Kitchen Worktops

scottishgirl87

We have recently had a white gloss kitchen from DIY Kitchens fitted but we’re still torn on what kind of worktop to get. In terms of look, my preferred look is quartz like as we also want a waterfall effect on our island but can this be done with cheaper worktop materials?

I know there are solid surface worktops, however, our builder who has done the majority of work in our house has told me to avoid Corian. I’ve been in to a couple of local showrooms and have saw a couple of quartz options that we like but I’m torn between paying £3.5k on quartz worktops or saving some money and going for a cheaper alternative but I’m not sure what is a viable alternative!

Any suggestions?

jk0

I used beech block on my white gloss kitchen and it looks very nice.

PasturesNew

.... beech block .

Beech block was used double thickness in an episode of £100k house tricks of the trade.

This link takes you to the point where they're discussing the choice and how it was achieved and price comparisons.

https://youtu.be/eEMt9lHMY2g?t=108

phoebe1989seb

Not keen on beech personally. We've used iroko in several kitchens and have been very happy with it.

ryder72

If budget is a consideration, get a PP edged laminate worktop. You can get wood or stone replicas, doesnt have the maintenance hassle of wood and inexpensive.

neilmcl

phoebe1989seb wrote: »

Not keen on beech personally. We've used iroko in several kitchens and have been very happy with it.

Agree, I think a darker worktop such as iroko or walnut looks great with a white kitchen.

jonnygee2

We have just had a dark oak effect laminate worktop on our budget gloss white kitchen. Looks great! https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/ekbacken-worktop-dark-oak-effect-90275226/

If you want a quartz look but don't want to buy quartz, then laminate is really your only option. I'm actually a fan of laminate, I've always had it, it's lasts ages, never scratches or burns (if you are relatively careful) and visually very difficult if not impossible to tell apart visually from the real thing.

But, I also get that people spending several thousand on units don't want to put a £400 worktop on them. A real dark wood would look great but that's not what you wanted! If you want quartz, it's either £3000 ish or laminate

FreeBear

jonnygee2 wrote: »

If you want a quartz look but don't want to buy quartz, then laminate is really your only option.

There are a few manufacturers than do a laminate worktop with a thick (typically, 6mm) laminate over a chipboard core. Quite a bit more expensive than regular laminate, but slightly cheaper than solid quartz. The range of colours & patterns will also be rather limited.