Kitchen Cabinet countertops are built from different material that change from one activity zone to the next. The choice of material is lead by task undertaken as there is no one surface that can withstand
- Scratches,
- Stains,
- Heat Marks and
- Be hardwearing,
- Easy to clean
- Point to cosider for Kitchen Worktop
- Kitchen Countertop cover the area surrounding the hob with Terrazzo, Granite, or Stainless Steel. All three are heatproof, hardwearing and require little effort to maintain. If you are not planning to stay in your property for long, the cost of there materials may be a drawback.
- Chopping and food preparation is best performed on wood. Consider buying a series of different-sizes blocks to lay on top of any surface, or install a slab of End-Grain Wood. Once regarded as a breeding ground to be hygienic.
- For draining boards, the most appropriate materials are water-resistant, and provide a soft landing for delicate china and glassware that have to be washed by hand. Stainless Steel, Oiled Hard Wood, Colorcore, and Corian are all suitable material.
- Granite or Slate are both suitable surface for pastry-making because they are cool and smooth, so preventing pastry from sticking.
- Oiled Hard Woods make attractive and easy to restore general surface, when away from heat.
Name of Kitchen Cabinet Worktops
1. Colorcore
This material is made from layer upon layer of colored paper, coated in a tough melamine-formaldehyde resin.
Advantages
· Knife cuts on worktops can be sanded away
· Subtle range of colors is available.
· Waterproof and simple to wipe clean
Disadvantages
· More expensive than Formica laminate.
· Can become unstuck at the edges.
· Surface has no light-reflective qualities.
A synthetic resin best installed in heavily used area, such as around sinks, where it can be seamlessly joined to worktop
Advantages
· Rounded front edges are safer for small children.
· Joins between different section are invisible.
· Sinks and worktops are made from one piece.
Disadvantages
· Difficult to install without professional help.
· Over long periods, paler colors may yellow.
· Can work out as expensive as granite.
3. End-Grain Wood
As its name suggests, this is wood turned on its end and glued together in blocks. It provides the best surface for cutting.
Advantages
· Very dense and wears evenly across the grain.
· Knife blades do not damage the end-grain
· Blade is gripped on contact, making it safer
Disadvantages
· Central heating may cause the worktop to warp.
· Absorbs strong food flavour, such as garlic.
· Wood may contract it centrally heated homes.
4. Formica Laminate
A man-made material that has a paper center and is built up with think coats of lacquer to create a flexible sheet material.
Advantages
· Huge choice of bright colors and patterns.
· Waterproof and easy to wipe clean
· Simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
Disadvantages
· Cutting directly onto the surface cause damage.
· In time, the laminate can deteriorate.
· Once damaged, the worktop cannot be repaired
5. Granite
A nature material available in a huge range of colors and patterns. It is cut to size and polished to make worktops.
Advantages
· Natural beauty does not deteriorate with age.
· Almost impossible to scratch or chip
· Heatproof, waterproof, and difficult to stain.
Disadvantages
· Expensive as it is a hard stone to machine-cut.
· Weight requires base cabinets to be strong.
· Dark color ways can appear cold and murky.
6. Lacquered Hardwood
The beauty of wood makes it a popular choice. These worktops are coated with lacquer, above and below, for protection.
Advantages
· Wide range of different colors and grain exist.
· Worktops match the wood cabinet finishes.
· Reasonably priced.
Disadvantages
· Liquid spillages eventually dissolve the lacquer.
· Knife cuts permanently damage the surface.
· Not as hardwearing as other wood finishes.
7. Oiled Wood
Planks of solid hardwood that are glued together and brushed with linseed oil to prevent the wood from splitting.
Advantages
· More resistant to heat than lacquered wood.
· Flexible surface that can withstand knocks.
· Sanding and a coat of oil restores its beauty.
Disadvantages
· Central heating may cause it to warp or crack.
· Chopping on this surface leaves deep incisions.
· Some oiled hardwoods are expensive.
8. Slate
Many slates are too porous for kitchen use but a few newly available types have a high silica content that reduces porosity.
Advantages
· Smooth surface is cool and pleasant to touch.
· Relatively hardwearing if silica content is high.
· A cheaper alternative to granite and marble.
Disadvantages
· Porous types of slate absorb oil and stain easily.
· A finish must be applied to reduce porosity.
· Colors can be dull and uninteresting.
9. Stainless Steel
A near-perfect worktop material, used in professional kitchen where performance is important. A brushed finish is best.
Advantages
· A heatproof material.
· Wipes clean easily and is very hygienic.
· Brushed stainless steel wears particularly well
Disadvantages
· Highly surface scratch easily
· A noisy surface to work on.
· Curved shapes.
10. Terrazzo
A lesser known material, made from a mixture of marble and granite chippings set in white cement, and then polish.
Advantages
· Comes in wide variety of color and patterns.
· Can be made up to your exact specification.
· Hardwearing and waterproof.
Disadvantages
· Costly and time-consuming to install.
· Not as hardwearing as natural stones.
· Bolder patterns may lose their appeal in time.
