FAQ
General Questions
IS THERE SOMEONE TO HELP ME SELECT MY BENCHTOPS? |
Every ACCENT Benchtops showroom has trained staff who can help you with your selection of benchtops.
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WHERE DO I GET SAMPLES? |
Samples are available in any of our ACCENT Benchtops showroom or you can send an email to [email protected] for samples to be send to you.
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Quartz Specific Questions
WHAT IS ENGINEERED STONE? |
Engineered stone is a quartz product. Quartz is one of the hardest minerals in the world. Pure quartz is combined with pigments and resins to create slabs that are non-porous, strong, and rival the beauty of quarry stones. At ACCENT Benchtops our stock collection comes from the industries’ foremost brand like Caserstone, Smartstone, Essastone and many more.
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CAN I PUT HOT THINGS ON QUARTZ? |
Generally, quartz is heat resistant, but it should not be subjected to extreme heat. A tea kettle or a hot dish out of the microwave is typically not a threat but a 450° pot from the oven can cause damage. We always recommend the use of a hot pad or trivet to protect the benchtops from extreme heat conditions.
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WILL QUARTZ CHIP? |
Under normal usage conditions, it is unlikely that your quartz benchtop will chip. The edges are more susceptible to chipping than the middle of the surface, and if struck with force (e.g., a heavy pot), it is possible that chips can occur. Such occurrences are not covered by any manufacturing warranty but it is possible to repair, depending on the size of the chip.
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WILL MY QUARTZ BENCHTOP BE SEAMLESS? |
The size and shape of your benchtop will determine if seams are required unlike solid surface benchtops which are seamless.
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WILL QUARTZ PRODUCTS VARY IN COLOR? |
Quartz benchtops are composed of 93% natural quartz. Variation in the natural stone (quartz) color, pattern, size, shape, and shade are inherent and these unique characteristics are to be expected with all quartz products.
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WILL THE BENCHTOP HAVE A SEAM ON THE EDGE AND DO I NEED A SUB-TOP? |
The thickness of all our standard quartz edges is 20mm. This provides an edge that requires no sub-top buildup and no seamed edge lamination. We do offer custom edges with a stacked look or bulky edge, and those could require a sub-top, which will be determined at template.
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DO I NEED TO SEAL QUARTZ BENCHTOPS? |
Quartz is non-porous and never needs to be sealed.
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CAN I CUT ON QUARTZ BENCHTOPS? |
It is not recommended to cut directly on stone benchtops. Though durable, we recommend the use of a cutting board to prevent any damage from excessive force.
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SINKS SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
WHO INSTALLS THE SINKS AND FAUCETS?
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All plumbing fixtures can be installed by ACCENT Benchtops if you do not already have a contractor for the job. Be sure to confirm that you want them installed when placing the order, as this service will require more time on site during installation. Any plumbing hook-up is to be organised by the homeowner or builder.
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WHO HOOKS UP THE PLUMBING?
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A licensed plumber to be organised by the builder or homeowner.
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Solid Surface Specific Questions
WHAT IS SOLID SURFACE? |
Solid surface is an acrylic product consistently colored all the way through and typically made in 12mm (approx) thick sheets. Solid Surface is non-porous material and generally, stains, mold, mildew or bacteria is unable penetrate the surface. As a premier supplier and fabricator of Corian, Hi-Macs, Staron, Freestyle, ACCENT Benchtops can help you customize your design with integrated sinks, seamless splashbacks, and inlays from a collection of over 100 colors.
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HOW THICK WILL MY SOLID SURFACE BENCHTOP BE? |
The material itself is 12mm thick but the edge is laminated to a greater thickness. As ACCENT is a custom benchtop company, custom edge options are available upon request.
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CAN I PUT HOT THINGS ON SOLID SURFACE? |
All acrylic or polyester solid surfaces are susceptible to damage from heat. Hot frying pans, dishes from the oven, warming trays, and the like can scorch or fracture the surface. We recommend the use of trivets, bread board or a hot pad when placing hot objects on any benchtop.
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WILL CORIAN SINKS STAIN OR CRACK? |
Corian sinks are made from the same high quality acrylic material as the benchtops. They are very durable but not 100% impervious to staining or cracking. Since Corian is non-porous, surface stains can be buffed out with a Scotch Brite pad. Cracks are rare but it can occur with repeated heat stress.
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WILL I HAVE A SEAM ON MY SOLID SURFACE BENCHTOPS? |
Much like a piece of wood, Corian is cut and pieced together to fit any lay-out or kitchen design. Although it is cut and pieced together, any joints are glued, sanded and polished to provide a one piece surface. Although inconspicuous, depending on the design of the material you may notice faint lines where the surface was pieced together.
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Template Questions
WHAT IS A TEMPLATE AND WHAT HAPPENS AT TEMPLATE? |
A template is a digital rendering of what your new benchtops will look like, fit to the walls and cabinets in your home. During this appointment, a template specialist will inspect your cabinets and walls, take measurements with a digital device, review all the details of your job and answer any final questions you may have before your benchtops are produced.
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WHAT DO I NEED TO PREPARE FOR A TEMPLATE? |
All cabinets must be installed and ready prior to template taking place. We generally require sinks, basins, cooktops or any other plumbing fixtures to be on site during template.
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HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY BENCHTOP TO BE MADE? |
Depending on the type of benchtop, production times will vary and generally the leadtime from template to install for stone benchtops is about 10 to 14 business days. Solid surface and quartz benchtops are an installed product only and the average lead time (after template) for production and installation runs three to four weeks. If you have ordered a custom color, be advised that it will add to the normal stock lead time. Please speak to a showroom representative for lead times on specific materials.
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Installation Questions
HOW LONG DOES A BENCHTOP INSTALLATION LAST? |
Installation times vary greatly depending on the type of material, layout of the job, levelness of the cabinets, and preparedness for the installation. On average, a general kitchen benchtop installation takes about three to four hours.
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DO I HAVE TO HIRE A CONTRACTOR FOR MY INSTALLATION? |
Accent Benchtops offers a full service installation to ensure that your new benchtop is installed correctly and on time. However, we do not organize other facilities such as electrical works, plumbing, tiling etc.
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WILL THE BENCHTOP INSTALLATION BE NOISY/MESSY/SMELLY? |
While we take the utmost care while installing your benchtops, there are loud tools required to complete the job. We have dust collection systems but no installation process is 100% dust free. You may want to drape or cover areas to contain the dust to the construction area. We will leave the job-site in “broom swept” condition. Additionally, chemicals are often used in the installation process. Epoxies and other glues can have a strong odor but are not a health concern with an open window.
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HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF MY NEW BENCHTOPS? |
Please have cabinets ready prior to the installation crews arrival and have all plumbing fixtures that needs to be installed on site. Due to the size and weight of the benchtops, we request that a clear path be provided and that the workspace is vacant.
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CAN I INSTALL MY OWN BENCHTOPS? |
At ACCENT Benchtops we offer a full service experience that includes installation of benchtops. We do offer the option of you installing your own benchtops, however no warranty on workmanship will apply for self-installed benchtops.
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IS THE SINK INSTALLED BY THE CREW OR DO I NEED A PLUMBER? |
Yes. ACCENT Benchtops will offer installation of sinks.
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DO I (HOMEOWNER) NEED TO BE THERE FOR INSTALLATION? |
A decision-maker over the age of 18 must be present, preferably one of the homeowners, should be at home for the duration of the install. This person is needed to answer any questions about touch-up and finish, any questions regarding fixtures and appliances, and for final inspection and sign-off.
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Sinks Specific Questions
WHO REMOVES THE OLD SINK AND PLUMBING? |
ACCENT Benchtops offers the service of removal and reinstall of benchtops. Be sure to confirm this when placing the order, as this service will require more time on site during install. There is generally a charge for this service.
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WHO INSTALLS THE SINKS AND FAUCETS? |
All plumbing fixtures can be installed by ACCENT Benchtops if you do not already have a contractor for the job. ACCENT Benchtops will always ensure that the fixtures fit. Be sure to confirm that you want them installed when placing the order, as this service will require more time on site during install. Any plumbing hook-up is to be organised by the homeowner or builder.
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WHO HOOKS UP THE PLUMBING? |
A licensed plumber to be organised by the builder or homeowner.
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