Cheaper than quartz is Solid Surface. Look at Pietra and Pietra Gold. Needs to be fabricated and fitted by qualified tradesperson. Then there is Mirostone.

I’m in the dithering category with my worktops at home. I have laminate of which I’ve caught the edging and ripped some off. Despite repeated requests for hubby to glue it back on it has not happened. The island is used so much that I can see scratches at a specific angle so the products I’ve mentioned above are what I will swap to in due course.

Thank you Daisy, I was hoping you would answer! I will have a look at those products, thank you. Daisy can I just ask, should I approach a kitchen company to do this or is it too small a job? My kitchen is quite small. One side the worktop is about 2.5m and the sink side is about the same. We will also replace the sink as that’s had it too! Thank you.

Sonia, it’s not something you can do yourself. The worktops need specialist work for the cut, cutouts and joints. Ask a kitchen company. We’ve sold a fair bit of Pietra. Pietra gold has different designs and is more expensive. It’s probably the cheapest option out of the solid surface range.

Thank you.

You've probably already considered it, but is restoring your current top not an option?

Although wooden worktops require a fair bit of ongoing maintenance, to me it has a nice look and feel and I’m sure there are drawbacks to any and every worktop material.

Hi E D, wood is lovely but just not hardy enough especially around a sink. I did restore the one near the sink with Oxalic Acid to get rid of the black marks but it’s come back even worse. It was horrible stuff to use and I had to buy a special mask, the crystal flakes can enter the lungs. I’m changing the sink anyway (previous post) as it won’t hold water and is very battered inside. This won’t be happening until the patio is done, so I’m just researching. I’ve wanted to do this for some time but couldn’t face the upheaval!

Hi Sonia! I agree with you about wood - we lived with our wood worktop for too many years and especially round the sink it was awful! We ended up with sintered stone - several companies do it - it’s basically treated stone/porcelain with different designs to choose from. It’s as hard wearing as quartz but because of the image printed on the porcelain it looks more realistic than some ‘specialist’ quartzes! It’s not cheap but when I looked it was cheaper than the specialist quartzes. Not sure what pricing is like now though, and I believe some basic quartzes are very reasonable now.

Thank you got2go, sounds interesting. Would you mind sharing a picture of yours? I’m discovering worktops I never even knew existed!

Our laminate worktops desperately need replacing. There’s not just damaged sides but close the the sink the top layer is actually starting to bubble up with water going under it. 😱

I‘ve wanted for a a long time to replace it with real wooden ones.

You’ve made me think twice. 🙂

Also, since I might be moving out my home and letting it in the near future, I actually think I’ll go for laminate again (something I thought I’d never do again).

We‘ve had ours for about 15 years, so it’s served us well.

15 years is a decent time for laminate ED. You need to ensure any water around the sink is wiped up immediately and the sink should be sealed in place. Mine have only been in around 4 years in this current kitchen and no lifting around the sink but I’m always wiping around.

E D wood is fine as a worktop but not around a sink. I’m always mopping and I’ve still got black marks. Water and wood just don’t seem to mix. Another bit I’m dreading is the wooden worktop is really thick but other worktops are thinner, so I’ll have a gap between the worktop and the tiles.........one thing leads to another! First world problems eh 🙄

Benchmarx do a really realistic wood effect laminate

Thank you peggysue67, I’ll have a look.

Following with interest Sonia as I need a new kitchen but can prob only stretch to new worktops and sink at the moment.

If colourhappy sees this she might post you a pic of the upstand /shelf in her kitchen. I remember it looking fab and also being really practical. It might be possible to do something similar with your new worktop (or a different material?) to bridge any gap and avoid a retile?

Sonia we have it and it has slight ridges for the grain effect so looks and feels very realistic I think. In fact I often have a second of worry about putting hot pans or red wine directly on it! We got the square edge Jackson grain but think they also do an oak. You would need to visit to see in real life as their website is a bit rubbish.

Jules thank you, of course an up stand would cover the gap wouldn’t it? Don’t tell anyone but I’d love to have new tiles too hehe 😂

Thank you peggysue, yes I will definitely look at all these suggestions in the flesh. You cannot rely on websites or catalogue images 😊

Your secret is safe with me Sonia 😉

You could change to quartz for the sink run and leave the rest as wood if that is in better shape. See if the quartz company has remnants from other jobs.

Thank you maya. Yes the other cooker side is in better nick so that’s a very good idea! 👍

Have you seen Resilica it is made with recycled glass?

I’ll have a look. Thank you ebony45!

I had a similar dilemma and have chosen solid laminate or compact laminate. Pricewise it sits halfway between laminate and quartz. I couldn't justify quartz and to be honest I didn't like the look or the join you get. Due to COVID I haven't got to the install point so I can't advise any further but I am attracted to the slim profile which makes it look quite different and modern in comparison to my current laminate.

We were in a similar dilemma. We had a gorgeous worktop but it just started to get old and wear. We decided to upgrade and got a Tuscan worksurface and haven't looked back since.

Hmm, spam? 🤔

@Sonia
I hope you're well. I noticed you had been considering different worktop options, and I was wondering which one you ended up choosing in the end?
We've recently had a laminated worktop from Howdens installed, but unfortunately, it's already started warping around the sink. We're now thinking of replacing it with Corian or another solid surface alternative, but we're also looking for something a bit more affordable. So was wondering if you have any recommendations!
Thanks so much!

Hi Robert, four years on and I’ve still got the wooden worktop! Life got in the way with my husband’s ill health so everything has been put on the back burner for now. However, I did give the worktops a good sand and applied Osmo Top Oil and they do look better. Picture below of one bit of worktop. Sink still needs changing but I’ll get there! I will just say my friend has Corian worktop and upstand and she is very disappointed. It is softer than quartz and has been dented. It also holds onto watermarks and needs wiping down constantly. Marks can be ground out but it needs a professional to do this. I’m not saying don’t have it, but it’s not a cheap option and it’s not that tough. Go to Daisy England’s comments above as she has some great suggestions. She works or worked for a kitchen company and knows her stuff. Good luck! Please ignore the garden picture as the Houzz App keeps adding the odd irrelevant picture and no option to delete anymore!

@Sonia Thank you so much for the detailed reply and advice! I'm so sorry to hear about your husband’s health – I hope things are improving for you both.
Your worktops look lovely, and the garden in the pictures is beautiful too! I really appreciate the tips on Corian; it’s helpful to know. I’ll also look into Daisy England’s suggestions.
Thanks again for your help and wishing you all the best!

Hi Sonia, think you had an operation recently I hope it’s helped you and you are feeling better. Now down to business, as a temporary measure could you put a plant in a pot, that matches the rest of your decor, over the mark it would make you feel better and give you more thinking time. Doesn’t have to be a plant but just something that you like. I wish you and your husband all the best. Annie

Thank you Ann and well remembered. Yes II had a total knee replacement 5 weeks ago and it’s been grim but slowly getting there! Hubby has dementia so it’s been a difficult few years, however I love the Advice section on Houzz. It’s a wonderful distraction whilst I recover!

Hi Sonia I missed you on Houzz, very glad when you started responding with your very sensible advice then I knew you were on the mend. Kind regards Annie

Sonia- Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply and advice! I’m sorry to hear about the challenges you’re facing with your husband’s health, and I hope your knee replacement recovery is going well. It's amazing that you still find the time to help others here – it really is appreciated. Wishing you the best with everything

Thank you Robert.

Lovely to see Sonia being commended for her superb advice. She is a little gem😃