Benchtops In Your Home
In light of the recent Government ban on the use of engineered stone in the building industry, we thought we would talk about alternative materials for benchtops.
The Ministers agreed to prohibit the use of engineered stone, the majority of which comes into effect as of 1st July 2024:
Ministers accepted the findings and recommendation of Safe Work Australia’s Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Prohibition on the use of engineered stone and agreed to prohibit the use of engineered stone under the model WHS laws.
Ministers unanimously agreed to prohibit the use, supply, and manufacture of all engineered stone, with the majority of jurisdictions committing to the prohibition from 1 July 2024.
HIA (Housing Industry Association) has advised that any contracts signed after 13th December that will not have installation of stone prior to the 1st July 2024 should not specify engineered stone. Due to the ban likely being in place by this date, it would then be illegal to use and install.
Choosing Alternative Benchtops
There are several alternative benchtop products, including traditional options such as concrete, stainless steel, porcelain, natural stone, timber, laminate and solid surfaces, and a wide variety of other newer and innovative products are also coming into the market. Ceasarstone has also confirmed that they are working on a new silica-free product that will release more information in the new year.
We recently built a new display home in Leopold and have used Meganite Acrylic Solid Surfaces for benchtops throughout the home. We wanted to source as many sustainable products as possible in the display home and opted not to use the engineered stone due to the silica content and related health issues. The Meganite Acrylic Solid Surface is distributed through Forest One, an Australian-owned company with a strong focus on providing ethically sourced building products.
Finding the Right Benchtop with Live Green Homes
The team at Live Green Homes is committed to sourcing sustainable products and specifying responsibly. We are continually looking for ways to improve our building techniques and the industry in building healthier and more sustainable homes for the future.
As custom builders in Geelong, the Surf Coast, and the Bellarine Peninsula, we love working with you to discuss your options and help you design your home. For more benchtop inspiration, head into our Leopold display home or contact the friendly team on (03) 5255 3556.