Kitchen worktops should serve you well for several years, so choosing the right design to match your requirements and personality is key.
To give you a feel for the types of worktop surfaces available, and how each one would look and feel in your home, we have put together a guide on the different kinds of kitchen worktops and their pros and cons.
Granite Kitchen Worktops- Pros and Cons
Having been used throughout history as a material for building opulent buildings and statues, granite is well-known for being durable, impressive, and attractive. Today, this means that granite is a popular choice for kitchen worktops.
Granite is a luxurious material that looks sleek and stylish, and instantly adds a quality feel to any kitchen. It is also exceptionally hard-wearing and very easy to maintain. If you like the idea of a glossy worktop surface that is completely unique in design, granite is a great choice. As it is a natural stone, each worktop is an original, which is another feature that many home-owners seek. Take a look at granite kitchen worktops’ pros and cons.
Pros of granite kitchen worktops
- Creates a luxurious feel.
- Can be used in any kitchen area.
- Very low maintenance.
- Easy to clean.
- Suits both modern and traditional styles.
- Resistant to mould and most stains.
- Very tough and can withstand high temperatures.
- Water resistant.
Cons of granite kitchen worktops
- Granite is porous so requires an initial sealing. This will need to be repeated, ideally every six months.
- Cannot be repaired if damaged.
- Very heavy, so needs to be placed on sturdy, high quality cabinets.
Here at KNB, we offer a range of granite worktops that differ in styles and shades to suit both traditional and modern kitchens alike. Request a brochure for further information and inspiration.
Glass Kitchen Worktops – Pros and Cons
Modern, sleek and stylish, glass is a great worktop material for contemporary kitchens. It has a uniquely clean appearance which is desirable in a kitchen, not least because it enable s you to see mess and spills straight away. Glass kitchen worktops are available in a wide range of colours, and can be cut to any shape.
Glass is also one of the most durable and robust materials for worktop surfaces, and is easy to maintain. It only requires wiping down and cleaning with window cleaner every so often. Another plus of glass worktops is its light reflective qualities. This makes glass an ideal material if you’re looking for design features that create the illusion of space in a small kitchen. See below a summary of glass kitchen worktops pros and cons:
Pros of glass kitchen worktops
- Can be cut to any size or shape to fit any design
- Easy to clean
- Heat and water resistant
- Extremely durable
- Chips can be easily repaired
- Doesn’t need sealing
Cons of glass kitchen worktops
- Scratches can be hard to conceal
- Joins are visible
- Finger marks show up
Solid Wood Kitchen Worktops – Pros and Cons
Bringing warmth and texture into the home, wood has long been a popular choice for kitchen worktops. Although commonly associated with more traditional, farmhouse-style designs, wood can be easily incorporated into a contemporary scheme with the addition of stainless steel or glass textures.
One reason why wood has remained a well-loved choice for kitchen worktops is because it is long lasting and easy to repair. It requires easy maintenance in the form of regular oiling and polishing, in order to keep an attractive appearance. Wood is a robust worktop material that can come in a variety of shades.
Pros of solid wood kitchen worktops
- Naturally antibacterial
- Easy to repair
- Suitable for use in most situations
- Ideal for preparation and dining areas
Cons of solid wood worktops
- Needs oiling regularly for upkeep.
- Can be easily scratched and stained.
- Not water resistant.
Laminate Kitchen Worktops – Pros and Cons
Laminate worktops are a lot more advanced in terms of style and design than they were 20 years ago. Today, they are carefully created to look very similar to other materials such as granite and wood. The appeal of laminate kitchen worktops is the price, choice of styles, and their efficiency.
Cost effective and low maintenance, laminate worktops are ideal for most kitchens. You can choose from a variety of laminate colours and finishes here at KNB. This means you can create the perfect kitchen suited exactly to your preferences. A popular choice is matte laminate, which gives a more stylish look and has a thicker cut surface for improved durability.
Pros of laminate kitchen worktops
- Low maintenance
- Very closely mimics the look and feel of other materials
- Least expensive worktop material
- Resistant to most chemicals and stains
- Wide variety of colours and finishes
Cons of laminate kitchen worktops
- Not resistant to steam or heat
- Easily scratched
- Cannot be repaired if damaged
- Visible joins
Corian Kitchen Worktops – Pros and Cons
Corian is perhaps the best-known type of solid surface worktop. The acrylic material is incredibly versatile and offers almost limitless design flexibility, which is why it has become so popular in recent years. Corian worktops can be used in traditional or contemporary kitchens, and can be suited exactly according to your taste – whether you want a colourful and bold design or an understated one.
Another benefit is that Corian worktops can be fitted to create a seamlessly sleek finish with no visible joins. It is available in a range of colours and the reflective surface can help to brighten up even the smallest of kitchens.
Pros of Corian kitchen worktops
- Hygienic and easy to clean
- Easy to repair
- Suits most kitchens
- Can be formed into any shape
- No ugly joins
- Water and stain resistant
- Low maintenance
Cons of Corian kitchen worktops
- Can be easily scratched
- Can be expensive
Marble Kitchen Worktops – Pros and Cons
Marble is another material that has been well-used throughout history in the creation of monuments and architecture. It was especially popular in Greece and the Roman Empire, and was the material of choice for the famous Taj Mahal in India. It’s no wonder then, that so many people opt for marble for their kitchen worktops.
Marble worktops are visually stunning. The natural stone is elegant and adds a touch of luxury to its surroundings. This material also functions well as a durable counter for preparing food. Like granite, each marble worktop is completely unique and looks distinctive due to the natural veins that run across it. These are handy for disguising any marks or spills, as well as giving you a one-of-a-kind kitchen. If you’re considering marble, read the below marble kitchen worktops pros and cons to help make your choice:
Pros of marble kitchen worktops
- Naturally cool temperature
- Looks luxurious
- Generally cheaper than other worktop materials
- Heat resistant
Cons of marble kitchen worktops
- Because it is a soft stone, marble can stain and scratch more easily
- Sealing is required, at least once a year
- Marble slabs can be difficult to replace should damage occur
Quartz Kitchen Worktops – Pros and Cons
Also known as ‘engineered stone,’ quartz worktops are highly attractive and durable. They are perfect for contemporary kitchens. Quartz worktops are made from roughly 96% crushed quartz mixed with resin, which creates the unusual pattern and colour characteristic of this material.
Available in an extensive range of colours and a variety of finishes, quartz worktops add unique charm to your kitchen. They also serve as an effective, low-maintenance surface for preparing and cooking food. Consider quartz kitchen worktops pros and cons:
Pros of quartz kitchen worktops
- No visible joins
- Very low maintenance
- Stain and chip resistant
- Non porous so resistant to mould
- Sleek and stylish finish
Cons of quartz kitchen worktops
- Can discolour if exposed to direct sunlight
- Unrepairable if damaged
Here at KNB we have 30 years’ experience fitting kitches in Nottingham. We offer a range of worktops and a completely free design service to help you choose the right materials for your dream kitchen. To find out more about our services and how we can help you pick the perfect kitchen, visit our fitted kitchens page.