Types of Kitchen Worktops

Posted by Maria Kairuz
2
Sep 30, 2015
235 Views
One of the biggest difficulties that you may face is to choose the type of surface for your kitchen worktop. The market has numerous materials for your kitchen worktop. Some of these are laminate, granite, wood, glass, composite stone and stainless steel. The choice is wide and buyers are moving one step ahead to find out about the features, advantages and disadvantages of the various materials. 

Before making a purchase you must consider factors such as the maintenance of your worktop, heat resistance and hygiene. You definitely don’t want to make the wrong choice.

Here is a list of the different kitchen worktops available in the market. You may consider these before making a purchase.
 
Hardwood

Hardwood worktop is suitable for all kitchen styles. These worktops are ideal for using around the sink as they are water resistant. However, they are also used for food preparation and dining areas.

Initially, hardwoods require sealing using oil. Sealing keeps the worktop maintained and long lasting. But, it is advised not to use the worktop as a chopping board and also do not place hot pans directly on the surface.

Over time, wood may scratch and rotten so it is always best to dry spillages on wood as soon as possible.

Composite stone

One of the most tough and durable, composite stones are easy to maintain. They add to the aesthetic appeal of your modern kitchen. You can use damp cloth to clean the worktop. They are the practical choice of every household that can be used anywhere.
Granite

With less cost of maintenance, granite worktops are used on a large scale in almost any area of your kitchen. It just requires an initial sealing. Granite is water resistant and has a long life. Granite can be cut into different shapes and sizes and do not require much maintenance.
 
Laminate

Easy to care after installation, laminate worktops are resistant to most stains and chemicals. However, they are not resistant to heat and steam. With no maintenance cost, the surface is not ideal for professional kitchen. However, they add to the aesthetic appeal of the place.  

Glass

Glass can be best used near the sink area. It is also suitable for small kitchen as the mirror reflects spaces.  Giving a modern look, glass worktops reflect light around the room. However, it needs continuous wiping in order to prevent water marks and can also scratch. You can also use glass cleaners to keep it clean. Glass worktops are durable and are resistant to heat, water and acid.

Solid Surfaces (Corian, Hi-Macs, Staron, etc)

Available in a variety of colours and easy to clean, these worktops are water and stain resistant and require no maintenance costs.  You can clean these with a soft and a damp cloth to increase their life. Solid Surfaces can be molded into any shape and size without leaving behind any marks which is its main appeal.

Dark colours aren’t usually recommended for kitchen worktop applications.

Stainless steel

Suitable for all sorts of kitchen, stainless steel can be used in and around sink. They are first choice of the commercial kitchens because of its hygienic properties. It is very strong, waterproof, resistant to heat and acid. The main issue with steel comes from the fact that it will scratch heavily over time which is the very same issue that may put homeowners off of steel for a kitchen worktop applications.

The above worktops are suitable for all types of kitchen.
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