There are some pieces of design and construction news that stay within their respective industries, but the big ban on engineered stone is not one of them. Although it became the preferred choice for many thanks to its lower price point, wide range of colours and finishes, and accessibility, the shine on engineered stone is wearing off as links to deadly silicosis have been brought to the fore. If you&#;re struggling with the ban, these are the best engineered stone alternatives.
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Bunnings and IKEA were some of the first to rid their stores of engineered stone, but since, an official ban has been brought into place in Australia &#; a world first. The ban, which follows in the footsteps of Victoria&#;s gas ban, will commence from the 1st July , and encompasses both Australian-made and internationally imported engineered stone. It&#;s a decision supported by trade unions, health organisations and personal injury law firms. &#;With alternatives readily available, why are we risking the lives of tradies for a fashionable finish in our kitchens?&#; questioned Australian Council of Trade Unions assistant secretary Liam O&#;Brien.
It&#;s no surprise that stone expert Adrian Zipevski&#;s (of Surface Gallery) home features a natural Zafiro Blue marble benchtop. (Photography: Pablo Veiga | Styling: Jack Milenkovic, Aterlier Lab | Story: Belle)
What is silicosis?
Silicosis is an incurable disease in which the lungs are scarred following long-term exposure to silica dust (aka crystalline silica or RCS), high percentages of which are found in engineered stone and are released via cutting, drilling and grinding. It has been dubbed the &#;new asbestos&#;, and is linked to cancer and Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF). While protective gear and safety measures are respectively available and known, it&#;s proving to either not be enforced, or not be enough to combat the damage. In fact, according to the Australian Council of Trade Unions, more than 600,000 workers in Australia are exposed at work, and research estimates that if the exposure is not reduced significantly we will see as many as 100,000 workers diagnosed with silicosis and 11,000 with cancer &#; as many as 1 in 4 stonemasons.
Early on, the Master Builders Association recommended a &#;nationally consistent, risk-managed approach&#;, however the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining And Energy Union (CFMEU) called for a total ban from the get-go, to stop it &#;killing workers&#; &#; a motion supported by Safe Work Australia&#;s Impact Statement on the matter.
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If you already have an engineered stone bench, don&#;t fret. While the risk is serious, it is the trades who work to cut, drill and grind it that are at risk. Once it has been installed, its harmful dusts are sealed.
Can you get silicosis from your kitchen bench?
This Queensland home&#;s kitchen proves that timber benchtops (and duo-tones) and concrete flooring are a winning combination. (Photography: Mindi Cooke | Styling: Hayley Jenkin | Story: Inside Out)
What are the best engineered stone alternatives?
Concrete
One of the best engineered stone alternatives, concrete Raw yet refined, concrete benchtops are practical, hardy and poured on-site. It&#;s a material favoured by many for its ability to be customised by adding colour or aggregates to suit an interior style. Keep in mind, however, that like natural stone, concrete is porous and will require resealing every year or so.
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Stainless steel
The mainstay material for commercial kitchens all over the world, stainless steel is practical, sleek and, according to trend predictions, set to make a comeback. It&#;s tough, it&#;s hygenic and it&#;s very easily brought back to its &#;like new&#; state with a simple polish.
Porcelain
Thanks to its near-indestructible nature and huge variety of styles, colours and finishes, porcelain is becoming a fast favourite amongst kitchen renovators. It&#;s lightweight, heat-resistant, easily cleaned and even suitable for outdoor use. Companies like Caesarstone are bringing porcelain to the fore, championing its sustainable and easy-care properties, which they back with a lifetime warranty.
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This striking kitchen designed by Studio Minosa features a striking Caesarstone Porcelain Archetta island bench, rear splashback and workbench. The outdoor kitchen also features a Caesarstone Porcelain Archetta benchtop.
Natural stone
It sits on the exxier side of the scale, but for good reason. Nothing could ever quite compete with natural stone, and it can last for decades if cared for properly. Limestone and marble in particular have very low levels of silica (around 2% compared to engineered stone&#;s 97%).
Timber
With the growing popularity of mid-century design came a desire to give timber benchtops another look in. Keep in mind that timber requires a fair bit of TLC &#; it can easily be scratched, stained and damaged, but for some, that patina is all part of the charm. Just be sure to ensure the timber is FSC certified and from a sustainable source.
Laminate
Pocket-friendly and stain-resistant laminate has been a longstanding choice for kitchen renovators &#; and it&#;s come a long way. Laminex has quite literally hundreds of styles, finishes and replica looks to choose from, and they&#;re silica free.
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