Worktop Transformations

A way to transform your kitchen without undergoing a complete kitchen refurbishment is to change your worktop. There are a number of choices when it comes to worktops each with their own pros and cons. How you use your kitchen and your budget will help direct you to the best choice for your home.

The main types of worktops are granite, quartz, Corian®, wood and laminate.

Granite

Granite is a natural stone worktop with many patterns and colours to choose from. As granite is a natural stone each piece is unique and therefore no two worktops will ever be identical. Granite is luxurious but also durable and functional.

Pros

• Long-lasting
• Heat resistant
• Easy to clean and therefore hygienic
• Small scratches can be polished out
• Low maintenance
• Stain resistant

Cons

• They’re heavy and require full support from the cabinets after fitting.
• They’re porous and need to be sealed at least once in two years.
• Lack of choice in colour and pattern
• Expensive
• Needs a be professionally installed

Quartz

Quartz is a man-made stone with the durability of natural stone. As Quartz is man-made there are a wider range of products available and each worktop will be identical. Quartz contains waste material so choosing this option is eco-friendly

Pros

• Wide range of colours and textures available.
• Non-porous and therefore don’t require sealing
• Stain resistant
• Low maintenance
• Strong as granite but with more flexibility so less cracking and chipping

Cons

• Not heat resistant
• Expensive
• Needs a be professionally installed
• Not as natural looking as granite

Corian®

Corian® is a name often recognised when discussing solid surface worktops.

Due to the way the Corian® is produced you can have a worktop with no joints or seams. It is even possible to have a worktop run that includes a sink made from Corian® giving a streamlined finish.

Pros

• Highly flexible design attributes
• Non-porous
• Dirt and bacteria resistant
• No joints to trap germs
• Minor scratches and marks can be easily removed with regular cleaning products
• No maximum length

Cons

• Expensive compared to other solid surface worktops
• Not as heat resistant as quartz and granite

Wood

With many different types of wood available a solid wood worktop adds a natural beauty to both traditional and modern kitchens. Each wooden worktop is unique and overtime the environment changes the look to add character and aesthetic appeal.

Pros

• They can remain in good condition, with the correct maintenance
• Damage can be sanded away
• Resistant to germs and bacteria

Cons

• Need to be oiled regularly to avoid permanent damage caused by water.
• Not heat resistant
• Can leave watermarks
• Can’t cut directly on surface

Laminate

The most popular choice for kitchens is laminate (high density chipboard coated with laminate).

There are a huge range of laminates available in a variety of different colours, textures and sizes. There are also laminate worktops that give the illusion of other materials such as wood, marble and granite.

Pros

• Cheaper option of worktop
• Waterproof
• Do not need to be fitted by a professional
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Can be damaged by sharp or heavy objects
• No way to repair damaged laminates
• Not heat resistant

If you would like to update your kitchen with a change of worktop please get in touch with Connells Kitchens, Bathrooms & Bedrooms to get your free non-obligation quote.