Best kitchen worktop?

[DearTeddyRobinson]

We currently have basic laminate worktops, very serviceable but not very pretty. I'm thinking of upgrading our kitchen and wondering what is a better alternative. I don't want wood as it looks high maintenance, or granite/marble as they seem to show every streak and I'm lazy.
Any recommendations wise MN-ers?

I have Maia (Galaxy) and I love it. My only beef is that the fitter didn't install the accompanying new sink properly—it was supposed to be flush-mounted and he surface-mounted it instead. (The flush-mounting option was one of the advantages of Maia.)

Ah thank you @biddybird , I would like a flush mounted sink so that's really helpful to know

‘Best’ as in? It’s completely personal preference. I have a quartz worktop which is ace but others love wood... there is no best, just what meets your requirements and expectations.

Corian

Wood is high maintenance. I’ve had it in my London flat and replaced it with quartz. That’s a better solution in my view.

I have granite at home and it’s not difficult to maintain at all. It’s grey flecked and no streaks ever! Just a wipe down.

My daughter has Solid Surface from John Lewis. It’s templated but cheaper than granite. Not much different to Maia. Corian is more money. DD has an under mounted sink. Works well.

Best is often linked to money and how much you want to maintain it but I can assure you, granite in lighter colours doesn’t streak.

I adore my quartz worktop.

I have granite, I chose one with a leathered finish which means it is less glossy than polished granite. I absolutely love it and it doesn't show streaks anywhere near as much as my previous polished granite did.

Ok thank you all! Some good info here. Cost is a consideration of course but I'm still in the very early stages of planning.

Dark black granite might show steaks but I’ve got that in my holiday house and I’ve not had a problem. I cannot think what products people are using to clean if there are steaks. Good old water with a jay cloth doesn’t streak.

I think you will have to consider budget because worktops with templating, cutting and installation can be a big percentage of the cost. Easily 20%. Or more!

silestone. I prefer it because you get a uniform finish unlike quartz or marble

PresentingPercy makes a good point. I was offered granite for free (the fitter was uninstalling it from another kitchen) but the cost of having it cut to the right size and also having the cabinets reinforced to take the weight was more than the granite/my kitchen was worth.

I've got a marble look quartz which is pretty bomb proof, you can put hot pans on it and even the worst stains come off with a bit of Cif.

I like the sound of bombproof @SollaSollew 😁

Black polished galaxy granite. Wipe down with water and microfibre cloth. I think the secret maybe the sealing. We have an undermount sink in kitchen. I prefer the drop in with a really slim edge in utility as it looks loads nicer than the undermount and is easy to replace if it ever becomes shabby!

I have black granite with little gold flecks in it and it does not have streaks. Wash with hot water, dry and give a buff up.

I agree, my quartz is bomb proof. I am rough on kitchens and it still looks like it did new 2 years ago.

Depends on style of kitchen you go for. I got a lovely wood effect laminate from local independent kitchen place. Gives warm look I like, without hassle of real wood.
My mum has granite counters and constantly worries about wine or anything acidic spilt on it etc. I couldn't be bothered with that.

That’s not correct about granite. You can spill anything onto them and it won’t stain. What acid could possibly attack granite? What is your mum cooking? They have a polished finish (usually) and I’ve never seen one stain. I’ve had 3 of them. My current one is lighter in colour and it’s a dream to keep clean. It’s a dense hard polished stone and doesn’t stain. It’s the work too you worry least about I think!

Another vote for Silestone. Reconstituted stone os great and you can get sine that look like marble.

Silestone is quartz. It's just a brand name for a particular manufacturer that produces it. My quartz is Silestone, but there are other manufacturers (Cambria and Caesarstone both spring to mind).

Quartz is basically bits of stone (some fine, others chunkier) mixed with a very durable resin, which is why it's heatproof. It can chip if you drop something heavy on it, or whack the edge of it (for instance, taking a cast iron pot out of the dishwasher or sink), but otherwise there's not much can go wrong with it.

The fact that it's a mixture means manufacturers can get a very even finish, and control the exact look of it, unlike a natural granite.

As I said - I'm really pleased with mine. It's been in two years and it's like new. No marks, stains or chips, and looks really smart.

PresentingPercy, you have a country home, a holiday home and a flat in London? Are you in fact, the Duke of York or similar?

No. Just a few properties but I’ve tried out various worktops as a result!

@Vigorothello
I thought that too about PresentingPercy - home, a London flat and a holiday home .
My dream.
I just need to win the lottery.

I wasn’t being snippy incidentally - I’m just very nosy! For your next post I’d like you to talk about the lodges, the guest cottage and the main servants’ quarters.

Ha! It’s just an explanation as to why I’ve had lots of work tops. I’m not changing one kitchen repeatedly. Talking of guest accommodation though ......