Worktop surface... help me decide

[MrsHarford]

So, finalizing kitchen design and we're happy with choice of gloss ivory doors complemented by gloss walnut (a medium shade) on the island units. We're pretty much decided on York Stone Karndean floor tiles and now the final major design decision is the choice of worktop.

So first up.. granite versus quartz. I understand quartz is more hardwearing (though more expensive too), any thoughts/experience on it being worth the extra?

Secondly I am undecided on colour. There is far too much choice!!! Should I go for a darker (richer) colour to complement the walnut or something lighter? Are ther practical implications with the choice, other than pure black=hard to keep pristine? It will be a large, bright room.

e.g. this from Silestone

versus
Moonwhite from
here

Or something else entirely.

Any thoughts appreciated before my head explodes!

They told me that it was fine to put hot pans on big bits of granite but on small bits (such as around the sink) there was the slight possibility of cracking.

From a company whose products are available at John Lewis I had a round kitchen table made to order in the same granite. It's wonderful and solved my dilemma of whether to have glass (don't like it cos I can see my thighs!) or wood which needs tons of mats to stop scratches. It wasn't exactly cheap either but I love it.

Have had this in our house back in the US for 5 years now: www.silestoneusa.com/colors/color/capri-limestone/.

No stains and only the tiniest chip on an edge near the dishwasher. We have an undermount stainless steel sink and the Silestone goes right to the edge. No problems with water either. Wouldn't hesitate to get the same counter again.

That's funny, we have the same chip! I think because of the mottled colour I can't even see mine. I can only feel it.

I really like the recycled glass work tops I saw on a tv programme the other night. UrbanGlass I think it's called. looked lovely but I don't know how well it keeps or how much it is.

Here

As someone from the kitchen industry here are some facts -

Quartz is highly stain resistant and it isnt stain proof. All kitchen suppliers should tell you that. Polished quartz is a bit better than honed or textured.

Granite is not stain proof due to natural porosity. As a thumbrule the lighter the granite the less stain resistant it is.

The only truly stainproof material is corian (or other acrylic based worktops)

If you get stains on quartz you may be able to get them out using a cif and light rubbing followed by rinsing with warm water.

Generally speaking quartz is very good for stain resistance but dont leave anything acidic, tea bags or oily products on it.

Hope this helps.

kmd - what about laminate?

Laminate doesnt offer any stain or heat resistance. You cant cut or chop on it not should you put anything hot on it. Joins are prone to water ingress as well.

That said, watch all the above and you have a worktop that will cost you relatively little money and last a long time.

Just ensure you pick a good quality worktop (Duropal, Westag are both good German brands). A good worktop supplier should be able to get these worktops supplied with multiple edging options including stainless steel and aluminium if you like.

Thanks. Because I've been brought up in the "laminate age" I'm used to never putting anything hot on worktops or cutting on them. That would actually feel really strange for me.

We've been living abroad for several years and in quite high spec places ie they've all had marble or granite and currently Caeserstone, but I haven't warmed to any of them. They're okay, but not worth the cost of what our new kitchen is. (I would never have thought of cutting on them or putting something hot on any of them.)

I do like the look of wood however there seems to be lots of issues with it, so I'm looking at laminate and seriously considering it.

Marble for kitchens is completely avoidable. Granite and quartz are great but not indestructible.

A new product will be launched shortly called Dekton. Its absolutely the best thing out there. Indestructible. Priced a bit above quartz.