In all the excitement of planning a layout and choosing designs for a new kitchen, the worktop can often seem an afterthought. Yet with a bewildering choice of different surfaces available, which is the best for your particular kitchen?
The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) takes us through the pros and cons of the latest cutting-edge materials.
1. Laminate Traditionally one of the most popular surfaces, laminate comes in a wide variety of colours and textures. You’ll need to use a chopping board for cutting and should avoid placing hot pans directly onto the countertop. Laminate can’t be repaired if damaged but, on the plus side, it’s fairly inexpensive, stain resistant and easy to apply edging to.
2. Corian is an acrylic composite which is heat resistant and difficult to stain. It’s available in over 100 colours in sheet form and can be cut and moulded like wood. Seams are virtually invisible and a Corian sink could even be moulded into the worktop for a stylish modern finish.
3. Durat The eco-friendly option, a unique solid surface made from 50% recycled plastic and 100% recyclable itself. Durat offers an interesting finish giving an impression of depth, and is easy to clean, hygienic and highly durable. Like Corian, it can be moulded into sinks.
4. Wood is an extremely attractive surface, adding character to traditional and modern kitchens alike. Wood offers great value for money and is the only surface which won’t damage your knives. However, hot pans can burn or mark the surface and deep cuts will show, but can be sanded out. It’s high maintenance, too, requiring the use of natural oils to maintain it in tip top condition.
5. Stainless steel Durable and hygienic, stainless steel is the surface of choice in professional kitchens and can be used as a splashback, sink and to clad kitchen cupboards for a seamless space-age feel. Stainless steel is corrosion-proof, can be safely bleached and is extremely durable, but can scratch and dent and is fairly high maintenance.
6. Granite An increasingly popular choice for its hardwearing qualities and its natural composition. Every granite worktop is unique, reflecting the geological conditions which created it. It’s heat resistant and hard to scratch, and is one of the most expensive options – but it looks great and is often worth the expense for many people.
7. Marble is a very big trend in kitchens currently. Like granite, it offers a unique, timeless appeal and looks stunning when cut from one big slab. Unfortunately it’s very porous and can stain easily, and is not as hygienic as granite.
8. Limestone, like granite, will add that ‘wow!’ factor to your kitchen. But like marble, it’s very porous and can stain easily, so will need to be well-sealed before use.
9. Glass is one of the most exciting worktop ideas of recent years. Toughened glass can be used for both worktops and splashbacks and is available in an extensive range of colours. It looks particularly stunning when lights are incorporated into the work surface.
10. Quartz finishes, such as Zodiaq, Cambria (from the US) and Silestone (from Spain) bring natural good looks to any kitchen. It’s scratch, stain and heat resistant and, unlike granite, does not need to be resealed every few years.
EDITOR’S NOTES
The KBSA is a national trade association founded 30 years ago to promote excellence within the interiors industry and champion consumer protection. It now boasts more than 400 retailer members throughout the UK.
KBSA members are dedicated to upholding the association’s high standards of design, supply, installation and customer service throughout the interiors industry. All members are carefully vetted prior to admission and they must have been trading for at least two years in order to be considered for membership. All members offer ConsumerCare deposit protection or ConsumerCare Plus, which protects the consumer from payment of the deposit to completion of the contract and includes an insurance backed warranty.
In addition, all members are subject to regular monitoring of their businesses to ensure levels of quality are continually maintained.
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