Ultimate Guide To Picking Your New Kitchen Worktop

If you are in the market for a new kitchen worktop, there are several things for you to think about before you make a purchase. Initially, you need to consider your budget, because it will affect the type of material you ultimately decide to go with. After that, think about what you need from your worktop; do you have the time to take care of it on a regular basis or do you want something that basically takes care of itself? Finally, you also need to consider what look and style you are going for.

There are a lot of colors and textures available for purchase, and there are also other design details that can be incorporated. Your cabinets play a role in the decision-making process, too; some people like their cabinets and worktop to match, while others like them to be distinctive from one another. Spend some time looking at samples so that you can get a better feel for what speaks to you.

Granite

Granite is a very popular choice, and for good reason; this material lasts a long time and holds up well even in busy households. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, a granite worktop may be best, particularly if you enjoy baking. No two granite slabs are the same. While a sample can help you get an idea of what your worktop will look like, your finished product will have slight differences in it. However, be careful because granite is prone to scratching and staining. As long as you always use a cutting board and a hot plate while in the kitchen, though, you should be fine. In addition, you do want your worktop to be sealed ahead of the installation process.

Marble

Marble is a very beautiful material and it suits most styles and homes. However, marble is a little higher maintenance than some of the other materials, which means you need to be willing to care for it properly. Speak to a marble expert to find out what is involved.

Quartz

Quartz is similar to granite, but it is not a naturally occurring material. There are some advantages to using it in your kitchen; for example, if there is a specific color that you want, you should be able to achieve that with a quartz worktop. Silestone quartz is one option; you can select from sixty different colors, and there is also an antibacterial barrier. Quartz will not scratch and very rarely stains. It still needs to be cared for properly, however, and as with granite, you need to make sure your cutting board and hot plate are handy always.

Corian

This material is not naturally occurring, which means that you can get something that is very close to the color you envisioned for your worktop. In addition, you can’t see the joints, so there are no cracks for food or crumbs to drop into. That makes Corian a very hygienic material.

Wood

If you want your kitchen to be unique, consider going with a solid wood worktop. This look meshes well with both classic and contemporary styles. If you want to keep things traditional, consider going with oak, maple or beech. If you want to be a bit more modern, think about bamboo, wenge or Iroko. Like granite, each piece of wood is a little different, which means that your kitchen will be truly unique. However, it is a little more time intensive to care for a wood worktop; you have to oil it approximately four times per year. Many people that choose this material don’t mind, though, because wood looks so amazing!

Laminate

Laminate is a solid choice because it lasts a long time and doesn’t need a lot of attention. In addition, laminate does not cost a lot of money. The finished result is not as stunning as a granite or quartz worktop, but the laminate is very practical. In some cases, it is hard to tell the difference between a laminate worktop and a granite one. Therefore, if you are operating with a smaller budget, this might be the best option.

Steel

Steel is often used in restaurants and other commercial spaces. This material is very strong and lasts a very long time, which are two reasons that it is a common choice. Still, steel can scratch. It isn’t a big deal for businesses, but you may not be happy with it in your home for that reason. Steel does give your kitchen a unique look, but it also costs a lot of money. If you are interested in steel, make sure you do your research and talk with some experts in the field. They can help guide you in the right direction.