Good looking but affordable kitchen worktops: suggestions?

ginvzt

I like the look of glass worktops - but how practical are they?... You would have to go windowele every hour to keep them shiny, or the fingertips, water stains, etc will be shining!!! Well, that is what I think...

majjie

Yes ... beautiful ... but I don't think glass worktops are all that practical either. Apart from the smeary marks ... glass can scratch too. I love it for splashbacks, though.

Peartree

A lecture? This sort of informative post is exactly why I look at forums! I'm about to start looking at worktops and this will save hours of research!

What else do you know about, Majjie?

woo-man

I had my worktops in granite from polar stone who gave me the best price after about 10 quotes. There a new company thats why i got them so low priced:j but i think the guy mentioned the prices will be going up at the end of the year after they established them-selfs more.

The result, gorgous looking granite worktops and some very nice granite outdoor tiles.
https://www.polarstone.co.uk

majjie

Peartree wrote: »

A lecture? This sort of informative post is exactly why I look at forums! I'm about to start looking at worktops and this will save hours of research!

What else do you know about, Majjie?

Hi Peartree - glad you found it helpful. Tropical fish is about the only other thing I know a lot about .... apart from kitchens that is.

I'd like to be more helpful about kitchens ... but I can't always afford the time and I'm not allowed to link to my own web site even though it's full of impartial information. Unlike Woo-Man who is obviously linked to Polar Stone in some way and has just turned up here to promote his own (or a relative's or friend's) granite company!

Sorry - just feeling crabby this morning.

Majjie

woo-man

"Unlike Woo-Man who is obviously linked to Polar Stone in some way and has just turned up here to promote his own (or a relative's or friend's) granite company!"

I do not work for polar stone or have any connection with them.

I found them on here and wanted everyone else to know what a good and affordable service they supply.

Im 64 and found these guys fair and not taking the !!!! when they sure a an inexperienced person when it came to stone and cost's

Well im glad you know about tropical fish, because i know an awefull lot about fishing (any questions).

Unfortunately no one wants to know about fishing on here though!

I get grumpy to i lost 20pound on the horses today

Phirefly

majjie wrote: »

I'm not allowed to link to my own web site even though it's full of impartial information.

Can you pm the link please? Thanks

Lally

If you have a pure wood worktop, how often do you have to oil it?

Hubby wants a Belfast sink in our new kitchen and I am told that you must have a wood worktop with that. I am just wondering how much work it will take to look after it.

majjie

Hi Lally,

You don't have to have wood ... but what you can't have is laminate (unless you have the sink fitted with the rim above the top of the worktop - and I still wouldn't). You have to have something that won't be affected by the water - so granite or quartz worktops are fine too (although they're not very forgiving if you tap your best crystal glass against them).

When you first have your timber worktop fitted, you need to oil it very regularly. The untreated wood needs four or five coats of oil to start with - including the edges (if you have a fitter - ask him how many coats he's given the tops). Then do it every week for a month or two, then every month and finally every 3 to 6 months. Once you've got an oily surface built up it doesn't need doing that often - but it's still best not to leave water or wet items on the surface for any length of time.

You can tell when the top needs oiling because the surface looks dull and any water spills will spread out - they should stay in discrete drops on the surface.

If you find that the oil is lifting the grain of the wood, then use a very fine abrasive pad - in the direction of the grain - to smooth it down.

Timber tops that are well looked after, are beautiful. Neglected ones soon go manky.

El_Wood

Hi

Im also in the market for a new worksurface. I want (or should I say am fitting) a stainless steel style kitchen (hard to clean but im willing) but dont want a stainless steel worktop.

Ive already sorted my stainless steel splashbacks and plinths etc from http://www.stainlessdirectuk.com . I might try those polar stone people as im hopeful its not a plug lol :mad: as im sure granite will look the nuts with steel.

ps: if anyone decides to buy a Baumatic washing machine (they do a stainless steel model) DONT BOTHER