A home with a glistening and cosy kitchen at the heart of it is all of our dreams. But what makes it that lavish? Is it the theme? The aesthetics? Or what makes all that up? The last one is the best option, and what makes your kitchen check all of these things, is the best kitchen worktop.
Some of us don’t know about all the options available and thus stick to two or three they know well, while the others know so many options that it becomes hard for them to go for one. We’re going to help both of you by stating out all the top-notch options and why and where they look best, so you don’t have any second thoughts while making your choice.
Your Personal Checklist Before Making A Worktop Purchase
Before we dig in directly to the market and start looking for all the available categories of worktops, there are some items we need to make sure we know well.
Let’s start with determining what we have as a budget. I know there are a lot of options which could fit in a small budget but not all of them fit in our dream kitchen, right? So, we need to decide how much we are able to spend and to make the most out of it by selecting the best kitchen worktop in that budget.
The next point is our day off, worktop replacement needs time, right? We can’t move the old worktop out and clear the kitchen before the installation workers come if we have so much other work to do. So, you have to decide a time in which we are free or maybe do it on a weekend or your day off?
Also, talking about calling the installation team, we must decide on whether we are going to fit the new best kitchen worktop on our own or call for some professional assistance. In my opinion, the latter one is better because they have the right tools and they know how to use them. You have already invested a lot in a purchase, why risk it with an amateur try?
If you love baking and cooking for yourself or for your loved ones, there would definitely be some instances where you put the steaming hot cooker or cookie plate directly on the countertop and it left a mark. We know this is not the proper way to make memories of our achievements. So, you should look for heat resistant countertops, the rest of us who like other things more can skip this characteristic and can opt for other things if you want too.
Not all of us have the time to properly clean the kitchen for hours, especially when you have to be there at the office at 8. There are worktops which need thorough cleaning because they are absorbent to spills and take in the stains as soon as they are spilled. While some are non-porous and require just about 2-3 minutes for cleaning. Choose according to your needs.
The one thing you should do in particular is, have an idea of your kitchen dimensions. How much space is required by your appliances, the worktops, the cabinets and then place an order accordingly.
The last thing is finding what suits your lavish kitchen dream and for that you have to make a list of what you want; colour, texture, finish, patterns etc.
List of All The Kitchen Worktop Types You Want To See
We have extracted out all the best kitchen worktop available in the market and why or why not they suit your kitchen. Here are all of them with their pros and cons list, so it gets way easier for you to decide.
Worktop No.1 -Granite
Made by mother nature herself, Granite is the choice for a kitchen to give an earthy, homely and mature feel. We give 9/10 to Granite for its durability and quality. It is widely purchased by people who are calm, supportive and stable in their personality because it depicts just the same characteristics. All the shades and patterns of Granite are hand woven by nature and that is why it looks so heavenly when fitted into a large and spacious kitchen with warm lights. The aesthetic appeal of this worktop is 10/10 and that is why it is highly recommended by us to all because it fits in every theme of every kitchen.
Why Should It Be Your Choice?
- They are to stay for as long as generations. They do not break or chip off that easily and survive all weathers and that is why you do not feel the need to replace them after a few years. So yeah, they save you a lot of money.
- They are resistant to black stains of carbon from heated pots, pans and trays.
- The anti-bacterial and a wipe-to-clean property of Granite makes for another reason to purchase it.
The Downside of Granite:
- If due to any mishap they get broken, you will have to buy a new one. They cannot be fixed.
- You will need a proper man power to lift them up as they are quite heavy.
- Carbon stains are okay but they are absorptive in nature and sucks in the colour of a liquid spilled on them.
Worktop No. 2 –Quartz
Man never fails to amaze himself when it comes to imitating nature. Quartz is one of those creations which makes man proud of himself. It is just like Granite but is not natural. Carrying the same qualities as Granite, it is also hardwearing with a durability of 8/10 and is not vulnerable to scratches. So, you save your dollars here too. The best thing is, if you are a green enthusiast, this is your ultimate and ulterior choice. It is made from recyclable waste and thus contributes to preserving nature.
Why Should Quartz Be Your Choice?
- Being made by man, it gives the customers the choice to pick colour-scheme patterns and shades according to their mood and likability.
- Unlike Granite, they are not absorptive in nature, thus all the liquid spills slip by without staining it.
- The high proportion of stone in the mixture of Quartz makes it unbreakable.
Where Quartz Lacks?
- Quartz has resin as an ingredient which makes it vulnerable to heat.
- They need professionals and experts to make them fit into your kitchen without any damage. So, you will have to be good on budget.
Worktop No. 3 –Ceramic
Those who are a fan of colours and like their kitchen to be loud when it comes to thematic colours and textures will totally like Ceramic to be their countertop in the kitchen. On being hard and strong we will rate it as 10/10. Because of its hardness, you won’t have to get it cut in thick slabs, a thin layer would do just the job. Thus; modern, smart and sleek are perfect words to define this worktop.
Why Should Ceramic Be Your Choice?
- Magnificence and sugary are the words to describe the unique beauty of this worktop. When you place those mugs on the Ceramic countertop in the morning, it will quickly turn into an Insta-worthy photo moment.
- You don’t have to have a huge budget to buy them
- They are perfect for sustaining heat and liquid and thus are not affected by any or both of them.
Where Do Ceramic Worktops Lack?
- They are hard but at the same time they are brittle. One heavy shock and they will break into pieces with damage beyond repair.
- Their grooves and curves make them vulnerable to sharp objects as they can get scratched by these objects.
- They usually have to be joined by adhesive liquid because of the uneven grooves and thus these joints become difficult to clean when dust mixed with moisture is stuck inside of them.
Worktop No. 4 –Glass
Lavish, classy, glossy and modern; these are the first words which come to your mind when you see a beautiful glass-work. They instantly turn any kitchen into a master luxury one. They can be coloured into, coloured upon and you can also have them designed by artists with paints and colours you admire. This ability of glass makes it the choice of every young adult and those who are young at heart.
Why Should Glass Be Your Choice As A Kitchen Countertop?
- The hard glossy nature of Glass makes it perfect for avoiding the marks of heat and water.
- They are easy to mould into any shape and size and it doesn’t look old with time.
- Also, Glass worktops are super hygienic because of their non-absorptive nature. Just a wipe with a fabric soaked in detergent and they are good to go.
Where Does Glass Lack?
- We all know it is brittle and is vulnerable to cracks even if you place a heavy object on it without a blow.
- They cannot withstand acidic or highly alkaline liquids and can corrode.
- They are a bit more expensive and you have to have a good budget to purchase them.
Worktop No. 5 –Corian
Plastic, resin and all the recyclable material which can damage the nature and cleanliness of the atmosphere are compressed to make this worktop. So again, green enthusiasts have a win-win in buying this best kitchen worktop too. The appeal of the kitchen aesthetically is complimented well when it has Corian at the slabs. It does not need adhesives for joints and a smooth surface is all it has.
Why is Corian A Good Choice?
- Unlike Quartz, they are more flexible when it comes to fit in the slabs.
- They are also strong against liquid spills and bacteria. So, no microbes, no dirt and no stains!
- They also do not scratch easily and if they do, they can be turned to original with just a little effort.
Where Does Corian Lack?
- The smooth and glossy shine wears off with time and they start to look old.
- They are not cheap and you should have a lot of dollars to buy them.
- Heat is what offsets them. They are not a stan when it comes to heated pots.
Worktop No. 6 –Wood
Exotic, antique, classy and old-school; Wood worktops carry all these qualities. Wood depicts nature’s strength and an individual’s growth. So, if you are a fan of all these characteristics, you have your answer. Timber, maple, oakwood all can be used for wooden worktops and they increase the beauty of your kitchen just like that. Very few people go for wood as their kitchen countertop and this is what makes wood unique.
Why Wood Should Be Chosen As A Worktop?
- Unlike other worktops, they become more beautiful as they age. They go unbreakable for generations.
- They are totally 10/10 resistant to damage.
- They are easy and cheap when it comes to cleaning.
Cons of Having A Wooden Worktop
- Though easy to maintain, they require consistency and regularity in cleaning.
- Polishing them regularly is their need; added cost.
- Prone to water damage and heat damage as wood catches fire it is damaged by heat also.
Worktop No.7 -Laminate
With matt, glossy, wavy textures; Laminate worktops are one of the most sold worktops today. Chipboard with a seal of Teflon all around it makes it a light-weight worktop and because it is also made in factories, it can be added with any colour and turned into any texture. They can also be made to look like other worktops, so a good deal, right?
Why is Laminate A Nice Choice?
- Chipboard as a main ingredient makes them cheap and if you have a tight budget, they are a perfect option.
- Teflon protects them against watery spills.
- You don’t need to call installation experts to fit them in. Call a friend and enjoy your weekend installing them.
Where Does Laminate Lack?
- They are prone to breaking easily because they are light.
- They are not good at fighting against heat stains.
Not all Laminate worktops compliment your kitchen cabinets and sinks.
Worktop No. 8 –Stainless Steel
Public places like hotels, restaurants or cafes use these because they are cheap and durable. They are perfect when it comes to cleaning and are strong fighters against heat stains and water stains, they are actually called stainless for a reason.
Pros of Having Steel As Your Kitchen Countertop
- It does not absorb any liquid; oil or fizzy drinks.
- It does not rust.
- The flexible nature makes them easy to fit everywhere.
Lackings of Stainless Steel
- Are prone to dents as they are hollow
- Create shrill sounds when they are hit.
