Which kitchen worktops are best + how much do kitchen worktops cost?
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Real oak kitchen worktops in our Howdens kitchen
If you’re wondering which type of worktop is best or how much a kitchen worktop costs, then you’re in the right place.
Choosing a worktop type is possibly one of the toughest decisions of your renovation. A worktop can completely change the look of a kitchen, and due to the surface area involved, the colour can also alter the light in the room. Your choice can also significantly change the cost of a new kitchen, so you need to make it the right one.
When we chose our Howdens worktops, the decision involved ‘somewhat heated’ discussions because of the multitude of factors; the cost, the look, the future maintenance requirements all come into play. That's why we're sharing our discoveries throughout our open plan kitchen diner renovation so that you can make an informed decision about worktops without spending house having to hunt for the information like we did. If you’re going for a Howdens kitchen like us, remember that Howdens prices are kept under lock and key until you get an appointment with them and start designing so it’s worth expediting this process for accurate worktop costs.
By the way if you’re trying to find out how much does a new kitchen cost? or costs for a new kitchen extension, we have guides to help you on that also.
Worktop options
When we were deciding on which type of worktop material to use in our kitchen these were the options that presented:
Real wood
Wood-look laminate
Corian/Acrylic
Marble
Granite
Glass
The difference between these options is huge so it’s good to understand these so that you can determine which worktops are best for your kitchen - and your lifestyle.
Laminate worktops for kitchens
Laminate worktops are a popular choice for busy families because there’s no way that cup rings, sticky fingers or accidents are going to effect the look of this hard wearing choice. Seemingly limitless options are available in terms of aesthetic and they are so easy to maintain.
Cons
Can't be sanded
If it's poor quality it can peel at ends
Not as desirable as stone/wood
Pros
Very durable
Doesn't get scratched easily
Good for pets or allergies
Easy to maintain
Heat resistant
Available in lots of styles & colours
Real wood worktops for kitchens
A premium option which gives your kitchen that added visual edge that will look good for years to come whilst remaining naturally antibacterial. You might be wondering “are wooden worktops practical?”, well from personal experience although wood worktops are amazing to look at, they do come with their issues to be aware of…
Cons
High maintenance – requires oiling to give water protection
Water splashes and rings can appear if not dried up quickly
Can become black around sink
Can become stained, scratched or scorched
Pros
Gives the kitchen a premium, stunning look
Can be sanded, stained
Gives a rustic look
Antibacterial if maintained
Corian worktops for kitchens
Corian is an extremely solid and durable surface composed of acrylic resin and mineral filler. Seamless joints can be achieved, creating an expansive and inventive worktop design where the only real limit is your imagination.
Cons
Expensive
Pros
Easy to maintain
Heat, scratch resistant
Luxurious, adds value to house
Can create a seamless look
Marble worktops for kitchens
Marble is a premium surface that adds an element of class to a kitchen. Due to it’s softness it is easier to add design elements like tooled edges. It’s soft, porous nature means that care is needed to protect it from scratches, cracking and staining.
Cons
Prone to scratches
Expensive materials
Expensive to cut/fit
Pros
Premium look
Cool temperature (good for rolling
pastry)
Luxurious, adds value to house
Glass worktops for kitchens
A durable worktop that introduces a modern, clean look to a kitchen.
Cons
Shows finger prints and water marks
Pros
Very durable
Easy to clean
Can be cut to any size
Wide choice of colours
The cost of kitchen worktop materials
Like most things in a kitchen renovation, the cost is probably the biggest driving factor, and with worktops, the cost can easily spiral, especially if like us you have a large surface area to fit worktops to.
Below we've put together an idea of the sort of costs you might expect for the different worktop materials mentioned above:
One thing to mention - Don’t forget upstands - although not always necessary, they are a desirable feature and can enhance the look of your worktops and overall kitchen aesthetics.
Kitchen worktop installation costs
Then you have finishing and installation on top of the materials and a rule of thumb for budgeting for most worktops is to double the amount that you have spent on materials themselves. So for example if you paid £300 for some laminate, then the installation costs could be around £300. However, the cost may be much more for materials like granite where the cutting and preparing is a much more involved process.
How we can help you
Thank you for reading this post, we’ve got loads more to show you if you're renovating a kitchen / house. Here are just some of the ways you can engage with us:
Join our free Happy Home Club (a place for renovators & lovers of all things home)
Check out our How to Renovate a House Online Course where you’ll find detailed advice just like this, all in one place
Check out our Advice page for more great hints and tips
Or browse our shop for planners, tools and resources to help you plan your renovation with ease.
Thanks for reading!
Neil & Fifi
