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Laminate worktops
Axiom laminate worktops .Duropal laminate worktopsHigh pressure laminate worktops with chipboard base in 30mm and 40mm are still very popular and available in hundreds of colours and textures. The quality is again governed by price and is more relevant to the base board and the edge finishing. Water runs under the front edge, so drip grooves and underlapping of the laminate edging prevents the water damaging the worktop. Thickness of laminate on the worktop can effect its durability, so check this when buying.
Gloss laminate worktops
Bushboard gloss laminate worktops . Formica Axiom gloss worktopsLooks good for not very long ! Not a worktop I would recommend for heavy use. It seems to scratch more and show up badly in bright light but is being updated with more durable options.
Heavy textured laminate
Bushboard heavy textured laminateDeeper textured laminate worktops have been added to the mix recently and are better practically for heavy use, and also look better than standard laminate.
Square edged laminate worktops with thick vinyl edge
Axiom square vinyl edged laminate topsA worktop used in transitional or modern kitchen layouts. Edge finishes are getting more varied. Popular finishes are ply-look, stainless steel and matching colour to the top.
Wood edged laminate worktops
Wood edged laminate topsA more traditional worktop look but still available, and more expensive looking than pencil edged laminate with wood kitchens. If the worktop is manufactured in factory machined conditions, then it is more durable than fabricated on site, and requires good clamping and the right type of glue. Quite often these precautions are ignored and the top fails.
Fabricated laminate worktops
Formica fabricated worktops laminateThis method is rarely used and one of the more interesting options for individual design because the laminate is thicker and has more choice of colours and textures. The worktop requires laminate in sheet form and preferably a ply base board. Fabrication is best undertaken by expert fabricators.
Wood staved worktops
Mountain hardwoods wood staved worktopsHardwood tops are available in many woods and varying stripwood thicknesses (staves). Wider staves are more costly but look better ie 50mm upwards. Thicknesses are generally 40mm and 30mm but other thicknesses can be fabricated by fixing a thicker hardwood edge to the Worktop front edge.
Wood planked worktops
Wood planked worktopsAvailable from some specialist worktop suppliers but expect to pay much more than standard worktops. I have usually fabricated hardwood planked tops to match the kitchen doors and have found them difficult to predict for warping, and consequently required lots of fixings underneath to a carcase top to stabalise the planks.
Composite type worktops in polyester or acrylic
Corian worktops . Sheridan Composite type worktops . Avonite composite worktopsComposite stone dust and acrylic or polyester worktops are available from many manufacturers in lots of colours and textures. Corian is the most well known and respected and my first option when budget allows. It is a similar or slightly higher price to competitors who offer a similar choice of colours but much more respected. I have looked at many other suppliers and found the noticably cheaper to have a more limited choice of colours and fabrication options, so if you are on a more limited budget then expect less choice. I have fitted a number of kitchens with cheaper composite worktops and found this to be a more satisfactory option, even with limited colours, than using laminate worktops, and the initual extra cost worthwhile for long term projects, so look carefully before commiting to laminate.
Composite acrylic or polyester onto chipboard base worktops
Staron Composite thin layer worktops . Avonite Composite thin layer worktops5mm Composite type material on to 35mm chipboard is a satisfactory price step from laminate worktops, and can be joined with matching glue and edging to give a seamless look. It is a cheaper price compared to fully fabricated composite worktop options, but with the limited colour choices, so can be frustrating for designers on more design based schemes.
Man-made stone worktops
Silestone worktops . Apollo Quartz worktops . Caesarstone worktops. Kirkstone worktopsSilestone provide a very good choice of man-made stone worktops and are one to look at for choice of colour and texture. Again there are many other manufacturers and the choice is good, but price again effects choice of colours when cheaper. The stain resistance and resistance to fracture are better than granite, and the solid colours look stunning with more modern designs. Quartz is added to add the mix to increase resistance to wear on some ranges.
Granite worktops
Pisani granite worktop distributorsThe most popular choice for traditional kitchens and modern alike, if the budget allows ! Granite has become accessible to more customers because of cheaper imports and internet retailers. Edge options are limited on solid 30mm thick tops, and can be pricy if you want something more individual. 40mm and thicker are edged 20mm, and can look unconvincing in certain worktop styles. Worktop colour options are much more varied if you source through importers such as Pisanis at Matlock, Derbyshire, and then get a finisher to buy the slab from them. An eye-opener if you are bored by your local kitchen companies granite samples, or choices, I assure you!
Glass Worktops
This is a specialist area that requires specialist advise and specialist installation. Colours,textures, and matt finishes are particularly exciting. Coloured backings to the glass can be delicate so require careful fitting so as not to scratch through the coating.
Marble worktops
Quality marble worktopsThis is an option to be careful with. Marble is softer, more porous and easier to fracture than granite or man-made stone worktops. The choice of colours are very good, but granite is more practical and recommended.
Special granite finish worktops
Ashlarmason special granite worktopsThis catergory covers un-polished granite, and bush hammered, aswell as other special effects which are stunning, but generally these worktops are harder to maintain in normal use and are for the more adventurous.
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