When choosing a kitchen worktop, it's easy to underestimate how many different factors you will have to consider in ensuring that the worktop you choose is the right one for you personally. Different materials have a range of different attributes, from durability and simple maintenance to hygienic qualities and heat resistance. Deciding on the best one will quite definitely depend on how you use your kitchen, but it is also important not to disregard the need for aesthetic appeal in making your choice. Since your new worktop will be a feature of one's kitchen for years or even decades to come, it's essential that you strike the right balance between practical and aesthetic considerations.
But which are the specific qualities of the various worktops available, and how do you decide on the one that's right for the kitchen? Here's a brief outline of some of the most popular materials:
Wood
When it comes to kitchen design, nothing beats the versatility, variety and quality of solid timber worktops. Usually obtainable in a huge selection of different styles, tones and colours, wooden surfaces bring a warm and earthy feel to the kitchen and are ideal for both modern and traditional designs. From the practical perspective, it is among the materials most susceptible to scratches, scuffs and stains, but this is balanced by the relative simplicity of repairing and maintaining the worktop. Furthermore, this material is hygienic and cost effective, making it a good all-round choice.
Laminate
Laminate worktops are sometimes derided because the 'budget' choice, but this would be to disregard the unique elements that laminates can bring to your kitchen's aesthetic. Because laminates are enormously versatile regarding finishes and effects, there's probably one on the market for every conceivable sort of kitchen design. This flexibility is further enhanced by the durable, stain-resistant nature of good quality laminates and the relative inexpensiveness of the type of material.
Acrylic
As one of the more expensive materials out there, acrylic worktops offer fantastic construction and unparalleled durability. While it's perhaps one of the most limited options when it comes to patterning, effects and finishes, acrylics are often available in a variety of different colours, allowing you to use a striking, unconventional bank of colour in your kitchen that really makes an impact. Regarding website though, few other materials are likely to retain their original quality just as that hardwearing acrylic does, meaning it is a great long-term investment for just about any new kitchen.
So there you have it. Three of the most popular kitchen worktop materials, each with their own unique qualities which means that they bring something distinctive to a new or remodelled kitchen. If you are still struggling to choose between them, make an effort to think in terms of your wider design needs. Can you choose the rustic touch that solid timber would bring, or would subtle, stylish acrylic better suit your more sophisticated design preferences? Matching your worktop together with your choice of kitchen doors is a good initial step in working out how exactly to achieve aesthetic harmony in your kitchen.