How to choose a kitchen worktop – the choices between Solid Surface, Marble, Granite, Quartz, Glass, Wood and Laminate

This informal CPD article How to choose a kitchen worktop – the choices between Solid Surface, Marble, Granite, Quartz, Glass, Wood and Laminate was provided by BSF Solid Surfaces, a family run, award-winning, company, offering a friendly and honest approach to the business of Solid Surface Fabrication.

We all know that the kitchen is the heart of the home, therefore, it is not surprising that a lot of time, research and effort will be put into making the right choice of kitchen worktop. For most people, the kitchen worktops are the focal point of the kitchen. This is because they tend to be the most heavily used element, whilst also being the most visible and noticeable.

As kitchens themselves tend to be a big, costly investment, it is very important to be diligent when choosing a kitchen worktop to purchase, as for most, it is intended to last for a number of years. There is such a wide range of choice available on the market for kitchen worktops, it seemed a good idea to put together some pertinent information and comparisons about the more popular kitchen worktop choices, which will hopefully assist in making informed decisions.

How to choose a kitchen worktop

The intention of this article is to pull together the relevant points about each material, to assist in making these decisions.

In this article the focus will be on

• Marble
• Granite
• Glass
• Quartz
• Laminate
• Solid Surface 

There are of course many other products to choose from.

Marble

The pros and cons of Marble worktops.

Pros

• Marble is sourced directly from the earth and is a beautiful, unique material
• It is long lasting
• It is heat resistant
• It looks and feels luxurious
• Matching sinks can be provided 

Cons

• It is a porous material that does require sealing
• It is very heavy
• Cannot be joined together seamlessly 

Granite

The pros and cons of Granite worktops.

Pros

• Granite is directly sourced from the earth, therefore, it is always unique
• No two stones are identical as it is a completely natural material
• Beautiful and luxurious
• Hard wearing and durable
• Matching sinks can be provided 

Cons

• It should be sealed against damage and chemicals
• Is an expensive product
• It is a heavy product
• Seams will be visible when joined together 

Glass

The pros and cons of Glass worktops.

Pros

• There is a very wide range of colours
• Glass is resistant to chemicals and stains
• Glass is long lasting and durable 

Cons

• It can be difficult and expensive to repair if it becomes damaged
• Seams will be visible when joined together 

Quartz

The pros and cons of Quartz worktops.

Pros

• Quartz is man-made, composed of crushed stone and resin
• Quartz is a very hard material, rarely chipping and is considered scratch resistant
• Good colour choice available
• Extremely hygienic and easy to maintain
• Matching sinks can be provided 

Cons

• It is very heavy and care needs to be used when installing
• If it should be damaged it can be repaired, however, this can prove costly
• It can be cracked and damaged 

Wood

The pros and cons of Wood worktops.

Pros

• It is important to oil wood worktops to safeguard against damage
• Wood is like a fine wine and will improve with age
• A slab wood worktop will be solid throughout

Cons

• Water and chemicals can damage wood worktops
• These type of worktops are not chemical or stain resistant
• Wood worktops cannot be seamed together without seams 

Laminate

The pros and cons of Laminate worktops. 

Pros

• Laminate is considered low budget, with a wide range of colours available
• Laminate is a lightweight product
• It is easy to clean as it is a non-porous, as well as being chemical and stain resistant 

Cons

• It can be damaged easier than other worktop materials
• Steam and heat can damage it
• Laminate cannot be joined together without seams 

Solid Surface

The pros and cons of Solid Surface worktops.

Pros

• Solid Surface is a hard as stone
• There are a number of brands of Solid Surface available, providing a wide variety of choice.
• The reason the material was called Solid Surface is that, as it is man-made, providing a more uniform look throughout the material
• It is entirely non-porous, stain resistant and germ repellent, therefore, there is nowhere for bacteria, dirt and germs to inhabit and lurk
• It can be seamed together, with inconspicuous seams, enable “U” and “L” shaped shapes to be achieved with no obvious join line
• Wide range of kitchen sinks and bathroom vanities available
• It is heat resistant, although it is recommended to use trivets/ hot bars when using
• It is extremely durable, however, should it become damaged, it can be repaired and renewed
• Very easy to clean and maintain 

Cons

• It is not a load bearing material and does require a substrate support, however, once this is provided it is very strong
• It can be damaged, however it can also be repaired and renewed 

There are many different types of kitchen worktops to choose from, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. As an award winning Solid Surfaces fabrication company, the BSF professional preference is to use Solid Surfaces in kitchens. This is simply because Solid Surfaces come in a wide variety of choices, are stain resistant and germ repellent, heat resistant, and also are very easy to clean and maintain. Solid surfaces are strong and durable, making them a very suitable option for use within kitchens.

We hope this article on how to choose a kitchen worktop – the choices between Solid Surface, Marble, Granite, Quartz, Glass, Wood and Laminate was helpful. For more information from BSF Solid Surfaces, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively please visit the CPD Industry Hubs for more CPD articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.