Kitchen worktops

Legacy_user

I want some advice about kitchen worktops. I don't want (thin) laminate (because I think it looks cheap) or wood (because it takes too much looking after). I think I don't want granite (because it stains too easily). I like the look (but not the price) of those artificial solid surfaces like Corian. Or then there are the new, thicker laminates like Maia. But, really and truly, I don't know what I want or what the advantages and disadvantages of each are. Can anybody help me?

majjie

It's a bit of a big question Aldal!

Technically, Maia isn't a laminate - it's a thin solid surface material - made of similar stuff to Corian but thin enough to cut on site (Corian has to be templated and made off site).

The problem with most of these solid surfaces (there are lots of them - not just Maia), is that they scratch (although you can sand them out and all the scratches run in together eventually and form a patina) and they're not very heat resistant. The toughest of the thin ones seems to be Bushboard's Encore.

You also need a good fitter, who knows how to fit these thin, solid surface tops, otherwise they can crack round the hob and sink.

The tops from Granite Transformations are very tough and a bit cheaper than granite. They are templated before fitting ... but they can't make tight curved corners.

The biggest factor in deciding which worktop to have is usually the price. If you've got the money, I'd go for a quartz composite. Treated like granite (both are usually templated) - but man-made and non-absorbent ... and available in plainer colours.

Most people still go for laminate ... especially if they don't want to spend too much money. The surface layer may be thin but, on a good quality laminate, it's quite tough ... tougher than some of the thin solid surface layers.

Majjie

pimento

I'm planning a kitchen at the moment and have my eye on Earthstone. OK, it's not granite or quartz, but it looks a million times better than any of the laminates I've seen.

I'm pretty sure you need a specialist fitter, which adds to the cost, but it's the one thing I don't think I'm prepared to compromise on.

My one tip would be shop around. You may be able to get it cheaper online.

I'll keep you posted.

majjie

Hi Pimento,

Earthstone is another tradename for a thin, acrylic solid surface worktop (like Maia) - made by a company called Wilsonart. It has a 6mm surface layer, though, as opposed to a 3mm one. (They're all usually bonded on to chipboard cores).

I would be interested to hear how you get on with it.

I'd also very much agree with your tip about shopping around. Granite prices, in particular, vary a lot these days.

Majjie

pimento

Thanks Majjie, I know it's still laminate,but close up it looks lovely. I'm having a black gloss kitchen and will go for the white Earthstone option (nordic melange) for the worktops. I'm hoping it will look the dog's doodahs.

I'll take plenty of before and after pictures and will put them up here. I think it will be quite a transformation!

majjie

No - it's not laminate. It's the same sort of stuff as Corian - just less of it!

I'll have to take a look.

System

Thanks to both majjie and pimento. I think it was at John Lewis's I got told the Maia was a thick laminate. I'd also like to know how pimento gets on with the Earthstone.

majjie

They probably meant that it was "like" a thick laminate ... in that it can be fitted on site like a laminate worktop.

I've just been inspired to write a little article about Maia for my website. I'm not allowed to give you a link ... but I'm sure you can find it if you want to!

pimento

I happened to come across a really interesting site...

http://www.advancedkd.co.uk/blog