Top This: What Benchtop's Best for You?
There are as many kitchen benchtop materials available as there are ways in which kitchens are used. See which one best suits your needs
Cheryl F
16 June 2016
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
It’s perhaps the ultimate kitchen planning question – which type of benchtop will you go for? The colour and finish you choose will have a big impact on your room and probably influence which flooring, cabinets, sink and tiles you opt for as well.
Of course, it’s not just about looks and style; the right work surface very much depends on how you use your kitchen practically, what your personal bugbears are, and where you stand on cleaning and maintenance. Here are some of the main benchtop options to get you started.
Of course, it’s not just about looks and style; the right work surface very much depends on how you use your kitchen practically, what your personal bugbears are, and where you stand on cleaning and maintenance. Here are some of the main benchtop options to get you started.
Best for keen cooks: Stainless steel
If you’re harbouring street food start-up fantasies, then stainless steel may be the benchtop for you. Hygienic, tough and reminiscent of a restaurant kitchen (hello MasterChef), stainless steel looks professional and harnesses industrial chic, and is very easy to keep clean (one reason it’s popular with cooks). Plus you can put hot pans down on it, no problem.
However, it does scratch (and potentially even dent), so if you want a perfect, pristine surface, it may not be the best choice. On the other hand, some people think multiple scratches over time give it character and personality.
If you’re harbouring street food start-up fantasies, then stainless steel may be the benchtop for you. Hygienic, tough and reminiscent of a restaurant kitchen (hello MasterChef), stainless steel looks professional and harnesses industrial chic, and is very easy to keep clean (one reason it’s popular with cooks). Plus you can put hot pans down on it, no problem.
However, it does scratch (and potentially even dent), so if you want a perfect, pristine surface, it may not be the best choice. On the other hand, some people think multiple scratches over time give it character and personality.
Best for durability and cleanliness: Solid surface
It isn’t necessarily the cheapest option, but a man-made solid surface benchtop, such as Corian (composed of a mix of minerals and acrylic resin) can be the ultimate in tough kitchen benchtops.
This material’s flexibility means you won’t have to worry about unsightly joins, and it can be formed to create integrated sinks and draining boards for a neat look, as seen here. Solid surface benchtops also come in a wide range of colours and natural effects – ideal if you want something different.
A solid surface benchtop won’t stain, scratch or crack easily and it’s ultra-waterproof, so won’t get soggy. This material is also good for food prep, as it’s ultra-hygienic and easy to keep clean.
It isn’t necessarily the cheapest option, but a man-made solid surface benchtop, such as Corian (composed of a mix of minerals and acrylic resin) can be the ultimate in tough kitchen benchtops.
This material’s flexibility means you won’t have to worry about unsightly joins, and it can be formed to create integrated sinks and draining boards for a neat look, as seen here. Solid surface benchtops also come in a wide range of colours and natural effects – ideal if you want something different.
A solid surface benchtop won’t stain, scratch or crack easily and it’s ultra-waterproof, so won’t get soggy. This material is also good for food prep, as it’s ultra-hygienic and easy to keep clean.
Best for rustic charm: Wood
Wooden benchtops have many detractors – yes, we know, they stain, scratch and go black and mouldy all too easily. And don’t even mention the scorched saucepan rings. If you’re a low-maintenance kind of person, they are possibly not for you – you’ll need to oil them regularly, and frequently when they’re first fitted. Spills will need to be mopped up fast to avoid staining, and scratches may need to be sanded back.
And yet a well done wooden benchtop is a real joy to behold. It looks beautifully rustic, warm and homey and, if you don’t mind a little elbow grease every now again, you’ll (hopefully) never regret your choice. Hardwoods, including teak and iroko, have a higher oil content, so are more resistant to water.
Wooden benchtops have many detractors – yes, we know, they stain, scratch and go black and mouldy all too easily. And don’t even mention the scorched saucepan rings. If you’re a low-maintenance kind of person, they are possibly not for you – you’ll need to oil them regularly, and frequently when they’re first fitted. Spills will need to be mopped up fast to avoid staining, and scratches may need to be sanded back.
And yet a well done wooden benchtop is a real joy to behold. It looks beautifully rustic, warm and homey and, if you don’t mind a little elbow grease every now again, you’ll (hopefully) never regret your choice. Hardwoods, including teak and iroko, have a higher oil content, so are more resistant to water.
hcdb.uk.com
Best for value: Laminate
Think laminate and nasty, cheap, landlord-issue fake wood might spring to mind. But hold on a minute. Laminate (ultimately a chipboard, ply or MDF core coated in plastic) has come a long way, and there are lots of superior versions around that look brilliant and are great value.
You can fake just about anything you wish: granite, slate, oak. An unfussy plain white laminate, as in this smart compact kitchen, can also look simple and perfectly lovely. It’s hard to beat if you’re on a shoestring and, even better, laminate can be fitted DIY, if you’re up to the job.
However, remember to protect your benchtop when chopping food or removing oven trays, as this type of benchtop can get damaged easily. Remember also that the very cheapest laminates could end up being a false economy.
How much does a kitchen benchtop cost?
Think laminate and nasty, cheap, landlord-issue fake wood might spring to mind. But hold on a minute. Laminate (ultimately a chipboard, ply or MDF core coated in plastic) has come a long way, and there are lots of superior versions around that look brilliant and are great value.
You can fake just about anything you wish: granite, slate, oak. An unfussy plain white laminate, as in this smart compact kitchen, can also look simple and perfectly lovely. It’s hard to beat if you’re on a shoestring and, even better, laminate can be fitted DIY, if you’re up to the job.
However, remember to protect your benchtop when chopping food or removing oven trays, as this type of benchtop can get damaged easily. Remember also that the very cheapest laminates could end up being a false economy.
How much does a kitchen benchtop cost?
Best for long-lasting looks: Granite
Natural granite can last a lifetime. It’s not cheap, but it’s heat-resistant, which means you can put a hot saucepan down on it with no concerns. It’s also easy to keep clean. It has natural good looks, and there’s a wide choice of types and colours available (ranging from grey to brown, black, white and even blue or pink) if you shop around.
Granite is heavy, though, so it will need to be well-supported. And if it does get damaged, it isn’t easy to repair. It should also ideally be resealed every couple of years.
See more granite benchtops
Natural granite can last a lifetime. It’s not cheap, but it’s heat-resistant, which means you can put a hot saucepan down on it with no concerns. It’s also easy to keep clean. It has natural good looks, and there’s a wide choice of types and colours available (ranging from grey to brown, black, white and even blue or pink) if you shop around.
Granite is heavy, though, so it will need to be well-supported. And if it does get damaged, it isn’t easy to repair. It should also ideally be resealed every couple of years.
See more granite benchtops
Best for practicality: Quartz
A manmade quartz, such as Silestone, offers the benefits of natural stone, being extra hard and durable, but with a contemporary, clean look. This type of benchtop (composed of crushed quartz and resin) is ultra stain-resistant, so you won’t need to worry about curry mishaps and red wine spills, and there’s no time-consuming sealing process to put up with. It’s also antibacterial, so you don’t need to stress about bugs multiplying in cracks and crevices.
This type of ‘engineered stone’ comes in lots of colours, but it can be on the pricey side. It also doesn’t look the same as ‘natural’ stones – something to consider if you’re craving the authentic country look.
A manmade quartz, such as Silestone, offers the benefits of natural stone, being extra hard and durable, but with a contemporary, clean look. This type of benchtop (composed of crushed quartz and resin) is ultra stain-resistant, so you won’t need to worry about curry mishaps and red wine spills, and there’s no time-consuming sealing process to put up with. It’s also antibacterial, so you don’t need to stress about bugs multiplying in cracks and crevices.
This type of ‘engineered stone’ comes in lots of colours, but it can be on the pricey side. It also doesn’t look the same as ‘natural’ stones – something to consider if you’re craving the authentic country look.
Best for indulgence: Marble
Nobody really needs a marble benchtop in their kitchen; there are plenty of other tough alternatives on the market. And yet nothing says light, upmarket elegance and five-star style quite so wonderfully. Natural marble is cool to the touch (and great for rolling out pastry), and each piece will be individual. Marble is also fairly easy to keep clean.
It does scratch, however, and you’ll need to keep acidic solutions away from it (so watch out for that stray lemon half), as they can corrode it. Certain substances, such as red wine, may also stain if not mopped up speedily.
Nobody really needs a marble benchtop in their kitchen; there are plenty of other tough alternatives on the market. And yet nothing says light, upmarket elegance and five-star style quite so wonderfully. Natural marble is cool to the touch (and great for rolling out pastry), and each piece will be individual. Marble is also fairly easy to keep clean.
It does scratch, however, and you’ll need to keep acidic solutions away from it (so watch out for that stray lemon half), as they can corrode it. Certain substances, such as red wine, may also stain if not mopped up speedily.
Best for industrial attitude: Concrete
Bring out your brutalist side with a chunky slab of concrete in the kitchen. A concrete benchtop is heavy-duty, cool-looking and, as you’d expect, super-durable. It also ages beautifully, acquiring a characterful patina.
However, it’s undeniably heavy and, as raw concrete is porous, will need to be well sealed to avoid stains and marking. You’ll also have the odd seam to contend with. As it’s cast in slabs, concrete is more versatile in shape than stone; plus you can opt for different types of surface finishes, from polished to matt.
Design features to work out of concrete
Bring out your brutalist side with a chunky slab of concrete in the kitchen. A concrete benchtop is heavy-duty, cool-looking and, as you’d expect, super-durable. It also ages beautifully, acquiring a characterful patina.
However, it’s undeniably heavy and, as raw concrete is porous, will need to be well sealed to avoid stains and marking. You’ll also have the odd seam to contend with. As it’s cast in slabs, concrete is more versatile in shape than stone; plus you can opt for different types of surface finishes, from polished to matt.
Design features to work out of concrete
Best for minimal looks: Ceramic
Ceramic benchtops are gaining ground in kitchens. Ceramic is tough and durable, yet it’s slimmer than surfaces such as granite – ideal if you want a modern, streamlined look, as seen here. New technology and manufacturing methods mean ceramic benchtops can now feature longer lengths without joins (rather than the tiled benchtops of yore, with their acres of always-needing-to-be-cleaned grouting). They also tend to be stain-, scratch- and heat-resistant.
Ceramic can crack, though, so watch out when swinging that Le Creuset pan – you’ll want to avoid dropping anything heavy on it.
Ceramic benchtops are gaining ground in kitchens. Ceramic is tough and durable, yet it’s slimmer than surfaces such as granite – ideal if you want a modern, streamlined look, as seen here. New technology and manufacturing methods mean ceramic benchtops can now feature longer lengths without joins (rather than the tiled benchtops of yore, with their acres of always-needing-to-be-cleaned grouting). They also tend to be stain-, scratch- and heat-resistant.
Ceramic can crack, though, so watch out when swinging that Le Creuset pan – you’ll want to avoid dropping anything heavy on it.
Best for light in a small space: Glass
Gleaming glass may not be the first option that springs to mind when you’re shopping for a benchtop, but it can make perfect sense. Glass is reflective, adding a sense of light and brightness to small or dark kitchens. It’s also easy to clean, heat-resistant and hygienic.
The latest toughened glass benchtops are less susceptible to chips, scratches and breakages. Even slimline designs can be super-strong these days. A bespoke, cut-to-fit glass benchtop can also be made to fit the exact space you require – another big plus.
However, glass does smudge and smear, so if you don’t fancy constantly buffing away fingermarks, it might not be the option for you. And it’s not the cheapest material, either, so perhaps not for those on a tight budget.
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Which type of kitchen benchtop is your ideal? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Gleaming glass may not be the first option that springs to mind when you’re shopping for a benchtop, but it can make perfect sense. Glass is reflective, adding a sense of light and brightness to small or dark kitchens. It’s also easy to clean, heat-resistant and hygienic.
The latest toughened glass benchtops are less susceptible to chips, scratches and breakages. Even slimline designs can be super-strong these days. A bespoke, cut-to-fit glass benchtop can also be made to fit the exact space you require – another big plus.
However, glass does smudge and smear, so if you don’t fancy constantly buffing away fingermarks, it might not be the option for you. And it’s not the cheapest material, either, so perhaps not for those on a tight budget.
TELL US
Which type of kitchen benchtop is your ideal? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more stories about kitchen features
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We fitted 12.5mm compact laminate worktops and think they are wonderful. Not cheap and a real sod to fit but 100% water proof, virtually indestructible and can take drainer grooves, round corners, etc, cut on site.. The first fitter made a right hash of it so £1500 of worktop had to be thrown away, not at my expense. The fitters don't like the material as they have to use top quality router bits which quickly blunt.
Recently I was drilling a hole into a mirror frame while resting it on the worktop (to hang it on the wall). My drill went straight through the wood which would have ruined any other worktop. Not so the compacted laminate which didn't even show a scratch. Anyway, repair kits are available should they ever be needed. The worktops are also stain-proof and heat-proof to 220C.
I have had laminate on my benches for 40 years, 20 in two different kitchens, the design of laminate was textured so it has a raised surface not shiny, but the grain is fine not like the ones of earlier times that caught a lot of dirt and needed to be cleaned with a brush. So back to mine, they were called Irish linen and French linen, of which I owned both, They wore so well with 5 children some budding chefs and plenty of I don't cares, it still looks great although some would say dated, no scratches or chips, Truely if I was looking for low maintenance bench I would look for this although I'm pretty sure it's discontinued.
Embarking on a renovation or design project can be daunting. Most people worry about where to start, what to choose. Thanks for this is a great helpful general guide to kitchen countertops. Another alternative is Neolith that is manmade stone without the resins/sealers. It's a perfect surface for people who love to cook as it is non-porous and direct heat is not an issue.
Personally, I love Granite Worktops. Because its natural no two worktops are ever the same so its unique in that sense.