What Type of Worktops?
The type of work-tops you go for is entirely up to you; at Churchwood Design, we are all about flexibility and depending on what look your aiming to achieve along with the kind of use your kitchen will get - and of course budget, we will advise you accordingly.
However, your choice of work-top is something that ideally needs to be considered early on in your kitchen project since the choice you make has a bearing on the colour / finish of the kitchen cabinetry as well as the rooms wall colours and even accessories such as blinds.
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 granites 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 subtle, patinas through to the visually impactful - heavily veined granites. Naturally, depending on the rarity, prices - rather like the finishes - can vary tremendously. With some granite finishes you can even see rare fossils within! Popular and sensibly priced granite work-tops include ‘Steel-Grey,’ ‘African Black’ and for a little bit of a sparkle ‘Star Galaxy,’ whilst ‘Ivory Fantasy,’ ‘Kashimire Gold’ and ‘Bianco Sardo’ offer lighter colour tones.
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 even regimented patina and sometimes vivid colours are added to create bright, contemporary finishes. Engineered stones can, in some instances, be more expensive than granite - depending on brand and finish.
Don’t fancy stone? No problem. Work-tops 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 also, a broad selection of finishes, patinas and colours means that you can achieve a fantastic look - but on a much reduced budget.
At Churchwood Design, we also offer solid wood work-tops. 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 wouldn’t recommend a solid timber work-top for kitchens that’s going to see a lot of heavy, day to day, use, they can looks very effective due to the timbers natural grain patina.
Iroko has always a popular hard-wood work-top choice although FSC oak, beech and walnut are increasingly popular. Solid one-piece tops are possible or solid timber work-tops featuring a laminated construction; the laminated effect providing an added visual touch.
You need to be aware that such tops will mellow and change colour with time. They will also require regular care in order to maintain looks.
At Churchwood Design, 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.
