A guide to choosing the best kitchen worktop
Choosing the right kitchen worktop is a big decision, and one you want to get right so you don’t end up needing to replace it sooner than planned. That’s why we’ve put this guide together, to help you make the right decision for your kitchen and lifestyle.
A kitchen worktop can make or break the style of your kitchen space from a visual perspective. It also needs to live up to the demands of its daily use. There are lots of options available when it comes to materials, designs and styles, and despite there being plenty of ‘perfect worktop’ suggestions out there, there is no one size fits all. Each kitchen and homeowner are unique so it’s all about finding the perfect kitchen worktop for your kitchen based on your lifestyle, taste and budget.
Each worktop style has its pros and cons, and there is a range of factors to consider before deciding which worktop is best for your kitchen. We’ve laid out the options below to help walk you through the decision-making process.
Now, before we get into worktop material details, we’ve answered a few questions that we get asked a lot. These will give you more insight into how to decide which worktop is best for your kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need heat, stain and water-resistant worktops?
This depends wholly on how you plan to use your space. If you tend to put pans directly onto your surface, we’d always recommend choosing a material that’s on the heat resistant end of the scale. It also depends on the type of cooking you’re likely to do as well as the spices/liquids you use/have out regularly. For example, if you use turmeric a lot, we wouldn’t recommend a porous worktop material. Some worktops are easily damaged by spills, so make sure you take note of the materials that would work best for you below.
Choosing a kitchen worktop is a decision you want to get right! To help you focus your search, here are four questions to ask yourself before you get started:
1. What’s your budget?
2. Who will be using it?
3. How will it be used?
4. What style are you looking for/do you like?
Once you’ve answered the questions above, you’ll have a better idea of what you want and need from your kitchen worktop, which will make it easier to narrow down your options.
Here, we take a closer look at the different kitchen worktop options available to you, including and how they vary in durability and sustainability. This should help you to make an informed decision and find the worktop that’s the right choice for you and your kitchen.
Which kitchen worktops are the best?
The answer depends completely on your lifestyle, taste and budget. As you spend so much time in your kitchen space, it’s important that you like the way it looks and feels, so aesthetics and style are key. It’s likely that you’ll want to find a style you won’t get bored of too quickly as well; this will give your kitchen worktop longevity.
Another important factor to consider is the way your kitchen worktop will be used. Do you use chopping boards or would you rather not? Do you use chemical-based or natural cleaning products? Do you use spices that might stain regularly? The way you use your kitchen on a daily basis, as well as your personal taste, will help you decide on what worktop will work best for you.
What are kitchen worktops made of?
There is a wide range of materials available for kitchen worktops and some will be more suited to you and your kitchen than others. There are natural options such as stone and wood, as well as man-made choices too.
Natural stone worktops provide a beautiful finish but are not always hardwearing, they do however offer uniqueness in that no other piece of stone is the same. Wooden worktops offer unique patterns and a classic finish: the tried and tested favourite for traditional style kitchens. There is a wide range of materials available, from natural wood and stone to man-made options such as terrazzo, quartz, laminate and ceramic, each has its pros and cons which we’ll get into in more detail in this article.
If you’d prefer a more contemporary and cost-effective material, laminate and solid laminate are super convenient. They come in many colours and finishes and can even give the appearance of natural materials effectively and at a lower price point.
Where can I buy kitchen worktops for my budget?
If you are working with a kitchen designer and fitter like ourselves, we’ll advise on the best worktops for your space and budget using our decades of experience. We’ll also help you source them. If you are not working with a designer, you will be able to find specialist retailers who often specialise in certain materials. Laminates/woods can be bought online but stones need fabricating and typically don’t offer an online-only service. We would always recommend working with a kitchen designer if possible, to help you understand what you need and how much of it you need.
It’s essential to find the right provider for you and your budget. Here at PAD, our kitchen expertise ensures the best possible experience and outcome for our clients without unnecessary cost. We’re simply people working with people to provide the best of British design, and we’re proud to offer quality kitchens for every kind of budget.
A guide to popular kitchen worktop materials
Quartz ££
Quartz worktops are made from ground-up particles of stone that are bound together with plastic resins. Combining the beauty of natural stone with the benefits of a man-made material, quartz worktops have become incredibly popular. With the unlimited range of colours and styles, you’ll be able to find quartz worktops that closely mimic natural marbles and stones at a slightly lower price point.
Durability
Quartz is scratch and stain resistant but not heatproof. It can also tarnish if in direct sunlight.
Maintenance
Quartz is non-porous so there’s no need for resealing treatments like there is with natural stone.
Sustainability
Whilst quartz does contain plastic, it is generally very durable and so will last a long time without needing to be replaced.
Terrazzo ££
The stone itself has existed for a long time, but Terrazzo worktops only came to light more recently. They’re traditionally made from recycled waste materials mixed with marble shavings and resin or cement to bind them together. Due to its sustainability credentials, terrazzo is becoming hugely popular with those keen to reduce the impact of their homes. Terrazo, available in a wide range of colours, can also be used to resemble stone in some cases with its unique patterned glass appearance.
Durability
Terrazzo is both stain and heat resistant, and mostly scratch resistant too.
Maintenance
Terrazzo needs regular cleaning and sealing to avoid damage and colour change. It is also quite difficult to repair.
Sustainability
Terrazzo is one of the most sustainable worktop options as it’s made from recycled materials.
Corian £££
Corian is a man-made material made from acrylic resin and natural materials. It can be fitted with inconspicuous joints that are barely visible – the only material with this feature. There is a large range of colours and patterns when it comes to Corian, and even Corian sinks that can fit seamlessly into the worktop should you desire. Where stone meets plastic, Corian is fairly stain and heat-resistant, but trivets should still be used on the surfaces. The worktops can scratch, but these can be polished and buffed out.
Durability
Corian is heatproof up to 100 degrees and is stain resistant. It is slightly softer than some other worktop options though which means it can scratch more easily.
Maintenance
Corian can scratch fairly easily and so requires regular maintenance if you want your worktops to always look new.
Sustainability
Corian is a renewable material and therefore very environmentally friendly.
Wood £
Wooden worktops generally have a more traditional feel to them, but they can also add natural warmth and character to a more modern kitchen space too. However, they do need more looking after. Each wood reacts slightly differently to different conditions and acids, so research your chosen wooden worktop well.
Durability
Wood is vulnerable to heat and water so is a less durable option in comparison to some of the tougher worktop materials such as quartz. Wood can also stain easily.
Maintenance
Wood needs oiling and sealing regularly and is less hygienic than other worktop materials due to the fact that is soaks up anything spilt on it.
Sustainability
Not all wood worktops are sustainable, but you can opt for reclaimed wood or at least make sure that your wood is FSC certified.
Granite ££
A stylish and practical worktop option, granite is an incredibly durable natural stone that’s always been popular in kitchen design. Granite offers a timeless look and feel to a space whilst suiting both traditional and modern kitchens. Generally, granite comes in darker colours and lighter shades can get very expensive.
Durability
Granite is incredibly durable and will last a long time. However, it can be chipped and it’s not always easy to repair.
Maintenance
Granite is stain, heat and scratch resistant meaning it requires little maintenance.
Sustainability
Whilst it is also important to know how your granite is sourced, it adds to the sustainability of your kitchen due to its long-lasting nature.
Marble ££, £££
Marble adds a touch of luxury, beauty and elegance to most kitchen styles. It’s a natural stone that comes in many varieties, including colour options, but falls a little bit shorter than other worktop materials when it comes to durability and maintenance. However, it is more environmentally friendly than you might think, and each piece is entirely unique.
Durability
Marble is fairly hardwearing but things like knives can damage the surface. It’s also quite porous so it’s best to avoid too many cuts and spills if you want your worktop to last a long time.
Maintenance
Marble needs a higher level of maintenance in terms of cleaning and polishing as it stains quite easily. However, it doesn’t buckle under heat pressure. You can use it for worktops, sinks and splashbacks without fearing damage.
Sustainability
Marble doesn’t require much manufacturing, only cutting and polishing which means less energy is used to produce it. It can also last a long time making it a more eco-friendly option than materials such as laminate.
Laminate £
Laminate worktops are made from compacted chipboard that’s then coated with plastic laminate. You will see these in a lot of kitchens as they are one of the more affordable options. Laminate can be used to give the appearance of wood, granite and marble worktops, it’s also lightweight and easy to work with.
Durability
Whilst it’s pretty hardwearing in terms of everyday maintenance, laminate can start to split over time and the chipboard under the coating can soak up water. It’s not known to last for a really long time in the same way stone can.
Maintenance
Laminate is waterproof and therefore easy to clean and doesn’t stain easily. However, it will burn or melt if hot pans are placed directly onto it.
Sustainability
Laminate is made of plastic and doesn’t generally last that long, it’s more affordable but it’s a less sustainable worktop material.
Ultra-Compact: Dekton £££
Dekton is an incredibly versatile man-made material, created by mixing a unique formula of raw materials including quartz, porcelain and glass at a high temperature, then compressing to create a hard and compact worktop material. Dekton is available in many variants, including in its colour, pattern, thickness and finish. Whilst it’s great from a durability perspective, Dekton is considerably more expensive than granite, marble and quartz.
Durability
Dekton is very durable being completely stain and scratch resistant. Due to the sharper edges, chipping can sometimes occur.
Maintenance
Dekton is heatproof and UV resistant meaning it doesn’t require much maintenance.
Sustainability
Dekton is incredibly long lasting but does require a lot of energy to produce in the first instance.
Ultra-Compact: Neolith £££
Neolith kitchen worktops are a mixture of glass, quartz and porcelain — the same ultra-compact as Dekton. It’s a lightweight product that can mimic wood, marble, oxidised metals and more. Highly scratch and impact-resistant, this material is available in satin, silk, polished and river-washed finishes, making it suitable for almost any interior kitchen theme.
Durability
Neolith is very durable being completely stain, scratch and water-resistant. Due to the sharper edges, chipping can sometimes occur.
Maintenance
Neolith is heatproof and UV resistant meaning it doesn’t require much maintenance and is very easy to clean.
Sustainability
Neolith is incredibly long-lasting but does require a lot of energy to produce in the first instance. However, Neolith is also made up of 52% recycled materials.
Concrete £££
If you’re looking for a more industrial aesthetic, concrete could be a great worktop option for you. Unsurprisingly, concrete worktops are hardwearing and heat resistant. They also work really well with other materials.
Durability
Whilst generally very durable, concrete can crack from time to time. Cracks generally occur from natural shrinkage of the concrete and some cracks can be prevented with the right care.
Maintenance
As well as preventing cracks, concrete worktops need to be properly sealed to prevent bacteria from growing. The plainness of concrete can show off stains but that’s often part of the charm with a more rustic style kitchen.
Sustainability
Hard-wearing and very neutral in style, concrete worktops are one of the more sustainable options when it comes to worktop materials.
When it comes to your kitchen worktops, anything is possible. Your kitchen can be built into and around almost any countertop material. The crux of the decision comes down to the points explored above combined with your personal design preferences, budget, and lifestyle.
For expert advice and bespoke recommendations for your kitchen space, feel free to reach out to us today.