Really though, what is the best worktop material?

[TheHappinessTrap]

I know this has been done to death but all my research results in pages that suggest its really down to personal taste, whereas I want to start with what is the most practical. My mother's kitchen is an original 50's number and it has formica. Its so easy to clean and is in perfect condition. If my greatest need is an easy to clean, non staining, non scratching surface, what is my worktop of choice?

I have Bamboo : its 6 1/2 years old
I love it
its gets wiped down with a cloth once a day and rubbed down with olive oil once a month
otherwise its totally neglected
and looks great
except for the scorch marks but that was nothing to do with cooking

Annalouise. Didn't realise I had such an amazing deal. Must also add two things. This was 7 years ago in our old house and the worktops were steel with Moisture resistant mdf backs.

A lot of the very very expensive suppliers don't use MDF backed. They use birch ply backed. That doubles the costs instantly.

My MDF backed stainless steel was perfect and I'd happily have it again.

When I did the kitchen in current house two years ago I went for honed marble. I love it. It's not difficult to keep (it's Bianco Carrara c so very pale). I've not had any staining or issues at all. However not cheap to buy and obviously not as robust as steel or granite. But very beautiful

Used these guys for stainless steel worktop www.stainlesssteelworktopsuk.co.uk/Standard+Size+Stainless+Steel+Worktops/0_CAAA113.htm

Don't know if they are still as cheap though.

MrsFlorrick
Your price now on that site would be £2604 not including a sink, delivery for the special sized tops, no seamless joints, no fitting.
you had a very nice deal, roll back 7yrs :)

Wow. That's a hike!
Note also mine excluded fitting so just delivery.
Perhaps it's because the price of raw steel has gone up considerably in the last 5 years alone.
Steel joists have also gone up an awful lot (need some soon for another project and just had quotes ouch).
That's a shame. Still cheaper than marble and extremely durable.

I hear good things about the new high tech thin porcelains. They are indestructible apparently.

Apatite. Have you seen any in the flesh so to speak? I have not and wonder whether the look as good up close. Bet they're expensive!

Dekton amazing but a very limited color palette. Absolutely indestructible even to the most careless SIL in the world. Around 15-20% more expensive than silestone and quite hard to find in stock.

We have ivory fantasy granite and its great Lovely light colour with awesome "swirly bits". It doesn't even show crumbs on it as they blend in. Haven't dared to put anything hot on it yet though.

Yes I have MrsFlorrick! The poggenpohl showroom in waterloo has one such top, it looks remarkably like marble, but definitely won't stain like it. I was very impressed on initial viewing. It's probably not cheap. My other option is granite, haven't decided yet. Definitely not marble: that's just asking for trouble!

Apatite. Sounds great.
I've got honed Bianco Carrara marble worktops in current kitchen. In two years and no issues with staining at all. Used a really excellent sealant (dry treat).
Obviously it's not for everyone. I must see the other stuff through.

I have sparkly coloured quartz/resin and love it - all the granite tops seem to be in cream/brown /black colour ranges - I wanted a pale colour and the creams looked wrong against my gloss white cupboards. Its been great - I cook a lot, no staining and easy to clean.

I've just had a new kitchen fitted and chose a recycled glass worktop. It is absolutely gorgeous and apparently indestructible. And very expensive

Zoidberg that sounds wonderful (and beyond my means) what is the colour?

MrsF it was v close to Carrara marble actually. I'm saving the real McCoy for my ensuite which my husband is not allowed to share.

Anyone used those granite overlays which sit ontop of existing work top like a cap?

I had slate in my last kitchen and loved it. I will definitely have it again (when I can finally rip out the horrible 80s kitchen in our new place). I have had wood and will never again because of the upkeep issues.

We have granite and I love it, but Dh had to persuade me at first as I wasn't sure. Looks amazing.

When we trying to decide I saw an amazing glass worktop in shocking pink, and it was a real "wow" - until I got within a few feet, and it was scratched to pieces. I queried that with the sales person and they said defensively that it had been on display for a few months.

We have Silestone in our kitchen. We have cast iron pans and probably drip tea and wine on the surfaces. It still looks great and we don't plan to move house/rip out the kitchen in the next 10 years.

Over the last 7 years we have had a tiny chip fall out of the circular hand sink surround (that I probably shouldn't have bashed with a saucepan). We have IKEA Hammarp worktop in our utility room that rarely gets much use (but we're glad it hasn't; we've had to re-oil it a couple of times).

We have chalky water here, so I didn't consider S/S

We have granite. It is 12 years old and looks as new as the day it was installed.

We have black slate now and hate it. Gets easily marked and scratched and it hates grease.

Black granite is virtually indestructible and I don't think I could ever persuade my husband to go for anything else, even though it isn't fashionable now.

In our last kitchen we went for a lighter, busy granite and didn't get on with it so well. Light coloured granites do stain and are slightly more porous than black granite.