Kitchen work surfaces/worktops?

Cuilean

We're in the final stages of the design process for our kitchen, and have come up against a stumbling block when it comes to worktops. We're looking for a black granite style worktop.

Having watched laminate worktops deteriorate in our last house, we would rather not have laminate again, so we're looking at solid granite or composite materials. However, we're rapidly learning that solid granite is expensive, and our preferred kitchen company, Howdens, don't offer composite so we'd need to source it ourselves.

I'm not sure where to begin with the process of sourcing a composite or granite worktop. Has anyone got the "Been there, done that" T shirt and can offer advice?

Furts

If money is tight I would be looking at a laminate worktop. Like all worktops one should treat them with care - like using a chopping board on them, and not placing hot pans on them. Just ordinary common sense precautions here.

A good one is cheap and will last 25 years. Mine did over 20 years of family use and was undamaged, and a neighbour still has their 30 year old one as good as new.

Avoid the cheapo types for sale in B&Q and go for something decent like Duropal.

Should you choose to enter the granite, or composite market, expect many fabricators and installers to be barely adequate, if not dire. Provided your expectations are not too high then these products will tick your box, but at a price!

Rain_Shadow

I'd always had good quality laminate work tops before now and found them very resilient and hard wearing. I have recently moved to a quartz worktop and I really like it although it is rather more work to keep looking good. If you are in the Hampshire area I can recommend my suppliers, Landford Stone. Everything perfectly made and perfectly fitted.