Stainless steel benchtops

If you're in dire need of rescuing from bland kitchen design and boring benchtops, stainless steel might just be your knight in shining armour. Those desperate for a practical, attractive option for their kitchen benchtops should read on for the lowdown.

About stainless steel: The truth

The most commonly understood property of stainless steel is that it doesn't rust, and hence it has a great deal of appeal as a material for kitchen workbenches. Stainless steel is an alloy (combination of two or more metals) of iron and chromium. The chromium not only gives it rust resistance, but also creates a shiny finish that enhances stainless steel's visual appeal.

It's important to realise that stainless steel is not simply steel coated with another metal, it is the same rust-resistant material all the way through, which means that, even if it is scored with a knife, burned with hot objects such as saucepans or damaged in any other way, it will steadfastly refuse to rust. A stainless steel bench will continue to be robust and functional for a very long time after installation.

Kitchen sinks have been made of stainless steel for many years, as the material is easy to keep clean and hygienic, an important feature of any food preparation and cleaning area. It is also resistant to chemicals, so can be cleaned with whatever you would normally use, without losing its shiny appearance.

Advantages of stainless steel kitchen bench tops

Stainless steel can be an expensive option, so what are the benefits? Most importantly, stainless steel is:

• Corrosion resistant - unaffected by acids and colorants (such as vegetable juices, food dyes, etc)
• Robust - it will retain its shine and features regardless of cuts, dents or other damage
• Hygienic - it's both easy to clean and resistant to cracking
• Able to retain its shiny appearance through the roughest handling, which gives the kitchen a light, spacious feel

So we know it's hard-wearing and looks nice, but what else does stainless steel offer? It might surprise you to learn that, as well as being beautiful silver, stainless steel is fairly green too.

Stainless steel's environmental qualifications

Stainless steel is recyclable, and unlike most metals, all of its components are retained in the recycling process. About 60% of the original material in stainless steel is converted into new products. So even at the end of its useful life with you, a stainless steel bench top, unlike materials such as laminates, can be remade into other objects, lowering its impact on our precious environment.

Pricey material: The cost of stainless steel

The downside of installing stainless steel bench tops in your lovely new kitchen is the cost. An average kitchen can cost up to $6,000 to deck out with stainless steel bench tops, as opposed to about $1,500 to $2,500 for laminates, or $2,000 to $4,500 for solid timber. However, given the fact that stainless steel is exceptionally hardwearing, you might find that it pays for itself in the long run, outlasting other materials by a considerable length of time.

Simple stainless steel: Bench top installation

Stainless steel bench tops are easy for a professional to install, and may be added to existing kitchen structures, if these are sufficiently sound. Stainless steel bench tops are available in a number of styles and edge trimmings, and sink bowls may be welded into the design.

If your kitchen of choice is durable, hygienic and has a light, clean look to it, stainless steel bench tops may be just what you're looking for when you next renovate.