Things to Consider Before Choosing the Right Worktop for your Kitchen

There are different things to consider before buying a kitchen, and worktop is one such. As most of the activities are centered on the worktop, measures have to be taken to make sure that when you choose a worktop you choose a surface that can withstand the daily onslaught of knocks, spills, hot pans, sharp knives and the occasional human error. The material choices are wide such as wood, granite, engineered stone, stainless steel, marble, glass and corian. The below factors will determine what kind of material will go into your kitchen worktop. 

On the top

Durability and Resistance: Some of the common accidents that happen in a kitchen include dropped pots, sharp knives, spilled wine or oil. Therefore, you need to pick an appropriate material which can withstand all kinds of toll and is resistant to stains, heat, steam, scratches, water, and grease. In other words, you need to choose a worktop that is durable, sturdy and robust. 

Whatever work surface you choose for the kitchen, areas adjacent to the cooking hobs should ideally be heat resistant. If you use your kitchen top vigourously then consider the wooden butcher’s block for chopping, or a cool marble or slate slab for pastry making. Spillage is common in kitchen, either you need to look for a top that is water-resistant or you need to go for annual sealing, and this is important to know prior to having it fitted. With children around, your worktop is susceptible to scratches, which is why you need to choose a tough material. Whatever activity goes around in your kitchen, keeping in mind the people and things that are likely to confront it is important. So, depending on your usage make sure your work surface is heat, water and scratch resistant.  

Durable and ability to withstand daily wear ad tear 

Maintenance: Strength and resilience are the greatest priority, but worktops must also be hygienic and easy to wipe clean. The best ones also resist the abrasive effects of scouring and will not absorb the stains from food, vinegar and oil. If possible use one length of worktop, keeping joins and seams to a minimum. This way there will be less of an opportunity for bacteria and dirt to build up in crevices. For similar reasons, sinks should be either flush-fitted or under mounted into the worktop. If you are someone who has no time for cleaning more than just a basic wipe down every day then you should consider a worktop that needs low maintenance. On the other hand, if you are a fastidious person, you probably won’t mind having a material that needs slightly more care and attention. 

Appearance: One of the most important things about choosing your kitchen worktop is the appearance. As they take up lot of space, worktops often become the focal point of your kitchen. Mixing materials is a growing trend so can mix and match the countertop to differentiate the space. Your island can have a different countertop and your main counter a different top finish. Besides, you need to consider practicality, if some finish doesn’t go along with the other it’s better not to mix and match. After all what matters is that the kitchen’s worktop should complement your cabinet or any other element in your kitchen. While choosing material, make sure one material doesn’t overpower another. It is also worth bearing in mind that natural materials will differ very slightly in appearance.

Perfect on the inside and outside

A match for your lifestyle: One of the important aspects to consider is to settle on a good fit countertop that blends with your lifestyle. Though you may admire a certain top finish, odds are that the material may not suit your lifestyle. Perhaps, there's another material that does.

Cost: As you can imagine, different materials come with different price tags and it is important to research each one, and decide what fits in your budget. There are so many different materials to choose from, which means that you will be able to get the look you are after, regardless of your budget. 

Does it fit your budget?

Thickness and depth: The thickness and depth of worktops plays an important role in the kitchen. Select the thickest worktop you can afford. The most common thicknesses are 30mm and 40mm, but a 40mm worktop, tends to have greater resistance to heat and damage and is less prone to cracking or warping. Main worktops should be 500 to 600mm deep (20 to 24in), while smaller work areas should be at least 300mm (12in) wide, but preferably large. 

How thick? How deep?

Height: Varying the height of your worktop not only offers practical benefits but aesthetic ones, too. Getting it right however, is all down to good planning and the skills of a professional kitchen designer and fitter. The height of worktops which usually varies from 850 to 900mm (34 to 36in), should be carefully adjusted to your own height for chopping, mixing and whisking at the right level. Some units have adjustable legs for this purpose; with others you can choose between plinths (bases) of several different heights to allow changes in counter level. Ergonomically, it’s important to have the correct height for different tasks. The standard worktop height is designed to work and cook at. The same level is not comfortable to sit at on a bar stool or chair and long-term use could potentially lead to bad posture or health problems. When varying the height of worktops for different zones, consider the materials to suit them. 

Edge form: Availability of edges depends solely on the countertop material. Some of the standard edges include square, round, bullnose, ogee, and bevel. If you have kids around, you might want to re-consider using sharp edges. 

What's best for you?

Eventually, the material you choose will have a huge impact on both the look and functionality of your kitchen. Whatever influences your choices, we hope it’s the best decision you have made. For more in-depth details about material choices visit: Choosing Kitchen Worktop Materials: Pros and Cons