In many ways, kitchen surfaces are the heavy lifters of your kitchen design. While the rest of your kitchen space sits pretty, your surfaces are dealing with daily use that includes knives, spills, and hot pans. If your kitchen is starting to look a little tired, it’s typically worth looking at your worktops first.
Luckily, countertop replacements are easy enough to oversee without entire kitchen refits, and they can transform this space in more ways than you might think. Whether you’re fed up with looking at that regrettable wine stain or want to refresh your kitchen design, this is a surefire way to do it. The question is – which are the best kitchen worktop materials for your space?
It’s an all-important question that can make or break your redesign project. The team here at Kitchen Makeovers have put together this handy guide to help you choose the right worktop materials every time.
Understanding Kitchen Worktop Materials
In terms of the overall appearance and functionality of your kitchen, worktop materials are right up there with your cabinet doors and appliances. You might not consider them often, but worktop materials constantly work hard to look great and make your cooking life easier. So, they’re well worth a little TLC if you’re looking into a kitchen design reboot.
But, no sooner will you have started your search than you’ll realise one vital piece of information – there are now many worktop materials to choose from.This is great news for choosing kitchen worktop materials that are ideally suited to your design, preference, and intended usage. It does, however, mean that you’ll need to choose carefully to ensure a kitchen worktop material that’s set to serve your space for as long as possible.
Choosing the Right Worktop
While the range of worktop choices might seem overwhelming, there are some relatively simple ways to narrow down your options. Primarily, you’ll want to consider the following vital pointers when looking for the best kitchen worktop top:
Budget: Kitchen worktops have a range of different price points, meaning that budget should always be a factor in your considerations. Options like laminate are typically more affordable upfront than famously expensive choices like granite.
Overall kitchen design: It’s always worth choosing worktops that fit with overall kitchen designs, including the basic style of this space and any relevant colour schemes.
Maintenance needs: It’s also worth considering how much time and energy you’re willing to commit to kitchen worktops. Worktops like granite need regular sealing, while options like laminate are antibacterial and far easier to care for in general.
Top Budget-Friendly Worktops
Budget-friendly worktop materials make it possible to invest in a new kitchen look without breaking the bank. Admittedly, not all budget-friendly options stand the test of time quite as well as, say, expensive natural stone, but if you’re seeking savings right now, then consider worktops that include –
- Laminate: Laminate is a budget-friendly worktop material that’s made by bonding layers of paper or fabric to a particle board using resin . Laminate designs can mimic more expensive natural wood options, making them a popular affordable choice for many homeowners.
- Concrete countertops: Concrete countertops are an incredibly dynamic kitchen addition that’s created by pouring concrete composite into molds. These can be left rustic for an industrial finish, or customised to match your chosen kitchen design.
Premium Materials
For those willing to spend a little more on quality countertops, top premium materials include –
- Solid wood: Solid wood countertops are durable, hard-wearing surfaces that can be made from materials including oak, walnut, or beech. It’s also possible to buy butcher block wood countertops that incorporate strips of wood which have been glued together.
- Solid surface: Solid surface countertops are made from a combination of materials like acrylic, resin, and minerals to create a similar finish to natural stones such as marble.
- Quartz: Quartz countertops are created by pressing natural quartz resin into sheets, which can then mimic the natural look of materials like granite and marble. Quartz is durable and easy to clean, and provides a luxury kitchen look.
Types of Kitchen Worktop Explained
The better you understand the different types of kitchen worktops, the more likely it is that you’ll choose a material which fully blends with your kitchen and usage. The most common types of kitchen worktops include –
Natural Stone
Natural stone worktops are a popular though expensive choice for kitchen design, and include options such as marble, granite, limestone, and quartz.
Their natural composition means that all natural stone kitchen worktops are unique, and contain a variety of colours and patterns. Natural stone worktops are incredibly durable and naturally antibacterial, but they do require regular sealing to maintain these benefits.
Natural wood
Natural wood countertops are a popular choice that’s typically more affordable than stone alternatives, though certain hardwoods can still come in at the top end of most remodel budgets. More expensive wood countertop options tend to include materials like maple and walnut.
Alternatively, affordable natural wood countertops include butcher block countertops that are made from thin pieces of wood glued together, or wood veneer countertops that are made by layering thin slices of wood on a more affordable base material. It’s also possible to buy MDF countertops that are engineered by compressing wood fibres, resin, and wax.
Man Made Materials
Man-made countertops are a popular option due to their affordability and accessibility. Man-made materials often contain natural elements, alongside additional materials like resin and acrylic. Top man-made countertops to choose from include –
- Concrete: Concrete is a composite material that’s made using water and aggregates, including sand or gravel. Concrete is now a popular material for kitchen worktops due to its adaptability and durability.
- Cultured marble: Cultured, or faux marble, is a manmade material that mimics the appearance of natural stone by mixing crushed marble with materials like resin and dye.
- Porcelain: Porcelain countertops are made by mixing quartz and clay with a material called feldspar to create an attractive, durable, natural stone-style finish.
- Quartz: Quartz countertops are made by mixing around 95-97% quartz with bonding and colouring agents to ensure a customisable, beautiful, natural look.
Pros and Cons of Popular Worktops
Considering the pros and cons of worktop materials is a great way to narrow down your choices and settle on the ideal option for your needs. We’ve broken down the pros and cons of some of the most popular worktop materials as follows –
Laminate
Pros –
- Impressive affordability (roughly £10 – £50 per square foot)
- Antibacterial properties
- Easy installation
Cons –
- Prone to heat and water damage and staining
- Limited lifespan
- Non-repairable
Marble
Pros –
- Durability due to heat and water resistance
- Potential for longevity
- Attractive appearance
Cons –
- High costs (roughly £270-£600 per square metre)
- Requires regular sealing
- Susceptible to cracks and acid damage
Butcher Block
Pros –
- Versatility to incorporate a range of wood finishes
- Affordability (typically £15-£50 per square foot)
- Durability for 20+ years
Cons –
- Susceptible to stains, scratches and burns
- Prone to dirt buildups
- Require regular resealing
What Makes the Best Kitchen Worktop?
Ultimately, the best kitchen worktop will vary a great deal depending on your personal preferences, but sure signs of a quality kitchen worktop include –
- Durability: Is it likely to last and look good for a long time?
- Ease of use: Can you easily clean and use that surface without worrying about sealants or heat and water damage?
- Appearance: Does it look good alongside your kitchen design?
- Style: Does it match your overall home and personal style?
Best Worktops for Your Kitchen Style
Each home style lends itself to a slightly different worktop material, meaning that you’ll want to consider overall kitchen styling during your deliberations. Top countertop pairings for popular kitchen styles include –
# 1 – Farmhouse Style
If you’ve designed a farmhouse-style space complete with pan racks and earthy colours, then wooden worktops are the ideal choice. This natural style will blend perfectly with your down-to-earth kitchen design, providing warmth, comfort, and a complimentary finish. Equally, laminate can provide many of the same benefits on a budget.
# 2 – Modern Design
If you’ve opted for a more modern kitchen design complete with stark lighting, dark tiles, and minimal finishes, then natural stone options like granite and marble are a fantastic option. When sealed, these natural stones provide a sleek, classy finish that’s sure to stand the test of time in a kitchen that’s built to last.
# 3 – Industrial Styling
Industrial home styles have been popular for the last few years, and this is reflected perfectly in the best kitchen worktop materials. Steel countertops can work fantastically for creating a durable, chef-style kitchen. Meanwhile, options like concrete countertops are gaining popularity thanks to their industrial styling, ease of installation, and adaptability to perfectly suit your industrial space.
Caring For Your Kitchen Worktops
Kitchen worktop maintenance is key to keeping your kitchen design fresh and ensuring the longevity of your chosen materials, but the rules of maintenance vary depending on your chosen countertops. General rules, such as regular cleaning and the avoidance of abrasive cleaners apply across the board, but more specific care instructions include –
- Natural stone care: Natural stone countertops can look great for 30 years or more with the right care, which should include the use of specialist stone soap, neutral acid-free cleaners, and soft cleaning cloths. Natural stone materials like granite and marble also require resealing at least every three years, or more often if they begin to discolour.
- Wooden countertop care: Caring for wooden countertops can significantly enhance their longevity, and requires delicate processes, such as drying spills immediately and regular wipedowns with soapy water. Monthly oiling can also prevent wooden countertops from looking dry and tired.
- Laminate countertop care: Laminate surfaces are famously easy to care for, but maintenance is still a must to keep those countertops looking their best. As with wood, primary laminate care tips include immediately cleaning spills, and regularly wiping laminate down with warm soapy water. It’s also important to avoid placing hot pans directly on laminate surfaces at all times.
If you’re struggling to choose the best kitchen worktop material for your space, why not talk to our team? Our complete range of worktops includes laminate, solid wood, and natural stone options, amongst others, and our experts will be more than happy to direct you towards the ideal material for your needs.
