Chop Chop – Which Kitchen Worktop Surface Is The Best?
When it comes to designing your kitchen, the choice of worktop is an important consideration. In fact, as it’s probably the single most used surface in the room, getting the right material will pay dividends every single day. Conversely, get the wrong material and repent at leisure. No pressure then!
To help you make an educated choice, I’ve consulted the kitchen designers at Halcyon Interiors and put together some handy pros and cons for the most popular worktop surfaces available on the market.
Granite
Whichever way you look at it, granite kitchen worktops are simply gorgeous. As a naturally occurring stone with a glistening crystal structure, there’s an unparalleled variety of different graining and veining in a choice of nearly 3,000 colours and a range of textures – you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Granite is extremely heat resistant and hard wearing and, if looked after properly, will last a lifetime – just as well because this material is not cheap. That said, its style impact is so strong that even a modest kitchen can be transformed with a granite worktop to look much more elegant and desirable.
Granite doesn’t scratch or knock easily and there’s no problem putting a hot pan or oven tray straight onto the worktop. As kitchen surfaces go, you couldn’t get much more practical. It has the second highest hardness rating after diamonds.
However, due to their granular construction, all natural stones are porous to a greater or lesser degree. Granite is a hard stone but some varieties may still need sealing for maximum stain resistance.
Granite is mined in remote locations as far away as Brazil, China and India and also closer to home in Italy and Spain. In terms of carbon footprint, this is not the best eco-friendly choice of kitchen material.
Quartz
Quartz composite, or engineered stone, or reconstituted stone, is a man-made material that’s been manufactured from the ground down granite (over 93% quartz particles) mixed with resins, pigments, and antibacterial agents. An increasingly popular worktop material with well-known brands including DuPont Zodiaq®, LG Viatera®, Cambria Quartz, and Silestone®, quartz worktops are available in a vast range of colours including light, plain shades with a consistent colour finish that’s perfect for contemporary kitchen designs.
What’s more, quartz worktops come in a variety of textures including polished, silk, matte and natural, plus there’s the option of adding an extra mirror, glass or metal finishes to create a visually striking kitchen surface. A hugely practical worktop material, quartz is non-porous and doesn’t require sealing. It’s scratch, heat and stain resistant and a doddle to look after.
On the downside, quartz composite worktops are not an option for those with a restricted budget; quartz is 20-40% more expensive than granite on average.
Solid Surface
Solid surface worktops are custom made to customers’ specifications and include brand names such as Corian and Swanstone. They can be molded into shape to fit awkward spaces and provide seamless integration between worktops and sinks – ideal for modern and contemporary kitchens.
A relatively expensive choice of worktop material, the surface is highly hygienic, 100% stain proof and available in an array of colours and patterns. Once installed, maintenance is minimal.
Corian and other solid surface kitchen worktops can be vulnerable to heat exposure, so take care with hot pans. Scratches will inevitably occur, however, the good news is that unlike other worktop materials, they can be sanded out and repaired rather than require replacement.
Marble
Marble is the undisputed luxury option for many home surfaces but its use as a kitchen worktop is hotly debated. It has a timeless beauty that is hard to match with any other material, particularly if you’re going for the classic cool white finish. It’s widely available and if you look closely you’ll find that not all types of marble will break the bank.
What’s more, if you’re a keen baker, marble is a wonderful surface for working with pastry as it is naturally cool, not being a great heat conductor.
But – and it is a big but – if you want the beauty of marble you will have to put up with constant maintenance. As a relatively soft and porous stone, marble stains easily unless it has been professionally sealed (and will need re-sealing periodically). Red wine, beetroot, vinegar and citrus fruits are the main offenders – you have been warned.
Marble is also easy to scratch – easier to see on perfectly glossy marble surfaces rather than the more matte, less shiny finish of a honed marble worktop.
Laminate
The laminate was once the default choice for kitchen worktops, thanks to its low manufacturing and installations costs – and it is still the cheapest option by far. Worktops are made by layering a waterproof, resin impregnated sheet of material over chipboard, which is easy to cut to size and fit.
There’s a sheer limitless supply of colours, patterns, textures, and finishes on offer to create a smooth kitchen surface that’s durable and practical.
In terms of heat, stain and scratch resistance, laminate doesn’t compare well with stone surfaces and any damage is almost impossible to repair. Seams and joints are prone to damage from heat and water, meaning replacements are more commonplace.
Wood
Wooden worktops are both beautiful and warm, the traditional natural material coming from renewable sources, which makes this a more environmentally friendly choice than many other worktop materials, especially when sourced from FSC approved sources.
There’s a wide selection of colours and finishes to choose from including popular hardwoods such as maple, oak, beech, and walnut. Add a wooden worktop to your kitchen, on breakfast bars and islands and even including end-grain chopping boards, and create a soft, warm vibe to the heart of your home.
Wood will always require some degree of maintenance and will need sealing with the help of varnish or oil. Wood can be damaged by water and stains over time, while scratches and dents can be sanded and will need to be resealed as necessary. Lack of regular maintenance will, over time, lead to unsightly permanent staining, and unhygienic bacterial ingress and mold growth.
Stainless Steel
For a contemporary, industrial chic look in your kitchen, stainless steel worktops are a good choice. Used as the material of choice in commercial kitchens all over the world, stainless steel worktops, often with in-built sinks, are heat resistant, totally stain proof, hygienic, durable and pretty much indestructible.
A stainless steel countertop will be constructed to the exact specifications of your kitchen, meaning a seamless (though expensive!) hard wearing kitchen solution that’s easy to clean and virtually maintenance free.
Steel has a tendency to scratch – always use a chopping board! – and may dent if you’re too rough with the saucepans. However, the scratches and imperfections create a kind of patina over the years that adds character and a unique appeal.
Concrete
Last but by no means least, concrete has significantly risen in popularity as a material for kitchen worktops. It’s a bold choice, probably best reserved for contemporary kitchen designs with an industrial chic vibe, where the budget is upwardly flexible.
Cast-in-situ right in your kitchen as a custom made commission, it means your worktops are produced seamlessly and in any shape you require. The surface can be colour tinted to produce a unique look that’s completely bespoke.
Concrete is heat and scratch resistant but can crack unless properly treated. The material is porous and will stain easily but there are additives to reduce porosity, and a sealant can be applied to eliminate the problem.
