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Design Dilemma Kitchens

Getting on top of worktops

4 years ago

We are in the beginning phase of designing our kitchen. I am finding choosing the worktops really tough. We want something super durable and stain proof. My question is: is it best to buy your worktops from the same place you buy your cabinets from or shop around for worktops? Thanks.

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Comments (5)

Daisy England
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
You need to buy them from where supplies what you want. It’s a minefield out there for choice.

If you're looking at somewhere like Howdens then they only offer laminate worktops at 3m long when in fact worktops are available in 4.1m long. It’s all depending on the brand.

Laminate, solid surface, granite, solid laminate, quartz, all at different specifications and prices.
Jonathan
4 years ago
I think it depends on budget and what you are in the market for. The most durable work surfaces are the ultra compact surfaces like Dekton and although you can go to a supplier to see a whole slab you won’t get a better price than from your kitchen showroom who will take responsibility for organising everything and making sure you are happy. Plus they most likely have a better eye for what works and can steer you in the right direction with colour choices
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Hi John, The rustic look in kitchens is a very sought after design feature and in a converted barn will look spectacular. I would suggest you seal the planks of wood using an oil suitable for worktops, as by not doing this you will get stain marks in the wood. Wine stains, spices, dark fruits and veg, these pigments will seep in to the worktop and no mater how much you try to clean it you will not get some of these stain marks out. Also from a hygienic point of view not having a seal on a worktop would not be advised, especially if you are preparing food on these counter tops. Oils seep in to the wood and will help maintain the wood for much longer. They also help the wood to become water resistant around a sink area. Hopefully this is helpful advise. Keep us up to date on your kitchen we'd love to know how it all turns out! The LWK Team.
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Ikea tops are deeper ( to suit ikea cabinets ) In general laminate tops usually come in 600 single postformed and 665 and 900 double postformed (so would be rounded edge front and back - so you’d need to cut the back off) Fabrication workshops often will offer to cut down wider tops to size for you. Hope that helps a bit !
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If you are not going to drain anything then no need. Maybe your reasoning for a double bowl sink is to fit one with a draining rack? If you are going to use the granite as a drainer then in my opinion they are required as the slight gradient on them will direct surface water into the sink rather than onto the floor. Black or dark granite colours will also show watermarks caused by standing water, particular if you live in a hard water area. You can choose the shape and size of drainer grooves, so if you keep it simple they will hardly be noticed.
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It`d be more understandable if you could attach a photo of what it might look like approximately, just not very clear what you mean. I think with such a question you should contact directly to the company, which will do it, but I can tell you something about the countertop. I advise you to choose quartz, as this material is the most durable, it has a great glossy sheen, as you want, it`s resistant to moisture, and since it will be in the bathroom - this is the most important criterion. I have quartz countertops too, bought here Quartz Kitchen Worktops Hull so I know all the benefits of this material firsthand.
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PRO
User
4 years ago
Also some kitchen show rooms will not sell the work tops without you buying the kitchen, so ask before browsing.
PRO
Lifestyle Kitchens
4 years ago
Best to shop around, the mark up some showrooms put on worktops is outrageous, especially for solid surfaces like granite and quartz etc. I prefer quartz for worktops as there's such a wide range of colours to choose from but always choose a quality brand name as recently some of the cheap imports have been found to be not food safe. For durability and stain resistance have a look at http://www.fitzgeraldsinteriors.co.uk/which-worktop.html these test were done before products like dekton and solid laminates were popular though.
Jonathan
4 years ago
I think if Lifestyle kitchens have full displays of kitchens and worktops and are not expecting to earn any profit for their efforts then great but every other dealer does have bills to pay so the price will be what it will be.

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