Kitchen Worktop Guide
Our guide to worktops can help you choose a new kitchen surface and design. We outline the different materials used and their advantages and disadvantages.
Contents
Intro
When looking for a ready-made kitchen worktop, there are attractive yet practical choices. The most popular options are laminate or solid wood, both of which are available in various colours, thicknesses and styles. Once you have chosen your worktop, you may wish to add an upstand or breakfast bar of the same material for consistency in your kitchen design.
Laminate Worktops
Available in a myriad of designs, laminate worktops are popular thanks to their versatility. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with impressive impact and stain resistance, laminate kitchen worktops are a perfect choice. They consist of a chipboard substrate covered in a high-pressure laminate, boasting excellent durability and low maintenance. Laminate worktops are available in an array of finishes like matt and gloss and can be easily trimmed from 3m lengths to suit your needs.
Compact Laminate
A compact laminate worktop consists of multiple layers of paper fibres and laminate, forming its own structure without particle or MDF board. While traditional laminate can scratch, chip and bubble, compact laminate's thickness means it is more durable. Plus, it is more water-resistant, making it a suitable option for undermount sinks and drainer grooves.
Compact laminate will come at a higher cost than the more traditional option; however, it is more cost-effective than stone or a wooden worktop.
Solid Wood Worktops
Solid wood worktops can provide the perfect finishing touch to a kitchen. Highly sought after for its natural finish, solid wood is extremely hard-wearing. Wooden worktops also come with the benefit of having a natural antibacterial finish that repels water, heat and scratches. Oak worktops are incredibly popular and are often manufactured from sustainably sourced timber. We recommend any unfinished solid wood worktops are first treated and regularly maintained by using danish oil, worktop oil or another suitable alternative.
How to Care for a Wooden Kitchen Worktop
Wooden worktops are beyond doubt one of the most enduringly stylish ways to enhance your kitchen. However, in order to preserve the aesthetics of your worktops, you will occasionally need to apply some TLC.
How to Oil a Wooden Worktop
A tried and true treatment is to oil your worktop using Danish oil. We’d recommend Liberon Danish Oil because it prevents sun-induced fading, making it suitable for use on external surfaces as well. Danish Oil will emphasise the natural grain of your worktop and protect it from staining. You could also try Osmo Top Oil which guarantees a tough hard wax oil finish. For the first two weeks post-installation it’s best to oil the wood a couple of times a week because it will be more susceptible to damage afterwards. Thereafter, applying oil 3 or 4 times a year will suffice to maintain its condition.
How to Clean a Wooden Worktop
You can clean your worktop with a simple mixture of soap and water. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe the surface, and refrain from using chemical-based cleaning products as they can potentially harm the wood.
Take care when allowing hot, wet or dirty items on your worktops, as these can also cause damage. If any spillages occur, mop them up straight away! Consider using a worktop saver to protect against hot pans, and always use a chopping board when preparing food to prevent scratches or cuts on the worktop surface. It’s also worth noting that you’ll need to take extra care if installing an undermount sink into your worktop because water and debris are more likely to splash onto the counter.
Granite Worktops
Granite is sourced from quarries in big slabs of natural stone. Depending on its origin, the condition of granite can vary, affecting the stone's colour and patterns. Every piece of granite you see will be one-of-a-kind. Granite is highly sought after for its unique beauty and high strength, making it an incredibly luxurious design choice. Real Homes discusses the varying costs of granite counters depending on the desirability of each finish. It's recommended that you seal a granite worktop on installation because, although it possesses a low porosity level, certain substances may still leave a stain. Furthermore, due to lack of uniformity, it is often impossible to hide the joint line of granite countertops.
Quartz Worktops
Quartz is an engineered stone made up mostly of crushed quartz and a small percentage of resin. Quartz is just as strong as granite with extra versatility, making it easier to work with during installation. In addition, a quartz worktop is non-porous, meaning it does not require sealing and will last a lifetime being cleaned with soap and warm water. Visually, a quartz worktop possesses a more uniform, fabricated appearance compared to granite. However, you are still spoilt for choice with an array of colours and styles, including blue quartz and white quartz.
Ceramic Worktops
Ceramic worktops are heated to incredibly high temperatures during manufacture, resulting in a hard surface often regarded as superior to granite and quartz. These countertops are a popular choice for their impermeability, scratch resistance and low maintenance. Plus, their versatility in colour and style means it's easy to stay on-trend. Choosing ceramic can be a more costly option, even compared to granite and quartz, but it's a choice that will comfortably last a lifetime.
Glass Worktops
Glass worktops are made from toughened glass possessing extraordinary strength and style. These worktops take advantage of natural light, opening up the space and creating a pleasing ambience. You can find a range of colour options and, once installed: glass worktops are easy to maintain with stain and scratch resistance.
Corian Worktops
Corian by DuPont is made from acrylic resin and minerals. It's known for its strength, durability and stain resistance. Corian worktop can also be thermoformed, meaning it can suit any counter shape or style. According to House Beautiful, Corian countertops are a great option if you want to get more creative with your kitchen ideas due to its seamless potential.
Stainless Steel Worktops
Stainless Steel worktops have historically been associated with commercial kitchens; however, they are becoming more common in domestic spaces. It's a firm favourite among chefs for its hygienic properties; a non-porous surface means resistance to bacteria and germs. Simply wipe with a microfibre cloth, water and soap and your worktop will be perfectly sanitary again. Furthermore, stainless steel possesses excellent durability, boasting a heat and stain-resistant surface. If you're looking for a bright and contemporary update for your kitchen, this may be the way to go.
Worktop Accessories
There are a lot of kitchen worktop accessories available for those looking to refresh an existing counter. If your current worktops are looking a little worse for wear, but replacement isn’t an option, you might consider purchasing some worktop sealant for joint and surface repairs. Unika Colorfill is available in various colours, allowing you to match your worktop with ease. In addition, worktop edging strip is ideal for quickly and cost-effectively replacing tired edges.
Top Seal
ColorFill
You can usually order some free samples to see prior to making final decisions on your chosen worktop. Order yours today!