An essential guide to worktops – from choosing the right one to installing it properly
Worktops not only work the hardest in most kitchens, but they also play a huge part in the look of a newly designed kitchen. However, they aren’t cheap, so you’ll need to make the right choices when it comes to choosing, fitting and looking after your worktops.
Choosing the right worktop for you
Price will always be a consideration when choosing a new worktop, but you also need to think about durability, longevity and value for money. It could be worth paying a little more for a better quality product, one that will last for many years without needing to be replaced.
Your main choices will be laminate and wood-effect, solid wood, granite and stainless steel, but you may also come across glass and composite stone. Granite tends to be the most durable, resisting everything from scratches to heat stains, while stainless steel is the easiest to keep clean. Solid wood also has anti-bacterial qualities, whilst wood-effect worktops will need oiling regularly.
Give the practicality of the worktop you choose equal priority with the way that it looks, think about how you use your kitchen and how much maintenance you can spare the time for.
Worktop fitting
If you have a medium level of DIY experience and ability, you may be able to fit your kitchen units yourself – although it can be really time-consuming. However, when it comes to worktops, it is almost always recommended to get a professional kitchen fitter in to do the job.
It sounds like it’s going to be easy, but there are lots of things that can go wrong. The worktop needs to be measured and cut perfectly to fit your kitchen design, and corners require a skilled approach to get a professional finish. It can be fiddly and time-consuming, plus the fact that worktops can be very heavy. If in doubt, call for a professional – it just isn’t worth spending the money on gorgeous worktops if the installation and finish is poor.
Maintenance
Once properly installed by a professional, most worktops should be ready to use. All you’ll really need to do is to keep them clean, making sure to mop up spills and stains straight away to prevent damage. However, with some worktops such as wood, you’ll need to seal them with a specialist oil to protect the surface. It’s always a good idea to look into how much maintenance a worktop needs before you buy it, and make sure you follow all instructions once the worktop is installed.
If you’re daunted by the idea of installing a worktop, or you simply need a reliable, skilled professional to replace your kitchen worktops, A&J Kitchens can help. We’re experienced in all areas of kitchen fitting, with worktops a particular speciality. Don’t ruin beautiful worktops and a great kitchen design with shoddy fitting – call in the professionals first.
Worktops not only work the hardest in most kitchens, but they also play a huge part in the look of a newly designed kitchen. However, they aren’t cheap, so you’ll need to make the right choices when it comes to choosing, fitting and looking after your worktops.
Choosing the right worktop for you
Price will always be a consideration when choosing a new worktop, but you also need to think about durability, longevity and value for money. It could be worth paying a little more for a better quality product, one that will last for many years without needing to be replaced.
Your main choices will be laminate and wood-effect, solid wood, granite and stainless steel, but you may also come across glass and composite stone. Granite tends to be the most durable, resisting everything from scratches to heat stains, while stainless steel is the easiest to keep clean. Solid wood also has anti-bacterial qualities, whilst wood-effect worktops will need oiling regularly.
Give the practicality of the worktop you choose equal priority with the way that it looks, think about how you use your kitchen and how much maintenance you can spare the time for.
Worktop fitting
If you have a medium level of DIY experience and ability, you may be able to fit your kitchen units yourself – although it can be really time-consuming. However, when it comes to worktops, it is almost always recommended to get a professional kitchen fitter in to do the job.
It sounds like it’s going to be easy, but there are lots of things that can go wrong. The worktop needs to be measured and cut perfectly to fit your kitchen design, and corners require a skilled approach to get a professional finish. It can be fiddly and time-consuming, plus the fact that worktops can be very heavy. If in doubt, call for a professional – it just isn’t worth spending the money on gorgeous worktops if the installation and finish is poor.
Maintenance
Once properly installed by a professional, most worktops should be ready to use. All you’ll really need to do is to keep them clean, making sure to mop up spills and stains straight away to prevent damage. However, with some worktops such as wood, you’ll need to seal them with a specialist oil to protect the surface. It’s always a good idea to look into how much maintenance a worktop needs before you buy it, and make sure you follow all instructions once the worktop is installed.
If you’re daunted by the idea of installing a worktop, or you simply need a reliable, skilled professional to replace your kitchen worktops, A&J Kitchens can help. We’re experienced in all areas of kitchen fitting, with worktops a particular speciality. Don’t ruin beautiful worktops and a great kitchen design with shoddy fitting – call in the professionals first.
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