Upgrades planned for a kitchen include choosing the type of surface for the worktop. The worktop in a kitchen will need to endure many years of wear and tear. There are many types of worktops found in a kitchen. These include laminate, granite, hardwood, quartz, and stainless steel.
Granite
The choice of granite is the preferred option for a worktop in any high-end kitchen and may be an option selected by a luxury kitchen designer. Granite is available in a wide range and no two pieces are the same. This material can be honed to a create a matte finish or polished to a high-gloss state. Sealing of the stone is often necessary as it is porous and can be stained if not properly maintained. One benefit of granite is that it is almost indestructible and great for making doughs or pastries. However, the stone is expensive and very heavy. The base cabinets will need to be well-built to support this type of worktop. Stains from coffee and wine may occur if a spill is not cleaned right away.
Hardwood
The addition of wood worktops is a great way to be environmentally friendly. This material is available in a variety of tones and grain patterns. Wood varieties range from black walnut to pale beech. You can also choose to install a new butcher block for a worktop. This is a good option if you need to do various types of food preparation. One downside to wood as a worktop is that it needs to be regularly maintained so it retains an aesthetic appeal. Another downside to wood is its susceptibility to heat and scratching. The material is also easy to stain. This is why many high-end or frequently used kitchens do not typically have wood worktops. However, wood used for a worktop is typically well-priced and easy to maintain.
Quartz
This is a type of engineered stone or composite stone. The material is made by bonding a natural quartz with resin. Quartz is just as hard as stone and is resistant to stains. You can find this type of worktop in a variety of colors and finishes. The finish of a quartz worktop cannot be reproduced by using a natural material. One benefit of quartz is that is is non-porous. This means that white and light colors are good choices for a worktop in a kitchen. One of the downsides is that smaller pieces often show seams. This will be a good material to use for the worktop of a kitchen island.
Laminate
This type of worktop is common for anyone who wants to have a high-end look at a price that does not break the bank. Laminate comes in many styles and finishes to match the look of any kitchen. One way to incorporate laminate into a kitchen is to use a style that looks like granite or even quartz. Installing laminate is an inexpensive way to change the look of your kitchen. One reason is that this is an easy material to install in a new or remodeled kitchen. However, the material is also easy to damage and is susceptible to heat. This type of material also does not add any resale value to a home.
Stainless Steel
Homes with an industrial kitchen have worktops made of stainless steel. This material is also found in a state of the art kitchen. One of the many benefits is that the material is resistant to heat, waterproof, and hygienic. You can find this material in a matte finish or a polished finish. One downside is that you will not be able to cut on the surface and any marks will easily show.
