Wood worktop

Annie1960

I'm wondering what type of worktop to get for my kitchen.

I have had laminate previously, but would like something a little better this time, which proably means either composite/resin/quartz (which I think are different words for a similar thing) or wood.

I have found some oak that I like but am not sure how hard-wearing it is. Will it stain the first time I spill red wine on it?

What about the other materials?

I don't think my budget will stretch to granite as I have much work left to do on the house.

Hoploz

Wood needs regular maintenance.

Quartz is a type of stone, like granite.

No idea on resin or composite.

My preferred option is laminate. Can't beat it for being hard wearing which is after all the point of a worktop!

Currently I have granite as that's what was already here. There are different types. I have 'leathered granite' which isnt shiny so doesn't need any maintenance and I'm pretty happy with it actually. I have experience of the shiny granite elsewhere and it is very noisy when you put a cup down on it, and is cold to the touch.

andrewf75

I think its only water that is a problem on wood. We had wood installed a few years back and it is all absolutely perfect still except some marks round the sink where water has pooled. As long as its oiled properly wine and other spills just wipe off.
If doing it again I would reconsider, but only because of the area around the sink.

martinsurrey

andrewf75 wrote: »

I think its only water that is a problem on wood. We had wood installed a few years back and it is all absolutely perfect still except some marks round the sink where water has pooled. As long as its oiled properly wine and other spills just wipe off.
If doing it again I would reconsider, but only because of the area around the sink.

I agree with this, We have Ikea Oak worktops

This one

We keep on top of spills (dont let them sit for too long), and its in great condition after 2 years, we've missed a few spills and the marks have faded over time and are hardly noticeable now.

we spent £360 on 7m of worktop (self installed), granite was quoted at £2.5k

rach_k

We've had wood for a few months now and it's easier than I expected. I oiled it a lot at first and will now just top it up when I feel it needs it. The oil makes liquid sit on top of the wood so as long as you wipe it up within a few minutes it's fine. OH has left turmeric marks on the worktop which I only noticed the next day but they came off easily enough. The same could not be said of the previous laminate which was permanently yellow speckled. If you do make a mess on wood and it leaves a mark, you can sand it back and re-oil, so although it does take more work to keep it nice it's easier to fix it if you mess up. I love that wood looks better with a few knocks, whereas similar-looking laminate would just look ruined!

One thing I would consider is how you will keep around your sink dry. I've seen plenty of kitchens where the wood is ruined behind the sink. We went for sink that is the full depth of the worktop for this reason, but I've seen people use a different worktop or tiles just around the sink - it can look great.

BJV

Wood looks amazing, natural, beautiful but you will have to keep on top of caring for it. Also mindful that you can not put hot pans etc on it.

We have always had oak and even when it is older it looks amazing but again you have to keep on top of caring for it. I genuinely thought there was nothing better until we moved last year. I hate the kitchen and am saving for extension walls down etc. BUT it has granite work tops . OMG they are amazing. No more rushing to the work top mat to place hot items down. Cleans beautifully, wears well and looks fab.

If you can and I know that there is a big difference I would go for granite. Ebay have used granite tops which are very cheap it would just depend on location.

That said the new make your own polished concrete is supposed to be just as good if not better at a fraction of the cost.

theonlywayisup

Once you've had granite you can never go back.

andrewf75

For anyone who has wood, use Osmo oil. I didn't use it from the beginning, but have now discovered how good it is. WAY better than anything else.

Furts

It is buyer beware out there. There is good and bad granite, good and bad quartz, good and bad fabricators and finally good and bad fitters.

There are independent kitchen companies offering a dubious mix of these factors - so beware. I know of a handful in the area where I live.

I have Silestone Chrome - expensive, but templated and installer by idiots, which is not unusual. It is cold to the touch, and does show up dust - but it depends how closely one looks. I also have Duropal - cheap, durable, a good product and installed by a true skilled fitter.

You have found some oak but only you can judge the source, the quality and the suitability.

FreeBear

BJV wrote: »

That said the new make your own polished concrete is supposed to be just as good if not better at a fraction of the cost.

Solid polished concrete can be incredibly heavy, but you can mix some quite stunning aggregates in to produce a wow factor.

The other alternative is Beton Cire (goes by a number of other names - Microcement being one) - A thin layer, typically 2-3mm thick, of a resin/cement mix that is applied in situ and then sealed with a varnish. Available in a range of colours to suit most tastes. Expect to pay £30-£60 per square metre for materials and a small fortune in labour if paying someone to do it.

Annie1960

rach_k wrote: »

We went for sink that is the full depth of the worktop for this reason, but I've seen people use a different worktop or tiles just around the sink - it can look great.

Where did you find such a sink? This is how sinks used to be, and there was never this problem, so I would be interested in finding out where you got yours.