Laminate or granite worktop and other kitchen questions

[Stokes]

We ordered our new kitchen on Saturday with laminate worktops as that's all that was in the budget at the time. It's an oak kitchen and we chose a black imitation granite worktop. We were happy with it and since that's all we could afford, we didn't over think it.

Now we've done the sums on some other jobs, we may be able to up the budget for the kitchen and go for granite worktops instead. Thoughts? Much as we wish we were, we're not houseproud and need something relatively easy to care for.

Also, I'm contemplating changing the Hotpoint double oven recommended by our supplier for a Neff. This is probably in the original budget. In truth, I'm probably going purely on aesthetics in that one, but interested for thoughts on that, and indeed Hotpoint appliances in general as that's what's been quoted for.

I currently have galaxy black granite. Ive had it 14 years and it looks the same as the day it was fitted. I've done nothing in particular to look after it. The only minus is that it looks streaky unless I dry it with a facecloth after wiping it down.

There's a big price difference between hotpoint and neff. There are several brands in between that are with a look. Electrolux perhaps.

Granite is pretty easy to care for as long as the seals have been well done. It'll be easier to look after than laminate as it's heat resistant I think.

So the quote has come back and it looks like both the granite worktops and Neff appliances are doable if we up the budget. What would you do?

The alternative would be to furnish or do the bathroom a little quicker but my instinct is to do things like the kitchen to as high a spec as possible...

Definately do the granite. You won't regret it.

I coulf take or leave the neff. Appliances break and new models come along fairly regularly. They can be upgraded anytime. I wouldn't buy hotpoint though. My washer and dryer weren't good. Over the years I've had better experience with zanusi, Electrolux and whirlpool. Just my two cents.

I have granite and love it. I have had laminate in other kitchens and it's been very hard wearing but the granite just looks fabulous

Granite. Its made in volcanoes. It will not wear out. Laminate will.

Upgrade your appliances if you can but be careful that its not just looks you are buying. Fancy stand alone hob cookers for example are often not very good for cooking on bit cost more than a decent standard built in oven and hotplate combo.

Thanks everyone, we have ordered the granite and upgraded the appliances. Now for splashback options...

too late ...but my only concern with granite is it might become the 80's fake onyx laminate/ high gloss laminate with matching splashback/ travertine tiles of the future...
kitchen revamp/modernise - cost of old laminate and replacement less than £500 - cost of old granite and replacement £2k - although guess you could always replace the granite with laminate...

I don't think anyone would replace granite with laminate.

There seems to be no practical reason to go laminate if you can afford granite or silestone or yorkite or any other worktop other than laminate.

A laminate worktop can looks nackered after just a few months if something scratches, chips it or water gets in.

Even wood worktops are longer lasting

It is a choice I made - after carefully weighing up the options ...
My laminate is 6yo and is fine - still looks ok - no scratches etc...and if it did look knackered I could replace it 3-4 times for the price of granite...
But then I have good knives (I'm an ex chef) and wouldn't use them on anything but a wooden board...
(Didn't go for wood cos no-one managed to persuaded me it isn't a faff)
Only thing I did wonder about was stainless steel - as used in professional kitchens - they get cleaned with a green scrubber and after a month or so get a uniform scratched appearance - a matt finish- but I was worried about that being a lot of money just to look really dated too ....