If you’re considering renovating your kitchen, worktops are a key part of its design. There are various materials to consider, but each has different pros and cons that should be considered when making this important decision.
Laminate surfaces are durable, versatile, and come in an assortment of colours. However, as they are neither heat nor scratch resistant, use caution when using laminate surfaces; always use a cutting board or hot pan trivet when cutting food on them!
Granite
Granite kitchen worktops installed by specialist can truly boast an elegant aesthetic in a modern home that can increase the resale value of your place and last for decades.
Heat, scratch, and stain resistance also make maintenance much simpler in certain conditions too savings costs in the long run.
Granite stands in stark contrast to engineered materials produced through chemical processes; instead, it is an abundant natural rock mined from quarries around the globe and then transformed into countertops by fabricators. Granite is an igneous rock, meaning that it started its life as liquid magma or lava that solidified over time into solid rock with minerals such as quartz and feldspar, forming hard stone that is extremely resilient.
Granite kitchen worktops tend to be more costly than synthetic alternatives like acrylic or laminate, although you may still find more cost-effective choices by shopping around. Pricing varies based on where and who is cutting and installing your countertop, as well as the size and quality of the granite itself.
Granite countertops are highly resistant to heat, scoring 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This means hot pans can be placed directly on their surface without fear of damage, though for added safety, we advise using a trivet. Furthermore, granite is one of the most durable surfaces available and can withstand frequent heavy chopping and slicing operations.
But if you are considering granite countertops, be prepared to spend considerable time searching for the ideal slab(s), as not all will meet your requirements. Before making your final choice, it’s advisable to visit a variety of slabs. As with natural products like granite, it can vary considerably in terms of colour and pattern variations, so it is a good idea to have samples available from multiple suppliers.
Quartz
Quartz worktops boast an elegant and sophisticated appearance that is often mistaken for natural stone. But in actuality, it is actually an engineered composite made up of crushed quartz mixed with polymer resin for durability, stain resistance, and scratch resistance, and many manufacturers also add pigments for colour enhancement.
Quartz worktops provide an extremely hard-wearing surface that’s ideal for family kitchens. Unlike granite or solid wood worktops, which may be damaged more by hot pots, pans, and curling irons, quartz’s resin binding binders ensure it stands up against these types of heat sources.
Quartz counters are highly resistant to heat damage, making them the perfect surface for serving hot items without risk of scorch marks or discoloration. Clean them using a soft cloth or sponge soaked with mild detergent; any spillages should be cleared away immediately to avoid staining.
Quartz countertops offer similar options as porcelain in terms of finish options: high gloss, honed, and leathered. While high-gloss surfaces feature a reflective shine that reflects light back towards its source, leathered textures have a velvety soft surface texture with a velvety feel to the touch and come in various colour patterns and textures; one example would be pairing a grey polished quartz worktop with matte-finished or timber-grain doors to make an undated yet timeless statement in the kitchen. Furthermore, various finishes enable you to find one suited to your individual kitchen style needs!
Hardwood
Wooden worktops add warmth and natural charm to any kitchen, yet they require slightly more maintenance than some materials. When treated properly, though, wooden worktops will last generations and can easily be sanded down and re-oiled when worn down or scratched; they also happen to be naturally anti-bacterial if sealed properly with a non-toxic oil sealant.
Beech wood worktops are among the most sought-after options, as they are both hardwearing and have an attractive light hue, as well as being easily sourced from sustainable sources. Plus, this wood can even be painted for a unique modern aesthetic! Oak is another popular option; this luxurious material suits traditional as well as contemporary designs thanks to its rich, warm hue and characteristic grain pattern, adding charm and character.
Teak is another highly desirable material. Though usually seen in luxury bathrooms, its use in kitchens has become increasingly prevalent over time. African teak, known as Iroko, has also become very popular, offering a more cost-effective yet visually similar appearance and durability than its more opulent counterpart.
Wooden worktops should be regularly oiled, usually twice a year. Use an emulsion-type woodwork top oil that is non-toxic for the best results. Failing to do so could cause them to become porous and harbour germs more readily; additionally, it’s vitally important that wooden worktops are protected from heat by using trivets or tea towels when sitting them near kitchen appliances emitting heat and moisture, such as ovens—an oven is an especially vulnerable spot!
Laminate
As one of the most sought-after worktop materials, laminate is both cost-effective and simple to maintain, as well as highly durable, standing up well to everyday wear and tear in the kitchen. Laminate can even be cut to size to meet any design scheme in your kitchen for a customised look that satisfies you.
Laminate is composed of layers of kraft paper soaked with resin that are compressed together under heat and pressure before being attached to an MDF or chipboard base, creating an impervious surface suitable for kitchen use.
This material can be customised to mimic the look and feel of natural stone or wood for an elevated finish without the high-end price tag that often comes with these high-end options. Furthermore, there are various colours, patterns, and finishes available so as to suit any kitchen décor theme or aesthetic.
Laminate kitchen worktops offer numerous benefits over stone or wooden worktops in terms of being nonporous and water-resistant, meaning spills will easily wipe away. Your counter will stay looking clean and new when using laminates as countertops!
However, laminate worktops can become damaged from heat and water exposure over time, so it’s essential that they be regularly protected with oil or varnish to keep them looking their best and prevent further damage from occurring.
As with other worktops, laminate can be customised to create an integrated appearance in your kitchen by installing sink and drainer grooves that flow seamlessly with their surroundings. Furthermore, decorative edge profiles may add a sleeker and more modern aesthetic to the room. However, visible edges will show seams where pieces have been connected together, which may not suit all homeowners who desire an uninterrupted surface.
Glass
Glass kitchen worktops create a sleek and contemporary aesthetic. Their reflective and light-diffusing qualities can light up dark corners of a room and make it feel larger, while their smooth surface makes cleaning effortless and maintenance low. As more homeowners become conscious of their impact on the planet, a glass countertop is a greener option as a recyclable material that can be broken down further to be reused as worktops again in other environments instead of ending up as landfill waste.
Glass is resistant to heat, so it won’t experience burn marks or ring marks like solid wood does. We suggest using a chopping board as protection from hot pans or dishes and also to avoid scratching its surface.
While quartz offers more versatile styling options, glass can still be customised to meet the aesthetic requirements of your space. Curved edges make glass suitable for sinks, draining areas, and hob splashbacks, while its easy moulding makes it suitable for corners or pipes. Additionally, it comes in various colours, with popular options including Concrete Gris, Grey Reflection, and Ultra White offering modern concrete effects that complement an all-white high-gloss kitchen.
Kitchen Worktops Benefits
Your worktop selection for your kitchen will set the scene and the atmosphere of your home.
From aspirational modern designs to timeless traditional styles, there’s sure to be a worktop option that meets your aesthetic, including granite, quartz, wood veneer, glass composite, and composite options with their own distinct characteristics that may influence its performance, cost, and care requirements.
One of the chief advantages of kitchen worktops is their durability and longevity. High-quality worktops are built for long-term use, making them a wise investment for your home. Maintaining them also adds value, making reselling easier in future years.
One major advantage of kitchen worktops is their ease of care and maintenance. Most materials can be quickly wiped clean using just water, easily eliminating food debris, heat or scratch damage, and general wear and tear. Laminate worktops in particular are known for being easy to maintain while offering many creative kitchen designs, although their weak spot could potentially be compromised if not sealed appropriately against water ingress.
Stone worktops are an increasingly popular choice among homeowners due to their strength, durability, and natural aesthetic. Stone is also known for its timeless beauty, which makes an impression in any kitchen. No two natural stones will have identical patterns and textures, giving each an individual twist that will help create something truly one-of-a-kind in any given home.
Stone worktops boast many other advantages, including durability and non-porous surface quality that prevent stains from common household chemicals such as wine, beetroot juice, tomato puree, turmeric-spiced coffee, or chilli peppers. Furthermore, due to the absence of pores on its surface, bacteria are less likely to get trapped there, making cleaning them much simpler.
Quartz is a popular alternative to natural stone as it looks and feels similar while having additional advantages that natural stone does not: a non-porous surface that makes stain removal harder, as well as heat and scratch resistance. Quartz comes in various colours and finishes to match your kitchen design perfectly, and it is relatively affordable compared to some other worktop options due to its durability. Furthermore, customizable edges such as curved sections give this material its unique charm, giving your kitchen that personalised feel!
