Kitchen & Worktops

Davesnave

EssexExile wrote: »

Our quartz has been in over 10 years & looks as good as new. I didn't know you had to look after it.

Am I thinking of granite, then?

I did geology at college, but it didn't go as far as the present day!

rosie383

Yes I think you are Dave. Granite is the one that will stain and needs treated every year with some type of product, whereas quartz is less likely to stain or crack. So we have been told by every single worktop supplier.

BJV

Wood if fab but needs looking after. Laminate again looks fab but you do have to be careful or protect it from hot things. Also remember that if you are going with Ikea which is fab by the way they are a slightly bigger depth. I think that they have done it so that you are encouraged to buy the work top from them.

We have a building and needed five kitchen's so had to look at cost, any saving no matter how small really mounted up. We got white ikea kitchens. splashed out on tiles and tops and have to say they look a million dollar's.

Granite, stone or quartz is always going to be a good choice.

SuzieSue

Look at DIY Kitchens.

http://www.diy-kitchens.com

Lots of people have used them on here (do a search on this forum) including me and I couldn't fault them.

The units come ready assembled and you can pay to have the handles put on as well.

They sell Duropal worktops.

Davesnave

rosie383 wrote: »

. Granite is the one that will stain and needs treated every year with some type of product, whereas quartz is less likely to stain or crack. So we have been told by every single worktop supplier.

Ah, thanks rosie. Granite must be what we had the windowsill made from. Water does stain it, although it fades in time.

I imagined that as our supplier keeps it in what I can only descibe as a field, it would be bomb-proof!

katejo

Davesnave wrote: »

A worktop from Duropal or Axiom would be fine for a flat pack kitchen from IKEA.

Easier to look after and more in keeping than quartz or wood on cabinets at that price point.

I agree. I had Duropal worktops fitted almost 4 years ago and they still look virtually brand new, not a scratch visible. Go for the more matt surfaces (not glossy). Mine is a speckled design. Can send photos if you send me a private email.

Quickblood

dirty_magic wrote: »

I love our quartz worktops, I'm surprised wickes said they'd scratch. They're less likely to scratch than laminate!

If I remember correctly there were 2 brands of Quartz worktop available at Wickes and I was told one of them was prone to scratching hence they ask you to sign some sort of scratch waiver if you go for that one, the other one was supposedly OK.

Quickblood

SuzieSue wrote: »

Look at DIY Kitchens.

http://www.diy-kitchens.com

Lots of people have used them on here (do a search on this forum) including me and I couldn't fault them.

The units come ready assembled and you can pay to have the handles put on as well.

They sell Duropal worktops.

I did have a quick look at them previously but just assumed they'd be too expensive but really examining the prices has made me change my mind a bit about going with ikea. I'll have to price it up properly but the fact they're delivered built with doors is very convenient and probably worth the extra.

I'm no kitchen designer though and that's the bit that's getting on my nerves.

SuzieSue

Quickblood wrote: »

I did have a quick look at them previously but just assumed they'd be too expensive but really examining the prices has made me change my mind a bit about going with ikea. I'll have to price it up properly but the fact they're delivered built with doors is very convenient and probably worth the extra.

I'm no kitchen designer though and that's the bit that's getting on my nerves.

I don't know how they compare with Ikea, but I only heard about them because of the good reviews on here and I am very pleased I bought from them.

They will help you with the design if you ring them and they will also review your design before you place the order. Some of the advisers are more helpful than others so it might be worth ring up more than once.

Yes, kitchen design is difficult when you are doing it for the first time especially if you are not very practical like me. It is difficult getting your head around some of the design features, but DIY Kitchens are there to help as they obviously want you to buy their kitchen.

shaun_from_Africa

rosie383 wrote: »

The new Metod range is designed to be self-fitted. They have a new rail which goes on the wall and the units click onto it.
When we were in Ikea, the kitchen guy had just changed all of the drawers in the display area. He put together and fitted forty drawers in just over an hour.

It's fine having a wall mounted rail for the units to click into provided that the wall and floor are both perfectly level and totally square to each other, something that is often not the case.