Silica-Free Benchtops Alternatives Perth: 12 Safe & Stylish Options

Picking the perfect benchtop for your kitchen or bathroom is about more than just looks. You want something beautiful, durable and easy to live with.

Nowadays, many homeowners also worry about health as engineered stone benchtops are made of up to 90–95% crystalline silica. Cutting or grinding them releases fine silica dust that causes silicosis. In fact, Australia banned high-silica engineered stone from July 1, 2024 to protect workers.

The good news is that you don’t have to give up style to stay safe. There are many stunning silica-free or low-silica benchtop materials available now.

This guide from Master Tops explores the top 12 silica free benchtop alternatives that are safe and stunning for Perth kitchens and bathrooms. Scroll down for details on each material.

Top 12 Silica-Free Benchtop Alternatives | Safe, Stunning & On-Trend

Below, we’ll discuss 12 beautiful, functional, and safe benchtop options; 6 that are completely silica-free and 6 that are low-silica alternatives to engineered stone. So, whether you're after natural, modern, or ultra-durable styles, there's a perfect match for your kitchen or bathroom.

Silica-Free / Zero-Silica Benchtop Materials

These options contain no crystalline silica, so fabricating them releases zero silica dust. They’re safe for installers and homeowners alike, and still look amazing.

1. Acrylic Solid Surfaces (e.g. Meganite, Corian)

Acrylic solid surfaces are made of pure polymer (PMMA) and fillers, giving a seamless, uniform look.

Brands like Corian or Meganite come in any colour or pattern. They can be thermoformed into curved edges. They are completely non-porous and contain no silica dust, so you never have to worry about sealing or dust inhalation. Water and bacteria cannot penetrate the surface which makes it very hygienic. Small scratches or dents can be sanded or buffed out to heal the surface.

The only drawbacks are heat and sharp edges. Hot pans (over 100°C) or very sharp knives can burn or cut acrylic. So, use trivets and cutting boards.

Pros	Cons
Seamless, non-porous surface (no sealing required) Highly hygienic and easy to clean Fully customisable in colour Can be moulded into custom shapes Minor scratches are easily repairable	Prone to scratching or chipping with heavy impact Sensitive to heat Needs professional installation and repairs

2.    Laminate

Modern laminates (Formica, Polytec, etc.) are affordable layers of plastic resin over a fibreboard core. Today’s laminates mimic wood grains, marble and solid colours almost perfectly.

They’re 100% silica-free (it’s all plastic), light-weight and easy to clean with just soap and water. Because they’re factory-finished, laminates never need sealing.

However, laminate is relatively thin and soft compared to stone. It scratches and chips easily, and will scorch or burn if hot pots or pans are placed directly on it. Water can also seep at the seams if left pooling. Still, it’s a great budget option for low-traffic kitchens or laundry tops.

Pros	Cons
Very affordable Wide range of colours and finishes Easy to clean and install 100% silica-free	Low heat resistance (can scorch) Prone to scratches, chips, and peeling Water can seep into seams Not suitable for heavy-duty use

3. Solid Timber (Wood)

A solid wood benchtop (like oak, walnut or bamboo) brings warmth and natural beauty to the kitchen. It’s naturally antibacterial and can be sanded and refinished again and again to look new. Each slab is unique, and wood ages to a warm patina.

However, wood is porous and reactive. It must be sealed or oiled on install and re-coated regularly to prevent stains and water damage. It dents and scratches much more easily than stone, and acidic spills (lemon juice, vinegar). Heat will etch or burn the surface if not wiped up immediately.

Pros	Cons
Warm, natural appearance Surface can be sanded and refinished Naturally antibacterial	Requires regular sealing or oiling Easily scratched, dented or burned Sensitive to acids and moisture

4. Stainless Steel Benchtops

Stainless steel is the top choice for professional chefs. It’s now popular in modern homes too. It’s 100% non-porous, heat-proof and stain-proof. You can put hot pans directly on it and wipe off spills with no harm. Steel surfaces look ultra-clean and industrial. They’re also hygienic (no hiding germs).

The downsides: the surface is cold and prone to fingerprints and watermarks, and it will show scratches and dents easily. It also tends to be noisy. Stainless steel’s modern look doesn’t fit every style, but for a sleek kitchen it’s unbeatable.

Pros	Cons
Heat- and stain-resistant Non-porous and hygienic No sealing required Long-lasting and durable	Shows fingerprints and watermarks Scratches and dents easily Cold, industrial look not for everyone Noisy surface (clinking dishes)

5. Recycled Glass Benchtops

Recycled-glass countertops are an eco-friendly option made of crushed glass pieces bound in resin or concrete. They’re highly polished to reveal a sparkling terrazzo look. These surfaces are non-porous and very hard. Thus, it resists heat, stains and UV light. The glittery appearance is one-of-a-kind, with vibrant colours and shine.

On the flip side, glass benchtops can be brittle. It can chip or crack under heavy impact. Repairs are tricky or impossible. They also cost more than laminate. But if maintained well, a recycled glass top will last decades and make a statement.

Pros	Cons
·       Eco-friendly and sustainable ·       Non-porous and stain-resistant ·       Unique, vibrant look	·       Can chip or crack on heavy impact ·       Expensive compared to laminate ·       Visible seams between slabs

6. GFRC (Glass-Fibre Reinforced Concrete)

For a modern concrete look without silica, GFRC is an innovative solution. It’s a cementitious material reinforced with woven glass fibers, making it lighter and stronger than normal concrete.

GFRC can be cast very thin and moulded into any shape. It offers excellent durability. It’s heat, moisture- and UV-resistant for indoor or outdoor use. It is made with a special mix that is silica-free, so no silicosis risk when working with it.

On the downside, GFRC is still porous, so it must be sealed. It is heavy compared to wood or laminate. It requires professional formwork and installation.

For custom, industrial-style benchtops, it’s a safe and sturdy choice.

Pros	Cons
Completely silica-free Customisable shapes and designs Strong, UV, heat, and moisture-resistant	Needs sealing (porous surface) Heavy and requires pro installation Can crack if poorly engineered

Low-Silica Benchtop Materials

These materials do contain some silica (typically <30%), but much less than quartz stone. With proper safety when cutting, they’re still a healthier alternative.

7. Neolith (Sintered Porcelain)

Neolith is a top-brand sintered stone / porcelain slab. It’s 100% natural minerals fused under extreme heat and pressure. The result is an ultrahard, non-porous surface that’s virtually scratch-, heat- and UV-proof. Nothing spills or stains into Neolith. Sunlight won’t fade it.

Neolith slabs come in many textures; marble, metal, stone, wood looks. They are very thin (3–6 mm) for a sleek profile. Technically Neolith contains quartz (SiO₂) in its minerals. But its formulation uses no added silica sand.

Downsides: Neolith is expensive and the large slabs are very heavy (24+ kg/m²). It must be handled and cut by pros (cutting still produces silica dust).

Pros	Cons
Extremely durable and non-porous Scratch-, heat- and UV-resistant Thin and modern profile Wide range of finishes	High cost Very heavy slabs Cutting produces silica dust (requires pro handling) Edges can chip with hard impact

8. Dekton (Ultra-Compact Surface)

Dekton (by Cosentino) is another leading sintered ultra-compact surface. It’s made from a mix of quartz, porcelain and glass, compressed at high temperature.

Dekton is virtually scratchproof and highly heat-resistant; you can place fire-hot cookware on it. Its UV resistance makes it ideal for outdoor kitchens too. Dekton comes in many stone- or concrete-like finishes. Most Dekton colours have only about 5–11% crystalline silica by weight (the rest is non-hazardous minerals), so it’s much safer to cut than traditional quartz.

On the drawback side, Dekton slabs are extremely heavy and difficult to handle, and the material is quite expensive. Professional installation is a must.

Pros	Cons
Heat- and scratch-resistant UV-proof (ideal for outdoor use) Low silica content (5–11%)	Expensive Very heavy and hard to handle Difficult to cut or repair (pro install only)

9. Porcelain (Ceramic)

Porcelain benchtops (sometimes branded by names like Lapitec, Mirage, Neolith) are basically large ceramic slabs. They are non-porous, dense, hard, and highly resistant to damage. It can even support hot pans without discolouring.

Porcelain surfaces won’t absorb spills and are chemical- and UV-resistant. It’s a popular choice for busy kitchens and outdoor bars.

The downsides: porcelain is brittle, so heavy objects can chip the edges. It costs more than laminate and it must be installed by an experienced fabricator. Like Neolith, porcelain contains crystalline silica as part of its minerals; 20–30% SiO₂, so cutting it still requires dust control.

Pros	Cons
Highly durable and non-porous Stain, heat- and scratch-resistant Wide variety of looks and finishes	Hard to cut – pro installation needed Edges may chip with hard impact Moderate silica content (dust risk when cutting)

10. Lithostone (Silica-Free Engineered Quartz)

Lithostone is a brand of engineered quartz that has been desilicated.

In other words, Lithostone removes the crystalline silica from its quartz-and-resin mix, so their V-Surfaces are essentially silica-free. The end product looks and behaves like standard quartz benchtops. It’s non-porous, stain-resistant and very hard. Lithostone offers a wide range of stone-like patterns.

Because it’s engineered quartz, it’s still a bit pricey and needs professional installation. But you get the strength of quartz with practically no silica content.

Pros	Cons
Virtually zero silica Durable and non-porous Wide range of designs	High cost Requires professional installation Can chip under heavy impact

11. Dolomite

Dolomite (often marketed as Avalon White or Super White dolomite) is a natural carbonate stone that looks like marble with some quartz mixed in. Its silica content is moderate (roughly 20–25%), but it’s still a safer natural option.

Dolomite is tougher than marble. It’s less porous and more resistant to scratches, stains and heat than marble. It comes in beautiful whites and greys.

Dolomite is also acid-sensitive (like marble). Spills of lemon juice or wine will etch unless you seal it. It requires sealing like other natural stones. Many homeowners choose dolomite as a more affordable, marble-like benchtop that still looks elegant.

Pros	Cons
Elegant marble-like appearance More scratch- and heat-resistant than marble More affordable than many natural stones	Needs sealing to prevent stains Can etch with acidic spills Limited availability of colours

12. Natural Stone: Marble & Granite

Timeless natural stone benchtops remain popular.

Granite is very hard (heat and scratch resistant) and offers unique veining and colours. It does contain silica (~15–35%) but its dust is less hazardous than engineered quartz (no resin). Granite is porous, so it must be sealed periodically to guard against stains.

Marble is softer and has <5% silica. It’s extremely elegant (bakers love its cool surface) but will scratch and etch from acids. Both increase home value and provide a classic look. If you go with marble or granite, ensure your installer uses proper ventilation and wet cutting to minimise dust.

Pros	Cons
Classic, natural beauty Durable and heat-resistant (granite) Adds resale valueUnique patterns and colours	Contains silica (cutting risk) Needs regular sealing Marble is prone to etching and stains Must be cut with care (wet cutting, dust control)

Here's a quick comparison of popular low-silica benchtop materials and their approximate silica content percentages:

Low-Silica Material	Silica Content (%)
Porcelain	30-70%
Granite	15-35%
Marble	0-5%
Lithostone	< 1%
Dolomite Benchtops	18-22%

Read more about > Quartz Stone vs. Natural Stone Benchtops

Choosing the Right Silica-Free Benchtops

With so many safe alternatives, you can have both style and peace of mind. Consider what matters most: durability, maintenance and budget.

For example, acrylic or laminate are low-maintenance and low-cost. Whereas, porcelain or Dekton cost more but last virtually a lifetime. Wood and dolomite give natural warmth but need regular care. GFRC and stainless steel serve an industrial look and are tough.

Ultimately, think about how your kitchen or bathroom is used, and match the material accordingly.

Tired of risky materials and finding safe benchtop choices?

Contact Master Tops: Find Safer, More Beautiful Silica-Free Benchtops in Perth

Master Tops is here to help Perth homeowners navigate these choices. We manufacture and install porcelain, Dekton, natural and silica-free benchtops for kitchens, laundries and bathrooms.

Check out our benchtop gallery for real project photos.

Contact us for a free quote and we’ll help you pick the perfect, silica-safe surface for your home.

FAQs

Q1: What benchtop materials are silica-free?

Silica-free benchtop options include recycled glass, solid surface materials (like Corian or Meganite), stainless steel, laminate, timber, and ceramic tiles. These are safe, durable alternatives to engineered stone.

Q2: What’s the best alternative to Caesarstone?

Porcelain and natural stone are popular low-silica and silica-free alternatives to Caesarstone. They offer excellent durability, timeless style. A safer choice for your family and installers.

Q3: Is Caesarstone Porcelain silica-free?

Yes, Caesarstone’s Porcelain range is made using silica-free minerals. It’s fired at over 1,200°C. It’s ultra-durable, heat-resistant, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor surfaces.

Q4: Do granite benchtops contain silica?

Granite typically contains 15–35% crystalline silica. While safer than engineered stone, proper handling during fabrication is still important. Consider lower-silica options like dolomite or porcelain for peace of mind.

Q5: Are engineered stone benchtops safe once installed? 

Yes. Once an engineered quartz bench top is fully installed and sealed, it is safe for everyday use. The silica hazard is only during cutting/fabrication. The risk lies in the dust produced on-site, not the finished benchtop in your kitchen. Properly ventilated cutting and wet methods eliminate the danger during installation.

Q6: Do marble and granite contain silica? 

Yes. They are natural stones containing crystalline silica. Granite typically has about 15–35% silica by weight, while marble usually has very little (<5%). However, because they are solid stone (without resin), their dust is generally considered less hazardous than engineered quartz dust. Still, cuts should be done wet and with proper protection.