KITCHEN GUIDE / WORKTOPS & SPLASHBACKS
Worktop materials
The big cover up Worktops, splashbacks, taps and sinks will be used all the time, so take the time to choose ones that are hardwearing and visually pleasing. Words from articles by Keith Kelliher, Marion McGarry and Astrid Madsen
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The worktop or countertop is the main worksurface of your kitchen and its selection will need to take account of many factors including cost, scratch and stain resistance, heat resistance, durability and ease of cleaning. Most common are laminate, manmade composites, solid wood, stone (marble, granite), concrete, metal and glass. The laminate finishes are at the lower cost end and are a plastic finished layer bonded to manmade board which mimics the appearance of hundreds of different finishes, from weathered wood to veined marble. Laminate worktops are generally available for less than €100/£80 per m for a standard 600mm wide 40mm thick worktop. They generally come standard in about 3m lengths. Natural stone (granite and marble) is one of the most popular choices for its durability and for being associated with luxurious kitchen designs. They are however expensive, and depend greatly on stone choice, colour, thickness and slab size.
Always go and view your slab as each one varies, and you might get more of a particular fleck than you were expecting. For top quality products manmade composites are often comparable in price to natural stone. Composite materials offer seamless styling and stain resistance but may be prone to scratching so always check the quality. Quartz, which usually refers to a crushed stone bound with plastic resin, will generally be available above €300/£280 per m for a 600mm wide length but prices vary greatly depending on quality and colour. Solid wood worktops have been around for generations and with the increases in costs of timber, have also become more expensive. Depending on the chosen material, solid timber worktops are available in oak, 600mm widths at 40mm thickness for €120/£100 per m and up, with iroko or walnut at prices in excess of €180/£160 per m. They require twice yearly oiling. Note that beech is said to have natural anti bacterial properties. In recent times glass has
