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?
Photo: Pinterest
When it comes to worksurfaces, you need to ask yourself some critical questions of how you need a kitchen countertop to perform. For example, a cooking enthusiast will need a more robust worktop to someone who orders take out most nights. 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.
Photo: Pinterest
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 surfaces are not the most popular and are a required taste but people do buy them because they do have a lot of benefits.
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 around five years ago and it is still as beautiful as ever. Maybe I have a slight bias opinion with a corian countertop fitted in my kitchen but I think it is one of those surfaces that works in both traditional and contemporary kitchens. Although very contemporary in its look, the pieces are joined together and smoothed down so that it looks like a solid block that has been carved seamlessly so that no joins are shown. I have a shaker style door on my kitchen with a corian worksurface and I think it looks beautiful.
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 it is best that you are entirely set on the worksurface before making the final decision.
Very heat resistant, corian is however less heat resistant than natural stone like quartz and granite.
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.
Photo: Pinterest
Two countertop surfaces that you may have not thought about are Dekton and Silestone. These two surfaces are pretty new in the interior world of worksurfaces but their popularity is rising increasingly fast for obvious reasons.
Photo: Pinterest
Silestone is being used as kitchen and bathroom countertops over traditional materials like granite and natural stone. With quartz being one of the main components of a silestone worksurfaces, silestone is extremely durable and resistant to stains with a vast variety of colours and textures available making your space very unique.
Dekton is another relatively new worksurface material with outstanding results. Resistant to stains, highly scratch resistant, resistant to fire and heat, as well as having colours stability and resistant to UV light. Stated by dekton themselves, in addition to the previously listed, dekton is resistant to abrasion, fireproof and allows ‘virtually zero water absorption’.
It is best to go out and visit kitchen showrooms, physically seeing the surfaces in person. We design and build kitchens for clients supplying all the fittings and appliances. If you require any assistance, feel free to get in touch with us here at nu projects in Fulham. We are always happy to help, 020 7731 6841.
