Worksurfaces, so many, how do you decide?

When it comes to work surfaces, there are so many you can choose from. Granite, quartz, porcelain, glass, concrete, corian, wood, stainless steel, how do you decide which one to go for?

Start by asking how the worktop actually has to perform. Somebody who cooks properly every night needs a more robust surface than somebody who mostly orders a takeaway. Budget is a big aspect and worktops can vary quite massively. If you want a natural stone like marble, this is going to be a lot more expensive than a porcelain worksurface. Is there a need for heat resistance? Are you someone who requires a low maintenance worksurface, or do you know that you will look after your surface with complete care? What colours and textures do you want?

Here, we will list through the different surfaces labelling the pros and cons for each, as well as maybe introduce you to some surfaces you may have not heard of.

Granite

Granite was probably the most popular worksurface five years ago. However, recently with the creation of man-made stones, different types of stone have overtaken granite and become a lot more popular.

Pros:

Granite is very heat resistant and strong enough to take the heat and not crack.

Granite is known as a hygienic material to have in the home, as well as being super easy to wipe down and clean.

Con:

If granite gets cracked, it is not like corian where you can go over the crack and fill it. Granite, like any natural stone, is unfixable once it cracks.

Because it is a natural stone, the stone is porous which means stains can occur, and it should be sealed at least every two years.

Glass

Glass is an acquired taste and it is not a common choice, but the people who buy it have good reasons.

Pro:

Glass is both durable to heat and water, non-porous and does not allow the build up of stains and mould making glass hygienic.

Cons:

Although very strong, glass surfaces can still crack if excessive weight is placed on it. With glass, it is a more personal preference whether you like it or not.

Corian

Corian came into popularity about five years ago and has stayed. It suits a traditional kitchen as well as a contemporary one. The sheets are joined and then sanded back so the surface reads as one carved block with no visible joins, which is the whole point of it. It works particularly well against shaker doors.

Pros:

Corian is not porous which means it is very hygienic as well as having no joins to trap dirt.

Scratches and damages, even if a chunk is taken out, can be easily refilled and fixed by a corian specialist.

Cons:

Corian is expensive, so be sure before you commit to it.

It is heat resistant, but less so than a natural stone such as granite, or an engineered one such as quartz. Use a trivet.

Wood

I adore wood in a kitchen. I think it adds texture and a warmth to a kitchen and makes the room seem more homely. Having wood also makes the room feel less formal and more relaxed.

Pros:

Wood is less expensive than other worksurface materials.

Cons: With wood surfaces, if wood is around a sink, this can be very problematic. Wood and constant water will make the wood lose its stain and over time rot. I think wood looks great on a sink-less island, and this gets rid of any water issues.

Two surfaces you may not have considered are Dekton and Silestone. Both are engineered, both are relatively recent, and both are being specified more often.

Silestone is now used on kitchen and bathroom worktops in place of granite and other natural stone. Quartz is one of its main components, which makes it durable and stain resistant, and it comes in a wide range of colours and textures.

Dekton is stain resistant, highly scratch resistant, resistant to fire and heat, colour stable and resistant to UV. The manufacturer also states it is abrasion resistant and allows virtually zero water absorption, which is what makes it usable outside as well as in.

The intro to this piece also listed quartz, porcelain, concrete and stainless steel, and all four are worth looking at. Quartz and porcelain behave broadly like the engineered surfaces above. Concrete has to be sealed and will develop a patina. Stainless steel is the professional kitchen answer and it scratches, which some people like.

Whatever the shortlist, go to a showroom and see the surfaces in person, because none of them photographs the way it looks. We design and build kitchens and supply the fittings and appliances. Tell us what you are choosing between, or call us in Fulham on 020 7731 6841.