Good looking but affordable kitchen worktops: suggestions?

dancenzo

I need new worktops. Currently have ebony gloss laminate (fake granite look) which are only 3 years old but have wound me up from Day 1 as they show up every mark. Some of the matt laminates look a bit cheap. I'd love granite but can't afford it. Has anyone seen anything in between that looks good but reasonably priced?

sphrp2

I've recently investigated worktops. The only options I found were laminate, Corian (plastic based stuff that they mould to any shape you want), granite and granite/resin mix (eg Zodiaq). For my kitchen, laminate was £200 rock bottom stuff, £600 "posh" branded stuff; granite or Zodiaq was £2K; and Corian ~£4k. I couldn't find anything priced between laminate and granite but did find wildly different quotes for the granite so it might be worth you investigating further if you really want it to see if you can get a better price.

I spoke to LOADS of people in the know and they all said that matt surface laminate was terrible for showing up scratches and marks (especially in darker colours) and recommended gloss every time. Lots of people also said to make sure you clean the surface well (using the correct products) and to dry it afterwards, so if your marks aren't caused by damage, perhaps that might help?

wildmandy

sphrp2 wrote: »

I spoke to LOADS of people in the know and they all said that matt surface laminate was terrible for showing up scratches and marks (especially in darker colours) and recommended gloss every time. Lots of people also said to make sure you clean the surface well (using the correct products) and to dry it afterwards, so if your marks aren't caused by damage, perhaps that might help?

Weird, as a quick search on here suggests the total opposite!

Mandy

sphrp2

I know, but these were people installing and working with the stuff every day. I'm not an expert at all and I just passed on what I got told.

ukwoody

Sphrp2. Sorry that is totally wrong. I speak as a chippy regularly fitting kitchens.
Gloss worktops are horrendous for showing up even the most basic of scratches. The manufacturers paperwork even states to treat very carefully. I have had them straight out of the packet, put them in a kitchen and when the lights/sun are on it they are covered in minute scratches that show up dreadfully. One customer of mine has even tried Glynns Auto scratch remover for caravans to try and get them out. It didn't work.

I do not know of any fitter on here, or locally, who would ever suggest it is the other way round.
Matt worktops show far less marks. Good quality matt ones are even better.

Unfortunetly, there is indeed very few options between mid range and ruddy expensive!
woody

sphrp2

sorry:o I take it all back. Just passing on what I've been told and obviously thats not what other people have experienced. Anyway, doesn't really sort out OP's problem.

Auntie-Dolly

I recently had my kitchen refitted. I couldn't afford granite but pricewise, I couldn't find much between laminate and the solid surface worktops. In the end I opted for a matt black laminate which is a bit of a pain to keep looking nice, but that is because it is black. I would get a matt laminate again. My friend has got a q-stone worktop and it looks awful - all scratched and dull.

Stevie1

without reading all the other posts, try Caesarstone (www.caesarstone.com)
Not sure about cost, but ho! they look goooood

Phirefly

ukwoody wrote: »

Unfortunetly, there is indeed very few options between mid range and ruddy expensive!

I've noticed this. Theres a huge gap in the market. I was hoping Doozer would come on this thread and say 'I use such-and-such, it looks great, is good quality and reasonably priced, here's a link... and a promotion code...' but I suspect she's a granite girl through and through...

oilit

thebit in between chipboard covered with matt or gloss laminate, and granite is wood. You can get good Oak and or Cherry worktops made for reasonable money. also cheaper and easier to fit (IMO)

brownbake

Ikea - basic lovely looking worktops are £25 - see if ya DIY shed does them at that price. Real wood starts at about £95 from memory.

Think the lengths are standard 2.4m.