Kitchen worktop recommendations

seanfos

We will be moving soon and are currently looking at kitchen options. We have chosen cupboards but would like some recommendations for worktop material. Our current house has standard laminate and we are thinking granite, quartz, composite or similar for the new one. We want something hard wearing, available in light colours (white or off white) with either marbling or added sparkle, that we can put hot dishes onto without worry and something that will hold up for many years. Any recommendations and experiences please?

Thanks

Sean

Sandtree

Most materials outside of wood and laminate are fairly robust and heat resistant but all can ultimately be damaged if due care isnt taken. Probably "quartz" (thats obv not actually what its despite the name) and composite are the most durable and maintenance free.

Our home came with a quartz worktop that the Mrs hates the look of but its 15 years old and looks brand new still despite pans being put on it, cut citrus fruit being left on them, occasional chopping on it (despite how many times I say not to do so). Ours wouldn't pass for anything natural but clearly it wasn't designed to do so 

EssexExile

As above, quartz is the most hardwearing. Ours has been in over 15 years and is still as good as new, although we chose a fussy pattern so any marks wouldn't show anyway!

travis-powers

I’m going for solid laminate as I have to have a straight join, will still have to use a chopping board but it can be re-finished.

seanfos

Thank you all. Interesting to hear that Quartz is the most hard wearing and, looking at styles, we are leaning that way at the moment

Rosa_Damascena

Compressed laminate was recommended to me - Duropal I think.

My new kitchen is being templated for quartz worktops on Monday

travis-powers

Rosa_Damascena said:

Compressed laminate was recommended to me - Duropal I think.

My new kitchen is being templated for quartz worktops on Monday

Your kitchen is going in well then!
To be honest I’d have quartz if I had the budget.

mug2007

We went with dekton zenith (off white).  I was going to go with quartz which looks amazing and then the sales person advised me a hot pan would leave brown marks that wouldn't go away.  We are loving the dekton, I just dont worry about anything as it seems bombproof (well ok probably not but you know what I mean).  Worth the money for us.

Had duropal laminate previously and always managed to damage it, scratches and water damage round sink/joins.  Fantastic for low budget though.