The worktop you chose will set the tone for your kitchen. Your choice will come down to how durable you need your kitchen counter tops to be, how much you’re prepared to look after it, and the amount you have to spend. Here are some of the best options available to help you make the right choice for your home.
Quartz
Depending on what you choose the price of kitchen counter tops will vary quite a bit. At the higher end of the spectrum are the man-made surfaces of which there are two varieties – the composites which are made with a mix of 33% acrylic resin and 66% natural materials and the engineered stone which is made with a higher percentage of crushed quartz, typically 96%, mixed with resin.
Both of these materials are extremely robust, hygienic and easy to keep and come in a huge range of colours. The composite material can be formed into any shape due to the large amount of resin and is ideal for very long worktops as almost invisible seams can be achieved.
Stone
Stone is a little less costly than the man-made alternatives and granite is probably the most popular choice for kitchen counter tops because it is so hard wearing and naturally heat resistant.
Marble is another popular choice and there are some stunning varieties available but it is more porous than granite so will need to be looked after. You need to be particularly careful of things like red wine and citrus juice which can stain the surface.
Marble is also a very practical choice for anyone who does a lot of cooking. It is naturally heat absorbing, so feels cool to the touch and is the perfect surface for making pastry as it prevents the dough from sticking.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has becoming an increasingly popular choice for kitchen counter tops thanks to the industrial interiors trend.
It is very robust and can be formed into any shape and size of worktop, with integrated sinks and splashbacks.
It does require a bit of work to keep it looking its best though as it tends to show grease and finger marks. It also scratches fairly easily, although light marks can be burnished out.
Glass
Glass has been a popular choice for splashbacks for a number of years now but is also a great option for kitchen counter tops and is well suited for a more contemporary style of kitchen. It is available in almost any colour and is heat resistant to 400C. It does come in specific sizes so joints will be visible for longer counter tops.
Timber
Timber is a less expensive option for kitchen counter tops and is a very popular choice because of the aesthetic warmth that it brings to any kitchen design.
Iroko is a great choice for a kitchen worktop as it has a closed grain and an inherent oiliness, making it more durable than other timbers.
All timbers will need to be oiled a couple of times a year to keep them looking and functioning well. Do bear in mind that all timbers will tend to scratch and stain and water can cause problems.
Laminate
Laminate is by far the most cost-effective choice. They have come a long way in the past 20 years. Some of the laminates that the German factories are producing realistically mimic other materials, including wood and granite and are also available in any shape or colour, making laminate a fantastic alternative to quartz at a fraction of the cost.
Mix and match
And finally don’t rule out mixing two materials, a marble slab incorporated into a wooden worktop for example can work really well. Different materials serve different culinary purposes so combining them can be a really practical thing to do.
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