Starting tomorrow, July 1st, 2024, Australia will become the world’s first jurisdiction to ban the sale of engineered stone benchtops amid fears that the cutting process could lead to silicious, dubbed “the new asbestos.”
Wood Central understands that the decision to ban the material, which is used extensively in kitchen benchtops, is likely to have a major impact on the Australian building and construction industry.
This begs the question: If not engineered stone, what are some of the cost-effective and fit-for-purpose alternatives?
Speaking to ABC Radio Sydney Breakfast in February, Michael Ferry, a kitchen manufacturer and designer, said timber, laminate, bamboo, and polished concrete are viable alternatives to engineered stone.
According to Archipro, timber and even bamboo “is a classic choice for kitchen benchtops, as it gives natural warmth and character,” but it must be coated before us and have oil reapplied.
By contrast, laminate benchtops offer significant advantages. Among kitchen benchtop materials, laminate stands out with its wide range of colours and patterns, providing homeowners with ample design options.
It is also quite resistant to staining and easy to keep clean but susceptible to scorching and scratching: “As long as the user is vigilant when cutting or using hot pots/pans, this shouldn’t be a major issue.”
Laminate benchtops are made by squeezing a layer of toughened plastic, an ornamental paper sheet, and a block of engineered wood, such as moisture-tolerant particleboard or medium-density fibreboard.
To learn more about the decision to ban the manufacture and sale of engineered stone across Australia, visit Wood Central’s special feature.
