We make bespoke, handcrafted kitchens in Berkshire, Surrey, and Buckinghamshire. We take our time to understand each of our clients’ requirements in detail in order to come up with the best solution. Each household has a unique set of needs to fit their lifestyle; our unparalleled experience, expertise, and craftsmanship enable us to guide you every step of the way.
One of the most important decisions you’ll make is what material to choose for your worktops. There are plenty to choose from, so we’re going to break it down and help you make informed decisions about your new bespoke kitchen.
If you would like to speak to us about your bespoke kitchen, make sure you call us on 01344 627150 or email us.
So, let’s take a look in some detail at the different materials you can use for your worktops and some of their pros and cons.
Granite
Granite is a popular stone choice for worktops and one of our favourites as it possesses some of the most important features you require for such a surface. It’s functional and extremely durable while being luxurious and adding a quality feel to the kitchen.
Granite is a natural stone, which means it is available in a wealth of striking shades and patterns to match your chosen colour scheme. The beauty of this stone is that it is always unique and beautiful so no matter what style of kitchen you choose, there will be a worktop to fit. Granite is a popular choice for a statement splashback or island feature.
Some of the key advantages of Granite Worktops are, they are long-lasting and don’t depreciate in value, they are tolerant of extreme heat, and are easy to clean, making them one of the most hygienic options.
Granite kitchen worktops can not be repaired if they are damaged; although they are quite difficult to damage owing to granite’s igneous makeup. Granite worktops are also heavy, so you need to make sure that they are suitably supported by good quality cabinetry. Being a natural stone, you are somewhat limited in the size of slab, we recommend visiting a stone yard to choose your slab as they vary hugely.
In terms of looking after them, granite worktops are relatively low maintenance aside from being kept clean and dry. They are porous and need to be sealed once every two years or so and can be cleaned using warm water and detergent, avoiding acidic cleaners. The same is to be said for spillages, it is important that you clean up acidic spillages (wine/lemon juice) quickly to avoid staining.
Quartz
Quartz is a man-made stone with the durability of a natural stone, if you are looking for a stone worktop with no pattern, then look no further. Quartz is a low-maintenance option as it is essentially scratch-proof and is great at withstanding chipping. Quartz has a tight stone consistency, which gives worktops a more sheer and perfect finish. Also, buying a quartz worktop helps in contributing to the green revolution since it contains waste materials.
Quartz worktops can be customised specifically to your requirements as there is a wealth of preference due to the wide range of colours, textures and slab sizes. They don’t even need sealing as they are non-porous making them stain resistant. The makeup of a quartz worktop is usually 93% natural quartz with 7% resin, which gives them their strength and resilience.
When living with a quartz worktop you need to be careful with how much heat they are exposed to and while they don’t look particularly natural, they do give a fantastic contemporary finish.
Wood
As master cabinet makers, we love wood! Solid wood worktops can transform your kitchen regardless of the style of design; they add natural beauty and warmth to the room. Wood is beautifully varied in its tone and shade and can really define the feel of your kitchen space. From the natural softness, you get with maple, oak and beech; to the exotic richness of Wenge, bamboo and Iroko.
Wood worktops also improve with age and, as long as you look after the, will last a long time. Solid wood gives you the ability to sand away accidental minor damage and they are naturally resistant to germs and bacteria.
Wood worktops do require more maintenance to keep them in good condition, they need to be oiled regularly and are susceptible to damage from heat and scratching from food chopping.
Ceramic
While we don’t tend to work with this material it is popular as they’re versatile and hygienic. With an almost limitless range of colour and texture, you can find anything to match a particular kitchen theme. Ceramic is harder than both Quartz and Granite and can create a super-thin worktop as little as 10mm, if you’re looking for a clean, modern look for your kitchen, this is often the way to go.
Ceramic worktops can be given a unique look with the addition of decorative tile pieces, they can also be a little less expensive than other solutions while offering excellent durability and heat/moisture resistance.
There are a few disadvantages to ceramic worktops. They can have an uneven surface and are prone to scratches, if you drop something heavy on them, they can crack, if this happens, they will need replacing. Grout joints can also be difficult to maintain and need protection from spillages.
If you are unsure of what material to use in your new kitchen, don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for. When you engage with us to build your bespoke luxury kitchen, we hold your hand through the entire design process to make sure you know what options are available to you so you can make informed decisions.
Get in Touch
If you are looking to add something special to your home with a custom, handmade kitchen, make sure you get in touch with us. You can call us on 01344 627150 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn if you’re looking for inspiration.