Engineered stone was one of the most popular choices for home benchtops before serious health risks led to the Australian government officially banning it on 1 July 2024.
Before these risks were discovered, engineered stone was used as an affordable alternative to natural stone, with stylish designs and durability. But the government has deemed the risk of silicosis and serious lung diseases for people working with engineered stone (or those exposed to its dust) too high.
So, let’s take a look at the alternatives for engineered stone benchtops and what else to keep in mind for your kitchen, bathroom or other surfaces.
9 engineered stone alternatives in Australia
Liam Flood, builder and founder of construction company To The Mil lends his expertise and insights on the best alternatives to engineered stone. And, as he tells us, “The list is endless!”
Here are his top picks for a high-end, quality look for your kitchen benchtop, including options for different budgets.
1. Natural marble
Natural marble is, of course, the most sought-after look and has a price to match. This was actually one of the reasons engineered stone was created in the first place – to offer an affordable alternative. But if your budget allows for marble, nothing can beat the beautiful veins of colour and flawless finish that comes with this natural stone.
2. Natural granite
Granite is a top pick for many because of its durability – it is considered by experts as the strongest due to its denseness. Natural granite makes for a great statement in the kitchen and looks beautiful in any design style.
Liam Flood explains that although it is very hardy, “all stone is susceptible to chipping and marking, as this is their weak point.”
3. Stainless steel
Stainless steel is most commonly used in commercial kitchens, however, it is becoming an increasingly popular benchtop style for residential homes. It is extremely durable, easy to clean and very hygienic, making it the perfect option for a no hassle, low maintenance lifestyle.
4. Timber
Timber may not seem as durable as some other benchtop materials, but it looks great and is very affordable. Spotted gum, blackbutt and Tasmanian oak are heralded as the best quality timbers to use for their strength and durability. While they do require some maintenance, one advantage of a timber benchtop is you could have a built-in cutting board.
5. Tiles
Tiles are a great alternative for your bathroom vanity as well as your kitchen benchtop. They can be surprisingly sturdy and make a great focal point in your kitchen, giving texture to an island or splashback.
The best recommendations for tiles are those made from natural stone, such as granite, or ceramic tiles. Plus, most of them are heat resistant, meaning you can put your hot pots and pans on them without a trivet underneath.
6. Concrete
Concrete is, of course, extremely durable, and can withstand the daily wear and tear that happens in a kitchen. If you’re looking for a minimalistic, modern effect in your indoor spaces, then concrete is the perfect alternative to engineered stone.
7. Laminate
Gone are the days of tacky laminate benchtops – this material is now beautifully made and comes in a huge variety of styles and colours.
The best part about laminate is the price! It’s one of the most affordable options for kitchen benchtops, making it an ideal engineered stone alternative if you’ve got an eye on the budget.
8. Solid surfaces
Solid surface benchtops can have the look of stone but are typicallly made from acrylic resin, sometimes mixed with other components to add colour or shine. Most can typically be cut to size on-site safely and are stain-resistant, UV stable (making them suitable for outdoor kitchens) and less likely to chip than harder surfaces like stone.
For instance, Corian is one of the most established brands and makes its Solid Surface designs from two-thirds natural minerals and one-third acrylic binder. It’s also 100% quartz and silica free. As another example, Think Benchtops Solid Surface designs (which are available at Bunnings) are made from two-thirds natural minerals (bauxite), pigments and one-third polymer binder.
Porcelain
Quickly becoming one of the most popular engineered stone alternatives for kitchen benchtops, porcelain is beautifully made and very sturdy. Great for use with heat and is very hardy against scratches and stains, this is a top contender for the best bench surface out there!
What is the easiest stone countertop to maintain?
“A dark granite is the easiest to maintain as it is dense and hides any stains. However, as with all stone it needs to have yearly sealer applied and buffed back which will make it look new again,” Liam Flood explains.
“Lighter-coloured stone looks amazing but needs more maintenance. If red wine or the like is spilt on it, this will need to be cleaned up quickly to avoid seeping into the stone.”
Why was engineered stone banned in Australia?
Engineered stone has been linked to cases of silicosis and other severe lung diseases, with data showing an increase in diagnoses of these conditions for people who work with engineered stone. After reviewing the data, Safe Work Australia recommended a complete ban of the product, which the Australian government implemented in 2024. There is also a customs prohibition for engineered stone, effectively banning imports.
How dangerous are the effects of silicosis?
As Liam Flood explains: “Silicosis results in permanent lung damage and is a progressive, debilitating and sometimes fatal disease. Chronic silicosis typically occurs after 10 or more years of exposure to respirable crystalline silica.”
The disease can occur more quickly if there is excessive exposure to crystalline silica. A major reason for the ban on engineered stone is that products could contain up to 97% crystalline silica, according to Safe Work Australia.
While natural stone does contain a certain level of crystalline silica, the levels are significantly lower, with marble containing 2% and granite typically containing about 30%. And to increase safety for workers, there will also be stronger regulations for all materials containing at least 1% crystalline silica from 1 September 2024.
For more information on the engineered stone ban and the health dangers of working with crystalline silica, visit the Safe Work Australia website,
What if I already have an engineered stone benchtop?
At this stage, there is no evidence that engineered stone is a safety risk after it is installed in your home. But there could be a risk if you want to remove or alter existing engineered stone, and Safe Work Australia states that it’s important not to make any DIY changes.
“You should contact a qualified tradesperson if you require removal, repairs, minor modification or disposal of engineered stone already in place in your house or workplace, such as benchtops or splashbacks,” the Safe Work Australia website states.
How have engineered stone companies responded?
Many companies that specialised in engineered stone production have developed new products that do not contain silica. This includes using porcelain and sintered stone, which is technically a type of engineered stone but is excluded from the Australian ban as long as products do not contain resin.
This is because sintered stone can be created with materials and techniques that lead to a lower level of crystalline silica than other engineered stone products. As an example, the Smartstone Sintered Collection has a huge range of styles, including many that look like stone.
In comparison, Caesarstone launched the Crystalline Silica-Free Mineral collection, which includes many of the most popular Caesarstone designs that you could get before the ban, but now made with the crystalline silica-free blend.
