What Type of Worktops?
The type of worktops you go for is entirely up to you; at Churchwood Design, we are all about flexibility and depending on what look you’re aiming to achieve along with the kind of use your kitchen will get (and of course budget,)we will advise you accordingly.
These days, there is a multitude of choice. Stone, in our opinion, is easily the most hardwearing and within this category, you have natural stone such as granite as well as engineered stone products.
Stone worktops are ideal if you are doing a lot of food preparation and subsequently, regular surface cleaning.
Granites have a natural random pattern that only nature can achieve and these patterns range from almost plain through to the visually impactful heavily veined granites. Naturally, depending on the material prices - rather like the finishes - can vary tremendously. With some granite finishes you can even see rare fossils within!
Engineered stone to include quartz, still makes use of natural stone - but the stone has been processed. This is where the stone is crushed and bound together using a resin. This gives more consistent patters and sometimes details such as extravagant marble like veins are added to create stunning, contemporary finishes. Engineered stones can, in some instances, be more expensive than granite - depending on brand and finish.
Don’t fancy stone? No problem. Worktops are available in what’s known as ‘solid surface’ products. One of the most popular and flexible (in terms of finishes and product possibilities) is Corian. These surfaces are made of an acrylic polymer and are bonded onto a substrate. The advantages over stone is that you can achieve truly seamless joins and can integrate basins and upstands in the same or a contrasting finish. These sorts of worktops can be very expensive, but again, vary in price depending on brand.
Laminates have always been seen as the poor relation to stone or solid surfaces. However, laminates shouldn’t automatically be ruled out; times have changed and so have laminates! Todays products are not only extremely resistant to scratches, cracks and stains, but a broad selection of finishes and colours means that you can achieve a fantastic look - but on a much reduced budget.
At Churchwood Design, we also offer solid wood worktops. Obviously, these need to be a hardwood to restrict both the timbers movement and to stand up to the rigours of day to day kitchen use. Whilst we wouldn’t recommend a solid timber worktop for a kitchen that’s going to see a lot of heavy use, they can look very effective due to the timbers natural grain and colour, and wooden worktops are warm to the touch so much nicer to use as a breakfast bar than granite or quartz
Iroko has always a popular hardwood worktop choice, and the timber we recommend for a practical wooden worktop, but FSC oak, ash and walnut are increasingly popular. You need to be aware that any wooden worktop will mellow and change colour with time. They will also require regular care in order to maintain looks and ensure the wood is protected from water and other substances.
There isn’t any reason why you can’t combine materials and finishes. For example, you could have light coloured stone work-tops and a dark-wood (perhaps a walnut or Iroko) top to a breakfast bar or an island to create a visual contrast. Anything is possible at Churchwood Design.
