Solid Laminate worktop (Zenith/Exilis)

[EJC85]

Hello all,

We're planning a new kitchen and came across this new type of kitchen worktops called Zenith. It's an ultra slim 12.5 mm solid laminate worktop which is supposed to be waterproof.

www.wilsonart.co.uk/zenithworktops

As it is new, I'm struggling to find more info about it. I was wondering if any of you have any experience with this type of worktop and could share your impressions with me?

Is really all it promises? Where apart from B&Q could I purchase it from?

Any info would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!

OP - I assumed all laminate was waterproof. Even the cheap stuff that all our parents used to have eons ago.

It's much better now and there are some lovely ones going about. Habitat used to have a great range, there's a German manufacturer as well that does lovely ones.

Really, if that's what you are going for, check around and don't dismiss them because of mixed reports about this one.

I have Silestone but I really liked some of the laminates I saw (Habitat especially)

Picture of the worktop taken from a Wickes showroom (sadly not my own!) for the person who PMd me.

We are going ahead with it as the worktop and possibly also as the splash back. Will update when kitchen is being fitted.

My daughter is currently looking for someone to fit the Zenith Solid laminate worktop she purchased from Wickes. The kitchen doors are guaranteed for life but she has had 5 replacement doors already and it's not finished yet and these had been delivered in boxes and were damaged ripe to delivery so she is so upset as she has waited 12 years for her new kitchen and now the work top installation is causing more upset

I got mine from savoy timber, needed them in a hurry, wickes and b&q no stock in. Delivered next day. I got then cut to size, my joiner watched the youtube video and no issues whatsoever. I LOVE how they look, transformed our kitchen

i have found a company who cut these to size for you.
takes all the stress out of doing it and they have stock which i have struggled to find and get delivery to in less than 4 weeks.
they can apparently get it to me in less than 4 days
I better start measuring and picking my colour.
thin is in apparently in worktops
i like that you can see the core and it doesnt need edging........my current worktop has edging tape and after a while it starts to look tatty.
its a plunge cut i was told and its deffo cheaper than solid granite or marble winner winner i say (chicken dinner)

Hi Bristol can you share the name of the supplier that cuts to size - do they also do the cut outs for hob sink?

Can you have an under-mount sink with these tops?

I have seen Dekton at Neptune www.dekton.co.uk/worktops/

I love the look but don't think it was any cheaper than quartz or granite

Thankfull for all this information. I found you by asking Google 'what's the smell coming off the leminate excilis sample B&Q gave me when I put a hot pan on it?' has anyone else noticed this? Is it ok to put hot pans on it? Thanks!

Savoy timber ltd supply and precut Zenith and it’s free delivery for August. We are getting this for our kitchen but still need a carpenter to fit hob and sink. So far no replies when searching for someone though

Also you can have undermount sink. If you search zenith worktop on YouTube there are loads of videos on installation and fitting

hi, i think the Savoy timber Zenith free delivery has been extended.
i love these worktops and the black core gives them an added dimension. yet to have mine fitted as i cant decide on color, going for under sink which i believe is perfect for these worktops being waterproof. my fitter advised that they are slightly different to work with than standard laminate and he needs new blades to avoid chipping this when cutting. other than that he saw no further issues and has already fitted a few that look great.

www.savoytimber.com/kitchen-worktops/12-5mm-solid-compact-worktops.html
they don't do the sink cut outs but have naerly all the colours and stock and a deal on delivery too.

Hi - we are thinking of using Zenith on our new kitchen. I would be very grateful for an update from anybody who went ahead with it - how long you've had it and what you think of it. Thanks

We’ve had it three months so far and no problems. Hot pans and trays get put down on it without marking and it looks fab - we used it as backsplash as well as counter.

The manufacturers recommend 55mm from back wall to cut out,

Would not put solid laminate behind gas hob, especially big saucepan or frying pans, flame or heat from hob will run towards the outside of the pan and burn the laminate.

Yes, we have an induction job so zenith was fine behind that.

Hi, I took delivery of these worktops a few weeks ago and due to having internal kitchen walls removed etc, the worktop installation has been delayed.I live in Lincolnshire and none of the fitters in my area seem to know of these worktops.
I did buy online from Worktop Express because it worked out a lot cheaper than Wickes.
Unfortunately Wickes will not give me any details of installers of these worktops so is there anyone who can recommend a fitter in Lincolnshire who can fit them for me PLEEAASE ??

Hi all, we have Zenith worktops on our new kitchen, which I have been fitting my self. As I am a Bench Joiner / Wood Machinist, with over 25 years fitting worktops & so on.
Have had no problem cutting out or routering the tops.
But one of the tops 650mm X 1585mm for the sink has warped over the 650mm by about 10mm. It was delivered & spent one day on its side until it was cut. This was over 2 weeks ago & it has spent all that time laying flat in the house with books boxes on top to get it flat with no success. Have called Wickes & am waiting to hear what they have to say. Whet the tops were delivered the two delivery men said that the top will go back flat over time. As I said for one day they were on the side.
Do any of you have any suggestions please.

To anyone who posted already on this thread that was having issues with the installations, have you any updates on your situations?

Our Zenith worktop has been on and off 3 times now, replaced twice and currently has 5mm cuppage across the width on one end and the joint isn't flat, has lippage and a chip on the underside.

Two sets of Wickes fitters have attempted the installation, the first two times they didn't even biscuit the joints, just butted up and glued!!

We're in the position now where we can once again have them remove and replace the top or just accept the flaws and get a refund for the worktop cost.

Any advice gratefully accepted!

I like the thin sleek look but worry about the practicality of it long term.

We've just had apollo fitted. No issues at all...

We did have to angle grind the back of a draw out because the induction hob was so deep and there's no depth in the compact laminate so the draw kept catching it.

The edges were severely chipped along one side when it arrived tho, and the delivery drivers admitted they are all stacked on side in the van when I told them the builder had specifically requested they be stored flat in our house till he arrived.

We are having a Zenith work top fitted in our new kitchen in a couple of weeks by Wickes contractors. Was told that this product can’t be used as a splash back behind cookers or hob and we chose an heat resistant one that matched our zenith splash back. Not a problem atm.
Highly recommended by our planner, but will wait and see. Update when fitted.

Best of luck 👍

Hi everyone, there doesn't appear to be any comments for ages on these zenith problems?
I have question more on the cleaning of the draining grooves. We have had zenith for about 4 years now i think and we love it. However we have started to get some brown staining on the draining board section and I can't for the life of me get it off! It's driving me insane and I cannot find any tips anyway to remove it, does anyone out there have an ideas please, we've done the soft cleaning and used linseed oil, which does clear it up for a while, but then it dries up and goes back to the brown stains and what looks like limescale in the grooves (I have used everything) 😩😩 any help gratefully received.