Quartz v laminate kitchen worktop advice

Louise__3

Hi all

I realise this is a common question, just after some up to date advice if possible 

I am refurbishing my 20 year old kitchen which has stood the test of time but needs updating. The laminate worktop has stood strong over the years but I’m not sure the current laminate worktops would be made to last as long now? 

Anyway, getting gloss grey cabinets from Wren but couldn’t find a worktop I liked. 

I’ve found a white quartz worktop independently but my concern is cost (£1900 for a small kitchen inc fitting and 10 year warranty) and how tough the surface is on crockery for breakages etc, and there is also the possibility that I may sell my flat in the next few years so won’t be here to take advantage of the quartz surface. 

I have budgeted for the extra cost of the quartz worktop but having seen some laminates on Instagram, they look pretty impressive, and saving money is always tempting..

Has anyone had both types of surface, and do you have a preference? Just looking for your experiences with both really, or any recommendations..

grumbler

Expensive improvements are never cost-effective in terms of selling. A house with quarts worktop will cost the same as a house with laminated worktop in good condition.

I don't think that modern laminated worktops are worse than they wore 20 years ago, but they still are as vulnerable to water (if not sealed well) as they used to be.

daivid

If you go for laminate and it's worse for wear when you come to sell you could have it replaced and still have spent less than on the quartz. FWIW I have laminate that is now 3 years old and as good as new. As grumbler has hinted to the quality of installation is key to the durability of laminate worktops. That and not doing silly things like resting a pan straight from the hob or chopping/cutting without a board.

Belenus

daivid said:

If you go for laminate and it's worse for wear when you come to sell you could have it replaced and still have spent less than on the quartz. FWIW I have laminate that is now 3 years old and as good as new. As grumbler has hinted to the quality of installation is key to the durability of laminate worktops. That and not doing silly things like resting a pan straight from the hob or chopping/cutting without a board.

Ditto.

We had a new kitchen fitted about 3 years ago and we chose laminate over all the other options. It still looks new.

We preferred the look of the design that we chose and, as we had had laminate in our previous house for 18 years we knew it was durable.

We looked at granite, quartz, corian and other products but liked the laminate best.

mclaren32

Stone worktops are lovely if the material is picked sensibly and it’s fitted by a company that do it properly. 

It doesn’t have to be that expensive and in my opinion is so much nicer than any laminate. We have a large island with waterfall drop downs either end and it’s the most used part of our house so we’ll worth the money.

GT60

Get a nice Duropal laminate worktop sourced online slightly more expensive compared to "normal" worktops but worth it i think. 

twopenny

Have you priced the quartz overlay work tops?

I've only seen one in a kitchen and wasn't that impressed but it looks the business superficially and would give the impression of quality for viewers and appearance for you.

Davesnave

Another vote for Duropal. All laminated worktops are not created equal. That also applies to the colour/pattern, because some disguise wear better than others.

theonlywayisup

I cannot vouch for laminate or quartz as we have granite.  I am lazy and I do put hot pans down straight onto the worktop, I chop (yes I blunt my knives) straight onto the worktop and I have had a lapse moment or two from the shower spray tap.  But they've been in 14 years and still look amazing.  

They also look good in our holiday cottages - no person on earth is as clumsy and without-care as a holidaymaker on a break. 

Rosa_Damascena

OP, please think carefully about ordering from Wren. Take a look at this site for some sorry tales of woe, there are plenty of them!

Rosa_Damascena

Good recommendations about the Duropal, thank you! This is hefty stuff.

I would expect the range to be updated for next year though.