Worktop Materials

Stainless steel worktops are made from sheets or blocks of stainless steel, a metal alloy that resists rust in everyday use. They are common in professional kitchens and utility rooms. They also suit homes that want a clean, modern look. This article covers daily life with the material. It also explains fitting, cost and who … Read more

Solid surface worktops are made from an acrylic polymer mixed with a mineral filler, and they are moulded into sheets that can be joined almost invisibly. They suit UK kitchens that want a smooth, seamless work surface. This guide explains what the material is, how it looks, how well it copes with daily use, how … Read more

Marble worktops are cut from a natural stone prized for its veining and its cool, polished look. They suit UK kitchens where appearance matters most and the owner accepts some upkeep. They are less practical for a busy family kitchen, because marble marks more easily than granite or quartz. This guide explains what marble worktops … Read more

Concrete worktops are made from cement, sand, aggregate and water, then finished and sealed. They give a kitchen a solid, contemporary or industrial look that few other materials match. They also have real limits, so here is an honest guide to living with them in a UK home. What concrete worktops are Concrete is a … Read more

Solid wood worktops are a warm, natural choice. Makers cut hardwood planks or blocks, glue them together and finish them with oil, wax or varnish. They look warm and natural, they can be sanded and refinished, and they suit kitchens with a traditional or country feel. They also need more looking after than stone or … Read more

Quartz worktops are engineered stone, made from crushed quartz bound with resin and pressed into slabs. They suit UK kitchens that need a hard-wearing, low-maintenance surface in a wide range of colours. They are not perfect, though. Heat, weight and cutting deserve as much thought as the look, so here is an honest guide to … Read more

Laminate worktops are one of the most common choices in UK kitchens, and for good reason. They are affordable, come in a wide range of colours and patterns, and are simple to keep clean. They also have real limits, mainly around water and heat, so it is worth knowing what you are buying before you … Read more

Granite worktops are cut from slabs of granite, a natural igneous rock. They are one of the most common choices in UK kitchens because they offer a hard, heat-tolerant surface and a wide range of colours. This guide covers what granite is like to live with, how it is fitted, what affects the cost and … Read more