If there’s one thing we’ve learned when it comes to choosing benchtops for our kitchen and bathroom finishes, it’s that not all surfaces are created equal. Some are more trouble than they’re worth: highly absorbent and easily damaged. When our friends at Cosentino told us their ultra-compact surface Dekton boasts a performance as good as its looks, we knew we had to try it for ourselves. We used Dekton for our serviced apartments development in Kent Town, The KT Apartments, and it has well and truly lived up to its reputation: so much so, we’ve dubbed it a ‘wonder product’.
What is Dekton?
Dekton is an ultra-compact surface that consists of 20 different minerals including porcelain, glass and quartz. Cosentino makes Dekton in southern Spain and keeps its formula top secret so the team must know its onto something good if the ingredients are kept so tightly under wraps. To make Dekton, innovative technology exposes the minerals to high pressure and high heat which changes their composition. The result is the most versatile, durable and architecturally pleasing stone surface we’ve ever worked with.
Here are the 3 reasons why we love working with Dekton:
1. Versatile
Dekton is the classic all-rounder: you can use it anywhere. At The KT, we used Dekton for the bathroom countertops, floors and walls. We also used it for the kitchen benchtops. The reason why Dekton gets five stars for versatility in our eyes is because it can be used for many different purposes: both inside and outside. We applied it to The KT’s wet areas but it can also be used for facades, paving as well as bookcases and tables. The design possibilities with Dekton are huge.
Dekton was used for The KT’s bathroom countertops, flooring and walls.
2. Durable
Dekton is created using high heat and pressure. That means it’s strong, tough and hard-wearing. It’s more resistant to damage caused by scratches, heat, high impact and sunlight compared to other types of stone surfaces. Dekton is also easy to clean and maintain which makes it perfect for high traffic, and high spill, areas like kitchens and bathrooms. One of the big drawbacks with some surfaces is that they stain easily: even water can leave marks if it’s not cleaned up quickly. Dekton is non-porous which makes it harder for liquids to be absorbed into the surface and create stains.
3. Architecturally Pleasing
We strive to deliver form and function with all our property projects and Dekton looks as good as it performs. Dekton comes in more than 40 different colours. We chose a grey palette for The KT’s bathroom and kitchen areas for a modern and timeless look that won’t date. Dekton comes in 320 x 144cm slabs and in a variety of thicknesses ranging from 4, 8, 12 and 20mm. We used 12mm slabs for kitchen and bathroom benchtops, 12mm for the bathroom walls and 12mm slabs for the bathroom flooring.
The KT’s kitchen benchtops highlight Dekton’s function and form.
How eco-friendly is Dekton?
When it comes to green credentials, Dekton gets a big tick. It’s carbon neutral and manufactured with 100% renewable energy. Incorporating innovative sustainable materials in our developments is a priority for us.
What does Dekton cost?
You get what you pay for and that’s certainly the case with Dekton. The cost of Dekton is on par with other leading stone brands on the market. The point to remember about Dekton is that it’s hard-wearing so when you’re comparing other stone products, think about the lifespan and performance you want from your surface and talk to your supplier.
Dekton Construction Goals
The KT is just the start of Buildtec working with Cosentino to explore more creative applications of Dekton. Our sights are already set on turning Dekton’s versatility and durability ‘up to 11’ and using it throughout future Buildtec projects including externally. Watch this space.
