Of course, it's not just about looks and style; proper work surface depends on how you use your kitchen practical, what your personal bugbears, and where you stand on cleaning and maintenance. Here are some options for your main worktop start.
Paul Craig Photography
sharp chef's best ...
stainless steel If you store start-up street food fantasies, then the stainless steel worktop possible for you. Hygienic, tough and remind kitchen of the restaurant (halo MasterChef ), stainless steel looks slick professional and industry, and it is easy to keep clean (one of the reasons it is popular with chefs). Plus you can put a hot pot on top of that, no problem.
However, it is not the beginning (and even potentially dent), so if you want to be perfect, pristine surface, may not be the best choice. On the other hand, some people think some scratches from time to time give character and personality.
stainless steel If you store start-up street food fantasies, then the stainless steel worktop possible for you. Hygienic, tough and remind kitchen of the restaurant (halo MasterChef ), stainless steel looks slick professional and industry, and it is easy to keep clean (one of the reasons it is popular with chefs). Plus you can put a hot pot on top of that, no problem.
However, it is not the beginning (and even potentially dent), so if you want to be perfect, pristine surface, may not be the best choice. On the other hand, some people think some scratches from time to time give character and personality.
Harvey Jones kitchen
best ... Durability and hygiene
solid surface this is not always the cheapest option, but man-made solid surface worktop, such as Corian (consisting of a mixture of mineral and acrylic resin) can the ultimate in kitchen worktops difficult. This flexibility means that the material you need not worry about unsightly joins, and can be set up to create an integrated sink and draining board for a neat look, like here. Solid surface worktops also come in various colors and natural effect - ideal if you want something different.
A solid worktop surface will not stain, scratch or crack easily and the ultra-waterproof, so it would not get wet. This material is also good for food preparation, because it is ultra-hygienic and easy to keep clean.
solid surface this is not always the cheapest option, but man-made solid surface worktop, such as Corian (consisting of a mixture of mineral and acrylic resin) can the ultimate in kitchen worktops difficult. This flexibility means that the material you need not worry about unsightly joins, and can be set up to create an integrated sink and draining board for a neat look, like here. Solid surface worktops also come in various colors and natural effect - ideal if you want something different.
A solid worktop surface will not stain, scratch or crack easily and the ultra-waterproof, so it would not get wet. This material is also good for food preparation, because it is ultra-hygienic and easy to keep clean.
British Standard by Plain English
best ... rustic charm
wood wood worktops has many detractors - yes, we know, they are smudge, scratch and go black and moldy too easy. And do not even mention the charred pot ring. If you're a low maintenance kind of people, they may not be for you - you have the oil regularly, and often when they are first installed. needs to mop up spills quickly to avoid staining and scratches may need to be sanded back.
But well done wood worktop is a real joy to behold. It looks beautiful countryside, warm and unpretentious and, if you do not mind a bit of elbow grease every now again, you will (hopefully) never regret your choice. Hardwoods, including teak and iroko, have a higher oil content, making it more resistant to water.
Keen on the idea of a country kitchen? See 10 style rules to get to see
wood wood worktops has many detractors - yes, we know, they are smudge, scratch and go black and moldy too easy. And do not even mention the charred pot ring. If you're a low maintenance kind of people, they may not be for you - you have the oil regularly, and often when they are first installed. needs to mop up spills quickly to avoid staining and scratches may need to be sanded back.
But well done wood worktop is a real joy to behold. It looks beautiful countryside, warm and unpretentious and, if you do not mind a bit of elbow grease every now again, you will (hopefully) never regret your choice. Hardwoods, including teak and iroko, have a higher oil content, making it more resistant to water.
Keen on the idea of a country kitchen? See 10 style rules to get to see
hcdb.uk.com
best ... Value
laminate Think laminate and nasty, cheap, fake wood-issued owner may come to mind. But wait a minute. Laminate (finally a chipboard, plywood or MDF core plastic coated) has come a long way, and there are many versions about the superior look brilliant and great value.
you can fake anything you want: granite, slate, oak. A plain white laminate unfussy, such as in a smart, compact kitchen is also able to look simple and very beautiful. It's hard to beat if you're on a shoe string and, even better, the laminate can be installed DIY, if you are up to the job.
However, remember to protect your worktop while cutting food or remove a tray oven, because this type of worktop can be damaged easily. Remember also that it is very cheap laminate that could end up being a false economy.
laminate Think laminate and nasty, cheap, fake wood-issued owner may come to mind. But wait a minute. Laminate (finally a chipboard, plywood or MDF core plastic coated) has come a long way, and there are many versions about the superior look brilliant and great value.
you can fake anything you want: granite, slate, oak. A plain white laminate unfussy, such as in a smart, compact kitchen is also able to look simple and very beautiful. It's hard to beat if you're on a shoe string and, even better, the laminate can be installed DIY, if you are up to the job.
However, remember to protect your worktop while cutting food or remove a tray oven, because this type of worktop can be damaged easily. Remember also that it is very cheap laminate that could end up being a false economy.
Workers Dovetail in Wood ltd
best ... looks durable
granite Natural granite can last a lifetime. It's not cheap, but it was a heat-resistant, which means you can put a hot pot on top with no problems. It is also easy to keep clean. Having good looks natural, and there is a wide selection of types and colors are available (ranging from gray to brown, black, white and even blue or pink) if you shop around.
Granite heavy, though, so it will need to be supported. And if damaged, is not easy to fix. It is also ideally be resealed every few years.
granite Natural granite can last a lifetime. It's not cheap, but it was a heat-resistant, which means you can put a hot pot on top with no problems. It is also easy to keep clean. Having good looks natural, and there is a wide selection of types and colors are available (ranging from gray to brown, black, white and even blue or pink) if you shop around.
Granite heavy, though, so it will need to be supported. And if damaged, is not easy to fix. It is also ideally be resealed every few years.
abodwell design-interior Brittney Fischbeck
best ... Practicality
quartz A man-made quartz, such as Silestone, offering the benefits of natural stone, be extra hard and durable, but with a contemporary, clean look. Type worktop (composed of crushed quartz and resin) ultra stain resistant, so you do not have to worry about accidents curry and red wine spills, and no time-consuming sealing process to put up with. It is also antibacterial, so you do not have to stress about the bug multiplies in cracks and crevices.
type 'engineered stone' come in many colors, but can be on the expensive side. It also does not look like a rock 'natural' - something to consider if you desire to see authentic country
quartz A man-made quartz, such as Silestone, offering the benefits of natural stone, be extra hard and durable, but with a contemporary, clean look. Type worktop (composed of crushed quartz and resin) ultra stain resistant, so you do not have to worry about accidents curry and red wine spills, and no time-consuming sealing process to put up with. It is also antibacterial, so you do not have to stress about the bug multiplies in cracks and crevices.
type 'engineered stone' come in many colors, but can be on the expensive side. It also does not look like a rock 'natural' - something to consider if you desire to see authentic country
Artichoke
Indulgence best ...
Marble Nobody really requires worktop marble in their kitchen. There are many other strong alternatives on the market. But no one said light, elegance upscale and chic five-star so awesome. natural marble is cool to the touch (and great to roll out pastry), and each piece will be individually. Marble is also quite easy to keep clean.
It was early, however, and you'll need to keep away from the acid solution (so watch out for the wild lemon half), because they can corrode it. certain substances, such as red wine, also can rust if not mopping fast.
Discover more ways to use marble in your home
Marble Nobody really requires worktop marble in their kitchen. There are many other strong alternatives on the market. But no one said light, elegance upscale and chic five-star so awesome. natural marble is cool to the touch (and great to roll out pastry), and each piece will be individually. Marble is also quite easy to keep clean.
It was early, however, and you'll need to keep away from the acid solution (so watch out for the wild lemon half), because they can corrode it. certain substances, such as red wine, also can rust if not mopping fast.
Discover more ways to use marble in your home
VSP Interiors
best ... attitude Industry
concrete brings you brutalist side with chunky slab of concrete in the kitchen. A heavy-duty rack concrete parts, which looks cool and, as you'd expect, super-durable. It is also a wonderful age, acquiring a patina characterful.
However, it is undeniably heavy, porous raw concrete, to be sealed in order to avoid stains and marks. You will also have to compete with the odd seam. As it was cast in slabs, concrete is more flexible in the form of stone; plus you can opt for various types of surface finishes, from polished to matt.
concrete brings you brutalist side with chunky slab of concrete in the kitchen. A heavy-duty rack concrete parts, which looks cool and, as you'd expect, super-durable. It is also a wonderful age, acquiring a patina characterful.
However, it is undeniably heavy, porous raw concrete, to be sealed in order to avoid stains and marks. You will also have to compete with the odd seam. As it was cast in slabs, concrete is more flexible in the form of stone; plus you can opt for various types of surface finishes, from polished to matt.
102 Interiors Ltd
best ... looks Minimal
Ceramics Ceramic worktops are gaining ground in the kitchen. Ceramic is tough and durable, but it is slimmer than the surface such as granite - ideal if you want to see a modern, efficient, like here. new technologies and manufacturing methods mean ceramic worktops can now have longer lengths without joining (rather than tiled worktops yore, with grouting they are always in need-to - be-cleaned). They also tend noda-, scratch and heat resistant.
Ceramics can crack, though, so be careful when swinging that Le Creuset pan -. You'll want to avoid dropping heavy objects on it
Ceramics Ceramic worktops are gaining ground in the kitchen. Ceramic is tough and durable, but it is slimmer than the surface such as granite - ideal if you want to see a modern, efficient, like here. new technologies and manufacturing methods mean ceramic worktops can now have longer lengths without joining (rather than tiled worktops yore, with grouting they are always in need-to - be-cleaned). They also tend noda-, scratch and heat resistant.
Ceramics can crack, though, so be careful when swinging that Le Creuset pan -. You'll want to avoid dropping heavy objects on it
Caroline Browne Interior Design
best ... light in a small space
glass Gleaming glass may not be the first choice that comes to mind when you are shopping for a desk, but it could make sense. Reflective glass, adding a sense of light and brightness for small or dark kitchen. It is easy to clean, heat resistant and hygienic.
The latest hardened glass worktops are less prone to chips, scratches and breaks. Even the slim design can be super-strong today. A bespoke, cut-to-fit glass worktop can also be made to fit the exact space you need - another big plus.
However, the glass does not smudge and smear, so if you do not like continue buffing away fingermarks, may not be an option for you. And it's not the cheapest materials, either, so it is not possible for those on a tight budget.
SAY ...
What is your ideal type of kitchen worktop? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
glass Gleaming glass may not be the first choice that comes to mind when you are shopping for a desk, but it could make sense. Reflective glass, adding a sense of light and brightness for small or dark kitchen. It is easy to clean, heat resistant and hygienic.
The latest hardened glass worktops are less prone to chips, scratches and breaks. Even the slim design can be super-strong today. A bespoke, cut-to-fit glass worktop can also be made to fit the exact space you need - another big plus.
However, the glass does not smudge and smear, so if you do not like continue buffing away fingermarks, may not be an option for you. And it's not the cheapest materials, either, so it is not possible for those on a tight budget.
SAY ...
What is your ideal type of kitchen worktop? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
