Which type of kitchen worktops?

majjie

mwilletts wrote: »

majjie and mr sheen - get a room...

What are you suggesting? I'm not that sort of girl!

And I'm not having a love affair with IKEA either Mr Sheen, they're just convenient and cheap

Meepster

majjie wrote: »

And I'm not having a love affair with IKEA either Mr Sheen, they're just convenient and cheap

Hmm thats one way of putting it, I could think of another way of describing them...

Oh and I love the website majjie, it just screams money saving...NOT

Alan_M_2

mwilletts wrote: »

To the OP - you mention you like Corian, but its a bit pricy, well why not try Hanex? It's a similar material to Corian but is 20-25% less and I feel it has better colours...

Quite frankly, if the OP is considering Corian, or even a similar product to Corian, then granite is still within budget if you shop around.

majjie

mwilletts wrote: »

Hmm thats one way of putting it, I could think of another way of describing them...

Oh and I love the website majjie, it just screams money saving...NOT

Ok ... hands up ... my love affair is with hand made bespoke kitchens. But I design kitchens - any kitchens. You'll find an IKEA kitchen in the gallery and CAD drawings for another IKEA kitchen in the blogs.

But this really is off topic now! What's with all the personal antagonism?

Meepster

Alan_M wrote: »

Quite frankly, if the OP is considering Corian, or even a similar product to Corian, then granite is still within budget if you shop around.

Corian is a LOT less expensive than granite. A group E Corian is about 65% cheaper than a Group 9 granite. Likewise a Group A is 45% less than a group 1.

Meepster

majjie wrote: »

What's with all the personal antagonism?

It's not personal at all. I'm just trying to be Money Saving as the forum suggests. Why pay £150 for a kitchen design and £25 for a kitchen design guide? That's the cost of a sink and tap!!!

You can get free plans at Wickes/B&Q/Homebase/Local Independant, or download a free software package (ok, they aren't the best, but they work) and get free planning advice from MANY websites (or other posters on here).

See, I just saved everyone £175. Can I get a medal? :rotfl:

majjie

mwilletts wrote: »

It's not personal at all. I'm just trying to be Money Saving as the forum suggests. Why pay £150 for a kitchen design and £25 for a kitchen design guide? That's the cost of a sink and tap!!!

You can get free plans at Wickes/B&Q/Homebase/Local Independant, or download a free software package (ok, they aren't the best, but they work) and get free planning advice from MANY websites (or other posters on here).

See, I just saved everyone £175. Can I get a medal? :rotfl:

This really is a whole different argument now.

What are you asking for ... an advert? If I defend myself I'll be accused of spamming.

Free plans are only free if you don't buy the kitchen aren't they?

I used to be one of those designers doing "free" plans. The going rate in those days used to be around 10% of the net price of the kitchen furniture, if you worked on commission only (or a combination of low basic pay with lower commission). Getting paid £500 on a £5k kitchen wasn't a fair price for that plan ... it was to pay for all those "free" designs where the kitchen wasn't bought. If I was buying a kitchen I know which I'd prefer.

The way to do it, if saving money is your only criterion, is to go to someone who offers free designs - then take that design (if they'll let you have it) to a supply only kitchen company that doesn't offer a design service ... but that assumes that all plans are equal.

And anyway ... if you buy my design guide for £25, that's deducted from the £150. So your figures are wrong. And there's a whole lot of free advice on my website.

Many apologies for the adverty nature of this post but I do think I have the right to defend myself from personal attacks. I'm not here asking for business, I don't care if none of you want my services. I'm here to give what I hope is helpful advice on buying kitchens and kitchen components - it's what I do for a living and ... unlike many of these other "professionals" ... I don't have any axe to grind when it comes to choosing which one.

Majjie

mollymoo12

I have a top end howden's kitchen (haworth) and I am very happy with it, it was professionally fitted and looks great. No problem getting a couple of bits changed as kept in stock. I did not buy their worktops though, I would recommend proper Formica, as they are much better quality - such as Axiom. Watch out though as howdens units need a slightly wider worktop than standard, 616mm instead of 600mm. Not a problem to me as I was having upstands fitted so worktop was just moved forward slightly and the upstand covered over the gap at the back.

At least with a good laminate you don't have to worry about spills, stains etc - they are pretty much bomb proof and some of the Axiom worktops look very much like granite. don't go for gloss though as these scratch easy and are a pain to keep smear free.

Hope this is some good to you

libbyc3

Hi Pandora
I'm not a kitchen designer / builder / tradesperson in any way! just a mum with currently 3 teenagers and 3 under 10s in the house at the mo and just wanted to say don't necessarily rule out solid wood!
we had iroko worktops and upstand fitted 3 years ago and they are hardwearing and beautiful. they add warmth and finish to what was not an expensive fitted kitchen and i anticipate them lasting for many many more years.

pandora205

Thanks everyone for your advice. I had no idea this was such a controversial area!