Your options for worktops can be mind-bending
The choice of colours is one issue but the choice of materials will present another range of options and your final selection will be guided by looks, feel and cost. Practicality is important, but some people want a show kitchen which will not see much real use, while others will be cooking and working in the kitchen every day. So when thinking about your worktop material you really need to consider the use your kitchen will be getting and your budget. Worktop choice can make a huge difference to the cost of a kitchen.
Presently there is so much choice out there a decision can be difficult to make. Your specialist kitchen designer will be the best person to advise and guide you, but we have, with thanks to the Worktop Fabricators Federation, published a guide to the various material properties to help you understand how they compare, and below have listed the various options which are readily available. Please note we use generic terms here to describe the materials as many manufacturers and fabricators give their own brand names to products which often are made from the same materials.
Click here for an interesting comparison chart on the properties of various worktop materials.
The range of worktop materials:
Laminate
This type of worktop consists of a block-board or a high-density chipboard with a sheet of laminate bonded to the top. The front edge is formed into a curve to provide a visually soft and safe edge profile. Laminate worktops are sold in lengths, usually 3M, 3.6M or 4.2M and in depths of 600mm or sometimes 500mm. The thickness is generally 30mm or 40mm, but recently a 25mm version with a flat front edge has been popular as it looks similar to a quartz or stone worktop. For island and breakfast bar situations the laminate worktop is available in double postformed format, with two round edges, in 660mm and 900mm widths.
Laminate has undoubtedly been the most popular choice for many years. The surface is reasonably tolerant of heat and stains (although not high temperature) and maintenance requirements are low. Laminate is a hard wearing surface, easily cleaned and food-safe. The worktops are easily cut and jointed on site at the fitting stage, and the flat or square edged variety can be shaped to allow for curved units and variations in the depth of the kitchen, however if the laminate does become chipped it requires a special repair kit. Laminates are the entry price level for worktops, however there are differing qualities available and so prices vary accordingly. The 30mm thick tends to be inexpensive, the 40mm and the 25mm square edged are generally higher quality and cost a bit more.
Wood
Worktops manufactured from natural timber always bring a lovely warmth to a kitchen. Normally they come in slightly shorter lengths than the laminates, but in the same 600mm, 660mm and 900mm widths. Typically the feature a flat front profile, although they can be machined to give a curve or a bullnose effect. For stability in variable heat and humidity the timber tops are formed from smaller blocks which are glued and pressed together to make the full size worktop.
Timber worktops have a great look and feel, but on the practical side they do require a lot of maintenance. They are not very tolerant of heat, can stain easily and are also easily scratched, although minor damages can usually be sorted without too much fuss. Installation is reasonably simple and timber tops can be cut as required on site. Price is somewhat more that a laminate, although there is a range of qualities with a similar range in prices.
Glass
Glass kitchen worktops are made from toughened glass, making them incredibly durable and long lasting. As well as looking great, glass worktops are easy to maintain because of the non-porous finish, meaning they can be easily wiped clean. The glass worktops can be cut to size and made to measure, and will be available in a wide range of colours, allowing you to create an individual look.
Recycled glass is also available, offering a sustainable alternative, where the worktop is made entirely of glass which has been recycled.
Acrylic
Acrylic, often called solid surface, worktops offer a sleek, modern alternative to stone. With discreet joins, they provide a seamless look that enhances the beauty of any kitchen or bathroom. These surfaces are completely waterproof and hygienic, providing an easy-to-clean, non-porous surface that resists stains and bacteria. Made from a mix of natural minerals and acrylic resins, these worktops are also lighter and easier to install than the stone equivalent.
Although stain resistant and non-porous, an acrylic worktop is less resistant to heat than the stone or ceramic alternatives. Always use a trivet or surface protector and do not set pans or dishes straight from the hob or oven directly onto an acrylic top. Although the material can withstand temperatures in excess of 250 degrees centigrade, lengthy exposure to an intense heat source can cause discolouration.
Ceramic
Ceramic kitchen worktops are durable, stain resistant and non-porous – meaning they repel germs and help keep your kitchen work surfaces safe. They’re also easy to maintain and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent. The material is produced by applying heat and pressure to sand, clay and various other minerals. This surface can resist intensely high temperatures, scratching, or liquid absorption. No boiling oil, acid, radiating heat, or razor-sharp knives will affect the structure of ceramic worktop surfaces. Best of all, it is a stylish and modern product, available in hundreds of intricate colours and designs.
Their durability means a much thinner worktop compared to other materials can be achieved.
Brands: Lapitec, Dekton, Marazzi, Techlam, Neolith
Porcelain
Porcelain worktops are an engineered stone material, made up of natural and raw materials including kaolinite, silica, metal oxides and feldspar and treated to extremely high temperatures. In many ways the process is similar to a ceramic surface, but higher pressures and temperatures during manufacturing produce a tougher, denser material.
Porcelain countertops have been developed to withstand the tests of time. An ultra strong resistance to wear and tear, scratch and heat make it an incredibly durable cladding material. Its ability to withstand ultra-violet rays also makes it resistant to colour and texture changes. Porcelain is incredibly durable and can withstand heat, stains and scratches, making it perfect for the hectic pace of kitchens, either in the home or in a commercial setting.
Quartz
Quartz worktops are engineered stone that is both beautiful and elegant with natural stone appearances and a massive range of colour options.
Quartz worksurfaces not only look very attractive but are designed to withstand the rigours of everyday use but although it has a reasonable heat tollerance, this doesnot extend to pot and pans straight from the oven or hob. Always use a trivet of surface protector.
Quartz is a naturally beautiful, durable and hygienic surface material, characterised by superior strength and durability. They show exceptional strength and toughness, and are resistant to impact and difficult to scratch, chip, crack or dull. This durability means that with routine care, it will retain its ultra smooth, lustrous looks for many years. Like all fine materials, Quartz responds best when handled with care and attention. Exceptionally hard and cool to the touch Quartz is also non-porous and stain resistant making it thoroughly hygienic and easy to maintain.
There have been some health concerns recently, relating to Quartz worktops. There is no risk in using these worktops or having them in your kitchen, the potential danger is associated with cutting the material, so once manufactured and installed there is no further risk. You can read more here.
Marble
Marble is one of the most luxurious natural stone building materials owing to its gorgeous and uniquely detailed veining in contrasting hues. The surface is resistant to moderate heat, water and scratches, it's mainly the spills you need to be careful about. A marble countertop should be sealed in order to retain its gorgeous appearance. This is especially true of honed ones which are more porous and prone to staining. Any small hole in this surface will absorb debris or spills if not sealed regularly.
Natural marble is a softer material than both granite & quartz so placing hot pans directly on this surface can possibly weaken or chip the countertop, always using a trivet. General maintenance is straightforward but avoid harsh cleaning materials, use a neutral cleaner and a kitchen cloth. Regular household cleaners will either burn or corrode the marble finish and create etching or dull spots.
Granite
Granite is an igneous, volcanic rock that solidified millions of years ago in a process of magma cooling and crystallising. As a natural product the colours and exact textures will vary depending on where the granite is quarried. Of course much of its beauty is the natural look where surface pattern and colour tints can vary in random ways across the stone surface.
Granite is essentially a solidified, hard rock able to withstand virtually any wear and tear it ‘s subjected to. It is therefore a perfect product for your kitchen worktops, where blades, knives, utensils and appliances are constantly being shuffled across the surface. Granite’s resistance to fire and heat is unparalleled. The stone was created with help of both, so naturally high temperature is a part of its integrity. With granite you’ll be free to put boiling pans, hot plates, even oven trays on the kitchen worktops surface – nothing will scorch it.
Sintered Stone
Minerals and stone particles like the ones found in porcelain or granite are subject to extreme heat and pressure just like they would be deep in the earth’s crust for thousands of years, but the finished material is achieved in a matter of hours. When the process is finished, the particles are bonded together permanently, without the need for resins or bonding agents, to create Sintered Stone.
Properties are very similar to Porcelain and Ceramic surfaces with a high resistance to scratching, chipping and very high temperatures. Your pots and pans can be set on a sintered stone surface straight from the hob or oven without fear of damage. It is waterproof, stainproof, safe and hygienic, and as a non-porous surface there is no sealing or resealing required.
