Kitchen worktops

[ilovefood643]

I’ve just had a quote from howdens for white arabesque quartz (not seen in person so may not like). It’s from my dads trade account who’s a builder so there isn’t another mark up on it. it’s around 5m and accounts for the sink cut out and fitting.

30mm lip is £3154
20mm lip is £2458

what do you think about those prices? They’re higher than I thought they’d be. Anyone got any advice on where to buy worktops from?

Also, do people think wood be cheaper?

thanks!

Wood looks good but is difficult to keep looking good long term as water and wood do not mix. If you like using mats and wiping constantly get wood.

Yeah, I don’t think I keep things tidy enough for wood. So somehow going to have to try and afford quarts!

Or a very beautiful laminate at a much cheaper price? There is a huge choice in Formica for example.

Have a look at Gemini worktops, they keep popping up on my Instagram and look considerably cheaper as they are direct from supplier.

Quartz is expensive - we were shocked how much it was - over £4,000 for what we needed
we went with Formica which is durable and looks good obvs not as luxurious / glossy but it was literally £400 so much much cheaper for the same amount
i had a wooden worktop in a previous kitchen and I hated it - it needs maintenance (oiling) and I just didn’t find it practical

If your house is worth it, go for quartz. If it’s a cheap and cheerful house, laminate is fine. What is a lip? Some quartz is thicker. Are you talking about how far it overhangs the cupboards? A difference of 1cm seems expensive.

Also, do people think wood be cheaper?

It will be a fraction of the cost. I might guess in the high hundreds.

People dislike wood because it marks and you have to oil it. We have sapelle and I love it.

I don't find 10 min oiling it once or twice a year a big deal and, despite punishment from two kids and a very careless wife, marks are tiny and very hard to see. Any serious damage could be sanded out, unlike other options.

It's about what you like. If you want a clinical looking surface which is the same in 10 years, wood isn't for you (but probably neither is laminate). If you like chunky and natural looking then wood is fab.

Stainless steel is another cheap option.

I’m buying quartz from a local company called Blue Pearl.
I’m getting 8 meters for just under £3k.