Which type of kitchen worktops?

pandora205

I'm planning a new kitchen (Howdens Calgary - white gloss shaker style) and trying to decide about worktops.
http://www.howdens.com/kitchens/ranges/contemporary-collection/calgary/

I'm looking for something that is durable, as having teenagers who aren't always careful is a liability, so wood is out.

I've read up on pros and cons of granite, laminate, Corian, etc. but still can't make up my mind.

Thoughts welcomed.

Thanks

thechippy

you'll never go far wrong with a good quality laminate......;)

silvercar

Depends on your budget.

mrsheenpearl60

Absolutely!! depends on your budget...everyone has one...Laminate is fit for purpose and is cheap but its hardly going to give you the wow factor. Granite has come down relatively speaking over the past few years but always sets off a kitchen suberbly...everyone loves it - apart from the fingerprints lol..Corian/minerelle/swanstone/encore/getalit are quite good but are plastic andcan melt if u put a hot pan on it...composisite tops are a great option - crushed granite and resin - all the benefits ofgranite but advantages being more even colours and less likelihood of fingerprints - email me if u want any advice (free of charge) i am a designer as a living but its a passion of mine too andwill always talk to people about it if they want to know [EMAIL="mrsheenpearl60@hotmail.com...i"]mrsheenpearl60@hotmail.com...i[/EMAIL] can let u know where to go to properly save money in any area of your kitchen or to get the best results and also let u know which companies to look at.....for a free email, it might be the best email u ever send as it could save u a few grand!!

pandora205

Thank you. I was tending towards the granite/Corian but it does put the price up considerably, and as I'm not sure how many years I'll stay in the house may be an extravagance too far. I will probably go for decent laminate.

My first choice for laminate would be a slate/stone effect but I'm wondering now about a darker wood, say the Howden's Plum style. Does this look okay or is wood effect tacky? I'm going back to Howdens to have a second look, as first time I only really looked at the solid surface.

Thanks

Steve_the_fitter

Be careful Howdens Laminate isnt the best especially the gloss

JulieM

If you do a lot of cooking, suggest you go for a mid colour mottled effect laminate. Not particularly stylish, but won't show marks and scratches.

pandora205

I've been back to Howdens but didn't like the wood laminate. I've settled on the mottled Riverwash Monserat as practical and a good colour to go with the slate floor I'm planning.

mrsheenpearl60

why oh why do people think howdens is such a great place to shop? they call themselves a trade shop and offer 75% discounts to 'trade' but they are pony and they will give this discount to anyone....you're not getting a special deal with them - but builders will insist on falling for their lies. builders go for them cos a) they dont know better b) theyre used to them c) they have most stuff in stock. i dont necesarily agree with the 'u get what u pay for' philosophy but Howdens sell a run of the mill cheap kitchen but before u hand over any cash do a price comparison with anybody that sells Crown Imperial before u do - similar prices and way way way way way way way better product. In fact quality wise it will hold its own with any mid to high end kitchen. The company have a proper published price list so ask the retailer to see it and if you want to go even cheaper find someone that sells Kingswood kitchens. the finish on the doors isnt as good as the crown ones but u will get a solid kitchen. Price wise they compete with ikea but u dont get the old pile of tat that they sell. i detest the self congratulatory fools who know nothing about quality and just cos they end up with something cheaper than what magnet/moben sell think theyre geniuses....do i sound bitter??

mrsheenpearl60

actually if u like that gloss shaker go for a second nature one - rigid formed takes about 3 weeks if u stick their doors on a crown carcase ul have them in a couple of days. also if price is ur thing try someone that sells omega kitchens look them up on the net they wil be cheaper and better than howdens not as good build as crown but so much better than howdens....email me if u want to know more...in fact i get so incensed by this!!! just email me a plan and ill give u a price on any one of these options...im in london but could arrange for this to be delivered anywhere in the uk...i work in the industry and competing with low end stuff isnt realy what i do but i do know i can beat howdens for price and quality any day of the week if i wanted to

majjie

Hi Mr Sheen, or is it Mrs Heen? (I suspect the former)

I think you're probably a little out of date when it comes to Howdens kitchens ... when did you last see one?

I don't have any axe to grind - I'm not linked to any one kitchen supplier and I don't sell kitchens - but I too am a professional kitchen designer and I'm quite happy to design IKEA or Howdens kitchens (as long as it's Howdens main range and not their cheapo one). It's a lot more difficult because of the restricted unit sizes - but they both provide reasonable value for money, if you're on a low budget.

I agree that Crown kitchens are better quality ... but Omega? In what way is their quality "better" than Howdens main range - apart from a better choice of carcasse colours and possibly a better choice of unit sizes?

As for recommending that a member of the public "stick ... (Second Nature) ... doors on a Crown Carcasse"! Are you mad? Where would they source them? It would take hours and hours of research. Or is it that you want to sell them a kitchen?

Majjie