Work surface for utility room

[SilasGreenback]

Can anyone give me suggestions for a work surface for the utility room please. We have having a butler sink so have been told not to have laminate, but I don't want to spend lots of money since I'm pretty sure it will get marked by the dc paint brushes etc as they wash them in the sink.

For solid surfaces I can think of glass (chips) corian, silestone and marble which are all expensive. Is there something else?

Or can someone recommend the cheapest solid surface work surface.

Thanks

[wowfudge]

How about something which isn't laminate around the sink then something else for the rest of the worktop? Have you been told why you shouldn't have laminate?

I've been looking at getting a stainless steel catering type sink in our utility room - they typically have SS worktop as part of the sink unit and a shelf underneath.

[SilasGreenback]

Wow it's only a tiny bit of work surface anyway so not work having two sorts. The sink is already ordered.

I'm not sure why we can't have laminate - the sink is lower than the worktop anyway, but I assume it's to do with water getting between the layers and it breaking down?

[PigletJohn]

I challenge the person who doesn't like laminate. It is cheapest and hard wearing. If you have it in simple rectangular shapes, and don't trap it into position with tiles, you can take it off and fit new for about £50 every ten years. This is easiest if you let it rest on a batten around the wall, and only screw it to the units at the front. For small pieces, e.g. on top of an appliance, you can just lift it into position if you want. Some freestanding appliances are made so that you can cut and fit a piece of worktop to fit the top and retain it with a couple of screws.

[PigletJohn]

p.s.

you say the sink will be below worktop. Unless you are vertically challenged, you will find yourself stooping. Butler sinks are a common cause of backache complaints. Remember that your hands will be at the bottom of the sink, not the top,.

[SilasGreenback]

Thanks PigletJohn. When I say the sink is below the work surface, that's because the work surface is only on top of the washing machine and tumble drier and they are raised up on drawers. So the sink is normal height and the work surface if high.

I also think laminate and replace is a better option. It will just be on a frame above the machines attached to the tall cupboard on one side. There are no cupboards boxing the applicances.