Replacement kitchen worktops

pineapple

My 'lounge' and kitchen are all one so I need the kitchen to look reasonably good. But the laminate worktops are looking a bit tired. In my experience this eventually happens no matter how careful you are.:(
Has anyone ever had their worktops replaced and what did you replace them with? Was it a big and expensive job?
So far I've only looked at granite as an alternative but used to clean for someone with granite and wasn't that impressed as it always looked as if it needed a clean - even when it didn't. Plus I don't know if you need specialist cleaning products but the one he used cost an arm and a leg! :eek:

LEJC

We had granite worktops fitted when our kitchen was done 5 years ago...and they work great for us....I give them a daily wipe with a cloth and washing up liquid and if I want them to have a special shilne then I use method daily granite cleaner....about £3-4 a bottle...so the cleaning in my opinion isnt the expensive part.....

pineapple

And has anyone had any other types? What about marble? Or wood? I'm just trying to weigh up the options, cheers.

evokit

Marble is the same as granite, but not the best option for kitchens as is softer.
wood is nice and if you dont mind a light sand and oil every yr - looks fab.
corian - scratches and not so great with heat ( pans out of oven)
I would say quartz is best for tops.
ive had walnut and quartz, i sell kitchens and wouldnt recommend corian unless the customer was 100% in knowledge of it - its great for bathrroms though where not used to the extent of a kitchen.
thats my views and sure people will think against them (as always)

Steve_the_fitter

amd dont forget you can always go with laminate again

pineapple

Steve_the_fitter wrote: »

amd dont forget you can always go with laminate again

:eek::eek::eek:
But maybe not so silly. Are there differences in the quality of laminate?

phill99

Like anything, the quality of laminate varies. Cheap laminate tends to be what the sheds sell. The leading brand is Duropal. It I a tougher laminate and when cut during installation it doesn't chip or break, which often happens with cheaper laminates.

paulmapp8306

We were pushed away from wood by our fitter/supplier because of the maintenance

to sum up:

Granite - expensive but looks good, hard wearing with least maintenance. If you do chip it however unlikely - cost a lot to sort out.

Wood - can be sanded/re-oiled if you burn or mark it. it does need an oil every 6 weeks or so to keep it at its best.

Laminate - easily damaged and lasts the least, but it is also the least expensive so can replace it a couple of times for the same price as wood, and 5/6 times for the same price a granite.

We went with granite (after having laminate in all my previous houses) and couldnt be happier.

Steve_the_fitter

Yeah as said go with a decent one like durapol.

If you have had problems maintaining laminate wood probably isnt the right choice for you as it needs more work than laminate.

pineapple wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek:
But maybe not so silly. Are there differences in the quality of laminate?

pineapple

Steve_the_fitter wrote: »

If you have had problems maintaining laminate wood probably isnt the right choice for you as it needs more work than laminate.

But you can't 'maintain' laminate can you?
If it loses it's sheen and gets a bit scuffed looking, you can't bring it back to it's glossy original.
At least I've not been able to find anything that does it :huh:

Slinky_Malinky

There was a thread on here a while ago that mentioned Artis Fire glaze laminate tops. I have never had them or even seen them in the flesh, but they seem to be regarded as very hard wearing. I won`t be able to afford granite when I change my kitchen but will certainly consider the Artis laminate.