The Kitchen
The kitchen is the hub of the house. It is often the only place where the whole family can meet each day. That does not necessarily make it important to choose a worktop with care. A kitchen worktop is often a workspace and thus is used very often. This also means that the worktops will need more care and maintenance compared to any other area.
As such, it is necessary to choose quality kitchen worktops so that one does not have to spend much time taking care of them later. Moreover, in addition to traditional worktops, there are so many new materials out on the market today. This can confuse anybody as to which one is more reliable. So this post will tackle the most important issues regarding worktops.
The Kitchen Plan And The Role Of The Worktop
Traditional kitchens were quite straightforward. It had counters going around the kitchen, covering two or three walls. Beyond this, perhaps, there would be a kitchen island. Kitchen worktops in Herefordshire, whatever the material may be, would go on top of them. This is not the case anymore as there is an increase in the backsplash. There are waterfall kitchen worktops, elevated islands, or cabinets.
This means that it requires much more precise measurements and varying pieces of quality kitchen worktops to put together a smooth surface. Just as much as the kitchen design can affect the worktop, vice versa is true as well. The material and colour of the worktop can affect how the kitchen looks in the end. This makes it even more important to choose the worktop wisely.
Nature Versus Man-Made Worktops
Today we have a wide variety of quality kitchen worktops available. There are a lot of options to choose from, varying in colours, material as well as make. Some of these are manmade worktops or engineered stones while others are natural stones.
Often the question comes, manmade or natural? It is common for many people to divide worktops simply into one of these two types. Though it is common, it is not the best practice. There is a lot more depth to worktops than simply their origins.
As such, it is best to learn how to choose a worktop because of its characteristics rather than how it is made. Kitchen worktops need to be durable, lasting, strong as well as suitable for the kitchen among other things. Let us narrow down these lists.
What You Should Look For In Your Next Worktop
As always there are a few things you should keep an eye out for in your worktop whether it is manmade or natural. Having these met means you have found quality kitchen worktops. Let us take a look at them.
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- Durability – The Kitchen Worktops should be durable. This means it can endure the trials of a kitchen. Unlike bathroom worktops, a kitchen worktop is exposed to intense heat and cold, liquid spills, acidic food, and more. How it lasts through this depends entirely on its durability.
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- Hardiness – This is another important factor that will show how the worktop will hold up. There are many situations where a weak worktop can crack and cause further damage.
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- Toughness – A tough worktop does not mean only a strong one. Toughness means it should be able to bear the weight that it might have to bear in the kitchen and more.
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- Colour – This is not an important factor for some, while others consider it immensely important. This has more to do with how much it will have to be cleaned or if it can get discolored. As this is a common issue with some expensive as well as cheap worktops. They absorb foot stains and become impossible to clean out.
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- Maintenance – The maintenance of kitchen worktops is an important factor to take into consideration today. With most people having a busy lifestyle today, easy-maintenance products have become a necessity. Most people barely have any time to make three meals a day, let alone clean the worktop three times a day.
Granite Kitchen Worktops
Now that we covered some important aspects of kitchen worktops, it is time to learn about the most popular worktop today. Granite is as popular today as it was introduced. The major reason to choose granite is that it meets all of the above criteria.
People find it to be highly reliable, requires minimal maintenance, and is easy to clean. It can last for a lifetime as long as it receives due care and will not need to be replaced all too often. It is a natural stone and comes in a wide range of colours and patterns.
Granite Kitchen Worktop is made of a mix of feldspar, quartz, and other minerals. As such, it does not have a uniform pattern. Moreover, no one slab of granite will look the same as another. They are all unique.
Quartz Worktops: The Fine Line Between Natural And Manmade
Quartz worktops, though not as popular as granite, still have a huge following. It is quickly overtaking marble and soon granite as the most popular worktop for the kitchen. While quartz crystals are natural, quartz kitchen worktops are engineered.
The crystals are crushed and turned into large slabs that are then cut into worktops. Quartz is a great choice for Kitchen Worktops for many reasons. It is almost as durable as granite and marble worktops while being half as pricey.
Moreover, it requires less maintenance too. Another factor that adds to its appeal is that it can be customised in a multitude of colours, patterns, and designs. Granite and marble are often replicated in quartz worktops. These replicas are popular as it provides features while being much more affordable and maintenance-free.
The Right Worktop For You
At the end of the day, no one else can dictate what works for you and what does not. It is for you to decide according to your lifestyle and the kitchen theme you are going for.
