Kitchen Worktops

You want your kitchen to look great, but it also needs to be able to stand the test of time. So when it comes to choosing the right  material for your work surfaces, you want something that is practical but compliments the overall look and feel of your kitchen.

Kitchen worktops are available in a wide variety of materials and colours. Once again it comes down to taste and style, but granite, wood, laminate and composite stone are among the most popular choices. But whatever material you opt for, all have different advantages.

A kitchen work surface has to endure a lot of use, so therefore needs to be hard wearing. Some materials are more durable and hardy than others. While granite for example is resistant to extensive wear, a material like stainless steel is prone to scratching.

Budget will ultimately have a bearing on the type of material you choose for your kitchen worktop. Also think about the practicalities; what your kitchen surfaces are likely to be put through.

Key things to consider when choosing your worktop

By and large, worktops need to address certain criteria, including:

• Durability – kitchen surfaces need to be able to stand the test of time, so the more durable the material the better. Some material will scratch and mark more easily, a factor worth considering, especially if you have young children.

• Easy to maintain – cleaning a kitchen can be a chore at the best of times. Certain materials are easier to keep clean than others, so bear that in mind.

• Timeless – given the kind of money people tend to spend when kitting out their kitchens, try to choose a worktop that looks timeless; something that won’t date easily.

• Heat resistant – your work surface needs to be able to withstand all those hot pots and pans.

• Look good – although your work surface needs to be practical, opt for something that will compliment the style of your kitchen and its colour scheme. While a stainless steel worktop will look the part in a modern contemporary kitchen, it won’t compliment a country style kitchen quite as well.

Once you have determined your kitchen worktop requirements and budget, the real fun begins – picking the best “look” for your work surface.

The different types of materials

Given the variety of materials available to choose from, deciding on the perfect worktop for your kitchen can be a tough choice. In fact, it might seem like you’re spoilt for choice.

• Granite – if you’re looking for a real style statement, granite creates a striking impression. An igneous rock which is formed from cooling magma and known for it’s durability and timeless beauty, granite is available in a range of shades and colours. It’s notable for its natural patterns – blotches, flecks and speckles – which combine to give it a natural, almost imperfect look.

• Quartz stone – a man made material, comprising 94% quartz and 6% resin, stone worktops are unique and individual, thanks to their texture and colour variation.

• Marble  - softer in appearance, marble is a metamorphic rock, although not quite as hard wearing as granite. It’s a less popular choice for kitchen work surfaces.

• Granite composite – practical and versatile, composite materials are tougher and more durable than natural stone.

• Corian – acrylic polymer and natural minerals are combined to produce Corian. Non porous, durable and very versatile, Corian can be produced in more than 100 colours. Solid surfaces can be designed to emulate the likes of granite and quartz.

• Solid wood – beautiful and natural, no two pieces of wood are quite the same and as such offer uniqueness and individuality. However wooden worktops will need to be treated in order to be kept in tip top condition.

• Glass – great for small modern kitchen worktops because glass gives heightens the feeling of space due to its reflective surface. Glass can be easily scratched however.

• Laminate – although a cheaper option, cheap plastic looking worktops are a thing of the past. The new generation of laminates from market leading manufacturers such as Axiom, Bushboard and Duropal offer excellent value for money and can replicate granite and wood surfaces at a fraction of the cost.

Whether you want the height of luxury like granite or need a more cost-effective worktop solution, Builder Guide’s extensive list of kitchen specialists are on hand to help give the heart of your home that wow factor.