Duropal vs solid surface

cybervic

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone knows how Duropal laminate compare to other resin/acrylic solid surface worktop. Do they looks and feels similar?

We want a white-based worktop, I have seen and used several Corian in friend's and/or rental place and they seems to scratch and stain easily, and some have obvious discolouration in areas next to a sink. I am wondering if Duropal will be the same after several years and needs replacing in 5 years when we sell up. We cook everyday and use kitchen heavily.

DIY-kitchen duropal costs £600-£650 in material, I guess that's probably £900 with fitting included. Their Innova Quartz costs £1900 fitting included, if we have to replace it before we go we might as well spend the money now?

FreeBear

cybervic wrote: »

We want a white-based worktop, I have seen and used several Corian in friend's and/or rental place and they seems to scratch and stain easily, and some have obvious discolouration in areas next to a sink. I am wondering if Duropal will be the same after several years and needs replacing in 5 years when we sell up.

Any worktop will stain and scratch if a modicum of care isn't taken. Wipe up spills straight away, don't chop straight on to the surface, and never put a hot pan/dish down.
I took the view that the next owner of my property would rip out the kitchen and fit one to their liking. On that basis, I went for what I liked with a layout that suits me. So no wall cupboards, dark flooring & worktops, and polished plaster walls/ceiling.

cybervic

FreeBear wrote: »

Any worktop will stain and scratch if a modicum of care isn't taken.

I took the view that the next owner of my property would rip out the kitchen and fit one to their liking.

Thanks, does that mean people should spend £££ on worktop if they are going to stay in that property for long term? It's a shame there's nothing in-between cheap laminate and pricy quartz/solid surface.

FreeBear

Pick a worktop you like at a price you are willing to pay. Don't pay any heed to what others think or say as you are the one that has to live with it.


The worktop I removed from my kitchen was a cheap laminate, but had lasted 20+ years. The replacement is a mid-priced laminate, and it should be good for another 20+ years. I did consider a solid surface very briefly, but baulked at the price.

ed110220

cybervic wrote: »

Thanks, does that mean people should spend £££ on worktop if they are going to stay in that property for long term? It's a shame there's nothing in-between cheap laminate and pricy quartz/solid surface.

What about one of the compact laminate worktops like the Duropal compact range? The material is solid all the way through rather than just being a thin layer over chipboard, so you can have drainage grooves, undermount sinks etc. It's intermediate in price between ordinary laminate and quartz etc.

https://www.savoytimber.com/chalk-duropal-compact-laminate-worktop.html

cybervic

ed110220 wrote: »

What about one of the compact laminate worktops like the Duropal compact range? The material is solid all the way through rather than just being a thin layer over chipboard, so you can have drainage grooves, undermount sinks etc. It's intermediate in price between ordinary laminate and quartz etc.

https://www.savoytimber.com/chalk-duropal-compact-laminate-worktop.html

Thank you, I didn't know about this, 12mm laminate (wow)! How long has this product been on market? It's so thin, will the functions/durability be compromise?

Doozergirl

cybervic wrote: »

Thank you, I didn't know about this, 12mm laminate (wow)! How long has this product been on market? It's so thin, will the functions/durability be compromise?

I put it in a BAR in a RUGBY CLUB last year.

I last saw it on Saturday. The stuff is solid. :rotfl:

ed110220

Doozergirl wrote: »

I put it in a BAR in a RUGBY CLUB last year.

I last saw it on Saturday. The stuff is solid. :rotfl:

It's also very similar to the lab worktops where I work. I don't know what make they are, but it's a type of compact laminate. They are used every day with no breaks for weekends, Christmas etc and have been there since some time in the early 90s. There's some wear and tear as you would expect but still in good working order.