Caesarstone vs. RHF Stone Kitchen Benchtops
Caesarstone and RHF stone are two engineered stone brands that have been garnering a lot of attention. They’re affordable and versatile with a variety of design options and have become increasingly popular kitchen benchtop options for homeowners throughout Australia.
Since both stones offer plenty of advantages, it can be difficult to choose between the two. However, if you break down the pros and cons of each stone, you should be able to identify the product that suits you the most.
In this blog, we’re going to look at the advantages and disadvantages of both Caesarstone and RHF stone.
Caesarstone: Pros
- Durable and non-porous
Caesarstone is more durable than many natural stones. It is resistant to minor scratches, cracks and chips. This makes them a suitable countertop for areas like the bathroom, the kitchen and other places that see daily use.
Caesarstone is a synthetic material, which means it has a non-porous surface, unlike natural stones. Your non-porous Caesarstone benchtop will be able to resist staining should you spill liquids on its surface. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about resealing the surface every few years like you need to do with natural stone surfaces.
Because of its non-porousness, Caesarstone is also quite easy to clean. If its surface ever gets dirty, you can simply use a cleaning cloth with a mild detergent and simply wipe off the surface. With just a little bit of maintenance and cleaning, your Caesarstone benchtop will look fresh for many years to come.
- Design flexibility
Most Caesarstone products are made up of 90% quartz and 10% colored pigment. Depending on the aesthetic that you’re going for, you can customize this pigment however you like. Generally, Caesarstone comes in different variations of whites, blacks, greys, light browns and tans.
You can even request for your Caesarstone benchtop to mimic other natural stones like granite or marble.
Caesarstone: Cons
- Costly
Since a lot of work goes into creating high-quality engineered stone surfaces, Caesarstone is not the most affordable benchtop material in the market. If you’re looking to customize your benchtop, you can expect the price to be even higher.
However, because of the extremely high quality and durability of Caesarstone benchtops, you can rest assured that you will get your money’s worth.
- Not heat resistant
Unlike other natural stones like granite, Caesarstone can’t handle extremely high temperatures. You can damage your Caesarstone benchtop if you simply place a hot pot or pan on the surface.
Because of this, you need to use a stand or a trivet if you want to place hot kitchenware on your Caesarstone benchtop.
RHF stone: Pros
- Versatile
RHF stone is made up of 93% quartz crystals, 7% resin and a small amount of pigment. It is a strong and durable material that can withstand scratches and cracks. Because of its durability, RHF stone has many different applications. It is an extremely versatile material that can be used for more than just your kitchen benchtop. You can use it as a durable countertop in your bathrooms or as a resilient splashback for your stovetop.
So, if you want to have a consistent aesthetic throughout your home, RHF stone is a great option.
- Warranty
The wholesale supplier of RHF stone offers a 15-year limited warranty on all their products. So, if your RHF stone is not performing as advertised, you can contact the manufacturer and they will help you out with repairs or replacements when necessary.
RHF stone: Cons
- Not UV resistant
RHF stone is not always UV resistant, which means that it can be prone to fading and discoloration if constantly exposed to direct sunlight. So if you’re designing an outdoor cooking area, RHF stone may not be the best choice.
- Limited customisation
Because of the limited amount of pigment that’s in RHF stone products, your choice of designs is a little bit more limited compared to Caesarstone products.
Additionally, since Australia has a 20mm thickness standard, you won’t be able to get an RNF stone product that’s thinner than this. If you need the RHF stone in specific dimensions, you will need to speak to your builders about the specifications of your product.
Keep in mind that the RHF stone company is a supplier and does not install or fabricate the materials.
Hopefully, this comparison gave you a little more insight into these two brands. If you have any further questions or concerns, you should consult a local stonemason. Both Caesarstone and RHF stone are quite accessible. Most stonemasons in Australia fabricate and install both Caesarstone and RHF stone. As such, they should be able to advise you on the best material for your home.
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