Every new home buyer, or a person refurbishing their property will at some point face the dilemma of selecting décor for their new kitchen. This, in a lot of ways can be one of the most challenging aspects of the entire process. After all, kitchen is one of the main rooms in the whole property that is used almost all day, every day. We cook in a kitchen, we bake, eat, dine with family or guests. If a living room is the soul of a house, kitchen is certainly the heart.
One of the biggest issues people face during the home refurbishing period is the selection of the right kitchen worktops. There are so many varieties currently on the market: laminate worktops, granite worktops, wood worktops, acrylic tops, resin countertops or quartz worktops.
Which kitchen surfaces should you choose? Is there such thing as a right or wrong choice? Read our blog and help us guide you through the world of kitchen worktops in UK.
Below we will discuss everything from attributes of laminate kitchen worktops to the superb choice of quartz worktop colours, or the properties of luxurious granite and quartz worktops. Let’s dive in and analyse which perfect worktops will work for your dream kitchen.
The Pros and Cons of Natural Stone Granite, Man-Made Quartz and Wooden Laminate
When it comes to kitchen worktops, laminate and wooden options have a lot to offer. Laminate worktops, with their extensive range of colours and textures, are the most popular choice for young homeowners seeking a traditional kitchen style made on a budget.
On the other hand, solid wood worktops add a touch of organic charm and warmth to any kitchen, making them an ideal fit for contemporary or traditional designs.
Quartz worktops and granite worktops sit somewhere in between. They offer colour versatility: from natural stone, marble looking features to homogenous colours. As such, they fit into both traditional and contemporary spaces. Stone kitchen worktops are a heavyweight contender for laminate counterparts.
Granite worktops boast timeless elegance with their consistent colours and seamless joints, adding a touch of luxury to any kitchen style. On the other hand, man-made quartz worktops, a revolutionary solid surface, provide a vast array of colours and textures, perfect for modern kitchen styles and beyond.
But without further ado, let’s examine the actual pros and cons of each worktop surface in more detail.
Laminate or Wooden Worktops vs. Stone Worktops – Tackling the Great Dilemma
What is the main appeal of Laminate and Wooden Worktops?
Pros:
- Affordable Elegance: Laminate worktops offer a fantastic selection of colours and textures at affordable prices. Every new home buyer, a young person or a landlord will appreciate that for less than £2k they can install brand new worktops, that will last for a few years.
- Easy Maintenance: Both laminate and wooden worktops are easily cleaned, making kitchen upkeep a breeze. They’re certainly easier to clean than natural oak wood.
- Versatile Designs: Wooden worktops provide a wide array of textures, colours, and timber options to suit any kitchen style. It’s not a palette comparable to quartz, but contrary to popular belief, the selection is still wide.
- Lightness: Laminate worktops are very light. Therefore if you have very old, or antique furniture, it might be beneficial not to encumber them with heavy stone. You kitchen design can also persuade you to pick laminate. For example, if you wish long and hefty breakfast bars, supported by one leg, then laminate certainly is the way forward.
Cons:
- Vulnerability to Heat and Scratches: Laminate worktops as well as wood worktops may require extra care to avoid damage from high temperatures and scratches. You will have to invest in cork boards, chopping boards, stands, doilies etc. In other words, layers on top of the worktop to prevent burns, scratching, charring and staining.
- Concerning Durability: Solid wood worktops may need regular maintenance to prevent water damage and wear over time. While laminate will usually repel some of the liquids, natural, unpolished oak will require treatment with special agents. But even then, oils, acidic liquids or hard substances like wine or coffee are a constant, looming threat over laminate and wood tops.
What are the benefits of Stone Worktops?
Pros:
- Incredible Durability: Stone kitchen worktops are highly durable, heat-resistant, and hard-wearing, ensuring they can handle all your culinary adventures with ease. There’s no need for chopping boards, as these surfaces do not scratch. Meanwhile, hot pots and pans that just left your stove can stand on quartz kitchen worktops without an issue.
- Elegance Meets Practicality: Natural stone and quartz worktops deliver a beautiful selection of hues and textures choices, making them suitable for a wide range of kitchen designs. Quartz products, from various brands, have around 500 designs. All synthetically modified to create a vast palette. Granite kitchen worktops are more limited in hues, since it’s a fully organic rock, quarried across the globe.
- Easy to Clean & Maintain: Stone worktops are easily cleaned, saving you time and effort in your daily kitchen upkeep. All you will require is a small drip of washing up liquid like Fairy liquid on a wet sponge – and scrub away. You’ll notice that the grim washes away as though the surface was covered in a water-resistant layer.
- Affordability: Admit, you weren’t expecting that point in this section? But indeed, quartz nowadays can be very affordable. Small kitchens can be furnished in quartz countertops for as little as £2.1k. That price is genuinely very good, considering some kitchen worktops can cost A LOT.
Cons:
- Higher Investment: While the point above mentions affordability, it needs to be clarified that not all stone worktops are cheap. This especially pertains to the newly developed ‘ceramic or sintered stone’ worktops. However, even some quartz brands can really go over with the price-tag. What is certain, cheap or expensive quartz slabs, stone worktops will be more expensive compared to quality laminate and wooden options.
- Installation Challenges: Due to their weight and complexity, installing stone worktops might require some effort. If you live in an apartment, in Manchester city centre, with bad access to parking, then you might really struggle to purchase quartz stone worktops. Some of these pieces can be really heavy – an island made from 30mm material can weigh even 350kg, or more. Transportation of these products to flats in blocks might be problematic. And even if the providers agree to it, due to the manpower, complexity and logistics required, such endeavour won’t be cheap.
Wood, Laminate or Quartz Worktops – What’s the Final Verdict?
Affordability and Style of Kitchen Worktops:
If you’re looking for an affordable, light and natural-esque option, laminate worktops take the crown. With their fantastic range of colours and designs, they offer a plethora of choices for your kitchen, all while being gentle on your pocket. However, for those who value style, luxury, elegance, but above all quality, quartz worktops are the clear winner. Their contemporary charm, resistance to impacts and vast array of colours make them a top choice for modern kitchen enthusiasts.
Durability and Maintenance of Kitchen Worktops:
When it comes to durability, stone worktops reign supreme. Granite and quartz worktops are incredibly robust, heat-resistant, and can withstand the daily hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen. They require minimal maintenance and retain their original beauty for years. On the other hand, while being more budget friendly, laminate and wooden worktops need extra care to avoid scratches, stains, and liquid damage.
Installation and Longevity of Kitchen Worktops:
In the realm of installation, laminate and wooden worktops have the upper hand. They are lighter and easier to manage, making the installation process more straightforward.
Installation will almost always be undertaken by max two fitters. Meanwhile large kitchens layered in a granite worktop might need as much as 5 installers – and that’s if they manage access to your property via lift. That said, stone worktops have the advantage in terms of longevity. With proper care and maintenance, they can last a lifetime, becoming a timeless feature in your kitchen.
Remember: initially, you might spend more on kitchen worktops from quartz, the installation might be longer and more complex, but quartz worktops will outlast most things in your modern kitchen. These are investments for generations.
Choosing the right kitchen worktop for your UK home will come down to budget or preference
Choosing Laminate Worktops UK:
If you’re a new homeowner looking for an affordable, stylish, and easy-to-maintain option, laminate kitchen worktops are your go-to choice. They come in a vast array of colours, patterns and designs, suiting both traditional and contemporary kitchens; all while not burdening your wallet.
Choosing Stone Worktops UK:
For those seeking the ultimate combination of luxury and durability, stone worktops steal the spotlight. Whether it’s the natural elegance of granite or the contemporary charm of quartz kitchen worktop, these work surfaces are a perfect investment for a beautiful and long-lasting kitchen.
Are you still undecided? We might know where you can source some help!
Both laminate and wooden worktops, as well as natural stone granite and man-made quartz have their unique advantages and appeal. A laminate worktop offers affordability and versatility, making them a popular choice for many. Meanwhile, a stone worktop brings a touch of sophistication and durability, ideal for those seeking an extravagant yet durable range.
In the end, the choice ultimately depends on your budget, style preferences, and desired level of durability.
If you’re still undecided, it might be a good idea to visit a worktop provider. Either a joiner, kitchen fitter, quartz worktop manufacturer or even a professional interior designer. While we are experts on this blog, and our advice can be trusted, sometimes it’s really important to listen to someone face-to-face. Perhaps someone who has already fitted a wood or stone kitchen worktop for family or friend. An expert is required. Because to get kitchen worktops UK it’s not rocket science, but to get the right product for you or your kitchen is a whole different matter.
- Reaching out to family or friends is also vital. Seeing what worktop material they possess, gaining some feedback regarding their solid surface worktops etc. Those reliable voices can do a lot to convince us.
- And we highly encourage to visit showrooms, browsing online worktops websites, galleries, past projects. Looking into the trade prices, stock availability and cost-effective options can be of great help during the process.
- The huge range of products can also scramble our brain, so feel free to do some research online regarding colour matching choices. See what suits your floor or cabinets; analyse whether your kitchen should be of consistent colour or contrasting designs.
You ought to remember: whether you go for laminate or stone, the heart of your home will be a reflection of your unique personality and taste. Sometimes the gut feeling needs to be heeded – if you really like something, at a first glance, and those around you have a more-or-less unanimous, positive decision regarding your design choice, then your pick should be simple…
