Picking the right kitchen worktop for your house can be difficult with so many products on the market. You need to think about how the worktop will look, what you’re going to be using it for, and the budget you’re working to. Not everyone has the same needs in a kitchen, so it’s essential your kitchen worktop choice is a personal one. This article will make your decision a bit easier.
First, we’ll take you through what different materials you can use for kitchen worktops. Then, we’ll discuss cutting on kitchen worktops, specifically granite, and what you need to know about this before you buy a worktop.
What Materials Can You Use For Kitchen Worktops?
To put it simply, there is an extremely big range of materials you can use for a kitchen worktop. Below are the most common types of options, and a few of their pros and cons.
Natural Stone
Natural stone is an expensive but often beautiful choice for kitchen worktops. If you have a lot of cash to spend and want something elegant, timeless, and natural, this is a great option. Natural stone kitchen worktops can be made from stones such as granite and marble.
Granite Kitchen Worktops
Granite and marble make for classy, unique kitchen worktops, especially as every piece of stone is unique. The colors can be incredible, and no two kitchen worktops will be the same when using natural stone.
One of the major cons of using natural stone is it can scratch easily, especially marble or granite. It is also susceptible to staining. Additionally, granite must be sealed properly otherwise it will damage quickly.
Stone is great if you have the budget, but there are so many less expensive and more durable alternatives on the market today if you don’t.
Natural Wood
Natural wood is another classic option for kitchen worktops. It can be perfect if you want a more rustic design element in your kitchen, making it look more traditional. It has a lot of character, as all wood is unique, and brings warmth into kitchen spaces which can sometimes look cold and clinical.
However, wood needs a lot of care and maintenance. It can dent, scratch, and stain very easily. It also isn’t naturally heatproof, meaning you have to be very careful with hot cooking pots and pans. You have to seal wood worktops regularly, and often stain them to maintain your desired color.
If you’re not up for the regular maintenance and expense of natural wood, look at more durable and low-maintenance options like man-made surfaces.
Man-Made Surfaces
Man-made materials are becoming more popular for kitchen worktops because of their durability and often reasonable price points. There are many different types of man-made materials for kitchens, but here are just a few that might interest you.
Quartz
Quartz is a brilliant option if you want something close to natural stone but more durable. Quartz kitchen worktops have a percentage of man-made material added to them to avoid cracking and chipping. However, it isn’t totally heatproof so you usually can’t put hot pans down on it. Corian is similar to this, but it is a blend of natural minerals with resin. It is very durable and easy to look after, but extremely expensive.
Laminate Worktop
Laminate worktops can be brilliant for those who want an endless choice of colors and patterns to play with. They are also very easy to wipe clean and are generally inexpensive. However, they are again not very heatproof. Similarly, some people use tiles for their whole kitchen worktop. This can create a unique look that isn’t often seen in kitchens today. However, they need regular re-grouting, so can be a lot more maintenance than laminate.
other Composite Materials for Worktops
Finally, there are some other unique options like Terrazzo, a composite material made with stone and glass chips in resin. You can pick this for a 1980s style kitchen worktop and easy cleaning. Alternatively, there are more industrial style options for the domestic space today, including concrete and copper. These can be brilliant for creating a very unique, modern space.
What Is The Best Material For Kitchen Worktops?
Overall, the best choice of kitchen worktop really depends on your individual needs, style, and budget. Natural stone is great if you can afford the high price point and maintenance, and wood is perfect if you don’t mind regularly sealing and want a traditional, rustic kitchen. Look to man-made and composite materials for durability and lower price points.
Can You Cut On A Granite Kitchen Worktop?
Finally, it’s important to think about what different surfaces are like to work on in the kitchen. Most commonly, people ask whether you can cut straight onto natural stone surfaces like granite when preparing food.
Using knives on granite isn’t generally advised. Whilst the stone may withstand cutting, the hardness of the granite worktop can very easily damage your knives. Plus, you will likely end up scratching your granite worktop, even if you don’t dent or chip it.
So, whilst you can cut on a granite kitchen worktop, it isn’t something we would usually advise. It’s much easier to use a chopping board and avoid doing damage to your expensive kitchen!
Conclusion
In conclusion, when picking your new kitchen worktop you really need to think about how it’s going to be used and what suits your lifestyle. Factor in your budget, and check out all the different options before you make your decision. If you’re careful about your choice, you will end up with a unique kitchen which you will love!
