As HC Supplies very rightly suggests, the first step to making a decision about worktops (or any feature of the kitchen for that matter) is to evaluate what exactly it is you need from it. Does your worktop need to be hard-wearing? Does it need to be water-resistant? Heat-resistant? And any other requirement that is applicable to you, because what you need will depend on your circumstance and directly affect which worktop would be the prime choice for you. So, to make this snappy and informative I’ll take you through all your options with a classic pro and con list!
Granite
Granite material is a natural rock which is simply cut and polished for use in the kitchen and is known to be one of the most durable worktop materials available. So, it comes as no surprise that this choice is quite popular in the kitchen design industry.
Pro’s
- Comes in many shades and patterns
- Long lasting/durable
- Doesn’t depreciate in value
- Easy to clean
- Heat Resistant
- Stain Resistant
Con’s
- Expensive cost up front
- Needs to be properly sealed or will become porous
- Most likely needs replacing after damage
- Heavy and needs full support from cabinets underneath
Wood
Solid wood worktops are often made from Oak, Walnut, Beech or Ash. Because of its natural colour and essence, wood is a popular choice when you want to add a warm or natural flair into your kitchen space for a welcoming environment, which is why they are often featured in country style kitchens.
”Wood is beautiful and a lovely feature but high maintenance, particularly around the sink area”
Our Senior Designer, Jen
Pros
- With proper maintenance, wood will improve over time and remain in good condition
- Any accidental damage is manageable by sanding away this chip etc.
- Hygienic choice as wood worktops is naturally resistant to germs and bacteria
- Variety of colours
- Cheaper up-front cost
- Can be easily rejuvenated with oil
Con’s
- Not heat resistant
- Not stain resistant
- Can scratch
- High maintenance – ideally needs to be oiled every 6 months
Quartz
Surely, we all understand the rave over Quartz…it’s beautiful, and not to mention it’s the only man-made stone that is just as durable as Granite, a natural stone. With Quartz you aren’t worried about damaging you worktop, rather not damaging your knives!
Pro’s
- Customisable – wide range of colours and textures available
- Non-porous (doesn’t require sealing)
- Stain Resistant
- Long Lasting
- Hard Wearing
- Low Maintenance
Con’s
- Can become expensive
- Best for specialists to fit
- Ties you to a modern look
Laminate
Demand for laminate worktops is definitely increasing in rhythm with technological improvements, because this material is manufactured a vast range of appearances can be achieved within a varied budget. If you choose laminate as a worktop, it would be easy to colour match the tone and colour of the worktop to the rest of your kitchen as well as choose between the two broadest options: a classic standard finish or a gloss finish.
”If budget was a concern, I would definitely recommend a 20mm laminate worktop”
Our Senior Designer, Jen
Pro’s
- Customisable – available in many different colours, textures and styles
- Quick and easy to fit
- Quality printing means you can achieve an authentic look
- Affordable
Con’s
- Scratches easily
- Can be damaged by heavy objects
- Not heat resistant
- If damaged it’ll need replacing not repairing
Corian
If you are looking for a sleek, solid and stylish worktop Corian is the way to go. Due to this worktop being manufactured by mixing Resin and Bauxite pigments the potential for this material is nearly endless, most popularly clients like to choose this option when they are aspiring to a seamless aesthetic – Corian can be a single slab of material in your kitchen such as the picture shown below. Another winning factor that clients love is the fact that with Corian worktops, you can match it to an undermounted Corian sink (how cool is that!)
Pro’s
- Highly design flexible
- Very hygienic
- Stain Resistant
- Easy to clean
Con’s
- Satin finish wears off over time with damage
- High cost
- Scratches easily
- Not as heat resistant as Quartz or Granite
Marble
Marble is essentially the definition of luxury. Have you seen it!? Particularly clients who enjoy baking are thankful for this worktop because of its cool surface which makes it ideal for making dough and pastries. Apart from that, the aesthetic of this worktop is usually a huge contender to a successful kitchen design.
Pro’s
- Natural beauty
- Long lasting if looked after
- Great design feature
- Easy to maintain
Con’s
- Prone to scratches and stains
- High-cost option
- Scorch marks
Concrete
In complete transparency – I though concrete worktops were just a possibility on a Pinterest board, but to find out that people actually use concrete as worktops?! Mind = blown. However, I’m about to tell you why it’s not as popular as Quartz or Corian is.
Due to the very porous material, upon installation concrete needs to be sealed and regular waxing to prevent staining and damage.
Pro’s
- Durable (Heat Resistant)
- Damage can be repaired (instead of replaced)
- Design – looks amazing and come in many different variations
Con’s
- Can crack
- Stains and scratches easily
- High maintenance
- Costly
Ultimately, choosing a worktop for your kitchen can make you feel confused and conflicted, and it doesn’t help that there is an overwhelming number of options. But never fear when Jacob Roberts is near, part of our design offering is understanding your lifestyle requirements and personal style preference, and then presenting you with the perfect solution to your predicament.
Lenice Joubert
Social Media & Marketing Assistant
Hi! I’m Lenice 🙂 Part of my job is to write informative and interesting posts for our website visitors. I use our teams knowledge, as well as industry backed information to write my posts. If you’d like more information on a certain topic, just let me know and we can include it in our bank of information.
Have a good day!
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