Kitchen Worktops

Looking for a fresh look to your kitchen? Nothing can change the look of a kitchen like a brand new worktop for all of your counters. So what type of surface should you get? Do you want to travel the thrifty road and spend 700 bucks? Or do you want to reach deep into your pocket and drop a whopping 5,000 dollars. Well what are the differences in the different types of worktops? As you can see, this process might be slightly more complicated than you first anticipated; the many different options available will be very intimidating if you don’t do a little research prior to your purchase.

Before you get started on this decision, you might want to ask yourself a number of questions.  First of all, how often are you going to be working in the kitchen and using the worktops?  If you are only going to be in there making one or two meals per month, then it does not make a lot of sense to invest a lot of money in nice worktops.  Save the money for tv dinners instead!  But if, on the other hand, you are in your kitchen every single day, preparing at least 1 large meal on a daily basis, then you might want to put a little more thought into this purchase.  Getting something nice could pay off in the long run, as you will get much more enjoyment and good use out of it. 

Another question you might ask yourself is this: how long do you want the counter top to last?  If you are planning on moving in a few years, then you might want to go a bit cheaper when it comes time to choose the quality.  But if you plan to stay where you are for a few decades, then it makes sense to buy a really high quality worktop that will last and last.

Granite is commonly thought of as the highest quality material for kitchen worktops. However, this is reflected in the price: they are some of the most expensive worktops that money can buy. And there is a good reason for the expense—it looks great in all kitchens, is highly functional as a worktop, and will last a very long time. Granite is a beautiful stone. Granite worktops are polished and stay sleek and shiny for years. Not only is it beautiful, but it is highly functional. Granite is a tough and durable stone. You can chop on it, roll on it, pound on it (and many other rough kitchen activities) and it won’t scratch or dent. Most companies that offer granite worktops also include a ten or fifteen year guarantee on their product. You probably won’t need it!  It’s that good.  If you get granite and can afford it, you will not likely be disappointed with your purchase.

There are MANY synthetic kitchen worktops that are significantly cheaper than real gorgeous granite, and they are available in varying qualities and prices. The lowest end worktops (least functional, but also by far and away the cheapest) are made from laminate. Even in this category there are varying levels of expense and quality. However, generally speaking, laminate worktops and thin and flimsy, and they look like poor imitations of their more pricey stone cousins. They will scratch and crack over time, and then look even more fake than they did when first installed. Some other cheaper worktops (better and more expensive than laminate) are made from a 100% acrylic solid, the most famous of them being Corian, made by DuPont. These worktops are very tough, some of the higher quality materials essentially as hard and durable as stone. They also look much better than the laminate worktops. However, they still do not look entirely like genuine granite. For the price, however, these worktops are top notch.

This is an alternative option for those seeking something unique. Wooden worktops, whether they be a rustic butcher block or a more sleek and finished style, brighten the atmosphere of a kitchen. They are also quite functional for chopping. However, they are wood, not stone, so they do tend to scratch and absorb food stains more easily than other worktops. Ultimately, these worktops are for people who want their particular aesthetic value added to their kitchen.