Guide to kitchen worktops

IM

Morning all.

We're in the middle of some reasonably extensive building work, and subject to funds, we're hoping to be able to do the kitchen as part of the project.

I'm pretty much resigned to having to do the installation of the units etc. myself - the dreams of just coming back one day and going "Oh my God! I can't believe it's our house!" like a million daytime TV shows, is long gone...

One thing I do want to splash out on though, is the work surface.

What I want to try and point myself towards, is a useful guide to the options out there.

In price/quality order, how does it go from cheapo laminate, up to marble - with solid wood, corian, bushboard, quartz, granite etc. etc. in between?

And obviously, for each, where is the cheapest/best place to source it?

I know that there's that massive spam-filled thread about granite, but frankly I haven't the energy to wade through that, until and unless I decide granite is the way to go.

jamski07

We have Maia which is like a solid surface and I personally love it. It's totally non porous so wont stain unlike wood and even granite. It does mark but can re repaired easily and even chips can be fixed. Virtually seam free when fitted well too. Corian is a good product too. We got ours from Homebase but they price matched online prices which was great!

caringa

We had a new kitchen installed 5 years ago and have a granite worktop. All I can say about it is - Brilliant! It doesnt stain, cleans easily (although some say you have to polish it regularly, we dont) and always looks lovely. Wouldnt have anything else now.

iris

We have just had 3 Quartz worktops fitted (one with a 1.1/2 under fitted stainless steel sink)


I am really pleased with them.


I was put off Granite because of it being porous.


We chose black with sparkly bits and I love it.

andyhop

Quartz would be my first choice for any customer kitchen install

Laminates are just poor, even when fitted correctly the quality compared to 10yrs ago is terrible. Scratch easy, blister easily

Solid wood, we see so many that have been poorly fitted with little or no treatment after fitting. A premium grade timber will 3-4 coats of OSMO top oil with all edges and underside treated will last just as long as stone if chopping boards are used . Even standing water after the osmo oil doesn't effect the wood

katejo

andyhop wrote: »

Laminates are just poor, even when fitted correctly the quality compared to 10yrs ago is terrible. Scratch easy, blister easily

I have a very good laminate (Duropal recommended by fitter). it is a light colour with a speckly design which hides marks and doesn't scratch. It is approaching 2 years old now but looks new still.

andyhop

katejo wrote: »

I have a very good laminate (Duropal recommended by fitter). it is a light colour with a speckly design which hides marks and doesn't scratch. It is approaching 2 years old now but looks new still.

We have removed kitchens that where coming onto 20yrs old. Laminate slightly worn but you can see the quality was there. Not done a great deal of durapal , mostly axiom and trade depots howdens etc.

ryder72

Good quality laminate from Westag, Duropal and other German manufacturers are still very good quality but costs a bit more than stuff from Axiom etc for which there is no other description apart from rubbish.

Looked after properly laminate will last years.

mandragora_2

We have Corian - it was an eye-watering amount of money, but as we had made savings elsewhere (great deals on the units; self-fitting them) we felt it was justifiable. That was several years ago now, and I still love it - not one problem with it, and it looks as good as ever. My friend tells me she has 'kitchen envy' when she sees it....

IM

Thanks for the replies so far.

As a random baseline number, I've been on to http://www.diy-kitchens.com/ and proced up a worktop from them.

I need a U-shaped worktop - three sections of 1400, 2900 and 1400, with cut-outs for a hob and a sink.

Opting for one of their cheapest quartz styles, it was coming out to £1,700 including fitting.

I don't know if this is good, bad or indifferent - but any clues what I'd be looking at for other options?

katejo

ryder72 wrote: »

Good quality laminate from Westag, Duropal and other German manufacturers are still very good quality but costs a bit more than stuff from Axiom etc for which there is no other description apart from rubbish.

Looked after properly laminate will last years.

Even the old laminate in my previous kitchen had lasted reasonably well given its age (probably over 25 years)