Chosing A Kitchen Worktop
You may want your kitchen’s worktop to complement your cabinets or you may prefer a contrasting colour – try as many different samples as you can, and you may find something you never considered before.
Kitchen Worktops add colour, texture and interest to any scheme.
There are many elements to consider when it comes to choosing a kitchen worktop.
The first is budget, and this will influence greatly the type of material you choose. The second is practicality – how low maintenance do you want it to be – and the third is the look – what colour and texture you want, along with any design details such as sweeping curves or the latest thin edged profile.
Templating
Whatever material you choose, all worksurfaces need to be templated. This is where the material is cut to size to fit the cabinets below, with cut-outs for hobs and sinks and any extra lengths for a breakfast bar or overhang.
Some materials can be cut on site, so you can have your worktops fitted straight away while others need to be templated and cut at the factory, which can take up to three weeks after the furniture has been installed.
It’s important to keep this in mind when planning the use of your new kitchen, so don’t throw that camping stove away just yet!
Granite
Whatever material you choose, all worksurfaces need to be templated. This is where the material is cut to size to fit the cabinets below, with cut-outs for hobs and sinks and any extra lengths for a breakfast bar or overhang.
Some materials can be cut on site, so you can have your worktops fitted straight away while others need to be templated and cut at the factory, which can take up to three weeks after the furniture has been installed.
It’s important to keep this in mind when planning the use of your new kitchen, so don’t throw that camping stove away just yet!
Marble
Marble worktops are available in a choice of four materials and are ideal for adding a beautiful, natural look to your kitchen.
Your marble worktop is special and needs to be cared for, so speak to us, your local kitchen specialist for more information on how to look after it.
Quartz
Quartz worktops are also available in a range of edge profiles. This man-made granite alternative offers various benefits, such as greater colour consistency. Silestone quartz, for example, is available in over 60 colours and has the added benefit of built-in antibacterial protection.
Quartz is also highly stain resistant and scratch resistant, too, but as with all worktops, take extra care and always use chopping boards and trivets just in case.
Corian and Hi-Macs
Corian and Hi-Macs are solid surface materials perfect for creating fluid shapes, curves and flowing lines. As they are man-made, the colours and patterns are consistent and the joins are invisible, providing a seamless finish that can be teamed with matching integrated sinks to create the impression of one single piece.
This makes it really hygienic, too, as there are no gaps or joins for dirt and bacteria to hide in. The latest flush-fit hobs are also the perfect partner for these fuss-free surfaces.
Wood
For natural warmth and character, solid wood worktops are perfect for both classic and contemporary kitchens. Look to oak, maple and beech for a traditional style and bamboo, wenge and Iroko for a more modern feel.
Because it’s a natural material, each piece will vary in grain and tone and wood worktops develop a patina and character with use. Wood requires more high maintenance than other materials, as it will require regular oiling (at least every three months), but the results are certainly worth it.
Current Trends
Quartz is an increasingly popular material. With a focus on neutral tones, it offers an understated look that sits perfectly alongside the raft of contemporary furniture available, from high gloss finishes through to natural timbers.
White quartz is always popular, as it offers a clean, crisp look perfect for contemporary high gloss handleless kitchens.
Thickness and Trends
The thickness and depth of worktops is playing an important role in the kitchen designer’s palette. Mixing chunkier profiles with slimmer surfaces creates definition and can also be used to differentiate between different working zones. With modern materials such as Silestone and other solid surfaces, extra deep islands and peninsular units can be created.
These are perfect for accommodating the latest downdraft extractors that are seamlessly integrated into the worktop to avoid having a large overhanging extractor, creating an altogether more streamlined look.
Height
Varying the height of your worktop not only offers practical benefits but aesthetic ones, too. Getting it right however, is all down to good planning and the skills of a professional kitchen designer and fitter. Ergonomically, it’s important to have the correct height for different tasks. The standard worktop height is designed to work and cook at. The same level is not comfortable to sit at on a bar stool or chair and long-term use could potentially lead to bad posture or health problems.
When varying the height of worktops for different zones, consider the materials to suit them. Granite is the perfect surface for baking, as it is always cool. If there’s a large expanse of a black worktop, introduce lighter tones, texture and a different height to break up the dark area and add interest to the scheme.
Mix and Match
Mixing materials is a growing trend, adding interest and texture to schemes and preventing the look from being overpowered by one material. It may also potentially help to reduce the cost of worktops.
For example, granite is a premium material that comes with a premium price, so introducing areas in timber will not only make a feature in the scheme but may also be more affordable.
And Finally…
Always use a professional fitting team, like ours. No matter how expensive and luxurious your worktop is, if it’s badly designed, cut and installed, it will end up looking cheap and scruffy.
Don’t be in a rush to get it finished, make sure you ask for drainer grooves next to the sink if you want them and always clean with the recommended products.