STEP BY STEP: Navigating the engineered stone ban
Step by Step is the blog of Kate Kerin Interiors. In addition to following some of my clients’ projects, I examine some of the latest issues of interest in the world of interior design.
Many Australian homes feature engineered stone benchtops – in kitchens, bathrooms, as fire surrounds, on bookcases and even in furniture. Some brand names have become synonymous with affordable style; Caesarstone®, Essastone, Silestone and Smartstone are just a few of the products that have graced our homes for decades. Engineered stone is affordable, comes in a wonderful range of colours and patterns, is hard-wearing, long-lasting and gives a high-quality finish that looks fantastic in any home.
However, engineered stone has a high content of silicon dioxide (known as silica), a naturally occurring mineral that generates a fine dust when cut, crushed, drilled, ground, sawed or polished – all tasks that are undertaken by fabricators who transform the engineered stone into our benchtops and other finished products[1]. This dust, when ingested, can lead to life-threatening diseases such as silicosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer and other potentially fatal conditions. With more than 275,000 workers exposed to high levels of silica via a range of industries[2] the impact is clear, and silica dust has been compared to asbestos in terms of its devastating health impacts.
In December 2023, following a campaign by the CFMEU and an impact analysis and consideration of options such as only banning stone with a high silica content, Australian state and federal Workplace Relations Ministers accepted Safe Work Australia (SWA)’s recommendation to prohibit the use of all engineered stone, regardless of its silica content. SWA is in the process of developing a national framework to ensure stone workers can continue working safely under controlled conditions prior to the ban, using personal safety equipment and with workplace exposure monitored and limited. The proposed implementation date is 1 July 2024, however the ban will not be imposed until all states and territories have announced their own deadlines, with two jurisdictions not yet committed to the proposed commencement date.[3]
Businesses that have already signed contracts prior to 13 December to supply and install engineered stone have been given a grace period during which they can continue to install the products. It should be noted that some natural stone products and other engineered stone substitutes, such as granite and porcelain, also contain silica – as do bricks, sandstone and concrete which are also regularly cut, drilled and ground. It is unknown whether the ban will be extended to include them at some future date. Here in Sydney, Kate Kerin Interiors is already making plans to move away from specifying engineered stone altogether.
Many readers with engineered stone benchtops in their homes may be concerned whether these materials remain safe for them and their families. SWA states that engineered stone does not pose a safety risk to the public once installed, as long as it is not disturbed. When renovating, removal of engineered stone should be undertaken by a qualified tradesperson rather than undertaken as a DIY job, but generally if you have an engineered stone benchtop or other surface in your home it should be quite safe.[4]
Engineered stone companies are rising to the challenge of the looming ban, phasing out their high-silica lines and formulating new stones that are far lower in silica yet still beautiful to look at and hard-wearing. Some of these newer options have not been around long enough to vouch for their longevity, and I have not personally specified any of them. I therefore recommend you do good research before deciding whether to use them. But thumbs up to the companies that are adapting and changing their product lines to meet the market. Some of these newer stones and other silica-free options include:
Smartstone Ibrido, which uses Smartstone’s NewGen formulation. It offers slabs up to 3.2m long by 1.6m wide, 56% recycled material, scratch, stain and heat resistant, a range of patterns and a 15-year warranty.
Cosentino, which produces Silestone®, has converted to HybriQ Technology® such as Hybriq Q10 which contains a maximum of 10% crystalline silica and Hybriq Q50 which contains a maximum of 50% crystalline silica and a minimum of 20% recycled materials, manufactured in a sustainable manner.
Laminex is phasing out its engineered Essastone range and is moving towards a range of silica-free benchtops including Laminex High Pressure and Compact Laminates which are made in Australia, as well as a range of imported acrylic solid surface materials. Laminates were once considered a low-cost and low-style alternative but they have come a long way and are now a flexible, sought-after option. They are less resistant to heat and scratching than harder surfaces.
Along with other companies, Caesarstone® is powering ahead with its range of large-format porcelain tiles that can be used as benchtops and backsplashes. These have been available and used in Australian homes for some years so have a reasonable track record. In response to the engineered stone ban, Caesarstone is expanding its porcelain range.
Corian® provides a solid surface material which contains zero silica, is versatile and strong and can integrate sinks, splashbacks, doors and drawers. It is non-porous and therefore highly hygienic and has been around for a long time.
Sintered stone is a process of melting and then solidifying minerals at very high temperatures without requiring binders such as silica. It is durable, large-format and has a range of patterns and colours. This is a relatively new process so it’s difficult to predict longevity. A number of companies offer sintered stone options.
Natural stone slabs such as marble, granite, travertine, bluestone, limestone and onyx are beautiful and unique. They are available from a range of suppliers and different stones will be appropriate for different applications. Some are very hard-wearing while others are quite fragile and they come in a wide range of sizes and prices. Natural stone is always my preferred go-to for benchtops in kitchens and bathrooms, where possible.
Solid timber is another beautiful alternative for a benchtop. While it may scratch and is not heat-resistant, the marks that grace a timber benchtop often form a lovely patina that many people enjoy. There are a wide range of types of wood and finishes that can be used in the kitchen and bathroom and they have longevity if well maintained.
There are pros and cons for each of these materials – if you’d like to know more, read my free resource Yes You Can: Choose a beautiful benchtop which goes into detail about each option, how it could work well for you and some of the things you’ll need to consider before choosing your next benchtop material. And if you still need help, reach out and Kate Kerin Interiors will be happy to assist!
Australia is entering a period of transition and there is no doubt of the impact on many companies that have provided engineered stone to Australian homes for decades. As we saw this week, even state and federal governments haven’t fully agreed to the best way forward and things may continue to change. It’s good to see the industry responding to the known health and safety risk posted by engineered stone, through the creation of new lines and introduction of alternative products. Interior designers will need to be creative to find equally beautiful, hard-wearing and affordable options for their clients who do not want (or perhaps do not have the budget for) natural stone. Kate Kerin Interiors will continue specifying natural stone such as granite and marble where that is appropriate, and I also look forward to exploring other options such as porcelain, laminate, wood and cement.
1 https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/crystalline-silica-and-silicosis
[2] https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/2023/12/14/silicosis-future-engineered-stone
[3] https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/delay-on-deadly-stone-import-ban-until-states-sort-out-own-deadlines-20231229-p5eu47.html
[4] https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/crystalline-silica-and-silicosis/questions-and-answers-about-prohibition-use-engineered-stone
Kate Kerin Interiors specialises in working with residential clients in Sydney, particularly people who are considering downsizing or other major milestone moves. Contact Kate for an initial consultation to talk about your project.
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