Actually most engineered stone benchtops are not heat resistant. You can crack a Ceaserstone benchtop by putting a hot saucepan directly on it. They are never installed with any expansion joint so will crack if abused with strong heat applied to a spot. Some benchtops like Dekton have better heat resistance, but are more expensive. Don't judge a benchtop just by the look - I think many of the acrylic benchtops feel like plastic or laminate when you touch them, which I personally don't like. I prefer a benchtop to feel colder, like a stone, which you do get with a reconstituted stone, but that is only a personal preference.

You should also factor in edging as some types of edging can't be cost-effectively achieved on some types of benchtop.

No matter wht you choose you should respect your benchtop and its limitations and you should get a long life out of it.

Best of luck

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls

Corian here in our kitchen for thirteen years. I’ve really found it excellent. It’s not cold , that’s true, but it is also quiet and harder to break things on. It comes in very many colours. It feels very solid (because it is), not plasticky like laminate. It NEVER stains. It’s very hard to scratch. I use a trivet for really hot things, not mildly hot. Heat marks etc can be professionally rubbed out if needed, I haven’t needed it yet. I use cutting boards for sharp tools but it’s not precious. It doesn’t try to be stone, can be formed in to infinitely large joint free runs and even edgy, free form shapes. It is a sealed surface so, like stainless steel, can be made/used in areas where a ‘germ free’ surface is ideal. It really has a role in choices but seems to be used less in domestic settings. It does have plastic involved in manufacture but can be recycled in some way. It doesn’t need to be cut out of a mountain. The more modern versions of these are even better and not the knee jerk benchtops we see everywhere. It’s not for everyone but it’s definitely worth considering. A very viable alternative worth exploring. Best of luck.

Thank you very much for your comment brizcs - you have answered many concerns I have been having about acrylic.

PS. I thought of you this afternoon. Was gazing at a new sort of bird outside the kitchen window, while I was holding a full strength broad tipped black Sharpie pen. In my delight, I proceeded to unconsciously put five large squiggles on the bench top. Sharp intake of breath. Exactly five seconds gentle rub with the stainless steel cleaner powder and the marks were gone. Got to love it!