Stone benchtops for Australian kitchens.

Sintered stone benchtops are made from natural clay and mineral raw materials compressed and fired at extreme temperature and pressure, with no resin binders. Composite (engineered) benchtops use crushed quartz bound with resin. Granite and marble benchtops are cut from quarried natural stone.

The July 2024 ban applies to resin-bound engineered (composite) stone. Sintered stone contains no resin, so it is excluded and remains fully compliant. Granite and marble, as natural stone, were never affected. As with all stone, licensed fabricators wet-cut and use dust extraction, since sintered stone is not silica-free.

Composite stone uses crushed quartz bound with resin, which is why it was banned in Australia. Sintered stone uses no resin: it is fired at over 1200 degrees Celsius, which is why it is excluded from the ban. Both are non-porous and need no sealing, but sintered stone is more heat and UV resistant, making it suitable outdoors.

Sintered stone benchtops never need sealing: they are non-porous from manufacture. Granite and marble are naturally porous and need periodic resealing to resist staining and etching. This is one of the main reasons renovators are moving away from natural stone.

Sintered stone is UV stable and frost resistant, so it holds its colour and performs well in outdoor kitchens and alfresco areas. Marble and some granites can etch or discolour with sun exposure over time. Composite stone is not recommended outdoors, as UV exposure can cause it to yellow and crack.