Hi all our terrazzo bench has been installed and in use for over 12 months. This bench was poured in Italy and then finished by a stonemason off-site type. When 1st installed I spilt some lemon juice which created a mark so we are careful not to use acidic items on the bench. I am not sure if this happened before or after we sealed it but I think it’s important to seal any natural stone product and we used the sellers recommended product called “slow drying sure seal” but I won’t vouch for its effectiveness as I can’t compare it to anything. Over all we love the look but I think you need to be a little more careful around natural products than engineered ones so it may depend on your lifestyle

Laminex or Egger laminate both look great. Huge benefits in the range of colours and textures available. This alternative can be cheaper and not as hard as stone alternatives. Good luck with your building!

Gloss finished laminate benchtops do wear and scratch faster than matt benchtops. Most manufacturers do not recommend that you use gloss laminate for horizontal surfaces for this reason. Laminex Industries have a range called "Diamond Gloss" which has a limited range of colours and patterns that they claim are suitable for horizontal surfaces. http://www.laminex.com.au/uploads/brochures/Laminex%20Diamond%20Gloss%20Brochure.pdf They look good in the photos, but they still feel like a laminate to the touch, and they don't fool anybody due to the dark edging. If your budget limits you to a laminate benchtop it is better to go with a solid colour in a matt, otherwise the imitation stone just looks fake and cheap. Best of luck Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Hello. i would like to get feedback from someone who had used essastone ash concrete for their kitchen benchtop.. pros And cons?