Hi everyone,
We're considering installing natural stone in the kitchen instead of a Caesarstone benchtop. Does anyone have recommendations on which type offers the best value for money? Additionally, does the labor cost vary depending on the type of stone chosen?
We're planning to visit CDK Stone, but they offer a wide range of options including Marble, Granite, Quartz, Neolith, and more.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I just did my kitchen in marble (a type of Calacatta). Total cost, including honing and sealing, with splashbacks was $23k. We used 4 slabs at 2.9mx 3.3m (cost of a slab was around $3500 inc GST which formed part of this cost).
Woww OMG dude that is legit so expensive, more than cost of like 2 Reverse cycle AC's installed
any source you wanna share how to get a stone (or any kind) for a lower price ?? replace a laminate to this stone one ?? (have to install laminate at times to save cost first then think of upgrading to stone later)
Stone is charged by source, quality, demand, rarity and type.
Cheapest is probably the 20mm classic Carrara marble but it comes down to veining etc. Theyd still probably set you back $2500+ but those slabs tend to be much larger.
If you want engineered you havd to look at the new Lavistone or similar.
There's nothing wrong with laminate tops. Just make a smart choice re colour, edging and counter depth.
But look for clearance. Sometimes there's stuff that doesn't sell, has weeping in veins (so aesthetically puts some people off) or has a 'bad placed' crack. Engineered tops are being run out atm for as low as $100 a slab (just have to get in before the cut off)
How do you feel about epoxy? Some tops look absolutely stunning. I understand the risks about putting hot pots directly on them or perhaps leaving a spill on there for too long may stain it. You seem to know your stuff about stone and concrete so perhaps you've entertained this thought too and decided against it for a reason.
@BoltThrower: To be really 100% honest if I had a choice I'd always go for a stainless steel benchtop. But I don't find any supplier or any where in Adelaide that could install custom stainless steel benchtop on top of like laminates.
The cost of this should be very good honestly. Somewhere around 4K-10K $ I think
@MrThing: Really personally dont give a F about scratches or fingerprints, Care more about the benchtop being mold free and not swollen, or water logged etc (family members really flood benchtops, laminate dont stand a chance against them, technically laminates are okay but the way they flood it all and refuse to change their ways of doing stuff just leaves me having to deal with water logged sh!t or mold there etc. etc. Stainless steel is the cheapest thing that can take their abuse, and keep it mold free.)
Thanks for reply
Sadly, the reason why I hate laminate is because of the abuse that my household puts on kitchen benchtops (aka make it puddle there, or accidentally put hot stuff there). Just had a laminate put in like 2-3 yrs ago, and it's already swollen up.
Stone would def be a lot more water and heat resistant (thus a bit more dumb proo)
As for buying stone or slab myself, problem is that builders will ONLY AND ONLY INSTALL PARTS FROM THEM, AND THEY SAID THEY WONT HAVE STONE BENCHTOPS, RATHER A WORK AROUND STONE FOR IT SOON (which they also said that they are unable to tell how quickly/long they will get it). So another reason why have to stick to laminate. I think my slab size will be quite big, around 6-7 meters (3 slabs total). And it'll be an insane cost to me compared to laminate if went with builder. (No option of going without builders parts as.they Wont let any outsiders work on job site, or let me do it myself, or let me supply parts for them)
ultimately take up laminate from them, and then slowly over like 2-4 years save up to replace with a stone from outside is only choice I have I think.
@USER DC: The other thing, which i discovered on my benchtop journey in Adelaide, is there's 3 benchtop stonemason companies and, unsurprisingly, their prices are all similar.
If wear and tear is a factor, look at porcelain.
i don't think 2 reverse cycle AC's would be a very good benchtop.
LoL, I just said that as a cost comparison. If you want another example like a price of brand new car, or about the price of a typical 1 bathroom renovation
User is from Adelaide, so gotta factor in some mark up.
Better choose natural stone or other options mentioned in the news below:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-14/engineered-stone-ban-…
yea honestly speaking, its a lot more difficult to actually find a engineered stone source now too (like not at bunnings and a lot lot of builders have it banned now too), so effectively us consumers have no cheaper stone choice anymore.
I believe Caesarstone have a low silica product now, but unsure of the pricing/availability.
We went with Caesarstone during our kitchen/laundry renno during covid. Our choice was based on what matched our palette for doors, splashbacks and tiles. We chose a gloss finish and are very pleased with the results and how it has stood up to use in our case.
A family member went for the matt finish Caesarstone in a new build. It didn't take long for a careless guest to stain the light coloured top with tea, that wasn't cleaned up. This has since been removed, but the gloss seems less susceptible to marking.
ceasarstone have a porcelain and a mineral product now
smartstone has the sintered collection which is porcelain
cosentino has silestone (mineral like product) or dekton (porcelain like product)
I mean the general unwashed wont be able to tell the difference between your fancy expensive marble or granite vs a porcelain or mineral product
Just enjoy the maintenance of natural stone vs maintenance free engineered stone
Ceasarstone have a non-silica alternative available already. The other big firms will have their version either available or in the pipeline.
BettaStone has had a non-silica engineered benchtop available for the past 5 years.
Thanks so much, will look into replacing them like in 3-5 years hopefully.
Builder OFC wont take my own sourced products, (and I'd have to pay em for for laminate)
Have you considered Smartstone Sintered Collection?
We recently built our house and we made the decision to go with Quartzite which is a natural stone (not to be confused with Quartz). We purchased ours through SNB Stone. They have a massive collection of natural stones (marbles, granites, quartzites, dolomites). We were very happy with their service.
Natural stone costs a lot more than engineered stone for a multiple reasons. The cost of slabs differ based on stone type, rarity, colour patterns, where it is sourced from, etc.
Additionally, stone masons also need to use wet diamond blades for harder stones which are expensive.
Quartzite costed us around $30K including sourcing, cutting, installing and sealing. We are very happy with Quartzite as we always wanted to go with a natural stone.
Also remember that most natural stones come in 20mm thick slabs, very occasionally 30mm. Engineered stone on the other hand can be made to any desired thickness.
Just use wood.
Yeah, honestly, what's the obsession with stone benchtops? I get it if you have unlimited cash or whatever, but I couldn't think of a more obnoxious waste of money… many other suitable options that look fine if you're not a massive snob.
The comparison between the two isnt about value for money. It's about preferences, aesthetic and potentially resale value.
I just did my kitchen in marble (a type of Calacatta). Total cost, including honing and sealing, with splashbacks was $23k. We used 4 slabs at 2.9mx 3.3m (cost of a slab was around $3500 inc GST which formed part of this cost).
Engineered stone was quoted at $10k excluding splashbacks.
The feedback Ive had so far on the marble has been extremely positive. Yes, there are maintenance differences but you accept that as part of the decision.
Granite, concrete etc areall about the same slab price (especially Fibonacci and Santa margherita).
As for suppliers, CDK are rubbish and terrible to deal with. In Adelaide I opted for Complete Marble at Wingfield who had zero issues with me turning up 4 times to gawk and feel up stone to finally make a choice. CDK took ages to get a timed appointment and they spent that time trying to tell me what I wanted. Very arrogant bunch.
Labour - yes, all natural and concrete products will require more work. About 10 days fir ours with old school templates then CNC cutting. Depends on the stone too as some marble is soft. Concrete should theoretically be easier. They go slow because $3-4k a slab is a huge cost to stuff up. Engineered they will smash out because if they stuff it, it's easy to replace (so the stonemason told me)