchtops and splashbacks to meet the needs of any kitchen design project.

EVOSTONE Solid Surface

With the look and feel of real quartz stone, Evostone is a unique, innovative and versatile acrylic solid surface product that can transform any kitchen, bathroom and laundry with a range of warm, beautiful colours. Offering the beauty of natural stone while being waterproof, durable and cost-effective, Evostone slabs come pre-finished and install ready in sizes designed for optimum usage. Evostone can easily be cut or trimmed with no expensive machinery required making it suitable for all cabinetmakers. Evostone does not contain silica.

FENIX® for Interiors

An innovative material by Arpa Industriale, the external surface of FENIX® is characterised by the use of next generation acrylic resins, hardened and fixed through an Electron Beam Curing process. With low light reflectivity, FENIX® surface is extremely opaque, soft touch and anti-fingerprint. Thermal healing of superficial micro-scratches is also possible. This material is suitable for both vertical and horizontal applications.

ARPA HPL

Arpa is a decorative high pressure laminate that is both easy to work with and extremely strong: resistant to scratches, impact, abrasion, chemical substances, and heat. Along with its aesthetic quality, these characteristics make Arpa ideal for a wide range of applications.

ALIPRO

Akril AliPro is an aluminium composite panel used in installations directly behind any cooktop. Stain and fire resistant, easy to clean and easy to install, this versatile splashback surface has the ability to be curved or bent and is a seamless alternative to coloured glass splashbacks.

AKRIL

Akril splashback panels are highly engineered polymer enhanced with a variety of colour and design inspirations. These durable panels were developed as a cost effective alternative to painted glass, however the versatility, flexibility and workability has now seen Akril being used in a wide range of domestic, commercial and display solutions

For more information on the Nover product range, visit https://www.nover.com.au

Decorative Panels and Surfaces for Kitchen and Interior Design from Nover

“In kitchen design, it is important to look for materials with properties such as resistance to chipping and scratching, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and resistance to warping and cracking.”

All information provided correct as of October 2021

REFERENCES1 Foster, Sophie. “COVID-19 renovation boom: How much Aussies are spending to give their houses a facelift during the pandemic.” realestate.com.au.

https://www.realestate.com.au/news/covid19-renovation-boom-how-much-aussies-are-spending-to-give-their-houses-a-facelift-during-the-pandemic (accessed 12 October 2021).

2 Ibid.3 Victorian Government. “Stonemasons: Preventing crystalline silica exposure.” WorkSafe Victoria.

https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/stonemasons-preventing-crystalline-silica-exposure (accessed 12 October 2021).4 Ibid.