Planning a kitchen renovation and you’re unsure which material to choose for your surfaces? From natural stone, wood, to porcelain, there is so much variety when it comes to worktops. To help you pick, we’ve put together this handy guide…
The material you choose for your new kitchen worktops needs to be highly resistant to daily use but also add to the aesthetics of your overall design. If you don’t know which surface is right for your space, both in terms of looks and practicality, KBB journo Charlotte Luxford has got the lowdown on different types and striking the balance right…
Natural stone
Natural stone is a bit marmite – some love it (I personally do) and others can’t bear the faff of maintaining it, or the unpolished look. But it is great for creating statement designs. According to Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio, there’s a strong trend towards richly veined marbles, dramatic granite and quartzite slabs, but also textured finishes such as leathered marble, which I saw for myself at London Design Week – deliciously tactile, it screams modern luxury.
While natural stone adds a sense of glamour and craftsmanship to a kitchen, it’s important to understand the differences between the stones. “Quartzite and granite are generally much harder materials, making them more resistant to scratches, heat and stains,” explains Charlie. “They are also less porous, meaning they are naturally more impervious to staining. Marble, on the other hand, is softer, porous and more susceptible to staining and etching, particularly from acidic substances, which means sealing is essential.”
Oliver Webb, director at Cullifords, notes that harder granite won’t need sealing, but softer ones benefit from extra protection. “A good sealant will stop the ingress of water, oils and other liquids on natural stone and day-to-day cleaning can be done with a light soapy solution,” he says.
While marble may develop a patina over time, Oliver points out that any stains can be removed with a poultice and it can be re-polished in situ if needed. Of course, natural stone isn’t cheap – expect to pay anything north of around £380 per sq m, says Oliver, but prices vary massively.
Wood worktops
For an affordable solution, wood is a safe bet. Aside from saving the coffers for other elements of your project, opting for a timber worktop is a sure-fire way to add warmth and character to your design, whether that’s a snug country kitchen or a minimalist interior.
It’s a good compromise for utility rooms. As wood requires a fair amount of upkeep, it’s ideal for surfaces that aren’t going to see quite as much daily wear and tear. Including it as a breakfast bar or butcher’s block is a great idea, as well. “When it comes to wood surfaces, oak tends to be the most popular choice – sycamore is popular, too, but it’s usually the former,” says Alex Main, director at The Main Company. “Reclaimed wood worktops such as iroko also add character, plus they’re environmentally friendly without compromising on style.”
If you’re going to opt for wood, however, Alex warns that it will be a labour of love, with timber tops requiring a lot of maintenance; you’ll need to sand down and oil them to keep them looking good. Expect to pay from around £150 for a 2m long worktop.
Engineered stone
Engineered stone is a composite material made from natural raw quartz and pigments, which are bound together with resin. According to Alex, there is potential for some quartz worktops to chip and experience discolouration. However, quality quartz is known for being durable and resistant to scratches and stains.
Which is why it’s important to do your research and see the slabs in person, if possible, before purchasing. As Jonathan Stanley, VP of marketing at Caesarstone, explains: “Engineered stone requires virtually no maintenance, offering a beautiful, natural aesthetic whilst being easy to maintain. But there is good and bad, so seek advice. The cheapest materials often look it, and they are unlikely to come with transparent information about warranty and relevant certification, while the best brands will tell you everything that you need to know, as well as being guaranteed to last a lifetime.”
One positive advancement in the production of engineered stone worktops are the silica-free surfaces. Although there is no danger to homeowners once a product, which has high crystalline silica in its composition, has been installed, the material can carry a health risk during its production and when it is cut by stonemasons.
Sintered stone
While sintered stone is an investment, it’s one of the most hardwearing materials in the kitchen worktop market. “It has superior technical properties that make it ultra-durable and highly resistant to scratches, stains, heat and UV rays,” says Simon Taylor, managing director at Simon Taylor Furniture. It can also handle rapid temperature changes and doesn’t chip and crack as easily as other surfaces due to its more curated production process.
Sintered stone also offers interesting design possibilities; according to Neolith, there’s a growing demand for ‘invisible hobs’, where the induction cooktops are installed directly under the worktop to offer a seamless aesthetic and provide wow factor. Integrated sinks made out of the same material as your kitchen worktops are also in high demand, again, providing a sleek, uninterrupted look.
Prices start from around £112.77 per sq m for Neolith worktops.
Porcelain kitchen worktops
Homeowners are drawn to the design possibilities porcelain work surfaces offer, as well as the fact that they are maintenance free and more cost-effective than stone. “Porcelain worktops are incredibly resistant to heat, stains and scratches, making them ideal for a busy kitchen,” says Claudio Corniola, R&D director at Laminam. “Their non-porous surface also means they are a breeze to clean and super hygienic.”
Aside from the fact that porcelain is simple to look after, manufacturers are using it to produce increasingly ultra-thin profiles (as thin as 3mm thick) – which is trickier to achieve with natural stone. This allows for more creativity in the design process, including worktops with large, matching splashback walls, or bookmatched splashbacks, and even cabinetry clad in the same material as the kitchen worktop, for a sleek look.
Porcelain is also ideal for outdoor use. “The outdoor kitchen market is growing rapidly, and we have seen an increasing desire for year- round garden entertaining,” explains Jonathan. “Our porcelain range has been meticulously tested to withstand harsh sunlight and variable temperatures, ensuring it remains highly UV and weather resistant for years to come.”
To give you an idea of cost, Laminam worktops start at £180 per sq m for 5mm thickness, £410 per sq m for 12mm thickness and £520 per sq m for 20mm thickness.
Industrial finishes
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is definitely having its moment in the spotlight, especially when industrial materials like this are mixed with natural finishes such as wood to create contrast. “Stainless-steel worktops have a sleek, modern vibe that many people love for their kitchens,” says Francois Damseaux, director at Wood Works Brighton.
According to Francois, one of the biggest pros is their durability – they’re resistant to stains, heat and water damage, making them a solid choice for busy kitchens. However, they’re not infallible. “They’re a bit noisy when you’re chopping or using pots and pans, scratch more easily than other surfaces, plus their shiny finish can lose its luster, showing smudges or fingerprints – that’s why I’d always opt for a dull polished finish,” says Francois.
But overall, if you’re looking for something that’s both stylish and tough, stainless steel will work. Francois says expect to pay anywhere from around £500 per sq m.
Microcement
Another industrial-style finish that keeps cropping up is microcement. Easier to work with than traditional cement, it comes in a range of colours to create a contemporary look. It’s a great option for those looking to create a seamless worktop with no grout lines – a top choice for extra-large or waterfall islands.
However, Tim Higham, founder of Higham Furniture, warns that installing a microcement worktop can be time consuming. “Each fine layer is applied to a ply substrate on site and allowed to dry until the next layer is added to achieve the desired thickness – then it’s sanded and sealed,” he explains. “The seal makes it resistant to staining. While you’ll need to regularly wipe it down, like any kitchen, use gentle cleaning agents to maintain its polished finish.”
Costs vary – an average starting point for a microcement surface is £180 per sq m.
Sustainable kitchen worktop materials
Recycled glass terrazzo worktops are an eco-alternative to quartz and yet rather similar in appearance. Resilica’s glass worktops are made in the UK from 85% recycled glass, contain zero VOCs and are available in hundreds of colours, perfect for adding a bit of pizzazz and point of difference to a kitchen.
“Recycled glass worktops not only have great eco credentials, but they’re also super-hardwearing, with glass being a very robust and impervious material,” explains George Glasier, co-founder of Pluck. However, he points out that, as they’re made to order, you’ll need to be prepared for longer lead times between templating and installation, as well as a punchy price tag, due to the higher cost involved in producing them. Resilica work surfaces, for example, start at around £480 per linear m.
Another excellent, sustainable alternative is Foresso – a material made from wood offcuts and turned into a timber terrazzo. “Foresso combines reclaimed wood with low-carbon binders, reducing reliance on high-energy materials like cement and stone used in traditional terrazzo, making it a more environmentally conscious choice,” explains Conor Taylor, director at Foresso. In terms of upkeep, it’s much like a hardwood.
While it’s very durable, it will require oiling every so often, but you can simply sand out any scratches and stains. Expect to pay around £1000 for a 3m long worktop.
So, which kitchen worktop material will you choose?
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