Gloss kitchen worktops

Loobeylou

I would add to the "don't do it" brigade. We were warned off high-gloss surfaces in several showrooms - we were told that even placing plates down on the surface can cause tiny scratches which just get worse and worse. Imagine how many times you pick up a kettle and put it down again.

For a new-build laundry room we did not want to go to the expense of granite, and although we loved the look of gloss finish we settled for un-glossed just to avoid the hassle and to keep the room looking nice in the long term.

DilbertJones

what about the style of gloss finishes though? if its patterned it wouldn't show up as much surely?

My G/F wants gloss i am un-sure we have just been next door who has gloss and if you look closely you can see the scratches, but is it because we are picking faults?

It is v.expensive to get granite and non-gloss is just drab, looks like we could be stuck with scratched gloss!!!

mine_of_info

Hmmm just fitting my new kitchen, may have to rethink the gloss worktops then!! :eek:

Moi xx

divadee

I have got gloss worktops and not had a problem with them. I have had them down for about 3 years and not a scratch on them!!!

They do have to be buffed after you have cleaned to give it that shine you want, and they do show a few water marks but thats all.

I have got the black granite gloss ones and i love them.

I would of loved granite but could not afford the 1000+ it was going to cost the gloss ones cost me less than 200.

fruit-loop

I have to say that I love the look of my gloss worktops! Although you do have to buff them up after cleaning, I just use two microibre clothes and go around with a wet one then start again with the dry one, it doesn't take long.

I also second the glass worktop saver idea, I have two of these and my worktops stay scratch and mark free.

singlehouseholder

I have Black "granite effect" high gloss worktops and i love them, I use chopping boards, as you would with any worktop and this keeps mine fine, I dont have any scratches on them. They're easy to clean in my opinion. Simply squirt a small amount of stardrops on a damp cloth, wipe them down, I usually do the sink too, Buff up with a dry cloth and then wipe down with baby oil. I always put the oil to the cloth, you use less this way. This brings the worktops up to a high gloss and looks fab. If you're on a budget, and look after your things, go for the gloss. I would love real granite, but really really couldnt afford it. High gloss, hurrah!!

babe_ruth_3

the high gloss are like most things if you look after them and don't have other people in the house (ie teenagers, tenants (no offence) etc) abusing them. The fact remains though that they are NOT resistant to scratching. If you (and anyone else in the home) take every care with them you can keep them looking good.

Choosing granite does take the hassle factor out of the equation but it comes at a price. Of course granite, like glass, can scratch too, with glass, or diamond :eek:

edina

I've got black gloss & love them. It takes no time at all to shine them up.

Someone mentioned using baby oil on them (never tried it yet) but just to say that baby oil is fab on stainless steel cookers. Only the smallest needed after cleaning.

nearlyrich

I have seen black gloss worktops go from fab to yuck in less than a year in a relatives house, and they are fairly houseproud. We have granite, it's not a huge kitchen and it was well worth the extra they always look good with little effort, ( I mean a quick wipe with a microfibre cloth)

AussieLass

We are also putting in a new kitchen and I loved the look of high gloss laminate as well. When we were getting quotes our cabinet maker advised stongly not to get them and if we chose to, we would have had to sign a form that he would not be responsible for damage due to scratches.

We have chosen not to get them.