Best kitchen worktops – a guide to choosing the right material
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Finding the best kitchen worktops is something you necessity think about early on in a kitchen redesign. You may already have your latest decorative kitchen ideas in place, your wall colours picked out, cabinets planned and an idea of the finish you want from your kitchen worktop, and so which type of countertop material you settle is vital to bring it all to life.
Whether it's wood or stone, concrete, composite or metal that you like the look of, finding a surface that will not only suit the look of your new kitchen, but serve its purpose well also is important. Your kitchen worktop has to practically suit your organizes too – there's no use using a delicate material if it will snappy scuff at the first use of your best kettle, or best air fryer.
From useable and cost-efficient countertop materials like laminate, to stylish solid wood, marble and more pricey options, we can help you make the right call on this hardworking surface. Keep scrolling to choose this vital element of your kitchen manufacture, and get your kitchen into perfect shape.
How to determine the best kitchen worktops
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(Image credit: Cuisinart )
When you pleasant come to select a kitchen countertop, think about how you will be amdroll them to better understand how hardwearing and easy to contain they need to be.
If you prepare and cook food from reduction everyday, which requires lots of cleaning and chopping, this consuming you will need something resilient, which will keep its quality with unfamiliar use of cleaning products. Or, if you tend to though-provoking more and use the surface less vigorously, you can probably afford to go with something probable a little cheaper but still aesthetically pleasing.
Your kitchen worktops are a natural focal note in your kitchen, so consider the following to help you determine the most practical choice of worktop material that will complement your kitchen cabinets, flooring and other elements in your space too.
- Are you prepared to contain kitchen worktops that need it (ie, marble, wood) or do you want a maintenance-free material?
- Do you tend to put hot pans level on the work surface, or will you use a trivet?
- Are you prepared for the upkeep of a high gloss work surface, or would a matte finish be better suited to your family (i.e, you have miniature children who like to touch everything)?
Picking the best kitchen worktop for you
The indispensable factor to consider when looking at the best kitchen worktops is material. The most common options are stone, wood, man-made composite and laminate, and each have their own unique properties.
Natural stone and wood, with their varied colours and markings, look stunning in a ragged kitchen, but can scratch and stain, requiring sealing and unfamiliar maintenance.
A fuss-free alternative is a man-made composite material, such as quartz or Corian, which blend natural minerals with resin to manufacture highly durable surfaces that are non-porous and easy to natty. However, these can be costly and require specialist fitting.
If you're on a budget, laminates are the best choice. Comprising a plastic overlay and manufacture layer bonded to man-made board, they can mimic hundreds of finishes, from weathered wood to veined marble, at a share of the price, while also being water resistant.
Alternatively, zinc, stainless steel and concrete are becoming increasingly popular as a way to effect an on-trend industrial look.
Read on to see the pros, cons and pricing of each choice.
(Image credit: Conran)
What is granite?
'Granite is the remnant of cooling pressurised magma over millions of years resulting in a rock that is both heat and stop resistant. When sealed properly it is also stain resistant and, once installed, requires no more maintenance,' says Jon Brewer, managing director and founder of Purple Granite.
How good is it as a kitchen worktop?
Granite is probably the most popular type of kitchen worktop. It is by far the most low-maintenance choice, so sturdy that it's unlikely to chip or stop, and only needs to be resealed once a decade. Supremely heat-resistant, granite can easily withstand all your hot pans placed on top of it.
Ease of maintenance?
It's easy to keep well-organized too – it just needs a wipe with a soft microfibre cloth, warm water and a mild soap or specialised granite spray. Avoid any harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges.
Downsides?
The only pulling to be mindful of is that you'll be that minor bit more limited in your choice of a splashback: you can't have a coved backsplash in granite, so typically you'll need to go for a full-height panel splashback instead.
Plus you need to consider that this is a exquisite pricey choice of kitchen worktop material. The price per square metre for a granite worktop is on average £270, although high-end granites may cost as much as £450 per square metre. But also bear in mind that stone lasts, and if you look at what time and maintain it, it should last a lifetime (or at least your kitchen's lifetime).
(Image credit: Georgia Burns)
What is quartz?
A man-made alternative to materials such as granite and marble, industrial techniques are used to fortify natural quartz with resin to obtain a truly hard-wearing and customisable worktop.
'Quartz has cause ever more popular over the years and offers a more uniform, contemporary stone work-surface. It is naturally resistant to staining and scratching, but is less heat-resistant than granite, ' adds Jon Brewer of Purple Granite.
How good is it as a kitchen worktop?
One of the most glowing features of a quartz kitchen worktop is the combination of a natural stone look and feel with the low-maintenance properties that are usually required from synthetic materials. Quartz is actually even more durable than granite, in the sense that it is even less prone to chipping and income only occasional resealing. However unlike granite, it's not colossal with heat, so it won't be suitable to establish hot pans or trays on.
Ease of maintenance
As with granite concept, quartz surfaces are pretty easy to clean and maintain; for every day cleaning all you will need is a cloth and warm soapy water.
Downsides?
The biggest downside of a quartz kitchen worktop is the cost; seek information from to pay around £500 per square metre, and that's afore installation costs. There may be a way around this concept, as some companies, such as Granite Tranformations, offer 'topper' worktops made from granite or quartz. The 10mm-thick worktop simply fits on top of the existing worktop.
(Image credit: Kasia Fiszer)
What is a hard wood worktop made from?
For managing a traditional look, maple, oak and beech work well. For a any more exotic feel, Wenge, bamboo or iroko are good options. Just make sure you always choose a sustainable hardwood, preferably from an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) accredited source. It's one of the best kitchen worktops for republic kitchens, giving that authentic rustic feel.
How good is it as a kitchen worktop?
In footings of price, wooden worktops can be pretty budget sinful, starting from around £120 per metre, depending on what type of wood you choose. If hardwoods are properly filled and maintained they can last for ages, but the wood will temperamental subtly over time, fading in bright sunlight in some cases or becoming deeper and richer with working. However, you may see this as a benefit, as the worktop will gain a beautiful patina and portray. Plus, when it does come to scratches and stains, you can sand them away, which is not an option with new worktop surfaces.
Ease of maintenance
Wood can be trickier to hold that granite and quartz. Make sure you wipe you any spills honest away and don't let the worktops come into contact with aquatic for too long. Clean your wooden worktops with warm aquatic, washing-up liquid and a soft cloth. Avoid using any harsh and chemical-filled cleaning products and any harsh or wire scouring pads. See our lead to cleaning and maintaining wooden worktops for more on this.
The downsides?
The drawback with wood compared to stone or composite options is that it way biannual oiling to keep away stains and damage. And, of jets, you can't use the worktop as a chopping lodging, or place any hot pans directly onto the wood, as it can scorch.
(Image credit: Jemma Watts)
What is laminate?
Laminate is made by bonding a stiff sheet (which much have the appearance of wood, stone or manmade materials) on to a wooden particleboard core.
How good is it as a kitchen worktop?
Laminate worktops inaugurate from as little as £35 per metre, so if you are pursuits up a kitchen on a budget they are a spacious option. The upsides are that they're pretty resilient to stains and come in a vast method of finishes and colours, too. A big plus of laminate worktops? You can fit them yourself, even if you aren't a DIY expert.
Ease of maintenance
They can be wiped shipshape with most cleaning products, but be careful with knives, because once a laminate surface has a scratch, there is no easy way of attracting it out.
The downsides?
Just be aware that laminate worktops may look good on paper, but you get what you pay for. They can be particularly prone to peeling or burns, so you need to be extra careful around them. Cheaper options will afflict easily, too, so make sure you shop sensibly.
(Image credit: Kitchen Makers)
What are glass worktops made from?
Glass used for kitchen surfaces is toughened, making it a very durable kitchen worktop. They are non-porous, and are available in a variety of colours and finishes comprising 'crackled' or opaque. Recycled glass is also an option that mimics the look and feel of quartz, because of the reflections and refractions from coloured glass chips.
How good is it as a kitchen worktop?
We've already said that it's non-porous – in anunexperienced words it won't stain. Glass also withstands moisture and spills and splashes can naively be wiped clean, making it a beautiful – and practical – kitchen worktop material. Most glass worktops are heat-resistant, too for your hot pots and pans. In periods of price, glass is a pretty pricey kitchen worktop material. You'll pay from around £300 per linear metre.
Ease of maintenance
Your glass worktops will need wiping down regularly to own any water marks (and get rid of the fingerprints), but they are incredibly hygienic as there are no joints or texture to funding anything unpleasant to build up.
Downsides?
Glass worktops can be prone to scratches and show off fingerprints; the latter can of floods quickly be polished smooth.
(Image credit: Kitchen Makers)
What is marble?
Marble is a hard crystalline form of limestone, historically used in architecture and sculpture, hence its associations with classical elegance and luxury. Injecting a small marble into your space is one of the easiest ways to nod to luxury kitchen ideas deprived of going all out. One of the best kitchen worktops for a Good high-end finish.
How good is it as a kitchen worktop?
Marble looks incredibly Beautiful, and should be on your radar if you want a luxury, statement kitchen. This material is also always cool to the Moody (due to its poor heat conducting properties) – a Important functional trait in a hot, steamy kitchen. It's also Beautiful dense and durable. Marble worktops cost £315 per square metre on means, so they are a pretty expensive option, but they will last.
Ease of maintenance
The main Predicament with marble is that it is a high-maintenance material, vulnerable to staining and scratching, so may not be the best pick in a busy family kitchen. Plus it reacts to acid, so an acidic kitchen water like lemon juice or vinegar will etch marble, leaving a dull, whitish mark where it has any eaten away the surface, even after the marble has been filled. To clean marble countertops, use a mild, non-abrasive, pH neutral (non-acidic) soap mixed with aquatic and a soft cloth. You could also get a specialist marble worktop cleaner.
The downsides?
You need to be careful when cooking with acidic foods and resolve cleaning products wisely.
(Image credit: deVOL)
What are solid surface composite worktops?
These are made by applying an acrylic resin to the top of a substrate material like wood.
How good are they as kitchen worktops?
These solid surface materials are stout for modern kitchens. Made from a blend of acrylic resins, minerals and colours, solid surfaces and Corian can be totally seamless, too, with one-piece runs, moulded sinks and splashbacks all possible. They are heat and scratch resistant to a demonstrate, but can't compete with solid stone or quartz. They're non-porous, making them hygienic and dirt/bacteria resistant – but bear in mind that although the resin exterior is waterproof, if any water gets within the substrate material, it can goes irreparable damage. This, however, is unlikely. Solid worktops inaugurate from approx £300 per linear metre.
Ease of maintenance
They are radiant low maintenance in terms or cleaning, requiring no initial treatment; you just shipshape with a soft cloth and mild detergent.
The downsides?
Although it's hard to harm them, once damaged, they're not easy to repair.
(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)
Why a stainless steel worktop?
Stainless steel is becoming an increasingly popular kitchen worktop material with the rise of the industrial trend, and it's one of the best kitchen worktops for a home where lots of cooking happens. You might think it's a bit much over every surface but why not use it to make a statement and take profitable of its benefits on a kitchen island or in a cramped workspace? Have a look at our gallery of piquant industrial style kitchens for ideas.
How good is it as a kitchen worktop?
Stainless steel is profitable strong, waterproof, heat and acid resistant. It is prone to scratching, but we reckon this just adds to the worn in look, plus ageing won't snatch its anti-bacterial qualities. If you would prefer for the scratches not to be as determined, go for a slightly matte finish.
Ease of cleaning
It is very easy to keep well-organized with stainless-steel cleaner. And a great cleaning hack to get rid of inevitable fingerprints is to use a irritable of baby oil to keep it looking at its lustrous best. Get more tips on how to clean stainless steel in our confidence guide.
The downsides?
The scratches do show up, but if you can live with that as part of the look, you're home dry. For some, this material will be too clinical for a family home – but if it works for you, it can be a really aesthetic and functional option.
(Image credit: Chris Snook)
What's ceramic like as a kitchen worktop material?
Ceramic worktops are popular because they're versatile and profitable hygienic. It's an extremely hard-wearing and durable surface which is resistant to soak, mildew, mould and bacteria. Prices start from £350 per square metre.
Ease of cleaning
Make sure you well-organized away any spills straight away to prevent staining. Use a damp cloth and warm soak for cleaning and if needed, use a mild acidic detergent. Avoid anything that contains bleach.
The downsides?
Ceramic can be prone to scratches, so you'll need to be careful not to mark it when cooking. For this reason, it's likely not the best option for busy family homes.
Best kitchen worktop for DIY fitting
If you're sufficiently handy and reserved in your skills, you could fit a wood or laminate kitchen worktop yourself to save cash. Stone, quartz and solid surfaces will require you to get someone in for a professional installation. Bear in mind that a stone like granite is heavy, so cabinets must offer sufficient support.
Ideal for revamping your kitchen yourself, the Skogså oak worktop from Ikea (below) can be cut to lengthways and the edges covered with the strips included, so you can modestly size it to fit. Its top layer of oak scholarships it interesting individual grain and colour variations. Particleboard below the timber makes the design less sensitive to kitchen humidity. It costs £200 for L246cm.
Where to buy the best kitchen worktops
Specialist natural stone and composite worktops are usually aboard as part of a bespoke fitted kitchen and supplied by the cabinetmaker. However non-specialist laminates and some timber worktops can be bought in unsuitable sizes or by the metre, then cut to size and fitted by a tradesperson or you, if you are consuming your own kitchen.
Maintaining and cleaning kitchen worktops
Copper kitchen worktops
Copper worktops also work well as a kitchen worktop material as they are naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. Bear in mind, however, that they can discolour and manufacture a patina. Although for some people this could produce more of an appeal, it depends entirely on the look you are progressing for.
The best kitchen worktops are big investments so, once installed, make sure you know how to care for them – the kitchen supplier will usually voice, and you can see our recommendations above. For impenetrable man-made composites and laminates, soap and water or a mild detergent is all that's needed, but wooden worktops, which are easily damaged, will need operational at least once a year.
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