With the popularity of open plan living, kitchens have become the hub and main living area of the house.
The kitchen worktops have become more important as they are the focal point of this living area.
You may have just bought a new house that came with a kitchen work surface that is not to your taste or you have been planning to replace the kitchen worksurfaces for years, there is no better time to put a smile on your face and enjoy your kitchen space more. Even the most modest kitchen can have a true Wow factor.
From the point, you decide you are going to change or replace your kitchen you should start to consider what type of work surface you want.
To help you with making this decision we have produced a brief description of the most popular types of worktops available all of which we specialise in manufacturing and installing.
Solid Timber
Probably the least expensive way of adding quality and style to a kitchen. The timber will need regular maintenance and is prone to staining especially in the wet areas around a sink. It has gained popularity most recently with many kitchen designers on areas such as islands and peninsular to soften the look of the kitchen and add a warm texture to the design
Semi-solid surfaces
These are a combination of laminate and solid surfaces. It is chipboard covered in a thin layer of solid surface. It has all the benefits of the proper solid surface worktops and can be cost-effective in very few scenarios. Depending on the manufacturer the thickness of the solid surface varies from 3mm to 6mm. It comes in plank form so can be assembled on site.
Overlays
This is sold as an inexpensive way of upgrading worktops to look like new quartz tops. The kitchens need to be very simple in design to make them more viable than fitting a new solid quartz surface. This type of surface relies on the existing surface being in good condition and that you use an inset sink. This system is less popular now that certain quartz worktops have come down considerably in cost.
Granite
Granite was once the most popular material after Laminate a few years ago. This totally changed because most of the natural granite available was too fussy for most of the new styles of kitchen. Granite however has its own beauty and there is a small resurgence of customers wanting something more natural as a worktop. As a surface, it is porous, fragile, some more so than others and is inconsistent from one piece of stone to another. When we make your kitchen, the stone has to go through many processes which can weaken it, this can become evident after or during the manufacture or installation. The lighter colours show lemon, and red wine stains and many household chemicals have a detrimental effect on the surface. Granite cannot be burnt but we have seen damage where hot pans have burnt the chemicals used to seal the granite or cracked due to the shock of a hot pan being put directly onto a cold surface.
Quartz
In recent years Quartz has become the most popular choice for new kitchen worktops. Originally when the product first appeared there was a very limited range of colours and suppliers. Due to its popularity, there are now many manufacturers and suppliers which means there is a product that will suit most budgets.
The colour range is extensive with many beautiful colours and textures, the marble range of quartz has been particularly popular as real marble was impractical for a kitchen
Quartz offers style, variety, strength and practicality, it is nonporous easy to maintain and resistant to chipping and scratching. It is easy to keep clean and is much stronger than granite.
Solid surfaces.
Most people call this Corian as it is the name synonymous to all types of solid surfaces. Dupont created this product over 50 years ago and called the material Corian, it is by far the most versatile material of all surfaces that are available. Solid surface allows for inconspicuous seamless joints, moulded in sinks, moulded in upstands, curves, thermos-forming shapes, extra-wide or long islands and it is infinitely repairable. The joints are inconspicuous and seamless making it difficult at a glance to see where the joins are in the surface. Most household cleaners can be used and the surfaces and Corian sinks can be cleaned easily with Bleach.
There are a whole range and styles of colours available, but we have to advise you that some are prone to showing scratches more than others
Marble
This is a beautiful soft natural stone, often translucent with a huge variety of colours and textures. Although beautiful it is prone to staining with wine lemon and lanolin and household cleaners so in many applications it is impractical. As already mentioned, manmade quartz is the best option to achieve this look
Ultra-compact sintered surfaces
Recently introduced to the market by a small number of composite stone manufacturers This type of product (Dekton, Lapitec, Ceramica to name but a few) is being heralded as a surface that is better than all the rest. It’s promoted as being highly scratch resistant as it has an extremely hard surface.
Our own experience is that in most cases it is overly brittle, very easily chipped and the fabrication costs are inhibitive. The claims being made are that it is better than all that has come before but we are yet to be convinced.
Roktops worksurfaces have an extensive range of samples in their showroom and can give honest informed advice if required. We can offer a complete service that includes removal of your existing worktops, sinks, taps and *hobs. Disposal of all items and installation of all the new work surfaces. Our aim is to minimise disruption and make the replacement of the tops as smooth and trouble-free as possible.
Please quote WOKN 21 TO CLAIM YOUR CARE PACK WHEN YOU ORDER YOUR NEW WORKTOPS
*Gas hobs will need to be removed and refitted by qualified gas safe engineers which is not included
