Outdoor Room
Jason from EdithvaleI would like to enclose my pergola to get more use out of the area but I would like to make it cost effective and avoid the messy planning approval process. Am I wanting too ... continue reading
Heating Alternatives
Brad from Mt ElizaOur home is quite cold and damp so we are looking at heating options. We know a little bit about Gas fires and we have heard about pellet fires, can you tell us more and do you have companies that ... continue reading
Solar Power
Renae from BitternWe are building a new home and want it to be as environmentally friendly as possible. We are looking at having Solar Power, can you help ... continue reading
Ducted Vacuums
Ben from MentoneHi, we are building a new house and would like to have ducted Vacuuming put in, we are not sure where to start with it or who can install it for us. Can you give me a contact and some basic info on ... continue reading
SureStone’s at the Herald Sun Home & Garden Show
posted 2 weeks, 1 day, 8 hours, 48 minutes agoDon't miss the Herald Sun Home & Garden Show and see SureStone at stand K19. SureStone is a stone flooring carpet composed of natural stone encased in a high quality resin to create a seamless, ... continue reading
Master Builders Green Living Conference
posted 3 weeks, 4 days, 7 hours, 18 minutes agoThe Master Builders Annual Green Living workshop has been given a boost and has become a two day conference. High profile speakers will inspire and challenge your ... continue reading
Metricon Homes Joins Home Innovations
posted 4 weeks, 2 days, 6 hours, 38 minutes agoVictoria’s leading home builder is increasing their presence in the Mornington Peninsula with the opening of the ‘Metricon Homes Display’ at the Home Innovations Display Centre on Nepean ... continue reading
You’re Invited to Zesta’s Showroom
posted 2 months, 1 week, 2 days, 10 hours, 2 minutes agoCome and visit Zesta in Cheltenham and see the largest dedicated Kitchen & Appliance Showroom in Melbourne's South ... continue reading
Introduction to Interior Design | Part 1
Tuesday 10:00 am, 7th September 2010This is an introduction course to help develop your own personal style so you can move forward with ... continue reading
Window Treatment Options | Workshop
Saturday 10:00 am, 11th September 2010Be informed on the range of window treatment options available and make informed decisions to get the best possible option for you. ... continue reading
Kitchens & Bathrooms | Workshop
Saturday 10:00 am, 25th September 2010How to most effectively plan your kitchen or bathroom renovation ... continue reading
Colour Confidence | Workshop
Saturday 10:00 am, 9th October 2010This workshop will guide you through colour choices and textures and help you compliment exsisting permanent features and ... continue reading
Choosing a Benchtop Material
Choosing a suitable bench top for your kitchen, bathroom etc can be a hard task. Here is a brief overview on many of the most popular materials with Pro's & Con's to make your selection process a bit easier.

LAMINATES
Today's Laminates are stylish, durable and come in a huge range of colours, patterns, styles and finishes. With a number of companies making a variety of Lamiante products, there is something to suit everybody's taste and specifications.
Pros
| Affordable alternative | Endless design possibilities | Can be custom designed | Huge variety of products and finishes including granite & marble look | Durable i.e: stain resistant |
Cons
| Not as prestigeous looking as natural or man made stone options |
GRANITE
Granite has been a favourite for decades. It cannot be matched in quality, finish or colour. Because it's a natural product, Granite has individual character, colour and pattern variation. It is un-disputably a classic, stylish material, which has made it such a long lasting favourite amoung people doing kitchen & bathroom installations.
Pros
| Long lasting | Easily wiped clean | Natural | Prestigeous looking |
Cons
| Heavy | Expensive | Needs to be sealed often | Harsh on crockery, dinnerware (if you drop it, you break it!) | Limited range of colours |
MARBLE
Marble is another popular product when considering a benchtop material. Its soft character makes it an elegant choice.
Pros
| Looks fantastic | Natural | Colour & pattern variation |
Cons
| Heavy | Soft, will mark & scratch | Needs to be sealed often | Very porous material, will hold moisture (not a good choice for kitchen counters) |
MAN MADE COMPOSITES
Today you can get the look of Granite and other natural stones with a man made composite, such as 'Caesar Stone'. These products are made up of a combination of stone, adhesive, glass, etc to form a durable, great looking stone like surface. The range available is broad, with some types featuring mirror chips, shell, mother of pearl particles and different coloured glass fragments.
Pros
| Durable | Great colour range | Non-porous | Contemporary looking | Sealed- never needs to be sealed again |
Cons
| Not the real thing | Limited styles |
TIMBER
Timber benchtops have remained a very popular choice. They can co-ordinate with any other surface materials depending on the colour and timber type. They have a warm and inviting look, suitable for many different styles of architecture.
Pros
| Looks great | Can be sanded & re-sealed | Natural |
Cons
| Soft, will mark & scratch | Needs to be sealed & looked after to maintain its condition |
CORIAN
Corian is a man made material that is becoming vastly popular. It has a finish that is crossed between plastic and stone. One of its great features is you don't need to use a chopping board on this surface because it is non-porous and will not mark. There are quite a broad range of colours and styles with some patterns and stone look styles. Many different profiled edges are also available.
Pros
| Renewable surface | Seamless design | Intergratable sink | Won't scratch or stain easily |
Cons
| Not to everyones taste | Limited colours |
HIDC Exhibitor(s) who specialise in this area;
