Kitchen Worktops – All You Need To Know
Kitchen Worktops – All You Need To Know
Kitchen worktops are an essential part of any kitchen refurbishment, so choosing the right type is important. In this guide, we’ll explore the different materials available: laminate, quartz, granite, and marble, looking at their advantages and disadvantages and their costs to help you make the best choice.
Who We are
Kitchen Fancy is a kitchen design company that provides quality, locally sourced kitchens at affordable prices across the Costa Blanca region of Spain. They offer a wide range of kitchen worktops that can be fully adapted to your kitchen. You can choose from different styles: quartz, acrylic, solid wood and more. The worktop area is a focal point of the room, which means you need to consider its texture, look and feel. Do you want the clean, cool look of a quartz worktop? Or do you prefer the warm homeliness of a wood grain pattern? Kitchen Fancy offer pre-cut worktops, custom-made worktops, and worktop accessories that meet your highest design and performance demands without compromise.
Below is a guide to some of the options available.
Laminate
Laminate worktops are an economical and versatile option for the kitchen. They are made from a layer of plastic that is bonded to chipboard or MDF. They can be found in a variety of colours, designs and finishes that mimic the look of wood, stone or metal.
Advantages
- Easy to clean and maintain with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
- Resistant to stains, scratches and abrasion.
- Easy to install and cut to size.
- They are one of the cheapest options on the market: around €40 per linear metre.
Disadvantages
- Not very resistant to heat, so trivets must be used to avoid burns or deformation.
- Not very resistant to humidity, so the edges and joints must be well sealed to avoid swelling or peeling.
- They do not have much depth or natural feel, so they may appear artificial or of poor quality.
Quartz
Quartz worktops are a modern and stylish choice for the kitchen. They are made from a material composed of 90% natural quartz and 10% resin and pigments. They can be found in a wide range of colours, textures and finishes that mimic the look of marble or granite.
Advantages
- Highly resistant to heat, shocks, scratches and stains.
- Waterproof and do not require any sealing or waxing.
- Easy to clean and maintain with a damp cloth and a specific product for quartz.
- They have a sophisticated and uniform aesthetic that brings brightness and spaciousness to the kitchen.
Disadvantages
- More expensive than laminate worktops: around 200€ per linear metre.
- Heavier than laminate worktops, so they require professional installation and sturdy furniture to support them.
- They can fade or discolour over time if exposed to sunlight or harsh chemicals.
Granite
Granite worktops are a classic and durable choice for the kitchen. They are made from a natural stone that is cut into blocks and polished to shape. Each piece is unique and unrepeatable, with different colours, veins and patterns that give personality and character to the kitchen.
Advantages
- Very resistant to heat, impact, scratches and stains.
- They have a depth and a natural touch that give them elegance and warmth.
- Add value to the home because of their quality and beauty.
Disadvantages
- More expensive than laminate or quartz worktops: around 300€ per linear metre.
- Heavier than laminate or quartz worktops, so they require professional installation and sturdy furniture to support them.
- Need periodic treatment with a specific product for granite to maintain their impermeability and shine.
Marble
Marble worktops are a luxurious and refined choice for the kitchen. They are made from a natural stone that is cut into blocks and polished to shape. Each piece is unique and unrepeatable, with different colours, veins and patterns that give distinction and style to the kitchen.
Advantages
- Very resistant to heat, knocks and scratches.
- They have a depth and a natural feel that give them elegance and sophistication.
- Add value to the home because of their quality and beauty.
Disadvantages
- More expensive than granite worktops: around 400€ per linear metre.
- Heavier than granite worktops, so they require professional installation and sturdy furniture to support them.
- More porous than granite worktops, so they need periodic treatment with a specific product for marble to maintain their impermeability and shine.
- More sensitive to stains, especially from acids such as lemon or vinegar, which can damage their surface.
Corian
Corian worktops are an innovative and versatile choice for the kitchen. They are made of a synthetic material composed of natural minerals and acrylic. They can be moulded and curved to shape, creating continuous, seamless surfaces. They are available in more than 40 colours.
Advantages
- Highly resistant to heat, impact, scratches and stains.
- Waterproof and do not require any sealing or waxing.
- Easy to clean and maintain with a damp cloth and a specific product for Corian.
- They have a modern and uniform aesthetic that brings harmony and functionality to the kitchen.
Disadvantages
- More expensive than quartz or granite worktops: around 500€ per linear metre.
- Heavier than laminate worktops, so they require professional installation and sturdy furniture to support them.
- They can fade or discolour over time if exposed to sunlight or harsh chemicals.
Conclusion
As you have seen, there are different types of kitchen worktops to suit different tastes, needs and budgets. The choice will depend on your personal preferences, the style of your kitchen and how you intend to use it. The important thing is to find out about the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of each material before making a decision.
Contact Us Now!
For more information or to see samples and discuss your new kitchen, contact Mandi at Kitchen Fancy. Their new showroom is open on the Arenal in Javea. OR call 667 560 407 or email info@kitchen-fancy.com
Mandi Smith
Kitchen Fancy
Email: info@kitchen-fancy.com
Tel: 667 560 407
Web: www.kitchen-fancy.com
