Cheap Alternatives to Granite Worktops

tylerdurdenk

Hi all.
We're hoping to replace our tired looking laminate worktops with something more hard wearing.
We would love to have granite but imagine it's very expensive. What options are there out there that will give the appearance and strength of granite without the costs?

We need a piece 2400mm x 900mm (this will have a hob cut out in it), and a piece 3000mm x 600mm (thus will have a sink cut out in it).

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Furts

You cannot find a more durable product than laminate - within cost and reasonable parameters. There are houses around me where the builders original laminate worktops fitted 30 years ago are still almost as good as new.

My home had laminate worktops that had received a growing families everyday use for 25 years and were still sound - only the pattern on the top was starting to fade a little in one well used area.

If you seek around 38-40 thick, decent quality, or lipped edge, or modern thinner such as Duropal, then you end up with cheap worktops that last forever.

The flip side is if you choose low cost laminate, then you may receive a short life from it. Why consumers choose these products has always mystified me - penny wise, and pound foolish comes to mind here. Or not wanting the product to last so as to give a reason for a kitchen upgrade after perhaps five years.

tylerdurdenk

The issue I have is that the corners have failed as people walk round them and catch buttons and rivets on their jeans on them. This essentially pulls the edging strips off, and has begun to chip the wood under the edging.

Furts

It seems to me the same could happen again if people do not treat the worktops with consideration. So new worktops may not look new for very long. However a SAA strip could be fittted to protect the edge - a common situation - this could even be decorated to suit the worktop colour. Or the worktop could be lipped. Or you could make a piece of protection from anything you like - softwood, hardwood, or plywood for example.

Grenage

What about polished concrete? You could even cast it yourself!

I've never used it, but it can look great.

ryder72

There is no alternative that is cheaper without a reason. Granite/Quartz will all cost about the same so anything that looks like it is going to have compromises and all of them not worth the saving.

Go with laminate if your funds dont stretch and change them when you can. That way you will get the best of both worlds.

pollyannaL

this is a very cheap alternative - they do granite, marble......

http://www.wilko.com/sticky-back-plastic/d-c-fix-original-deco-self-adhesive-film-marmi-grey-346-0306/invt/0309593