Downsides of kitchen worktops...

bylromarha

New kitchen going in, worktop choice to be made.

Granite or wood doesn't go with kitchen design. Laminate is a no from OH.
Leaves us with quartz/ acrylic.
I know you can find any story on the internet but which worktop should we go for, as I'm reading about many reviews where easy chips and scratches occur on the acrylic family of worktops AND on the quartz family.

But they wouldn't be so popular if they were THAT bad, would they?

Corian or silestone or something else?

Thanks

EssexExile

Caesarstone has been in for 10 years, still as good as new. No kids around to wreck it though, just me & the wife.

squeeks

Could always try glass:
From google, some examples:
http://www.decoglaze.co.uk/glass-worktops/
http://www.glasseco.co.uk
http://www.glasstops.co.uk/kitchen/glass-worktops.html

Welsh slate:
http://www.slateworktops.co.uk

Soap stone:
http://www.soapstones.com/soapstone-kitchen-countertops/

Concrete counter tops seem to be quite popular and available in many colours and a variety of finishes.

Then there is stainless steel or if you are brave, brass or copper....

There must be something in that lot that will fit with your designs.

bylromarha

EssexExile wrote: »

Caesarstone has been in for 10 years, still as good as new. No kids around to wreck it though, just me & the wife.

It's the people online who live alone, or who are kidfree couples, who are reporting gently putting down a plate or thin glass and chipping the top.

Ectophile

I have yet to chip, scratch or stain my Silestone quartz worktop after about 3 years. I do try to be reasonably careful and not bash it, though.

EssexExile

bylromarha wrote: »

It's the people online who live alone, or who are kidfree couples, who are reporting gently putting down a plate or thin glass and chipping the top.

You've not met the wife then?

cddc

Have quartz and have had no problems with it. Sell kitchens for a living myself and have sold plenty of both types and have heard of precious few problems with either when properly fitted.

Resin tops in dark colours are to be avoided though as the material is soft in nature and does scratch. In light colours this does not really matter as they scratch white and you won't even notice them but....., it really does show on black and dark brown tops. The scratches can be polished out easily enough, but if every time you move your toaster it leaves a mark it will drive you properly nuts in no time.

lovelybubbly79

Quartz is a far stronger more durable material than acrylic, the only advantage acrylic has is that it can be joined seamlessly, and it can be sanded/re-polished if scratched, but this is because it is a much softer material.
Quartz and granite are the best worktop materials available, quartz has the advantage over granite that it is non porous so will not stain whatever colour you choose, the advantage of granite is that it is resistant to heat so will not scorch under a hot pan as both Acrylic and Quart will do with direct contact.
As already stated scratches will show up easier on a highly polished surface and be more obvious on dark colours.
If you bang a heavy pan on the edge of any solid top there is a risk of chipping it but under normal circumstances you shouldn't have any problems.
Also granite comes in many colours and finishes I wouldn't completely dismiss it unless you really want a very plain flat colour (that's not black), it might surprise you whats available.