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On The Surface

Follow our guide to choosing a hard-working, good-looking worktop

Stone

Natural stone will always be a favourite material for worktops because it looks beautiful and although it is expensive represents good value for money because it will last a lifetime. Granite is one of the most sought after because it is so hard wearing and easy to care for and the natural variation in veining and colour adds real character, meaning that no two worktops will be the same. It is heat, scratch and water resistant and the perfect cool surface for pastry making. It also requires only a wipe down with a damp cloth.

Be aware, however, that it is obviously very heavy and requires expert installation so make sure you go to a specialist. Paul Mullee of Chiltern Marble offers the following advice, “When purchasing granite make sure you are sourcing quality granite. Some companies use blanks, material produced from small and rejected blocks in India and China. They are processed on older machines using old technology and the result is that the thickness can vary by up to 8mm, while the industry norm is 3mm. There is also a greater chance that your worktops will be sourced from different blocks resulting in dramatic shade variation.”

There are alternatives to granite – slate, marble and limestone all make equally beautiful kitchen work surfaces – and although these more porous stones need sealing to make them water and stain resistant, improvements in modern sealing products means there is now more choice than ever before.
Prices for natural stone vary greatly depending on the type and availability of your chosen material, but for inexpensive granite, prices start from around £125 per sq m. If you choose a more exclusive material, such as a semi-precious stone, prices can be £1995 per sq m.

Wood

Hardwoods such as oak, walnut and ash are great options for worktops as they are extremely hard wearing and durable. It’s much better to go for a solid wooden worktop and avoid softer woods. Wood has many advantages as a worktop, as Peter Keane of The Natural Wood Flooring Company explains. “Wood is easy to refurbish and it can even be stained with a different colour if you want to revamp your kitchen, avoiding the expense of replacing the worktops. With its naturally antibacterial qualities, wood is also one of the most hygienic choices for a kitchen surface. Bacteria will sit and multiply on artificial surfaces but wood contains a natural enzyme that breaks down and counteracts with the unwanted bacteria.”

Wooden worktops only need a wipe down with a damp cloth – indeed abrasive cleaning products aren’t recommended – however they will scorch if hot pans are placed directly on them. And while they will scratch, they can easily be re-sanded and sealed to make the worktop as good as new. Timber surfaces are supplied oiled but will need re-oiling around every three months to keep them watertight and strong. Depending on the timber, solid wooden worktops cost anything from around £150 for a 3m length of cherry to £600 for an exotic species, such as wenge.                                                 

Laminates

Laminates represent the more affordable end of the market, but advances in technology mean that a laminate worktop no longer represents a compromise in quality or looks. “Incredibly realistic textured finishes combined with realistic décor papers are now available and many match the look and feel of natural materials,” explains Rebecca Jones of Axiom by Formica. “Those available from Axiom include premium, polished stone looks, sophisticated wood finishes and natural stone effects.”

Laminate worktops are resistant to heat, impact, moistures and scratching, plus they won’t fall victim to juice, tea, coffee or wine stains and this durability makes them inherently hygienic. And, because your worktop will therefore stay looking like new, this represents even better value for money. Prices can start from as little as £35 per linear m – an average kitchen uses around 8m of worktops.

You can therefore afford to be a little more fashion-led with your worktop choice. “Currently black is giving way to brown and earthy tones,” says Stuart White at Bushboard. “In laminates this applies across woodgrains, metallics, granites and solid colours, which all provide easy design partners for the range of kitchen doors on offer. Granite designs are always classic favourites and there are some exciting new developments coming through in the form of true-scale printing that perfectly mirror the proportion of rare and exclusive granites.”

Stainless Steel

Perfect for those looking for an element of the professional kitchen, stainless steel can also bring a really luxurious look when combined with other materials. It has many advantages, it can be easily fabricated into different shapes, it is hygienic and easy to maintain, as well as resilient to heat, fire and sustained heavy use. It can also be recycled at the end of its life. It will scratch but most users agree that this adds character over time. If you want an immaculate and shiny surface, though, stainless steel may not be the best option.

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